Because of their popularity, many people shopping for used cars are looking for pickup trucks. One of the best full-size pickup truck brands, the popular 1500 “half-ton” model is an excellent choice. However, newer isn’t always better to look at.
Best use of the Ram 1500 model year.
The 2013 Ram 1500 topped the ranking of 70 of the “Best Used Full-Size Trucks Under $25,000 for 2023.” There are 10 full-size Ram truck model years ranging from 2009 to 2018, and six of them are in the top 50%.
It tops our “2013 Full-Size Pickup Truck of the Year” list for its fuel-efficient new V6 engine, interior quality and comfortable driving characteristics.
Original MSRP ranged from $23,100 to $47,930. The ranges in use right now are between $12,435 and $23,178 on average. Various model offerings include the Tradesman, Express, SLT, HFE, Big Horn, Lone Star, Outdoorsman, R/T, Sport, Laramie, and Laramie Longhorn Edition, with three cab configurations: Regular, Crew, and Quad Cab.
The entry-level Regular Cab features 2WD, a 120.5-inch wheelbase, and a 4WD option. While the top-of-the-line Crew Cab Laramie Longhorn Edition comes with all-wheel drive and a 140.5-inch wheelbase, it’s available with two-wheel drive for less money.
The 4.7-liter V8 makes 310 hp and gets 14 mpg city and 20 mpg highway. Upgrading to the 5.7-liter V8 engine has 395 horsepower with the same fuel economy ratings. The best fuel economy comes from the Ram 1500 HFE equipped with the 305-hp 3.6-liter V6, which gets 18 mpg city and up to 25 mpg highway.
2012 Ram 1500
It ranked 11th on the Top 70 list with five other trucks and was the third full-size truck model when it was introduced. Original MSRP ranged from $22,570 to $46,420, with used models now in the $9,912 to $18,192 range.
The base model allows the regular cab 2WD 140.5-inch Tradesman to be upgraded to four-wheel drive. and the top-rack 4WD Crew Cab Laramie Longhorn Edition has a 140.5-inch wheelbase with the option of two-wheel drive. In addition, there are several models in Regular, Crew, and Quad Cab configurations in the Tradesman, Express, ST, SLT, Big Horn, Lone Star, Outdoorsman, R/T, Sport, Laramie, and Laramie Longhorn Edition to fill the void.
Powertrain options include a 3.7-liter V6 with 215 horsepower, a 4.7-liter V8 with 315 horsepower, and a 5.7-liter V8 with 390 horsepower. However, they’re all rated at 14 mpg city and 20 mpg highway in four-wheel-drive trucks and about one mpg lower in four-wheel-drive models.
2016 Ram 1500
The company, which ranked second out of five in its class in 2016, also ranked fourth in the Top 70 list. The newest of the three best Ram 1500s on the list had MSRP starting at $26,145 and going up to $52,665. Used models cost around $18,000 on the low end to $32,700 on average.
The 2016 Ram 1500 Tradesman regular cab features two-wheel drive and a 140.5-inch wheelbase, but upgrading to all-wheel drive is an option. The top model is the Crew Cab Longhorn Limited with four-wheel drive and a wheelbase of 149* inches. As always, several trim levels and cab configurations serve a multitude of needs and desires.
Engine options are similar to those in the 2013 Ram. However, the 2016 2WD HFE models use a 3.0-liter inline-cooled turbo-diesel V6 with 240 horsepower and 420 lb-ft of torque that gets up to 21 mpg city and 29 mpg highway.
Other options include perennial Ram offerings such as the 3.6-liter V6 making 305 horsepower and fuel economy ratings of 17 mpg city and 25 mpg highway and the 395-horsepower 5.7-liter V8 that gets 15 mpg in city and 22 mpg highway.
Is a used Ram 1500 worth buying?
The used Ram 1500 is an excellent choice for a full-size pickup truck, whether you need it to tow heavy trailers, haul heavy goods, or take that special someone out for a night on the town.
The Ram features heavy-duty construction, a comfortable ride, and seating for two to six people, depending on cab configuration. Also, there is a choice of 2WD or 4WD across just about any model.
