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If you're in the market for a new pickup truck, there are countless options available to you. If you're like most Americans, you're likely seeking a domestic manufacturer. While Europe and Japan are well-known for their sedans, hatchbacks, and sports cars, no one makes trucks like American manufacturers. This narrows down your options. Let's dig a little deeper. The Dodge Ram 1500 is well known for its capabilities, reliability, and performance. It might just be the best pickup truck for your needs. Keep reading for everything you need to know about buying a used Ram truck. more Savings First, let's talk about how much money you can save by buying used Ram trucks. Obviously, when buying used, you save a substantial amount of money on the price tag alone. However, your savings don't end there. Did you know that brand new vehicles can lose anywhere from 20 to 30 percent of their value in the first year? For the next few years, it drops 10 to 15 percent. When you buy a used Ram 1500, the worst of the depreciation will have already happened. Furthermore, depending on the state you live in, registering a used vehicle is much more affordable than registering a brand new vehicle. Some states charge based on how new the vehicle is, while other charge based on total value. If you live in a state with those stipulations, registering a brand new truck would be expensive. The same goes for insurance. Insurance companies are created to make money. As such, if you want a brand new expensive vehicle fully covered, you're going to pay more for your policy. Used vehicles, on the other hand, are much less expensive to insure. Loan Approvals Did you know that roughly 63% of Americans are living paycheck to paycheck. Most of us have too many financial obligations and don't make as much money as we'd like. This can make getting approved for a brand new vehicle quite difficult. Fortunately, because they are so much more affordable, you shouldn't have a problem getting approved for a used Ram truck. You'll also have plenty of options to choose from. If your first choice isn't within your budget, scale down to a slightly older model. Top-Shelf Suspension One of the best things about Dodge Ram 1500s is their upgraded suspension system. While most other trucks on the market use the antiquated leaf-spring, the Ram has a coil-spring rear suspension. It also has an optional self-leveling air suspension package. This makes for one of the smoothest rides you'll ever find in a pickup truck. This might not be such a big deal if the Dodge Ram couldn't still hang with the best of them in terms of performance and capabilities. But it can. Comfort and Technology If you want comfort and convenience, you need to be looking for used Ram trucks for sale. Dodge Rams come with a Uconnect infotainment system that allows you to connect through Bluetooth. This system also comes with a large touchscreen with an intuitive interface. Other comfort features include heated and power seats, a heated steering wheel, automatic windshield wipers, and more. Capabilities If you're thinking about buying a used Ram 1500, odds are it's because you need a capable vehicle. Depending on the used Ram truck you choose, you can expect towing capacities from just under 7,000lbs to over 11,000lbs. In terms of payloads, the Ram can handle anything from 1,000lbs to 2,000lbs. These capabilities make used Ram 1500s ideal for work trucks. However, they're also great for daily drivers and recreational vehicles. Their towing capabilities provide enough power to pull boats, trailers, and campers. Options Looking at used Dodge Ram Trucks provides you with tons of options. As noted above, you can choose a larger engine for more power or a smaller engine for better fuel economy. You can also buy a used Ram 1500 that's fully-loaded for maximum comfort, features, and technology. Because you're buying used, these high-end packages will be much more affordable. Additionally, you have the option of buying a certified pre-owned Ram 1500. CPOs are relatively new vehicles that have limited miles. They've been lightly used and fully refurbished. As such, they come with renewed warranties. Power train warranties are typically for 5 years or another 60,000 miles. Limited bumper to bumper warranties are generally 36,000 miles or 3 years. While CPO used Ram trucks are a little more expensive, they also come with peace of mind. Warranties like those listed above can be a massive blessing in the event of a mechanical or technical failure. Reliability Traditionally, Dodge Ram 1500s are incredibly reliable. However, when buying a used Ram truck, you may be wondering about its condition and dependability. Fortunately, vehicle history reports are more advanced and accurate than ever. They track the vehicle from the day it leaves the manufacturer. The vehicle history report will tell you: Commercial use history if applicable (lease, rental, fleet vehicle) Number of previous owners Locations of registration Factory recalls Maintenance history Major accidents and repairs And more As long as you're buying a used Ram truck from a credible dealer, there's nothing to worry about. They should provide you with the vehicle history report. They may also have on-site mechanics who give their vehicles a once-over to make sure they're ready for the buyer. Driver Features and Safety One of the most important factors of the Dodge Ram is its safety ratings. The Ram's five-star safety rating makes it a truly superior pickup, particularly as a family vehicle. Use Rams offer a full array of airbags, traction control, stability control, a backup camera, blindspot monitors, and parking sensors. It even comes with advanced features like trailer-sway control and hill start assist. Are You Ready to Test Drive a Used Ram Truck? As you can see, there are a ton of things to consider when buying a used ram truck. There are a lot of good pickups out there, but the Ram 1500 seems to tower over the rest of them. If you're ready to start looking at your options and want to know where to buy a used Dodge Ram 1500, come down to our dealership. If you prefer to shop from the comfort of your own home, take a look through our inventory of used vehicles online. We hope to hear from you soon!

