Hi Everybody!

I am brand new on this forum and not a Dodge owner yet. I have been looking at buying a pickup for awhile now. I always liked the look of the 3rd gen ram. I finally went and test drove a 2008 black quad cab sport with the Hemi engine. I was quite impressed with the truck overall and I just wanted to see if anybody had any advice, tips, or general thoughts about their trucks. Thanks for the help!

 

If your going to buy a dodge, buy a diesel with the manuel trans. If your interested about gas the hemi is nice just watch out for future problems like I have with the lifters. The choice is yours, what ever suits you. Good luck!

 

buy it youll like it

 

Hands down and without even thinking about it, I love my truck. It has been trouble free and well worth it.

 

I would have to disagree with this completely. Depends on what diesel you are talking about. I'll agree that the 5.9 CTD which was discontinued in '07 is without question the single best diesel ever offered in a pickup, only being rivaled by the Ford 7.3 PowerStroke (also long since discontinued). But the 6.7 has been extremely problematic, not unlike most diesels on the market today which are forced to meet the new emissions standards. I will agree that a manual tranny is the way to go though if you want longevity.

But my '04 Hemi has never had a repair issue with any drivetrain component and has only been in the shop for one warranty repair which was for a blown stock shock absorber. It's had the infamous "Hemi Tick" since day one, which has never been shown to cause a single issue. Hell, I got a hunting buddy with an '03 that has the loudest tick I've heard to date, I've heard it since the first day I went hunting with the guy in '05 and he's now got 185,000 miles on it. As far as I'm concerned, mine can tick all it wants to if it will give me 185,000 miles of trouble free operation.

I'm not saying Ram trucks don't have their issues, there isn't a vehicle on the market today that doesn't. Dodge has completely dropped the ball on the LSD clip issue, but so has Furd with the heads on the 5.4 Triton and the 6.0 PowerJoke and GM with the rapidly corroding coolant systems.

As with any used vehicle purchase, check it over real well, even if you have to pay a mechanic to do it. Get the best price you can on it if it all checks out and go for it...

 

Hey guys,

Thanks for all of the advice! I really liked the truck and I am going down to take another look at it today. I'll let you guys know how it goes. Thanks again.

 

Buy it you will love it!!

 

Love my 08, possibly the nicest truck I had ever had the pleasure to drive/ride in. It handles well, has great power, is smooth, looks good, interior is roomy, hauls my enclosed well, and has most all the amenities that you would want in a pick up truck. Don't have a whole lot of bad to say about my truck other than these hideous Chrome 20's which I hope to be getting rid of very soon!

 

I was a long time ford owner, but in 06, I went to dodge.

If your convinced the Ram is for you, drive a rival truck, Don't care what the brand is. All Fords in the ford stable are not created = same is true for a dodge, Gm, ect, drive more than one version of the make your interested in.

True is, all barnds are junk, you have to find the least junky truck of the bunch and as mentioned the Ram has its share of issues.

1. drivers seat foam is hap hazzard, hope it stays in tack during your warrenty.

2. 3rd gen Rams fit and finish, paint and body work are subpar compared to the same years or rival trucks.

3. Leaky rack and pinion, and c clip issues on the 1500 lsd rear diff, and I hate dodge automatics.

4. hate the copper plugs in the hemi.

I went to a 2500 ram with a 6speed to aviod all the 1500 drive train issues, but I have had all drive ujoints, rear carrier bearing replaced, water pump, I'm skeptical that the CTD will fry a stock 2500 drive train, as it has not held up with the hemi.

I like my truck, you will love the power of the hemi and your wallet will get light fast with the hemi automatic combo ( no hemi 6speed 1500 truck ) I would try to find a 4.7 6speed truck, this combo is pretty nice for a light duty truck.

THe styling of the 4rth gen, has not won me over, but hands down I would go brand new over a 08 3rd gen.

 

1. drivers seat foam is hap hazzard, hope it stays in tack during your warrenty.

My truck has 110,000 kms, and my seat is fine.

2. 3rd gen Rams fit and finish, paint and body work are subpar compared to the same years or rival trucks.

I disagree. Everything in and out of my truck fits nice, clean, and solid. My paint is original, and it looks better than some newer vehicles.

3. Leaky rack and pinion, and c clip issues on the 1500 lsd rear diff, and I hate dodge automatics.

No issues here.

4. hate the copper plugs in the hemi.

Why? The hemis love them, and they are cheap!!!



I understand that every truck has it's issues, but if you properly maintain your truck and give her some TLC, you'll have a good expereince!