I currently own a 3.9L 2WD extended cab ‘96 Dakota SLT+ with 61K original. This was an upgrade from an ‘87 regular cab Dakota as we transitioned from being kidless to having two little ones.

Fast forward to today, our kids now 10 and almost 13 have legs that just don’t make our ‘96 comfortable anymore so I am looking into upgrading to a quad cab Ram. Here are my options… what are your thoughts?

Option 1 – Buy a new ’08 quad cab Ram. This would run 25-28K. I would imagine the prices would lower as the ’09 comes out. Having just bought a new ’08 car last year makes me not lean towards this option. I also am not big on the ’08 styling.

Option 2 – Buy a used quad cab Ram. I have narrowed my search down to the 2002-2005 styling, focusing in on the 2005 model year. I have found 3 or 4 that look nice online. They run from 18-20K and do not have a warranty.

The first is an ’05 QC Ram 4X4 SLT with a 4.7L, auto, shift on the fly. It has only 5500 miles! It reminds me of my ’96 Dakota that I bought four years old with only 9200 miles. This Ram is cosmetically in mint condition. It is $19,950 and at a dealer.

There is also another ’05 QC 4x4 Ram SLT w/ 4.7 at another dealer with 25K fo $18,995 that I have yet to see.

There are also an ’05 QC 4X4 Ram SLT(5.7L Hemi) with 19.8K for $18,995 (OBO) at a private party seller.

Lastly, another dealer has an ’03 QC 2WD Ram Laramie with 24K for $17,880.

Four wheel drive is not a must for me but most that are available have 4WD.

Questions that I have come up with…
Is it better to get the 4.7L or the 5.7L Hemi? Doesn’t the 5.7L get better mileage? Does the 4.7L have adequate power as compared to the 5.7L? I won’t be pulling anything so that is not a factor.

I have never had a 4X4 before so what is the difference between manual and electronic shift? Advantages or disadvantages?

I guess the bottom line is whether to buy a new QC with a three year warranty or the three year old QC, with no warranty, with 5K to 25K on the odometer, for $6-10K less. I know it’s my decision but I was curious what others think.

The main objective is to buy a vehicle that is comfortable for a family of four and not breaking the bank at the same time. Thanks.

Larry

 

If you're not going to buy new, that first used RAM you listed with only 5500 miles is a hell of a deal. But look around, I used cars.com and autotrader and found hundreds of trucks I liked within a 75 mile radius. You can surely find that perfect truck for your tastes. I'm not sure which motor gets better mileage, but my 1500 with a 4.7 doesn't get bad as long as you keep out of it for the most part. Someone just made a post on here yesterday and Chrysler changing the factory warranty from 3/36000 to 7/70000. From what I understand the warranty follows the truck, so if you buy an 05 you may want to inquire with Chrysler as to what kind of warranty it'll have on it, and stay away from stealership add-on extended warranties from the advice I've recieved. And most the new dodges have a lifetime powertrain warranty if you decide to buy new.

 

All the trucks sound pretty nice...there's just a few things that jumped out at me.

You said you don't need a 4x4...so don't get one. They're more expensive both at purchase time and for maintenance/repairs, mpg isn't quite as good as a 2wd...so unless you need one i'd steer clear. IfI was you i'd buy a 2wd with an open rear and put a Auburn LSD in later...or if you're buying new get one with a factory LSD and when it breaks it's under warranty.

I'm not a big fan of a 07 and under4.7 in a quad cab...with the weight the gas mileage isn't any better then a well maintained hemi and the resale is less. If you get a 4.7 get an 08....my buddy at work has one and it pulls hard from the added bump to 300+hp.

I'd also be weary of that 05 ram with 5500k miles...it's either a really good deal or someone else's haedache. I just bought my 07 new in november and it already has 4500 miles on it. I've just had back luck in the past with older used vehicles with low miles.

 

You will get better mileage with an 06 and up Hemi due to the MDS.

 

i just bought a 2004 quad cab w/ a hemi and it is best decision i ever made. but with the bigger engine you will pay more for gas. i agree with kooda that you should get an 06 or up for the gas mileage

 

I did try numerous search sites including autotrader. I did wonder why a three year old truck only had 5500 miles and will ask when I see it today (the dealer wasn't open when I viewed it last night). If it looks good a would do a carfax check.
No, I do not need 4WD but it is tough to find a 2WD Ram up here. Most people that have them here don't need them.
How much better mileage with the MSD Hemi over the pre-'06 4.7?
My '96 Dakota with the 3.9 only gets about 15mpg.
With gas about $3.55 up here, I don't want too much less mpg but we need the room as a family. It would end up as a commuter truck to work... about 13miles each way. I only put on about 7500miles a year.

 

How much better mpg?

 

Personally, id go new and 4X4. I know cost is an issue as it is with all of us BUT, if you wait a few more months when 09's start hitting dealershihps your going to end up with a better deal, lifetime powertrain really sounds good for you from the sounds of how long you keep a vehicle. 4X4 will help with resale later not that thats always a good reason, its just some partial benefit. My 07 on the highway im averaging about 18 or so depending on wind etc, i have changed my muffler and added a CAI so that may have some effect. I have 4500 miles on it so its only going to get better with break in. Just my .02 cents, hope it helped some and good luck with whatever you decide.

 

whatever you get is sounds like you will be more comfortable in a full size ram

 

Yes. I was amazed how much room it has compared to my Dakota!