Greetings all,

My son turned 18 this week and in recognition of this milestone event I went out and bought a shiny new truck FOR ME! After 18 years of diapers, soccer practice, parent teacher conferences, taxi service, Play Stations, grey hairs, and $150 shoes, I figured it was my turn for a new toy.

I've wanted a truck for years but decided to wait until I actually needed one (no fashion statements or compensators for me). A house long overdue for some serious renovation combined with a hobby that puts me in the woods every weekend and a new job that cuts my commute from 30 miles to 3 means I need (and can afford gas for) a truck.

I started looking three weeks ago. I read everything I could find on compacts and full sizes. I decided to go for a compact since I won't be hauling anything large or pulling a fifth wheel. Dodge was my preferred mark because they get the best reviews and a friend who works at DCX hooked me up with the big discount.

I had a nice Dakota all picked out, even had the financing arranged, when it occured to me that I should test drive it (DUH!). I took it on the freeway and it seemed OK. A little sluggish but comfortable. Then I took it down my street. The county hasn't done maintenance in my neighborhood since the 50's so it's perfect for suspension testing.

I almost lost my fillings!

I took it back to the dealer and asked him if a full size would ride any better. He hooked me up with a magnificent solid black RAM 1500 4x4 with the 5.7 liter engine. Talk about love at first sight! I did the same test drive and boy what a difference. This truck actually rides better than my 98 GTP and costs $500 less than the Dakota. I bought it an hour later.

Now I'm here to learn all the stuff the dealer doesn't know (or doesn't want to tell me).

 

Excellent buy Gary, and welcome to the forums! I wouldn't have expected the Dakota to be stiff offroad, so it seems, but glad you bought the Ram instead. Do you have pictures of it?


Btw, happy birthday man!

-Matt-

 

WELCOME TO DF!! Congrats on the major present to yourself!! Any pics of it yet?

~Amanda

 

[sm=happy046.gif][sm=happy046.gif] welcome to DF, happy birthday, AND congrats on the new truck[sm=happy046.gif][sm=happy046.gif]

 

Congrats on the truck. welcome to Dodge Forum.

 

Thanks all,

No piccies yet. Been raining the last few days. I'll be in NOVA next week. Should be plenty of photo-ops there.

 

nova, scotia?

 

NOrthern VirginiA. The locals write NOVA for short.

 

Have fun Gary. Pics are a must! Lol


-Matt-

 

Double posting??