You're looking for a truck but you live in a place where parking feels like a high-stakes game of Tetris. It’s frustrating. You want the utility of a bed, but you don't want to pilot a land yacht that drinks gasoline like it’s free. That’s exactly why people are hunting for a Ram 700 for sale right now. It is a weird, small, and surprisingly rugged machine that defies what most Americans think a "Ram" should be.
Honestly, it isn't even a "Ram" in the traditional sense of Detroit steel. It’s a rebadged Fiat Strada. If you’ve spent any time in Mexico, Brazil, or Colombia, you’ve seen these things everywhere. They are the workhorses of narrow cobblestone streets and mountain passes where a Ram 2500 would simply get stuck in a turn.
The identity crisis that actually works
Most people get the Ram 700 wrong because they expect a Hemi engine. You won't find one. Instead, you get a 1.3-liter Firefly four-cylinder engine. It’s small. Some might say it's "underpowered" if they're used to drag racing at stoplights, but for hauling 650 kilograms of cargo through a crowded market, it’s plenty.
The truck is a unibody. That means it handles more like a car—specifically a Fiat hatchback—than a bouncy, body-on-frame pickup. If you’re searching for a Ram 700 for sale, you’re likely looking for the second-generation model launched around 2020. That’s when the truck actually started looking "tough." The designers slapped a massive "RAM" grille on the front that mimics the Rebel and Limited trims of its bigger brothers. It’s a bit of a "fake it till you make it" vibe, but it works. People stare.
Why you can't just buy one at your local Denver dealer
Here is the kicker. If you live in the United States or Canada, finding a Ram 700 for sale is a massive headache. Stellantis (the parent company of Ram) doesn't sell them in the U.S. market. Why? Safety regulations and the "Chicken Tax."
The Chicken Tax is a 25% tariff on light trucks imported into the U.S. that has existed since the 60s. It’s the reason we don't have all the cool small trucks. Also, while the Ram 700 is safe by Latin American standards (NCAP ratings have improved significantly), it doesn't meet the specific, stringent crash-test requirements of the NHTSA without a massive, expensive redesign.
So, if you see one for sale in Texas or Arizona, check the plates. Usually, it's a cross-border vehicle. Or, it’s a gray-market import that might be a nightmare to register. You’ve been warned. If you're in Mexico, however, these are sitting on every lot from Tijuana to Cancún.
The Trim Levels: SLT vs. Laramie
When you're browsing listings, the names will look familiar but the features won't.
The SLT is the base. It’s the "I have a small business and I need to move boxes" trim. It usually comes as a single cab (Regular Cab). It’s got black plastic bumpers because you’re probably going to scratch them anyway. It’s honest. It’s simple.
Then there’s the Bighorn. This is the middle ground. You get a Double Cab, which means four doors. Yes, you can fit four adults in there, though the ones in the back should probably be people you don't like very much, or just your kids. Space is tight.
The Laramie is the "luxury" version. I use that term loosely. You get LED headlights, which are actually quite good, and a 7-inch touchscreen that supports wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. For a tiny truck, that tech is a game changer. It makes the cabin feel like a 2024 vehicle rather than a 2010 throwback.
Real talk about the CVT transmission
For a long time, these were strictly manual. Five speeds. Very European. But recently, Ram introduced a CVT (Continuously Variable Transmission) option paired with the 1.3L engine.
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Purists hate it.
"It's like driving a rubber band," some owners say on forums like Autocosmos. But let’s be real. If you’re sitting in Mexico City traffic for three hours, you don't want to be pumping a heavy clutch pedal. The CVT is tuned for fuel economy. It keeps the RPMs low. You aren't going to win any races, but you'll get roughly 18 kilometers per liter on the highway. That's about 42 mpg. Try getting that in a TRX.
The payload surprise
Don't let the size fool you. The payload capacity is roughly 720kg (about 1,587 lbs) for the single cab versions. That is actually more than some configurations of the Ford F-150. How? Because the truck itself weighs almost nothing.
The bed isn't huge—you aren't fitting 4x8 plywood sheets flat—but it’s deep. It comes with a factory bed liner usually, and plenty of tie-down points. I’ve seen these things loaded with crates of avocados until the rear suspension was screaming, and they just keep chugging.
Common issues to watch for
If you are looking at a used Ram 700 for sale, there are a few things to check.
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First, the suspension. Because these are often used as commercial vehicles, the rear leaf springs can be shot. Look for a "saggy" rear end. Second, the infotainment system in the 2021 models was known to be buggy. It freezes. Sometimes it just refuses to acknowledge your phone exists. A software flash usually fixes it, but it’s annoying.
Also, check the dust seals. These trucks are popular in rural areas with dirt roads. If the previous owner didn't take care of it, you’ll find fine silt inside the door panels and even the dashboard. It’s a sign of a hard life.
Is it actually a "Real" Ram?
This is the debate that never ends. Some say if it doesn't have a frame, it isn't a truck. But the market is changing. Look at the Ford Maverick or the Hyundai Santa Cruz. Those are unibody trucks too. The Ram 700 was doing the "compact unibody" thing long before it was cool in the North American market.
It's a tool. It's not a status symbol. If you buy a Ram 1500, you’re often buying an image. If you buy a Ram 700, you’re buying a way to move stuff through narrow gaps.
What to do if you're serious about buying
If you are outside of Latin America, your options are limited but not impossible.
- Check Import Laws: In the U.S., the "25-year rule" applies to vehicles that weren't originally sold there. You can't easily import a 2022 Ram 700 and register it for street use.
- Look for the 700 in Mexico: If you have a residence or business in Mexico, buying there is easy. Prices usually start around 300,000 to 450,000 Pesos depending on the year and trim.
- Compare with the Maverick: If you’re in the U.S. and want this vibe, the Ford Maverick is your closest legal relative. It’s bigger and more powerful, but it shares that "small truck, big utility" DNA.
For those in the right markets, search specifically for "Ram 700 Laramie Crew Cab" if you want the best resale value. The four-door models hold their price much better than the work-spec single cabs.
Check the VIN. Ensure the maintenance records show oil changes every 10,000 kilometers. The 1.3L engine is reliable, but it has small oil passages; if the oil gets gunked up, the variable valve timing (MultiAir) system will fail. That's an expensive fix for a "cheap" truck.
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Moving forward with your search
Start by browsing certified pre-owned lots if you're in a country where they are sold. This gives you a warranty that is essential for the MultiAir engines. Always test drive the manual version if you can—the clutch is light and it makes the small engine feel much peppier than the CVT does. Verify the bed dimensions personally; bring a tape measure to ensure your specific gear or tools will actually fit, as the wheel wells take up a significant amount of the floor space. Focus on vehicles with under 50,000 kilometers to avoid the major suspension refresh that usually comes at the 80k mark.