7 Great Years for the Ram Pickup

Finding the right truck can take a lot of work; even if you’ve narrowed down your options and you know the Ram pickup is the one for you, you still have some important choices to make. When shopping for a used Ram 1500 in the Costa Mesa, CA, area, you’re going to find a wide range of different model years, trims, and various options to consider. One of the easiest ways to narrow down your options to just those trucks that will best meet your needs is to look at the model year. You won’t find a “bad” year with a used Ram 1500; it’s just that certain years can have some options that work better for some people. In other words, these are great years to look for if you’re trying to narrow down your options, but you don’t only have to consider these.

2003 Dodge Ram 1500

Choosing a used Ram 1500 is a great way to get an excellent truck while saving some money; the further back you go, the more money you can typically save. That being said, this is about as far back as we’d go – even though the Ram pickup has been around since the early 1980s, your best bet is to stay a bit closer to the present. But you can still go back quite a bit and find a great truck, like with a used 2003 Dodge Ram 1500.

You might’ve noticed the name “Dodge Ram 1500,” that’s because, in 2003, this model was still called that – the “Dodge” name wouldn’t be dropped until sometime later. The third generation for the Ram pickup started in 2002, but we often prefer to skip the first year of a new generation whenever possible. There are typically some bugs that need to be ironed out the first year for any new vehicle or major update.

With the 2003 Dodge Ram 1500, you’ll find a great selection of pretty modern features, though you certainly won’t get the latest technology. These models can include a good V6 or V8 engine, and a HEMI V8 was also available at that time. No matter which engine you choose, you’ll get a great truck, but the engine choice will impact performance and capability. This was a very popular year for the Ram pickup, so you can find a lot of them on the used market, and one in good shape can treat you well for a long time.

2006 Dodge Ram 1500

If you want something a little bit newer, but you still want to save a lot of money, then you should consider a 2006 model – it was still the Dodge Ram at this point. There was a facelift for the Ram 1500 starting with the 2006 model year, so these will look a bit different from the preceding few years. However, the changes weren’t just aesthetic as you can find some more modern features like an updated infotainment system and a larger cab available on these models. That’s going to depend on the trim level you choose, of course, so consider all of the different options available to you before making a decision.

2010 Ram 1500

Jumping ahead a bit, we come to the start of the fourth generation for the Ram 1500 (the “Dodge” name had been dropped at this point). The fourth generation actually starts with the 2009 model, but again we prefer to avoid the first year whenever possible. This is a great model year to look at if you want to find a good price while also getting more updated features in terms of both performance and technology.

When looking at 2010 Ram 1500 models, you’ll find a number of cab options, including a regular cab, larger Quad Cab, and four-door crew cab. With the 5.7L HEMI V8 engine that was available at the time, you can find models with more than 10,000 lbs of towing capacity and up to 1,900 lbs of payload. Just be sure to look at the specs and actual numbers for any used Ram 1500 you’re interested in, and note that you’ll find both automatic and manual transmissions in this model year.

2013 Ram 1500

There was a bit of a refresh and update for the Ram 1500 in 2013, including a number of exterior style changes. From 2008, a 4.7L V8 engine was standard, but starting with 2013, a 3.6L V6 became the new standard engine. The infotainment system was also updated for this year with improved options, especially if you look at higher-trim models that can include an 8-inch display and steering wheel-mounted controls.

2016 Ram 1500

Continuing with the fourth generation, we really like 2016 models when looking at a used Ram 1500 for a couple of reasons. For starters, a new Rebel trim was introduced for 2016 with an off-road focus. This version includes an off-road suspension with an additional inch of ride height, larger tires, and skid plates that make it a great choice for hitting the trail. You can find the Ram 1500 Rebel with either a V6 engine or a HEMI V8, plus four-wheel drive was available with both engines to boost off-road performance.

The 5-inch display for the infotainment system became more widely standard for this model year, which is great. This means you’ll find more models that have this larger screen – a 3-inch display was standard – and other impressive features. So when looking at 2016 models, consider the Rebel or look for the SLT trim or higher for optimal entertainment features.

2019 Ram 1500 Classic

Although the fifth generation for the Ram 1500 started in 2019, we’d suggest looking for a model from that year called the Ram 1500 Classic. This is essentially the fourth-generation model, still in production as a new vehicle for the 2019 model year. That means it won’t have the updates that came along with the new generation, but it’s a great way to get the best of what the fourth generation had to offer at a lower price. By this point, the Ram 1500 included fantastic features throughout the interior and powerful engine options – so you can get all of that and still enjoy the lower price of the previous generation.

2020 Ram 1500

If you’re interested in a fifth-generation used Ram 1500, then we’d look for a 2020 model. A 2019 Ram 1500 (not Classic) is a great choice, but as the start of the new generation, there can still be a few bumps in the proverbial road. With a 2020 model, you’re skipping that and getting fantastic features, including some of the best available interior options in the industry. If you want the most refined and sophisticated truck around, then look for a Ram 1500 Limited from 2020, as this is going to give you incredible features, including a 12-inch infotainment display, luxurious seating, and so much more.

Find the Perfect Ram Truck at Orange Coast CJDR

As you can see, when shopping for a used Ram 1500, you really do have a lot of options available to you. We picked out seven years that we find particularly compelling, but every year in between them is also a great option. The facelift and update in 2016 were excellent, and picking a 2017 model gives you all of the same benefits, so you have plenty to choose from. If all of these options are leaving you feeling a bit overwhelmed, then it often helps to have someone by your side to help you navigate what’s available. Call or come visit us at Orange Coast Chrysler Jeep Dodge Ram Fiat today, and we’ll work with you to find the perfect used truck.