Hey All,

New Ram owner here. In fact, first time dodge vehicle owner. My father had a '98 Ram a few years ago and I always thought it was a good truck.

I've never really been super brand-loyal...just always looking for the best truck for the best price.

I purchased a 2009 1500 SLT Lonestar Edition with the security/remote start and premium cloth seats and 3.21 gears.

After doing some reading, I worry about the 3.21 gears, but felt good about them initially after reading (somewhere, some review) that it was supposed to contribute to better gas mileage.

I was initially in the market for a used new body style silverado..thinking the new rams were out of my price range, but with the recent incentives, I got all the truck I wanted and more for the right price.

Just for info purposes. Sticker on mine was $37,200 and I got it for $27,687 before TT&L. In hindsight, I know it wasn't the best deal that's been achieved, but I'm still very happy with it. I felt it was a good deal at the time, so I'm very comfortable with the decision.

Loving the truck!

I'm really hoping mileage improves a bit from the 12.4-13.0 that I'm seeing right now with 100% city driving. However, I also realize that I'm following the break-in instructions and will hit full-throttle a few times from cruising speeds to help the break-in process. I'm sure that's not helping my MPG. I've also reset the EVIC mileage deal at least 3 times since they filled it up at the dealership, so I know what it is reading isn't accurate to within the full tank.

Would love to hear any opinions people have on the 3.21s. If I do any towing, it will be no more than 2 times a year and probably not for super long distances (might tow my buddies boat 50 miles to the lake)...that'd be about it.

On a side note...man, is there anything that looks cooler on this truck than that dual exhaust with the molded bumper? No..you don't need to answer that...it's a rhetorical question

Enjoy the truck. As long as your happy with the truck and the price, that is all that matters. Mileage may improve as the weather warms up and stations switch to summer blend (assuming your area has winter blend gas).

Dodge has always gotten about 2 mpg less than Ford and Chevy. Your hemi will be better since it has MDS. I have 7K miles on my 09 crew and it is getting better mileage all the time. It takes 10K to loosen it a bit, but 25K to really see what it will get long term. I am getting 16.5 blend driving and 21 highway with 3.55.

Well, that's pretty encouraging Dr. Bill. I am not expecting to get 15-16 on all city driving, but I usually got 14.0-14.8 in my '04 F150. If I could just manage 14 in the city, I'd be happy.

As for the highway, I looked at Chevy's, and Dodge of course, because of the AFM (dodge's MDS). I was looking to get 20mpg on all interstate driving. If I can get that or the 21mpg you mentioned, then I'd be sold completely on this truck.

Only downside IMO is that I got a truck with a build date in October '08 and so my display does not tell me when I'm in MDS. A little peeved about that...but if that's the worst gripe I have...I figure I'm in great shape.

Thanks for the info.

Congrats on the purchase, and anytime you get $10k under MSRP that's a great deal, regardless if others may have got better. Enjoy the truck!

I have the almost same truck, 5.9,3.21r.r.,, slt with convience group prem.buckets,,remote start.. Ram Box . deep water blue.. Lone star pkg.

Live in Dallas, taking it to Houston this weekend, has 917 miles now. drove 65-75 all the way down, comp says 16.5.
Thanks

Congrats on the truck. Good choice.

And no, this truck will not get 2mpg less than Ford or Chevy. It will get the same or better mielage with more power under the hood.