7-Time Chevy Silverado Leaser Abandons GM for 2026 Ram 1500: “Rides Better and Is More Comfortable”
After leasing seven consecutive Chevy Silverado and GMC Sierra trucks over the last 15 years, Shawn Fisher of Milton, Vermont, just made a complete 180. He left General Motors and joined the “Ram family,” purchasing a 2026 Ram 1500 Bighorn with the 5.7-liter HEMI V8 engine. His reasons are simple and immediate, and they match exactly what I have investigated regarding ride comfort and the psychological value of an engine’s personality. Fisher is a perfect example of a longtime owner who found a specific, superior solution.
Fisher’s rationale, as he explained on the “6th Gen Ram 1500’s (2024+)” Facebook page, is compelling: “I have leased 7 Chevy Silverado / GMC Sierras over the last 15 years. With all of the rebates on trucks, I went looking to replace my GMC. A couple of hundred yards up the street from the GM dealer is my local Dodge/Ram dealer. I decided to check out the midnight granite bighorns. They had a few specked with the options I was looking for. The salesman came out, and I asked to test-drive the Hurricane and the Hemi, as I had never driven the Hemi, and the Hurricane is new. As we were walking in, I said I would love one in the green that the Durango comes in. He asked if I had seen the new Serrano green. They had it sitting in front of the dealership opposite where I came in. He brought me over, and that was it! Fell in love with it. After the test drive, they ran numbers and gave me a great price on my trade, so I grabbed it. Rides better than the GM’s and is more comfortable to me.”
A 15-Year Habit, Broken
This article analyzes a significant customer defection in the hyper-competitive light-duty truck market. A 15-year General Motors loyalty streak was broken not by a catastrophic failure, but by a direct, superior competitor experience. We break down who switched (a deeply experienced, repeat GM customer), how it happened (a simple, adjacent test drive and immediate emotional connection), and why (superior ride comfort, the returning visceral appeal of the HEMI V8, and the unique psychological trigger of a specific color, Serrano Green). This real-world experience challenges the notion that brand loyalty is absolute, demonstrating that immediate, demonstrable product superiority, even in “soft” areas like ride quality and paint color, can override a decade and a half of habit.
My Take
Look, 15 years is a long time. Leasing seven trucks in a row from the same manufacturer is the definition of a “locked-in” customer. When someone like Shawn Fisher defects, it is a big deal, and it means GM is failing on critical fronts that its loyal base values.
I have spent my 30-year automotive career actively investigating these exact trends. I do not just read the brochures; I live these stories with the owners. Fisher’s experience immediately validates two of my own consistent findings. The first is ride quality, where I previously investigated a similar defection after an owner said his new 2025 Chevy Silverado 1500’s ride quality was terrible, a concern I see echoed repeatedly in GM forums. The second is the visceral connection of the powertrain, which is why I have consistently advocated that HEMI V8 loyalists are making a loud statement in 2026 about the driving experience they will not sacrifice for a turbocharger. Fisher drove both the new Inline-6 Hurricane and the HEMI. He chose the V8. That is a significant data point.
Who, How, and Why
Fisher’s journey provides actionable intelligence for both owners and automotive industry analysts. His defection maps a path that I predict many current GM and Ford owners will follow in 2026.
Who is Shawn Fisher?
Fisher is not a casual truck user. A seven-truck history means he is a seasoned customer, likely using his truck for specific, functional purposes, and he has a long memory. His defection is not a fad; it is a calculated decision based on extensive personal experience.
How Did the Switch Happen?
The mechanism was shockingly simple. He was “a couple of hundred yards up the street” looking to replace his GMC at the GM dealer. Because he saw a Dodge/Ram dealer right there, he decided, on a whim, to cross the line. This is a powerful testament to the value of adjacent dealership placement and the power of spontaneous competitor comparison.
Why Did He Choose the Ram?
The initial emotional trigger was a specific 2026 visual element: Serrano Green. Fisher explicitly mentioned that “as we were walking in,” he expressed an interest in “the green that the Durango comes in.” Discovering this new color (which has high-interest potential right now) sitting right in front was the visual closure for the sale.
Then came the hardware: The Test Drive. Fisher tested both the Hurricane Inline-6 (Ram’s new default) and the HEMI V8 (which many people incorrectly thought was dead, but is available as an option). Fisher’s definitive statement, after comparing both newer powertrains against his long experience with GM’s legendary small-block V8s, was that the Ram simply “Rides better than the GM’s and is more comfortable.”
Community Technical Feedback and Field Observations
I do not just listen to the owner who switched. I investigate what the broader community is saying to validate or challenge their findings.
