New 2012 Ram 1500 Review

1674 Views 8 Replies 6 Participants Last post by KJ48, Apr 5, 2012

cjiahds

Discussion Starter · Apr 5, 2012

2012 Ram 1500 Review

Background
I'm very fortunate. My budget is not unlimited... but I could have purchased any truck available for sale on the market on the south side of $60k. I did about 4 or 5 months of research, test drives, and forum lurking. In the end, I decided that I wanted a white or silver ram 1500 : longhorn package, 4x4, rambox, dvd, sunroof, tow package

I searched very hard, but was unable to find a vehicle that fit my description above within the nearest 3 states.

I settled for a Laramie Edition fully loaded... stickered at $51k.

Truck purchased: 3 weeks ago
Current milaege: 950'ish

Mods performed: K&N CAI, Floor Mats, Window Visors, Chrome Door moldings, Bakflip Fibermax (on order, not installed yet)

Mods under consideration: Bedrug, LED interior lights

Prior vehicle: 2005 F150

My humble thoughts/opinions...

The Good:
Excellent Value, Purchased for $43,750 + tax/tags.
Quiet, Comfortable Ride.
Great Features. Rambox is awesome.
Truck is GORGEOUS. Even the wife wants to drive it.
Really like the 40gb hard drive.
Lots of power, though not in the low end.

The Bad:
Steering is too firm. Concerned that the grip/force it takes to turn the steering wheel will prematurely wear out the leather.
There is a rattle

Hard to find. But every bump I hit, I hear the rattle from the back left for the next few seconds. Extremely annoying.

The Neutral:
Fuel mileage is around 14.
Quality of the paint job has not impressed me.

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1 - 9 of 9 Posts

· #2 · Apr 5, 2012

Check the seat belt harness that hangs in the back...sometimes the buckle that hangs halfway down will hit the side of the cab while driving...annoyed the hell out of me till I had someone sit back there and track it down. May not be the problem but if it is, it's an easy fix.

Congrats on a great truck....If I could have afforded the Laramie with full leather, I would have bought it too. The one stickered on the dealershp floor here is 58K...but has room for some maneuvering. I doubt they'd take off 10K though. got pics?

Chuck

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huntergreen

· #3 · Apr 5, 2012

congrats on the new truck. strange, the steering is one of the things i like on my truck as compared to the ford electric steering.

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KJ48

· #4 · Apr 5, 2012

Steering is a little stiffer on this one than my old 2010, why I dont know, looks like the same pump and rack.

If you have a crew cab check if there is anything in the little floor boxes, the dealer left the locking lugs in there and I thought there was a bowling ball rolling around somewhere it sounded so bad

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wthedeerslayer

· #5 · Apr 5, 2012

I have a 2012 and i like the truck for the most part but the paint in not great at all if you open up my dr rear door you can see through the paint on the jam,,it looks like Sh%t and when driving on the beach the steering make a funny sound like its rubbing on something.The dealer i bought from was the worst ever so im not going to bring it back there,i have to find another dealer around me to get it looked at.

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Turbovsix

· #6 · Apr 5, 2012

Interesting comment on the steering being too heavy. The steering in my 2010 CC is WAY light and too overboosted in my opinion. I remember reading a review - might have been in Motor Trend - where they commented on this as well. Guess they tightened it up in the 12's?

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cjiahds

Discussion Starter · #7 · Apr 5, 2012

I very well may be in the minority, but I do like light steering in my trucks. I prefer easy maneuvering, 1 finger steering

I understand some prefer a little more 'feedback' in their steering. To each their own!!

I will take some pics very soon! This is a gorgeous truck.

Thanks for the brainstorming with the rattling. Will check it out and update.

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wvcoolvinilla

· #8 · Apr 5, 2012

it's so funny how our expectations change over the years.. when I bought my 97 I was like WOW this is it !! after having driven my 85 which whilw being a good truck did have some problems, then when I bought my 08 I was really impressed.. tehn to move up to my 11 I am thinking this is the best yet.. I guess i am luckey the paint on mine (Black Crystal) only has two flaws on the whole truck.. mine is optioned out like a larmie with out leather.. Romo has it the next major new truck will be the 2015 model can't wait kids

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KJ48

· #9 · Apr 5, 2012

Turbovsix said:
Interesting comment on the steering being too heavy. The steering in my 2010 CC is WAY light and too overboosted in my opinion. I remember reading a review - might have been in Motor Trend - where they commented on this as well. Guess they tightened it up in the 12's?

Could be they changed things, my 2010 CC was like a 79 Cadillac as far steering effort, it also had a shiny leather wheel as opposed to the more textured on this '12 as well. It changes the feel of the truck more than you would think.

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