Hey all. I find that online forums are great places to learn things about cars, as I am a member of every brand of car both me and my fiancé own. I'm looking into getting a truck with the following requirements: V8, 8 ft bed, and 4 wheel drive. I came across a 97 ram 1500, regular cab which met my requirements. It has 74,000 MI and asking price is $6000.00.

First off, is this a decent price for the truck if everything is working as it should for a truck this age?

Secondly, what should I look for in terms of common problems before I buy.

Finally, if questions 1 and 2 give good results, what can I expect in terms of maintenance and future problems?

I am not planning on using this truck as my daily driver; its main use will be for hauling stuff for my house (gravel, mulch, lumber, etc) Also, when my 2001 Hyundai accent needs work (which it has needed much lately), I will rely on the truck for transportation to work (1 hour drive though rush hour). Options wise, the Ram outshines my Hyundai go-kart, but I'm keeping the Hyundai for gas mileage. It still gets 35mpg at 113,000 miles on it.

Any help would be greatly appreciated, and I understand that unless you all saw the truck, you cannot give me specifics or promises.

Thanks,
Todd

 

Front suspension is kind of a weak point. Ball joints in particular on 4wd, and track bar tends to be loose. The tranny's need to be maintained to last in these trucks. That means fluid and filter change and band adjustment every 30kmi, so pay good attention to the fluid condition and how it shifts hot and cold. Other things are leaking plenum gasket and bad cats. For that price it would have to be in very good shape. I'd go lower though either way. Good luck

 

I second that! I bought an 01 recently (about 2 months) and it was in excellent shape w/ a plow and tow package for $8000. If you can get that price down a bit (figure the plow adds between $1000-2000) than that would be better. When you test drive it, notice the wondering (its a dodge, it will wonder) If its a little thats "normal", but if its drifting from side to side, the front end will have to be rebuilt. Good luck w/. your potential buy.

 

Thanks for all the good advice. Sadly, I think the truck I was looking at was sold. It was gone from the lot this morning. Maybe a test drive, who knows.

At least I have an idea about things to look for.

I have another question that I'm sure will be somewhat biased in this forum, but try to answer as best as possible:

Can you describe the pros and cons between the 1500 level trucks of ford(f150), chevy(silverado 1500), Dodge(ram 1500), GMC(Sierra 1500). Basically, I know each manufacturer has their own quirks about the car (such as the dodge wandering statement in an above post). Most people I know have been and always will be "ford truck men" and my fiancé's father almost fainted when I told him I was looking at a dodge (likeI have a choice when a good deal comes up). I prefer the lookof the dodge, with the chevy / GMCin a close second.Since1997, ford's haven’t looked all that great (other than the super duties as of late). Aesthetics aside, try your best to list what you can about each brand'struck. Thanks!

 

In my opinion the 94-01 ram 1500's are the toughest 1/2 ton trucks made... includeing 07's and all new trucks.

I wouldent just figure that the truck was sold...

I wend out test driving trucks one day, I already knew where all these trucks were at and I went to the one place where my truck (was) at, but it was gone I asked and they just said they moved it to a different car lot, to get some more lookers...

 

I picked my Dodge because the are easier to work on, and crash worthiness is better than Ford and Chevy. Magnum engines pull more as well. Read my engine rebuilding threads. I love my Dodge to death, and with the new heavy duty towing shocks on the back, I relish driving on bumpy, pot-hole ridden roads. I would never give up my truck.