One of the toughest decisions you may face when you're in the market to buy a vehicle is whether to choose a new or used one. Although prices of used cars plummeted in April, that doesn't necessarily mean that buying a previously owned vehicle may be the right choice for you. Each side of the debate comes with its own benefits and downsides. Here's a look at the good and bad points of buying a new versus used car to help you weigh your options. more Pros of Buying a New Car Few aromas can beat that new car smell, but of course, that's not the only reason to choose a new vehicle over a used one. Here's a list of the benefits of buying new: No Previous Owners One of the best things about buying a new car is that you don't need to wonder or worry about how it was treated previously as you're the first person to take ownership of it. On that note, a new car hasn't been involved in any accidents. This also means you get to customize your vehicle with any accessories or detailing services of your choosing. Factory Condition As it just came off a factory line and has very few miles on it, a new vehicle is likely to be in perfect working condition. Reliability usually isn't something you need to worry about when purchasing a new car. You can expect a new car's paint job to be shiny and flawless as well, while the interior is pristine. It hasn't been soiled by a previous owner, passengers, or any pets. The Latest Features Auto manufacturers strive to improve safety features, technology, and gas mileage each time a model gets a makeover. When you opt to purchase a new car over a used one, you're getting greater access to the latest convenience and safety features and technology. Depending on how old a used car is, it's less likely to offer as much. Better Warranty Coverage New vehicles tend to come with longer and better warranty coverage including a standard factory warranty that doesn't add anything to the purchase price. You may also have a better selection of extended warranties to choose from if you plan on keeping the vehicle for a long time Better Deals and Financing Options You can often score a great deal on a new vehicle, especially if the dealer needs to clear the previous year's inventory to make room for the new models. Low- or no-interest financing is also often readily available on new cars, particularly if you have good credit. Downsides of Buying a New Car There are a few cons to buying a new vehicle to keep in mind: Price Perhaps the biggest strike against a new car is that it's going to cost you more versus buying the same make and model used. Only Available at Dealerships Brand new vehicles are only available through dealerships, not private owners. You may not be able to negotiate a cheaper price on a new car that's in short supply or high demand. Pros of Buying a Used Car If saving money is important to you, then you may love buying a used car for these reasons: Less Expensive A used vehicle is always going to cost less than a brand new make and model from the same year, even if it has low mileage on it. Cars tend to depreciate in value pretty quickly, so you can definitely save money if you find a used version of your ideal vehicle. Keep in mind, however, that although you may be saving money on the purchase price of the vehicle that it may need repairs and maintenance due to age. Smaller Loan Because used cars are cheaper, your car loan is likely to be smaller. Reliability Record There's no way of telling what reliability problems will plague a brand new car model that's just been introduced to the market. But older models have developed a reliability record from being on the road for a while and may actually be a less risky purchase. Study the reliability reports of various makes and models that have been around for a while to find a used car that is less likely to give you problems down the road. Downsides of Buying a Used Car There are disadvantages to buying a used car compared to buying a new one. Reliability Issues The biggest risk when buying a used vehicle is that older cars tend to have reliability issues, even if they were regularly maintained. You can decrease this risk by choosing a certified pre-owned vehicle. These vehicles have passed an inspection as specified by the manufacturer. They may also come with an extended warranty and other perks. Buying a certified pre-owned vehicle from a dealer is usually a safer bet than purchasing a car from a private owner, unless you know the seller personally and that they cared for the vehicle properly. Risk of Costlier Maintenance and Repairs The older the car, the pricier some scheduled routine maintenance can get, especially when certain odometer milestones are met. Even if the car was maintained according to schedule by its previous owner, there is a chance that some parts may stop functioning with age and will need to be replaced. You'll Need to Research Its History Even if a used vehicle appears to be in great shape, you'll still need to research its VIN to uncover any accidents it was involved in. But even knowing a car's history still won't tell you how aggressively it was driven. Certain driving behaviors can put wear and tear on a vehicle's parts, causing them to be replaced more often. Buying a New Versus Used Car: Which Is Right for You? As you can see, there's no easy answer to the new versus used car debate. You need to take into consideration how long you plan on keeping the vehicle, how you plan to pay for it, and if you're OK with paying for unexpected repairs. Here at Homer Skelton Chrysler Dodge Jeep Ram, we always have a great selection or both new and used vehicles. If you still haven't decided which option is best for you, start with a search of our new vehicle inventory.