Hello to all...

My daughter wants a truck and I'd like some feedback on how these Dodge trucks stack up!

I was told at an auto parts store that they are replacing many more parts on Dodge products that the others... I have trouble believing that! I live near Houston and all of a sudden I see so many Dodge trucks. The Hemi is probably top notch but what about the others ...

I want a dependable truck for her so what should I get?

$15K or less ---- pre-owned

Thanks in advance for your thoughts...

 

2004+ Hemi. 4.7 is good, has an overheating problem . I dont think any 04 up hemis have problems. Dodge is bad at front suspension. Ball joints suck, and tie rods ect. Not a huge thing. Ive put 4K miles on mine and LOVE it. If you get a hemi from 2006 or newer, it has the MDS, or Semi Hemi. Shuts off half the engine at crusising speeds.

 

I would say they are replacing more parts because there are so many of them out there racking up the miles. Dodge had a winner with the 2004 and newer pickups, especially with the hemi. It converted me from being a GM guy.

I ran a 2004 hemi sport 2wd up to 80k. Never did anything to it but change the oil, replace a battery, tires, and brakes. I just put 24k on my 2008 Ram 2500 with the same 5.7L motor and no problems with it either. Best trucks I have ever owned as far as reliability, toughness and horsepower.

I would try to find a 2004 with the 5.7L hemi. Loved mine. Fairly cheap now and very reliable. I don't know a lot about the 4.7L. I have heard some stories from friends about the 2003 pickups had a weak transmission part and were prone to failure. I think it was a seal or something.

 

Bought mine barely used n it, knock on wood, still runs great.

2006 Dodge Ram QCSB.
4.7L motor.
65,000 miles and counting.
Only performance meds are a K&N Filter and a Flowmaster muffler.
Mine is lowered, but it didn't effect ride quality at all. I absolutely love my dodge. Wouldn't by any other truck. Do your research n by what you feel comfortable with her driving. It's all about u. Hope this helps. Good luck.

 

I have a 02 4.7. Honestly you'll hear all day long about how much one thing sucks compared to another. They all have their quirks. They all are great. You cant go wrong with any of them. I would avoid a v6. Just expect with anything. If you by a truck with over 75,000 on it to be prepared to replace the spark plugs, tie rods, ball joints, and shocks. Thats probably 600 bucks for parts. That has nothing to do with how bad the truck is. It something that will done on any truck you buy.

 

Have had two full size Ford 4x4s, two full size Chevy 4x4s and two full size Dodge 4x4s. ALL but one of them (Ford F250 diesel) were bought new.
Both Fords left me on the side of the road (an F150 dropped a piston on me with 14000 miles on the truck). The two Chevy's were ok, some minor warranty issues, one pretty serious recall. lot of cheazy little plastic stuff broke on them though. But both were VERY underpowered IMO.

My '98 Dodge RCSB 5.9L 4x4 was a great truck, had 68k completely problem free miles on it when I traded it. My '04 has only been in for one repair issue and it was a blown stock shock that gave out on me hog huntin'.

I know two people with the 4.7s, one a dakota owner, one a Jeep Grand Cherokee owner who have over 225,000 miles on them with NO major engine work. The 4.7 is a great engine when taken care of, but if let to over-heat, say bye bye to the heads. Also it's prone to oil sludge issues if you don't change the oil regularly.
The Hemi is just as stout, if not more so. Don't really hear of the over-heat or sludge problems with it.

If you can swing it, get the kid a Hemi. 100 HP more and the same or even better fuel economy.

 

i hvae a 03 quad cab hemi and it came off the show room floor new seeing nitrous and a life of beating @!!!! i cant complain just maintain the hemi and it will last forever

 

I've seen a few 2007-08 4.7 quad to 70K $15K+-
These are from various dealers.

Any thoughts

Remember HS Daughter who likes the bumper sticker silly boys truck are for girls...

Anyway I'd rather her be in a truck that a little toy car...

What should I try and find her? She wants the quad cab and I won't buy new but I don't want a high mileage unit either.

 

my 05 hemi is great, i've had it a year and no major problems, but maintenance is key

 

Tough to find that magical truck thats a few years old for a lower price but still has relatively low miles on it, but they are out there.

I recently saw an '05 here locally, Hemi, QC 4x4 with only 39k miles on it. Appeared to be in immaculate condition and was LISTED at $13,995 at the dealership. IMO would have been a steal if you coulda haggled a grand or two off the listed price.

On a side note: Things have changed since I was a teen (early/mid '80s). I had to work ALL summer for my uncle who had a septic tank business in upstate NY to pay for my first ride (SH*TTY JOB!). My parents co-signed the loan for my second vehicle, but I had to pay for it myself and had to balance school, football/baseball and a part time job to pay for it...