This New Truck Is Actually 14 Years Old
When Ram debuted the new Ram 1500 in 2019, the brand did not kill off the old one. If you don’t mind a cheap truck that is nearly 15 years old, you can actually find it in the form of the 2023 Ram 1500 Classic pickup. That’s right; Ram is still selling a truck that first hit the market back in 2009. And if you think that’s confusing, I’m right there with you.
What is the Ram 1500 Classic?
The Ram 1500 Classic is the fourth generation of Ram’s full-size truck that it sells. Internally, it is known as the DS, while the current Ram 1500 is known as the DT. The fourth-gen Ram 1500 first went on sale in 2009, and somehow it is still going.
This is not the first time that an auto manufacturer is selling an old version of a vehicle alongside the new one. But Ram is the only truck company that is currently doing so. Initially, the Ram 1500 Classic had multiple trim levels, but it looks like this pickup is now limited to the Warlock trim.
That could be an indicator that Ram has plans to kill off the 1500 Classic. But typically, brands are pretty secretive when it comes to the future.
The Ram 1500 Warlock is a full-size truck for cheap
There’s no getting around the fact that today’s pickup trucks are pretty expensive. The Ram 1500 Classic is the cheapest new full-size truck today. Although, it’s tough to call a truck that is 14 years old, new. In the case of the Ram 1500 Warlock, you can get the 5.7-liter HEMI V8 engine and four-wheel drive.
Additionally, this truck does boast some pretty aggressive looks. So, if you do not like the current design of the 2023 Ram 1500, maybe the Ram 1500 Classic will have what you are looking for. But according to Car and Driver, you should not expect to see all of the modern bells and whistles like a huge infotainment screen or active safety tech.
Overall, selling the Ram 1500 Classic alongside the fifth-gen Ram 1500 seems like a win-win for the brand. Ram gets to profit from those who want a new truck, and those who might be shopping on a budget. But who knows how much longer this will go on for.
Is Ram killing the 1500 Classic?
If Ram’s site is any indication, options for the Ram 1500 Classic are becoming limited. And that might mean the brand is planning to end production soon. If the 1500 Classic is no longer profitable, it does not really make sense to keep building it.
When this truck does leave the market, it will certainly be missed by a certain kind of consumer. Plus, it will mean less diversity, even if a lot of folks overlook the Ram 1500 Classic for the standard model.
