I agree with everyone above. I can't imagine driving such a heavy truck with only a 3.7L. You'll be flooring it all the time just to get up to speed. I also agree with going for a new one. If you put $10k down on a $20k truck, your payments will be under $200/month assuming a decent interest rate. Even if you pay $25k, your payments will be under $300 a month. You'll have a lifetime powertrain warranty, and NO out of pocket repairs for 3 years! Dealers are unloading their 08's with the new 09's coming and offering great deals.

 

i bought an '05 with the 4.7 about a year ago and i love it.i've pulled multiple traliers with differing weights and had no problems what so ever.....I say if you got the cash in hand go for the '05 with the v8.think of it this way,if you got the cash in hand and can pay for it out right.you won't have any payments what so ever.and that leaves money for things you might want to do to it IE: CAI,Exhaust,Tires...ect.

 

The V6 will be underpowered, you'll get equal or possibly even better mileage with the V8 option.

 

I didn't know dodge put the 3.7L V6 in quad cabs, if so, that truck would be real dog. I bought mine truck (4.7L) thinking it would get better mileage than a hemi, wish I had known what I know now.

 

Thank you all so much for the iuput. I believe I'll call and then make my way to all of our local dodge dealers. I wouldn't mind a payment of 200-300 a month on a nice big truck. Gas isn't really an issue, I'll be driving 20-40 miles one day . What should I look for in terms of price and what type of truck trim/cabs if you all had to choose for me?

Also, I found a 2006 Ram Quad Cab SLT with 30k on it for 12k with the 4.7L or a 2006 Ram Quad Cab Slt with 17k on it for 13k with a Hemi? I could probably haggle a dealer down to 9-11.

I definitely need something that seats up to four which is why the quad cab was on my wish list. Again guys, thanks.

Josh

 

Hey all, I'm definitely going to check out this 06' with a Hemi and 17k on the odometer. It's about five miles away from me and six thousand or so under blue book. It still has a factory warranty on it and it's definitely in my price range.

 

i'm still saying having no payments is better than having that monthly payment monkey on your back month after month after month after.......

 

dude, that 13k hemi with 17k on it is a ******. and an 06 so you got MDS, newer look, plenty of warranty. f' the new one, if that 06 has what you want take it.

 

I am, I should be picking it up in the next week. Test drove it today, checked it out both myself and with my family mechanic. And we talked the dealer down to 10,500 + taxes & fees. So, I'll officially be joining the family here guys!

 

New and shiny with payments versus, cash for used, no payments?

Buy the used one outright, save the payment money for GAS money (you'll need it).

Give it a thorough look by a mechanic (or if your mechanically inclinded - yourself). Get a limited warranty (if a dealer, they usually throw in a used warranty of 3 months 3,600 miles to seal the deal). That'll get him through any immediate problems.

I am kind of old school here, but generally a newer used car is a much better buy than even a massively discounted new. I was also temped by a $21k 2008 new RAM 1500. But I think my $10k 2500 used works just fine.

PS: New RAM discounts also drive down the prices on used RAMs.