My Dad is thinking about trading in the ram for a late 09 model next year, right before the 2010 models come out, to capitalize on the inventory sales. Because in the long haul, he's thinking that getting a new truck will be better with the number of miles that he drives, than to service the couple of leaks ours has (rear freeze plug(s)) and do the driveline servicing that's almost due (still on the factory braking components, since all the miles are highway)

So far, the only servicing has been EGR valve replacement, driveshaft replacement (diff side U joint went out), 4 sets of goodyear wranglers, oil changed every month and a half if not sooner, one trans flush. No coolant change or flush yet, havent changed pads or rotors, freeze plug(s) are leaking.

Has anybody test driven an 09 Ram yet to see how they drive compared to the 3rd gens?

I'm thinking bright yellow, since the fake cowl hood look just looks SCREAMING in yellow. But i'm not sure if Dad would want to have the hard tonneau repainted, or if it would even bolt up.

 

If he wants to buy, now is the time. They have ceased production on all 09's. When they resume after everything, they will be producing 2010 models. There haven't been a lot of 09's because of the slow economy, so I would think there isn't gonna be much to pick from after that.

You say next year??? New models start entering the lots as early as August/September. That's this year, not next.
The rear lsd differentials are still the same, so that's something to worry about on the 1500 9.25" models.
I suggest you use the search funstion as there are many threads about the differences. Just go to the 4th gen and the new owners will say what they like and don't. This IS the 3rd gen section. Nobaody here drives the 09's. Just heads up. 09's are more of a grocery getter to be frank.

 

Wait on purchasing a new truck after chrysler completes its bankrupcy then there will be a surplus of vehicle from the dealers that go out of business and you will be able to pick one up for 70-80% of the price of a good deal

For the ride quality of the 09's you will absolutely love it.My dad has one as a demo and it just puts the 3rd gens to shame I still cant believe how much better the ride is in it compared to my truck. The coil overs in the back makes it ride glass smooth over a wide variety of terrain and it also gets up and goes with the new hemi power in it so wait and then go pick one up for a steal and you will just love it and also if anymore questions go to the 4th gen section and ask some of them and they will agree how nice they are

 

the question is, where do you take your truck for warranty?

 

as many miles as my dad logs, there is no waranty on the truck...It's gone within a handful of months...like i said, he's still on stock everything, and the LSD is still stock, diff cover has never been off except to change the gear lube once. The EGR valve failed after 2 years and dealer wouldn't cover it.

 

Lifetime powertrain warranty last as long as he owns it. Just needs a free inspection every 5 years.

 

I thought that was only for 07's/08's?

 

Nope, still available on 09's as well.

Here is a link to the 09 LPW http://www.dodge.com/crossbrand/warr...PLW_2nd_Ed.pdf

 

I drove 1...LOVED it. I may wait a bit and look into trading my truck in on a new 1 as well depending on the deal i can score. It was fast for a stock truck, looked great and was comfortable all around. Granted it was only a test drive but in the 30 miles i drove it, i couldnt find anything i didnt like. That always changes after you own it for a bit but overall it was a nice truck.

 

Has anyone seen any RT's out there? Or just a 09 reg cab with a hemi? All I see at the lots around here are quad cabs....errr crewcabs..whatever