Hey guys, I'm new on this forum and thought I'd ask a quick question. I know the Rams sacrifice mpg for power, and my question concerns this somewhat.

I have the option of getting an 04 5.7 Ram 1500 with about 140k miles on it for $5000, versus paying more for a slightly older Tacoma with likely a lot more miles on it (multiple Tacomas fit this).

So, for the price, is this a wise choice for a daily driver that I will be making small payments on? I thought the price would outweigh the low mpg, and I'd end up with a sturdy truck to keep permanently.

Is the Ram a decent choice for a long term truck, to be used as a daily driver at times? Any specific problems with the 2004 models, like tranny issues or anything? I want a worry free truck.

Thanks for your time.

 

I got 100,000 miles worth of daily driver on my 03 hemi.

 

Welcome back to DF. I will move your post to the correct section.

For future reference:
https://dodgeforum.com/forum/dodge-r...ead-first.html

 

I have 180K+ on 2005 2500 DD

 

Solid truck for working, 4x4in, towing, hunting, fishing, camping, all that good stuff. But terrible commuter car. 10mpgs is too ****ty of gas mileage for me. I use my truck on weekends for the fun stuff, and leave the economy 4 banger rice rocket for commuting.

 

First two years mine was a daily driver, leveled with 33" tires and I could maintain about 14.5 mpg in all around driving, which I thought was very respectable from a QC, V8, 4x4.

With the lift and 35s and a bunch of power mods I did "retire" it from daily driving from mid 2006 on though...

 

I use my 05 as a daily driver. I drive city most of the time. I notice a hit on gas mileage city driving but is does pretty well on the highway.

 

I've got nothing bad to say about my '04 but then again I don't really care about gas mileage. If you're comparing it to a compact truck, I think an extra tank (or more) a month's worth of payments could get you the Tacoma you might be looking for. But as with any high mileage 10 year old truck, service history and condition will mean more than anything. I've had all brands of full size trucks from a '92 to current and the Ram holds its own. I'd hook up the travel trailer tomorrow and head across country without thinking twice about it.

 

wasn't that the truck that Toyota was either buying back or doing a complete frame replacement? I think the frames were rusting out. Do you live in a rust belt?

I have an 05 ram I just bought and I love it...and I'm a chevy mechanic.

IMO the resale value on Asian cars is really overvalued.

 

I have 138k on mine and outside of squeaks and interior rattles, she is mechanically purring. Those miles were all ours though vs just walking into a 100k+ vehicle.