Hi everyone,
I was reading a post here on the 3rd gen forum that basically stated that the Ram is basically a "7 year" truck. The point was that they usually last about seven years or so, before they are basically trash, or need so much money dumped into them that they are no longer worth it. I am a person that keeps a truck for as long as possible, I am on 13 years with my current Pathfinder and if it was not rusting like it is I would continue to drive it, It now has 176,000 miles on it, and it is perfect EXCEPT THE BODY RUST! So what do you say about the long-term use of a Hemi Ram?


Thanks,
Zack

 

That was probably from a Chevy driver! Those POSs are doing well not to rattle apart driving off the lot. My '03 Ram is doing just fine at 94K. My '95 Ram Van made it to 183K before it wanted a tranny. My '01 RCSB was at 98K and running strong when I traded it for the '03 QCSB Hemi. I figure to trade this one on an '11 in '13. I have no doubt this one'll make it five more years.

 

No one can give you a real answer on this. The new Hemi has only been in production since 2003. So anything you hear is people BSing.

In addition it is not the year, but the miles that determines life.

 

Agreed on both points. Also, the amount of care given to the vehicle plays as much a role in the longevity of the vehicle as anything else. I personally know people who've had the LA powerplant (318 & 360) for well over 200,000 miles with no major issues (engine wise - Chrysler trannies are another issue). I've seen nothing so far to indicate you couldn't do as well or better with a well taken care of Hemi...

 

I have a 2001 1500 with 318 with 265,xxx miles on it and a 1993 Dakota with a 3.9 with 344,xxx miles on it. Both with original engines and trans.

 

yeah i wouldn't put much faith into that....my 02 ram had 98K when i traded it in for my 04 and my 1990 Ramcharger has 276,000 still with the original engine and trans as well....like it's been said before, if you take care of the vehicle and do the services to it, then i see no reason why it couldn't last a very long time

 

just turned over to 92,000 miles on my 02 and the most major work ive had to do to it was a water pump. oh and i had to vut out my cat, which was done yesterday. thats all for fixing.

 

With the lifetime powertrain warranty, you should be able to keep driving it indefiniately as long as you keep up on the maintenance, keep your receipts, etc.

There will be other repairs (AC, accessories, suspension) that arent covered, but will cost less than a new car payment.

I guess rust and cosmetics are probably going to be the death of the ram.

 

thats an 02? Ha my buddys 02 sc looks like ***, wonder why his looks so much worse.
Anyways he's has a tranny issue around 80k nothing since its around 90k now.

I on the other hand have had a rear main seal leak at 10k, rear speed sensor (still acting up), tranny leak. But thank god I didn't buy a ford or a chevy.

 

My truck is now 5 years old and still runs, drives, and looks new inside & out. I think I've got a little more than 2 "good" years of ownership left. Maybe in another 10 years it'll need work but right now it's still an awesome truck that I appreciate every time I get behind the wheel.