A reliable truck provides retirees with the space and power needed to tow a camper or take weekend trips with fishing gear or bikes in the back. It is advantageous when the truck maintains a strong resale value, and the 2023 Ram 2500 Heavy Duty meets this criterion. It comes in several versions. According to iSeeCars, prices begin at approximately $51,575 for the basic Tradesman model. A fully equipped Limited version costs around $90,266. The mid-level Laramie starts near $63,900, and the Power Wagon, designed for off-road use, is priced at about $70,220.
When it’s time to sell, the Ram 2500 performs well. It retains approximately 77.1% of its original value after five years, according to data from iSeeCars. This is notable given how quickly a vehicle’s value can depreciate. It ranks just behind the Ford F-250 Super Duty, which holds around 78.2%, and ahead of the Chevrolet Silverado 2500HD, which retains about 73.2% of its value over the same period. What sets this truck apart is that even its base model holds value exceptionally well — according to MotorTrend, the 2023 Ram 2500 retains 66.3% of its original price after five years. This means if you purchase a base model of the 2023 Ram 2500 for $51,575, you can expect it to resell for about $34,188 after five years.
Why the Ram 2500 retains value so well
The Ram 2500’s value retention is partly due to demand — Americans love their trucks, and a reliable pickup is bound to sell well across the country. Beyond demand, performance features indicate a good long-term investment. According to a MotorTrend review, the 2023 Ram 2500 cabin is quiet, comfortable, and thoughtfully designed for everyday convenience. Kelley Blue Book notes that it is upscale and easy to enter, a crucial detail for older drivers who value comfort and accessibility. The wide doors make entering and exiting less of a hassle, and an available power-deploying side step reduces knee strain, eliminating awkward climbing or stretching. Inside, the controls are placed for easy reach, designed to keep the experience smooth, calm, and low-effort, a feature any retiree will appreciate.
Retirees who enjoy towing will appreciate the Ram’s 6.4-liter or 6.7-liter Cummins diesel, which delivers up to 850 pounds-foot of torque, making hill climbing or highway cruising feel effortless. Hooking up your trailer is intuitive, thanks to a dedicated camera system that overlays guiding lines and multiple rear angles right on the touchscreen. This setup pairs serious pulling power with everyday ease, allowing you to enjoy every mile without extra strain.
High chance of a major repair but solid reliability
CarEdge estimates that owning a Ram 2500 for five years will cost $76,283 in total. This figure includes depreciation, fuel, insurance, loan interest, and maintenance. Over 10 years, CarEdge predicts there’s about an 81.79% chance owners will face at least one major repair — any repair job exceeding $500 — on a Ram 2500. This can be because heavy-duty parts like big joints and emissions sensors, plus higher labor rates, tend to push routine fixes past that $500 mark. By comparison, CarEdge predicts 10-year major repair odds of 44.77% for the Silverado 2500 and 45.72% for the Ford F-250.
However, this doesn’t mean the Ram is a lemon. J.D. Power’s 2024 Quality & Reliability data gives the 2024 Ram 2500, which is mechanically identical to the 2023 model, an 81 out of 100 for Quality & Reliability, “Great” in its class. This is because its engines and electronics show few early defects. RepairPal finds owners spend about $1,070 per year on unscheduled repairs, with only 19% of visits classified as “severe” breakdowns. Additionally, iSeeCars rates the Ram 2500 at 9.3 out of 10 for reliability, being one of many trucks that exceed 200,000 miles without any catastrophic failure.
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