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Any Dodge Ram Owners ?


A1UC

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I was bored yesterday and stopped into the local dealer to look at trucks , anyway the salesman gave me his speech and next thing I know I was inside giving him all my info . I ended up test driving a 1500 with a diesel and a 1500 with a 5.7 Hemi both Big Horn editions . I really liked the Diesel but I do mostly short trips so to me it wouldn't be worth it . I also did the math I would have to drive the truck 100k miles before I broke even for the price difference .

 

Long story short , I left the dealer and went to the bar for lunch to toss this around . Before I knew it it was pretty late and the dealer closed lol . I woke up early and will heading back to the dealer this morning .

 

I'mjust wondering if anyone here has a 2016 or older Ram and there thoughts , might even be game for the 2500 Series with the larger Hemi   

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I drove the Dodge 2500 Cummins for 100K miles and really enjoyed it. You're right about the upfront cost & diesel fuel $ though. Only special circumstances makes sense for diesel purchases. All gas burners around here these days. Its just the best way to go for most people. 

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When I was looking and driving everything, the 1500 was the best new "value" that I found and the truck was a good driver with plenty of spunk and a really fine ride.  I ended up with a certified Tundra for the retained value and reliability history, but I tend to drive my trucks for years (last one was 12).  The diesel game is complicated at this point and unless you have a need for all the torque and towing, all of them seem to have some major reliability issues since 2007-2008 and if, as you say, your driving is mostly short trips, I would personally stick to gas and if you don't need the 3/4 ton for towing/hauling, I wouldn't sacrifice the ride.  Many things to consider, but if you get new vehicles on a regular basis, then reliability isn't really in play, it's more about what puts a smile on your face when you drive it and being comfortable with what that cost is.  Good luck with your purchase, whatever that may be. 

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Just got my 2014 1500. So far am loving it. Retired my gmc 3/4 ton with 235k on it. I got the big horn for the value. The 5.7 is a damn strong motor stock and the ride is good for a truck. If you are wanting to upgrade the sound system make sure you get the base model 6 speaker system. You will have a hard time upgrading all the others due to all the computer crap. I use mine for a service truck doing AC work, I am hard on trucks. Had a bunch of issues with my gmc. My dad talked me into trying dodge, he got over 200k with his and no problems. If you decide to upgrade the sound system PM me, I have a pin out and wire color diagram for most of the body and cab. It took me over a week to get the info. I got it from a friend and promised I would not post it. You can not get the info from the dealer or online anywhere, friend has a car audio install shop and was kind enough to share. Also get the 8 speed transmission it is bulletproof from what my hot rod buddy's have told me. I am getting about 17mpg which is not bad with all the weight I carry.

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Thought of a tundra

 

My buddy has a 2000 tundra V8 that he bought new and never had any repairs done aside from general maintenance. 

 

As a matter of fact he had another one that also never had any problems but has since sold it.

 

Bill

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I have a 2002 Ram 1500 5.9L with the short bed and the quad cab.  It was my first (and only) truck so I have nothing to compare it to.  It has 162,000 miles on it and has been only about average for reliability.  Rust has started to become a major issue, especially around the rear wheel wells and underneath the bed.  The things I like: the strong motor, the ride quality, and the looks of the thing.  The things I don't like: cheap interior materials, the quirky auto transmission, and the myriad electrical issues I've had to deal with.  Stereo is the optional factory Infinity system but I replaced the front 6x9s to JBLs a few years ago for added low-end "oomph".

 

The ultimate question: Would I buy another one?  Probably not.  The Tundra looks like the truck to beat these days...

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Thought of a tundra

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Everyone has an opinion, as I did after 30 years of GMC from 1/2 tons to 1 ton dually diesels, and all of those trucks served me well but no matter what your decision is, you will be laying out a substantial amount of money so just as in audio or anything else my buying criteria is the same,

1.  Will it serve my purpose

2.  Do I really like it and will I enjoy it for the length of ownership

3.  Is it a fair value

4.  Have I negotiated the best all around deal (doesn't always mean the lowest price)

 

Someone else made a comment on audio and IMHO, I wouldn't spend any money on a factory upgraded sound system, and I say that having a truck with the JBL that I think originally was around $1,000 option and it's OK, but for that kind of money, if I was ordering a new one, I would have just invested in better speakers and a signal processing unit and been further ahead.

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I own two newer Rams A1UC, a 2012 and a 2014. Both are 1500 Laramies loaded up. I found the Laramies to be the best bang for the buck. If you can find someone willing to let you use their employee number (not that hard to find someone employed by FCA around me in MI) it can save you about eight grand. I got my fully loaded 2012 for $40k out the door and my wife's 2014 came in about 45k. She got the RamBox which is an amazing feature only available on the Rams. Chromed out, chrome running boards, sunroof, chrome side panel trim, chrome gas caps, leather, nav....you name it. These Hemi Rams are awesome, I test drove all the major trucks before deciding on the Ram but it sure helped with the savings of a friend of ours offering his employee purchase number. Also, because of the employee number we were able to place "Bumper to Bumper for life" warranties on the trucks for under $2k. Literally covers everything outside of wiper blades and brake pads for life at a flat rate $100 service charge.

 

We had debated the diesel too by the way but it was not worth the long payback to cover the upcharge.

 

 

Tim

Edited by teaman
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I have had every kind of truck known to man. I have a deisel ford now which is 5 years old and due to be traded in. The problem is that I have 800 pound feet of torque in this thing, so in order to get that kind of real power, I need another 3/4 ton. The truck I traded in on this was an 07 Dodge RAM 5.7. The tranny was a rubber band. People had told me they had fixed that, but I call BS because I owned one. I test drove a couple GMC's the other day and they seemed to have NO power at all. I hardly ever pull anything and when I haul stuff it's not usually heavy. 99% of the time it's just me hauling my own fat arse around. My first request in a pickup now is butt coolers.   :)  

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If you are buying a Dodge truck get the diesel.

 

If gas is your choice the 5.3 Chevrolet or Toyota.

 

Any of these choices will be running long after the body falls apart.

Strike that chevy/GMC. No power at all..... I hated my two test drives.  I have heard good things about the Toyota though. 

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Here is the torque curve for the 4.6 in the 2016 Tundra 

 

sUsHFRSl.jpg

 

Here is the graph for the 2016 version of my truck:

 

6.7-power-stroke-output-2015.jpg

 

There is a thread I ran across about the new Tundra while looking for torque specs: https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads/so-toyota-is-wussing-out-on-the-engine-dang-it-270hp-but-add-gearing.378597/page-51

Edited by mustang guy
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Okay I bought a Rebel with air ride aeda0e5ab8dc2f28baabf1e910c8e19b.jpg

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I traded in my old truck then when I was leaving I told them I want it back . I couldn't let it go

Edited by A1UC
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