One Of The Best Trucks For Retirees Also Has A 66.3% Resale Value

A reliable truck gives retirees the space and strength to tow a camper, or take weekend trips with fishing gear or bikes in the back. It is a bonus when the truck has a strong resale value — and the 2023 Ram 2500 Heavy Duty fits that bill. It is available in several versions. Prices start at around $51,575 for the basic Tradesman model, according to iSeeCars. A fully equipped Limited version costs about $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 comes time to sell, the Ram 2500 performs well. It keeps about 77.1% of its original value after five years, according to data from iSeeCars. This is even with how quickly a car's value can depreciate. That puts it 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 time. But what makes this truck stand apart is that even it's base model holds value extremely well — the 2023 Ram 2500 retains 66.3% of its original price after five years, via MotorTrend. What this means is if you buy a base model of the 2023 Ram 2500 for $51,575, you can expect it to resell for about $34,188 after five years.

Part of the Ram 2500's value retention stems from demand — Americans love their trucks, and a dependable pick-up is destined to sell well across the country. Beyond demand, however, are performance features that signify a good long-term investment. According to MotorTrend review, the 2023 Ram 2500 cabin is quiet, comfortable, and built with a real thought for everyday ease. Kelley Blue Book says it is upscale and easy to climb into, a key detail for older drivers who value comfort and simple access. The wide doors make getting in and out less of a chore, and an available power-deploying side step helps take pressure off the knees, no awkward climbing or stretching. Inside, the controls are placed for easy reach. Everything is designed to keep the experience smooth, calm, and low effort, a feature any retiree will love.

Retirees who love towing will appreciate Ram's 6.4-liter or 6.7 liter Cummins diesel. It delivers up to 850 pounds foot of torque that makes climbing hills or cruising on the highway 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, so you can enjoy every mile without extra strain.

CarEdge estimates that owning a Ram 2500 for five years will cost $76,283 in total. That number 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 over $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 line. By comparison, CarEdge predicts 10-year major repair odds of 44.77% for the Silverado 2500 and 45.72% for the Ford F-250.

That 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. Also, iSeeCars rate the Ram 2500 at 9.3 out of 10 for reliability, one of many trucks exceeding 200,000 miles without any catastrophic failure.