Hi, I'm 16 and looking at my first vehicle and I found this 1995 Dodge Ram 1500 near me and I was hoping for some input from anyone who knows something about this year, make, etc.

I want this truck bad however I want to make a wise and informed decision about it. Could you tell me and problems with this era and 'what-not'? I was told that the transmission from this year was not the greatest.

I understand you can't tell much for an otherwise biased description and a couple photos but..

Here's the link: http://stcatharines.kijiji.ca/c-cars...AdIdZ119491665

Thanks for any info, it's greatly appreciated.

 

well it depends on what youre looking for in a vehicle. If you want just a party/ beater truck that u arent really looking to make much out of then yea i suppose itd be worth looking at. Interior doesnt look too bad but it isnt that great of a photo. You can tell there is some rust above the wheel wells and it says it needs body work. it also needs a brake like (may need more than just that). I have a 95 2x4 with 210,000 miles stock everything except exauhst (ive had the trans rebuilt once since weve owned it (dad and me) since 97) and it starts up everytime with out a problem and runs very strong still. It all depends on how well the truck was taken care of, i would do some more shopping around before u just jump to the first one. try craigslist.com for your area. there are always great buys
hope it helps!

 

Wow, for a 16 year old you have excellent grammar and spelling. You put most of us older guys to shame.

The transmissions on these trucks are their weakest link, IMO. When you test drive 1994-2001 Dodge trucks, whether its that one or another, always make sure it shifts perfectly. If it doesn't shift 100% smoothly like you think it should, talk them down at least $1500 from what you were originally going to offer them because that is a minimum cost (usually more) for a good tranny rebuild.

Also learn what they used it for. If they towed a lot, really check that truck out before purchasing. Some people love to tow heavy loads with overdrive on, for example, which on these trucks will kill the OD unit and/or transmission.

 

if you're willing and able to make your own repairs, and it runs, and the transmission is not about to fall out, then it should be fine. you may need help from people (family, friends, teachers, etc) for the repairs, but that's ok, everybody has to learn sometime.

the only thing i see that might be wrong is that it looks like its 2wd, and you might be wanting a 4wd for snow or offroad fun.

 

+1 for the above posters.

Look at it this way: you are barely older than that truck is so I would offer them $650 for it and see what they say. However, I think there are much better buys out there to be had than that particular beater truck.

 

Its a good truck pull the tranny dip stick and see if the fluid smell burnt.

 

looks like a good truck to start out in , make sure you can afford gas lol they love gas, on the other hand there a blast to drive i get looks all the time

 

Dont get screwed like you did!

 

No kidding aboot the gas eh! You're not going to go too far if you are scraping for coinage.
Since it is a private owner I would ask for service records. You'd want to see what has or has not been rebuilt. The transmission, if it has been rebuilt once, will be the least of your problems if nothing else has been done to it. If you have the time, desire, and money it would be a fairly easy truck to maintain and learn off of.

 

its all worth it :/ lol