Used 2014 RAM 1500 4WD Crew Cab 140.5" Laramie Review

There was a time about 15 to 20 years ago when trucks were the new cars. Nobody wanted a car, everybody wanted a truck. But then reality set in when gas prices started to rise, and so auto manufacturers had to do something to keep these customers loyal. They improved fuel efficiency. They made trucks more luxurious, and they ended up with stuff like this, the 2014 Ram 15.

One of the things that have really changed on trucks over the years is the interior. They were originally only about work. You got a steering wheel, you got a seat, you got a metal dash, and that was about it. Today we’ve got trucks that can rival luxury sedans like this one, the Ram. It’s got leather seats, a heated steering wheel, power-operated pedals, and just about everything that you’d expect in a luxury sedan.

But there’s a box on the back if you wanna work it. Now, of course, all this luxury doesn’t come cheap. You can get a Ram 1500 in a regular cab with the V6 engine for as low as 26,990. But with this Laramie with the Hemi v8, we’re looking at just a tick below 60 grand. That’s a lot of money for a truck. Ram offers three engines in 1500.

There’s a 3.6 liter v6. There’s this, the 5.7-liter HEMI v8, and a new EcoDiesel, which is a three-liter. The 5.7 is called a Hemi. Because of the shape of the combustion chambers, their hemisphere. Gives a better burn to the fuel. More power, in this case, 395 horsepower, 410 foot-pounds of torque, and it’s attached to an eight-speed automatic transmission that’s operated by a dial.

Find out about 2014 RAM 1500 4WD Crew Cab 140.5″ Laramie the for sale here in our Used Ames Cars inventory. Also, be make sure to check out our Used 2014 RAM 1500 4WD Crew Cab 140.5″ Longhorn Review and Used 2013 Ford Mustang 2dr Cpe GT Premium Review here!

Okay? You might think that that’s outta place on a truck, but once you use it, you’ll be hooked on it. It takes up very little space and it’s very easy to use. You don’t even have to look down. Just reach for it. Give it a spin. You’re in here. Below the transmission dial, you’ll find buttons for the four by four system and in addition to the usual four wheel drive, low and lock, this one also has an auto setting and that lets you drive it on dry roads.

That’s important. If you’re in nasty areas where you might be getting snow drifts and then bear pavement, you can leave it in four wheel drive and it’ll get you through everything. A lot of people complain about trucks saying that they’re thirsty, and some of them still. But the automakers are doing all they can to improve efficiency.

And on this 5.7 liter Hemi, it uses cylinder deactivation eight cylinders when you need it, and when you don’t, when you’re cruising like I am right now, it runs on four cylinders. This one is officially rated at 14.6 in the city and 9.8 on the highway. We’ve been averaging about 12.5 in combined driving, but keep in mind, that’s empty.

You put a load in it, you put a trailer on. Any truck is gonna get poorer. Fuel efficiency. There’s a lot to like on this truck. I think it’s really good looking and the interior border’s on elegant, but the wheel steering wheel’s too fat. I know I have small hands, but it just, it’s too. And the truck drives big.

I feel like I’m in something that’s bloated. Some of the competition, particularly the Chevrolet Silverado and the Ford F-150, feel a lot more nimble. I just feel like I’m driving something that’s overall way too big. The instrument cluster on this truck includes an LCD screen, which gives you information on such things as your trailer gained, your audio, your trip computer.

And what I really like about it is a digital speedometer that puts your speed right in the middle. So I can tell if I’m going into territory where I’m gonna be talking to an officer In this truck, there’s a Uconnect screen, which is Chrysler’s infotainment. Gives you your navigation, includes a backup camera has controls.

But what I really like is that while I can get the heated seat and the heated steering wheel through the, the computer screens, I can also get it through buttons on the bottom. And this is the stuff that should be hard buttons where I don’t have to page through screens to find it. There’s lots of interior space as well.

Two glove boxes, a large console box, open cubbies. Basically an office on wheels, including 150 wat outlet where you can charge up your laptop or other devices. Overall, all of the full size trucks available today are about on the same level. They’re all pretty good. It’s little things that differentiate them.

What I like on the ram, I love how the bumper goes over the exhaust pipes that looks really. Here when you’ve gotta hook up your trailer, it’s easy to reach the plug, but there’s a couple of little things that really aren’t good. Here’s the first. Come on, Ram, general Motors and Ford, they have a damp tailgate so it doesn’t bang.

And then look at this. This is all I have for a foothold when I have to get into the box, Ford gives me. That comes out of the tailgate. General Motors puts a simple but brilliant one right here so that I can get in. Come on, Ram. Get with the program. Ford still leads the segment with a completely flat floor in the back, which makes it a lot easier if you’re trying to put in cargo and you’ve gotta push boxes or stuff across it.

Ram’s got a bit of a solution. It has this second floor that isn’t really all that easy to use. You pull these. And then you put it down, it looks cheap, and we know a flat floor can be done. Let’s do it. One thing I love about the Ram 1500 is its optional four-corner air suspension. Right now I have it in the lowest position.

It’s a little easier to get in and out. If I’m going off-road, I can bring it up to the highest setting so I can get over obstacles, and if I’m trailering or if I have a load in. The system will automatically level it, so everything is at exactly the right height. This is a great system. All in all, most of today’s full-size trucks are fairly evenly matched.

They’re all pretty good. There’s some stuff on the RAM that I think could be better, but it has a lot going for it too. Great V8 engine, a nice interior. Looks good in this segment. It’s really a contender. Find out about 2014 RAM 1500 4WD Crew Cab 140.5″ Laramie the for sale here in our Used Ames Cars inventory. Also, be make sure to check out our Used 2014 RAM 1500 4WD Crew Cab 140.5″ Longhorn Review and Used 2013 Ford Mustang 2dr Cpe GT Premium Review here!

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