The Ram 1500 TRX is back with a vengeance. Its supercharged Hemi V8 engine produces 777 horsepower and more torque than any other model in its class. The pickup is the latest performance-focused truck based on the Ram 1500, and there's no doubt that its best-in-class performance comes at a hefty price of $99,995 before options or fees.However, in a surprise twist, one of Dodge's earlier high-performance Ram 1500s is more affordable than you'd expect. The Ram SRT-10, once the world's fastest pickup truck, can be had for less than a brand-new Ram 1500 RHO on the used market; you just have to dig a little.Let's take a look at the SRT-10's tech specs, performance, investment potential, reliability, maintenance, and fuel economy. Dodge's First 500 Horsepower Pickup Truck StellantisAlthough the Ram 1500 has relied on the strength of hulking engines throughout its life, in its earliest years, those engines didn't deliver white-knuckle-inducing power. Instead, the focus was on being a tough, heavy-hauling truck. The situation changed in the third-generation Ram 1500 with the debut of Dodge's first pickup with 500 horsepower. The V10-powered pickup was the byproduct of Dodge's pursuit to create a pickup truck capable of reaching 150 mph, and compared to the standard Ram 1500, which served as its foundation, the SRT-10 was in an entirely different league.An array of hardware distinguished the Ram SRT-10 to improve its performance. Most notably, its engine, borrowed from the Dodge Viper, produced much of the 525 lb-ft of torque as low as 1,500 rpm.Compared to the Viper version, the V10 in the Ram featured new hardware, including a unique oil pan, a new throttle linkage, and a revised developed "Hi-Flow" exhaust manifold. Paired to that mighty powerplant was a purpose-built Hurst shifter alongside a modified version of the Viper SRT-10's Tremec six-speed manual transmission.Beyond the powertrain, the SRT-10's performance was also improved by an upgraded braking system, a damper to mitigate wheel hop under heavy acceleration, new Bilstein shock absorbers, and a Dana 60 rear axle. The result of SRT's efforts was the world's fastest pickup truck for the time. Today, they can be had for less than half of their price when new. A Bargain On The Used Market, You Just Have To Dig A Little StellantisThe Dodge Viper wasn't cheap, with its price hovering around $80,000. There was merit to its price tag, considering that it was a no-holds-barred sports car that was as potent as its namesake. However, if you couldn't afford the Viper in the early 2000s, the Ram SRT-10 was the next best option. It still offered a V10 engine and was roughly $30,000 cheaper than the Viper, with an MSRP of roughly $45,000 for the regular cab models and $50,000 for the quad cab model.While the Dodge Ram SRT-10 has retained most of its value since production ended, some examples are listed for less than half their brand-new value. The majority of examples available at the time of writing are priced below $40,000. Meanwhile, pristine, low-mileage examples can still sell for more than the original MSRP.Stellantis In the last three years, we've seen examples of the Ram SRT-10, both a regular cab and a quad cab, selling for less than $20,000, with one high-mileage example going for just $8,500 in 2023. Another high-mileage example went for $13,000 in 2025. Since 2021, the value of the muscle truck has declined, though since 2025, the average value has begun to rise slightly. We Have To Talk About Fuel Economy, Reliability, And Maintenance Dodge In no way was the Dodge Ram SRT-10 a practical pickup truck, and nobody expected it to be when it debuted, considering the aggressive bodywork, lowered ride height, and bellowing V10 engine at its core. Still, we'd be remiss to point out that the Dodge Ram SRT-10 can be had for a bargain without mentioning what it costs to keep running.As you'd expect, fuel economy from an 8.3-liter V10 engine doesn't make the Dodge Ram SRT-10 the most fuel-efficient pickup you can buy, with its average mileage being 10 miles per gallon combined, with 9 MPG in cities and 14 MPG on highways, according to the Environmental Protection Agency.Dodge That fuel economy results in a driving range of roughly 260 to 350 miles, with the annual fuel cost averaging to roughly $6,900 according to the EPA and costing between $120 and $160 to fill up the tank, depending on which variant of the SRT-10 you buy, as the regular cab has a smaller fuel capacity than the quad cab.As for reliability, surprisingly, the Viper-sourced V10 engine is known to be reliable, though the most common issues we've seen reported include the harmonic balancer bolt slowly loosening over time, which can damage the crankshaft, and, in some cases, the harmonic balancer coming loose.While reliable when maintenance is routinely completed, if the engine does experience sudden failure or damage, repairs would not be cheap. Overall, the Dodge Ram SRT-10, if properly maintained, can be a reliable used-vehicle purchase, although modified examples can cause additional strain on the V10 engine, transmission, and axles.DodgeAs for maintenance, it's not cheap, but that shouldn't surprise you. The most common nitpick is how much oil it uses. The Dodge Ram SRT-10 has become notorious for requiring frequent oil changes, with some owners reporting doing the job every 3,000 miles, but take that with a grain of salt. Tires are another concern since 500 horsepower is directed exclusively to the rear axle. Is It An Investment Opportunity? Bring A Trailer / TheImageEngineYes. While we've discussed the Dodge Ram SRT-10s that can be had for a bargain on the used market, we've also seen others sell for well above what the trucks were worth new. Earlier in 2026, an example of the 2004 Dodge Ram SRT-10 with only 870 miles recorded and paired with the Tremec six-speed transmission sold for $71,000, while the same example sold for $60,000 in 2022, originally priced at $46,960 in 2004.There's no doubt that the Dodge Ram SRT-10 will become a future classic, as it's already considered a collector's item. Another example that sold in 2023 nearly doubled its original MSRP, and it wasn't the only example we've seen sell for that much. The average value of Dodge's first 500-horsepower pickup truck is rising, making it a rewarding investment opportunity.
