Hey guys, I'm new here, but I've been lurking for a while reading up on Dodge Ram issues and how much you guys love your trucks. I'm currently in the middle of looking for a new truck, and I am leaning toward a 2008 Dodge Ram 1500 Quad Cab 5.7L Laramie or Big Horn, I don't think I'll be needing 4 wheel drive or anything like would require major hauling. So right now I'm just doing my homework and hopefully stealing some of yours.

I've been looking around at Toyota's, GMC's and Ford's, but I can't keep my eye off the Dodge Hemi. I've also been lurking on their forums as well, but the Toyota forum has nowhere near the amount of people who mess with their trucks like you guys do. If I had to go with a truck right now, it's going to be a Dodge based on initial impressions, but also because the amount of information out there from folks like yourselves is very reassuring. I knew there was reliability issues before, but I didn't how much was just reputation and how was fact. Knowing that I can come over here rather than just listening to some dealer moron try to rip me off is nice.

I am posting this because I have a question, if you were to buy a used Dodge Ram like I mentioned above, what are some of the things you would look for that indicates it's a good truck and not some abused truck with a nice engine clean and paint job. I've got a good mechanic, but I want to filter out the rotten apples before they even get to him. Is there a certain mileage I want to avoid, while I'm test driving are there things I shouldn't be feeling? Things like that would really help me pick a great truck. I don't do any offroading, but I do camp/hike/snowboard/move crap etc, so I wanted something that I can get up and get the hell out of the world of a$$holes aka the city.

Also, what do you guys think is better about the Dodge than the other trucks besides how much better they look than the rest? I'd really appreciate the thoughts guys!

 

Look underneath at the engine(oil pan), tranny, backs of wheels and brakes for fluid moisture or excessive dirt,etc.! Check for fluid drips or places where it dripped but they tried to clean it up and hide it. That said.....when you change oil, they always have the oil filters drip on something instead of locating them in a good common sense area, so even a clean well kept truck might have some evidence of wiping clean. Look for unusual scrapes or dents on the bottom of the axles,drivetrain,skids,etc. Look at the driver's seat and pedals to see if it shows alot of wear. I have an '07 5.7L hemi with that MDS multi-displacement s?? , where some cylinders shut off for economy. If you buy one like that it sounds wierd but is O.K. It sounds like you pulled off some sparkplug wires when you're driving. Oh, check the bed to see if the truck was used hard, too. They can hide pretty much with detailing but not everything.

 

Thanks for the reply, I test drove another one and I think I'm pretty set on getting one. Thanks again.

 

It's funny you mentioned scratches in the bed, I took a look at the bed of this truck I drove today and it had this bedliner sprayed in it. It was half a half assed spray on bedliner, but when I looked closer I noticed big gouges out that were covered up. The tailgate also had some pretty noticeable scratches. That wouldn't necessarily deter me, but it felt like the dealer had sprayed on a cheap bedliner in order to cover up some rust, or noticeable scrapes. I wouldn't have looked had you not mentioned that.