towing? with an srt-10? youre joking, right?

 

The Rams have a few issues, it seems that Chrysler doesn't like to own up to it's mistakes. GMhas probably just as many, it just seems to me, as a company, GM does a better job at admitting and fixing them.
xfeejx is correct though, Ram's got a poor reputation with the last generation of trannies. The new series doesn't seem to have near the issues, but Chrysler can't seem to shake the reputation.
But Chrysler has known about cracked dash issues, poorly designed limited slip differentials and blend door problems in the heat/AC system for at least five or six years now. They have been un-willing to address or re-design the problems, and have gone completely out of their way to deny such issues exist. That said, the trucks for the most part ARE solid, and I've got friends with Dodge Trucks & SUV's with 200k miles on them and they still run strong. I've got a good buddy with a Grand Cherokee with a 4.7L V8 whose got 290k on it and it still runs like day one (on it's second rebuilt tranny - but that's expected at almost 300k). My old '98 Grand Cherokee (ex's daily driver) was given to my mother by us in '02 with 66k on it, she sold it to a good friend of hers in '05 with 89k on it and I saw it a couple of weeks ago. Still runs perfect at 10 years old with 120k on it's original 4.0 I6 and tranny.
I think over the long run, you'll be happier with a used Dodge than a Chevy, at least I am. You just have to take a good look at the "known" issues before you buy one. Make sure the dash has no cracks, run the A/C & Heat (even if it's 90 degrees out) and most importantly,if it has a factory Limited Slip, you want the rear diff checked. Look for parts of metal in there. Make the dealer change the diff fluid and you want to see it, otherwise no deal! Trucks are not selling well right now, so more than ever, you are in the drivers seat with negotiations.
Those are the only real issues that plague these trucks. If you rule them out before you buy, you should have a solid truck that will give you years of service and totally outperform anything GM makes that is even remotely close to the price of the Dodge...

 

Let me just add one thing Joe, don't put too much stock in Consumer Reports. They have raved about the Tundra since it hit the market. No full size truck has EVER had the number of recalls that Toyota has had with it since full size trucks hit the market. They are plagued with CAM and Rear End issues. I hunt with a guy who bought the first '08 to hit his local dealers lot. He had major failures of both, plus a few other issues and the truck has been at the dealership longer than he's been able to use it since the day he bought it! This is not just a lemon truck, these are widespread known issues that Toyota has since issued recalls on.
Consumer reports still lists this truck as it's "Editor's Choice" and gives it the highest rating of any full size truck. WTF?

 

So cracked dash boards, blend doors (the D's had issues with the blend door too), and LSD's are the general pain points?

I agree with you on CR... you have to take it with a grain of salt. I too have read about the issues with the Tundra's, and that is what caused me to really question them. That's why I decided to hit the forums. You tend to hear more of the negatives in the forums, but I use that to help gauge what problem areas I need to check. On the other hand, a lot of forum guys will defend their trucks to the death. It's the same thing on the motorcycle forums.

You have been very informative!

joe

 

Id just like to add with ALL hammer said, and yea i totally agree with, as im a convert from chevy...your'e NOT gonna get a better deal on an 06 or used 07 as you will concerning a NEW truck, look at the market...some dealers are flat out refusing trucks as trade yet looking at the prices on used rigs, you can get a new 1 for a close ratio cost. Look into it my friend if you are serious about a ram.

 

yea, but with the extra ton you're carrying, I can run away faster!

Joe, take their advice and look into a new truck. No joke, with no end to gas prices they can't hardly give these trucks away. I bought my 04 QC hemi with 50k in january for $17k, a couple thou under KBB. If I were to turn around and sell that truck now, I might get 13 for it If i'm lucky. A friend of mine got a new QC slt with the 4.7L for $23k, and that was last November.

Dealerships are selling new quad cab hemis with UNLIMITED POWERTRAIN WARRANTIES, so no LSD and trans worries. You could probably talk a dealer into selling you one for even less than that now if they have to meet quota on them for the month. If you can wait till later in the year, do so. When the 09's come out, the 08 prices ar egoing to plummet. You'll probably save another $2k.

 

I looked at an '07 qc hemi 4x4 (Big Horn) package w/ 4k miles on it, tinted windows, dual exhaust (which was loud, and sounded awesome), and a tonneau cover. The dealer wants $21k but said they would probably take 19k.

Whatcha all think about that?

I did speak to them about purchasing a new one. They are running about 10k in discounts (at least the dealer I was speaking with).... 3k off sticker, 5500 rebates, 2k in loyalty cash (since I have a Durango). That puts a new Big Horn around 25k, which is still more than I can afford, although a great discount!

joe

 

Definitely buy new....like the others said dealers have huge incentives and you'll get the lifetime powertrain. I heard on the radio today a local dealer was giving 13k off before you even start negotiating...good for you, bad for us that already own one.

I bought my RCSB hemiram for 16.5 brand new last november...carmax had a used 06 RCSB hemi with 20k miles for 18.5 that same dayand wouldn't budge on the price. I went to a dodge dealer and started looking used there too, I saw my truck and fell in love. I got the sales guy to sell me that truck for almost cheaper then used...good times.

 

I got my 07 qc ram last august for 21K. It is a Big Horn, with the newer 20's, towing pkg, 3.92's, chrome package, on and on. I did get the 4.7L 2wd, but thats only because I wanted the truck THEN because of the whole "car buying fever" and I had to have black. They only had the Hemi in Gold (Im not old enough for gold) and 4wd in silver (my buddy has silver) so I got my black beauty...21K is pretty good for a new qc truck thats fully loaded and looks like it came out of a magazine (not to mention the lifetime wrty). STICK WITH THE NEW DODGE

 

Going rate for a new '08 Hemi 1500 4x4 fairly loaded SLT's here in Fl. is about $13k off the sticker in the sunday paper, so your dealer has at least another $3k he can come down easily.
A guy I play golf with occasionally bought a leftover '07 last September, as the '08s started hitting the lots with a sticker of $38k for just over $23k FYI...

BTW: There's your answer for all the guys pissing and moaning about why they can't get squat on their four and five year old Hemi's on trade! A lot of guys saying that dealers are slapping them in the face, offering upwards of $10k less than book on trades. Dudes! What do you expect when Chrysler is discounting trucks up to $15k off of a super inflated "retail" price!!!