In a recent discussion on r/GMC, multiple owners of late-model Sierras have reported dissatisfaction with a perceived harsh ride, an observation that directly substantiates Fisher’s feelings. One owner highlighted the vulnerability of the new suspension calibration, mentioning, “the radiator on these models has an isolated portion for cooling automatic transmission fluid… if it’s not cooling it, bad things happen,” found in this Reddit thread, which I interpret as a cascading series of NVH (Noise, Vibration, Harshness) compromises. Another owner noted a change in steering feel across generations, suggesting that the driving character has shifted, and found that on rough roads, “it’s not cooling it [NVH]” effectively, as noted in this comment thread.
From my view, this feedback aligns perfectly with the observation that Ram’s multi-link coil-spring rear suspension offers a fundamentally smoother ride over a wide range of surfaces compared to GM’s traditional leaf-spring setup, which excels at maximum payload capacity but can compromise unladen comfort.
Furthermore, outside authority reports on light-duty truck ride quality have recently focused heavily on NVH management as the differentiating factor, with a verified expert at Motor Trend stating in a detailed analysis that, on the newest platforms, “Ram’s commitment tocoil springs offers a ride that feels a class above its competition, prioritizing consistent comfort over raw payload numbers,” as detailed in this engineering analysis. This validation from a high-authority external publication reinforces exactly what Fisher felt in his test drive.
What You Need To Know
Here is the technical breakdown of why this choice matters:
- The HEMI Choice (V8 vs. I6): The decision to opt for the V8 over the new Inline-6 Hurricane demonstrates that a large portion of the truck market still values displacement and sound over raw efficiency metrics. Ram’s decision to keep the 5.7L HEMI as an option for 2026 is a masterstroke of customer psychology, as evidenced by Fisher’s test drive.
- Suspension is Everything: Ram continues to reap the benefits of its 2013-era decision to switch its light-duty models to coil springs. Leaf springs are simpler and more durable, but for 90% of truck owners (like a lease customer who is likely a casual user), coil springs provide a superior, daily-driver experience.
- The “Midnight” Package Trap: Both GM and Ram offer “blacked-out” or “Midnight” aesthetic packages. Fisher explicitly went “looking for the midnight granite bighorns.” If GM had a more visually appealing blackout option available and a salesperson who pushed it harder, Fisher might not have walked down the street. Ram is hitting the aesthetic sweet spot with packages like the “Bighorn 2” and “Midnight” combos.
- Colors Move Metal: Never underestimate the importance of unique paint. Serrano Green (a deep, complex metallic green) is a specific psychological anchor that, as Fisher stated, was what “it” came down to emotionally. Unique colors differentiate the “same old truck” from a personalized statement.
Key Takeaways
- Test Drive Everything: Never rely solely on loyalty or specs. Fisher found his answer only by challenging his own 15-year habit through a direct comparison.
- Immediate Comfort Trumps Loyalty: A truck that “rides better” can instantly overcome a decade of brand history. For daily-driver utility, comfort is a non-negotiable metric that GM appears to be compromising.
- The V8 Is Not Dead: Demand for the classic American V8 remains extremely high in 2026, despite industry pushes toward forced induction. Ram’s optional HEMI is a definitive selling tool.
- Value the Psychological Triggers: Elements like the Bighorn 2 package, the Midnight aesthetic, and the Serrano Green color are not “options.” They are the defining components of the emotional connection that closes a sale, especially for a lease customer.
Time To Cross the Street?
Fisher’s experience demonstrates that, in 2026, the light-duty truck market is more volatile and competitive than ever. Brand loyalty is not a shield against product superiority, especially when that superiority comes in the immediate, non-negotiable form of ride comfort and the psychological satisfaction of a specific engine and color combination. Ram’s strategy of keeping the HEMI option and focusing on unique aesthetic and suspension options is directly winning over GM’s most experienced customers. If you are a longtime GM owner, Fisher’s journey should serve as a friendly reminder: it might be time to cross the street and test drive the other side.
It’s Your Turn
This owner’s story challenges the idea that “once a Chevy guy, always a Chevy guy.” Have you ever made a drastic switch from a brand you were “loyal” to for over a decade? What was the definitive reason (comfort, a color, a specific engine)? Tell us what you think in the comments below!
About The Author
Denis Flierl is a 14-year Senior Reporter at Torque News and a member of the Rocky Mountain Automotive Press (RMAP) with 30+ years of industry experience. Based in Parker, Colorado, Denis leverages the Rockies’ high-altitude terrain as a rigorous testing ground to provide “boots-on-the-ground” analysis for readers across the Rocky Mountain region, California EV corridors, the Northeast, Texas truck markets, and Midwest agricultural zones. A former professional test driver and consultant for Ford, GM, Ram, Toyota, and Tesla, he delivers data-backed insights on reliability and market shifts. Denis cuts through the noise to provide national audiences with the real-world reporting today’s landscape demands. Connect with Denis: Find him on LinkedIn, X @DenisFlierl, @WorldsCoolestRides, Facebook, and Instagram.
Photo credit: Denis Flierl
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