Hi everyone!
I'm new to this forum and I'm considering a 2005 or 2006 Dodge Ram 1500 4x4 QC.
I could use the wisdom of this forum to answer a few questions.
From what I have readthe 2006 Ram 1500 was the first year with MDS,2005 Ram 1500would not have it; is that correct?
I have a choice between a used2005 Ram 15004x4 QC with 35K miles, Nurf Bars, Towing pkg., leather int., 20 in. wheels, after market exhaust,for $22,500
Or
2006 Ram Big Horn 1500 4x4 QC with 12K miles, cloth seats all stock, 17 in. wheels, for $25,800
Which sounds like the better choice?
Also I read on this forum that some are buying 2007's for as little as $21,000!!!! Is this correct?If so, I'm paying way to much for a 06or 05.

 

Local dealers in Atlanta are advertising Thunder Road QC'sin the$21-22k range. I'd say go new!

 

That's interesting,
What I find is MSRP = $29,_____
and Invoice at $26,_____ and that's for an 07
I don't think I could touch one here in Washington new for $29K

 

Steve Rayman Dodge in Jonesboro is the one I remember being under $22k. Friday's the big ad day for cars in the local paper, but today I found a 07 QC 4x4 Thunder Road for $24,990 at Akins Ford in Winder, GA and an 08 QC SLT with a HEMI and 20's for $22,997 at Mall of Georgia.

Keep looking. You should be able to find something comparible. If not, a road trip could be in order! Good luck.

 

There's a $6K rebate on the '07 Rams, 1500 QCs, $4K on '08 Ram 1500 QCs, according to dodge.com. This is in lieu of the special low-APR financing. I used a zip code of 98101 (somewhere in Seattle).

You might want to trythe "Search Inventory" feature on dodge.com - in the Seattle area, most '07 4x4 1500 QCs are SLTs and Laramies, so you're looking at about $30K+ after rebate, before haggling. Dealers here in SoCal are advertising anywhere between $10K and $14K off MSRP (includes the $6K rebate), I'd imagine you could do just as well up in your area.

There is one white '07 ST QC 4x4 Flex-fuel 4.7 at Enumclar Chrysler/Jeep/Dodge that's about $26K after rebate... might want to check that one out, see if you can get them to knock off several grand....

 

Thanks guysfor the insight on new truck prices. You're right, I should be able to find better prices on 05 and 06 used trucks.

How about my other question? Am I correct in understanding that the MDS feature in the Hemi 5.7was started in 2006 models for the Ram 1500's?
Is the MDS a feature worthhaving orwould most of youprefer the Hemi without it?
I'm not sure I like the idea of having 4 cylinders shut down automatically. Seems to methe load is just added to the other cylinders anyway and the benifit would be minimal with more electronics to go wrong.
I'm leaning towards a pre 2006 without MDS.

 

I suggest doing a search on "MDS" in the 3rd gen forum if you haven't done so already. MDS was started in 2006 on Ram 1500 Hemis, but it seems there is some fuzziness as to exactly when in 2006...

In this search you will also find that some folks like MDS, others despise it. In my case. MDS played a big factor in deciding to by a Ram, and it seems to work. I am averaging about 3-4mpg better fuel economy in my '07versus an'05 QC Hemi I rented a couple of years ago. Same driving conditions.