What One Owner Thinks of His Previous-Year Ram 1500

"Absolutely--mine is a daily driver. The only thing to remember is that diesels, by nature, take a much longer time to warm up. This means that your heat will not be available for a good portion of the early AM commutes and that you should not drive too hard because you run an increased risk of damaging a cold engine. Also, the engine never really gets a chance to clean itself out if it is only driven for a short distance or at slow speeds. Modern diesels need to be driven hard and at high speeds on a regular basis to keep them in optimal condition. The turbo can get gummed up with soot and the emissions equipment will get clogged as well. While I'm on the topic, idling for extended periods of time is also asking for trouble for those very reasons.

Long story short: very manageable for a DD. Just stretch its legs on the weekend every once in a while!"

Customers may not associate pickup trucks with commuter vehicles, but the Ram 1500 has continually proven to be a perfectly reasonable option for those daily drivers. The 305-horsepower 3.6-liter V6 engine included in the standard Ram 1500 delivers an impressive 16 city/23 highway mile per gallon efficiency, and these numbers are increased to 21 city/28 highway mpg on the EcoDiesel version. This trait alone makes the 2014 Ram 1500 an excellent option for daily drivers.

Plus, the cabin is luxurious and comfy, so drivers won't feel like they're cramped or in need of space as they're traveling in the Ram 1500. With a number of soft-touch materials available to adorn the vehicle (as well as a number of technological amenities), drivers can expect an excellent driving experience from their Ram, new or used.

Is there an aftermarket for Ram 1500 parts?

"The aftermarket is actually really strong for this engine since it has been in service throughout the world for quite a few years now. Check out Rollinsmokediesel.com they have a section devoted to the EcoDiesel with a surprising amount of parts and tuners already available. I know for a fact that most of the major players in the aftermarket sector already own EcoDiesels. I have been in pretty close contact with a few of them directly as I was one of the first to modify the new (at that time) 2010 6.7L."

There's no denying the usefulness of this info, but it's also important to recognize that a local Ram dealership should also be able to secure a missing part for your used pickup. Many of these dealerships (like, say, Miami Lakes Automall in Miami Lakes, Florida) have their own service department, and these technicians have plenty of resources they can rely on to acquire that one missing piece. Instead of worrying about the quality and trustworthiness of their aftermarket parts, leave it up to the professionals to find the missing link.

How much does a recent year 1500 compare to, say, an older 2500/3500?

"I definitely miss my 2010 2500, but comparing both trucks in stock form, the seat of the pants performance is nearly identical. I believe the 0-60 times on both trucks are very close. My 1500 is exponentially more comfortable with the air ride suspension and other updated creature comforts. Stopping is much more efficient in the 1500. The electronic steering on the new 1500 electronic steering system is a huge improvement over the 2500's. The 8-speed ZF transmission is very smooth but also has nice firm shifts that keep it interesting.

The only thing I miss from my 2500 was when the turbo spooled up and that boost kicked in--there isn't really a comparison to that feeling, but I now also get double my previous fuel economy and that enables me to justify having a truck a little more!"

Predictably, the more recent the model year, the more modern technology and amenities. Therefore, it shouldn't be much of a surprise that a 2014 Ram 1500 offers improved comfort and performance over an older 2500 or 3500.

Of course, alternatively, drivers could simply opt for a recent-year 2500 or 3500. While it will surely cost a bit more over a used 1500, customers can still expect a considerable savings over the 2016 counterparts.

Is the RamBox necessary?

"I do not have the RamBox, but I would like it because I now find myself needing a tonneau cover to protect the Rubbermaid container of spare parts, recovery gear, and light tools that I keep in the truck. If there had been an identical truck on the lot with RamBox, I would have sprung for it. Even though it is like $1500... If you really want to spend, Retrax makes a cover that works with the RamBox--pretty nice setup for guys that aren't constantly hauling stuff in the bed."

Pickup trucks already offer plenty of room to store cargo thanks to their lengthy, deep truck beds. Plus, the inclusion of these mighty engines means the pickups are also capable of towing any cargo the driver sees fit.

However, the owner may still be looking for ways to stay organized, and securing their most valuable equipment may ordinarily be too difficult. Fortunately, the Ram CargoBox provides drivers with an easy way to organize their materials, as well as keeping this cargo locked and safe. While it may not be a necessary addition to a Ram 1500, there's no denying its usefulness.

Plus, a used truck buyer may randomly come across a Ram 1500 that's already equipped with the CargoBox. In this scenario, you may be able to secure this exclusive feature without dishing out additional money.

Sure, you shouldn't trust everything on the internet. However, when it comes to one friendly Ram 1500 owner gushing about his pickup, you can probably take the writer at his word.