Opinions on the new Dodge Ram Trucks

Anyone have any feedback on the new Dodge Ram trucks (1500). They're running some awesome specials right now at a local dealer and betweene my current trucks equity and the rebates I could knock over $20K off a new truck. I've seen reviews that look good and I know the 2010 has won quite a few awards. Any thoughts any of you can share?

I hear lots of good things about the new ram trucks, but really, if you want to see what it is like, test drive one to see if you want one.

I personally would only keep any chrysler product as long as it has a full warranty. After that they can be nightmares. That has historically been the case with Chryslers, but maybe they can shake that issue with their new vehicles.

Also, technically the new Ram pickups are not Dodges, because Ram is the vehicle line since the Fiat buyout of Chrysler.

I have an '03 Durango, prior to that drove an '01 Durango, also have a '06 Dodge dually at work. The Durango's have been great vehicles, no major issues and tight, well made vehicles. The dually is a Cummins diesel, has not been a good vehicle, has needed a tranny rebuild, and everything in the cab falls apart, visors don't stay up, switches don't work, wipers stop half way across the windshield, etc. To me that's Dodge trucks over the last 10 plus years in a nutshell.

I'm guessing new trucks will be much improved - I've spent time looking at the Dodge vehicle lineup and the changes are pretty impressive.

although a die hard g/m fan I have to say when I am driving down the road just before sunset and the new ram front end is approaching it is stare worthy. there is something about it .

I always come accross ones misfortunes, the LHS was at a rival shop and they told the lady because it had antifreeze dripping down the front of the engine that it needed head gaskets 2500.00 to repair, she gave me the car,I threw on an intake gasket and put 60k miles on it.

Okie Boarder wrote: Just have to decide if it is worth the extended payments.

It usually isn't.

I like the new durango, especially now that it is on the new grand cherokee chassis but here is one big issue I have with the new durango (and grand cherokee)as it is. The have 5 speed trannies only. When companies are coming out with many 8 speed autos, and 7 speeds are getting more common too, 6 speeds at minimum are the necessary number. The durango and GC suffer in acceleration and fuel mileage because they only have 5 speed transmissions compared to at least 6 speeds form everyone else.

I am certain that chrysler will put trannies with at least 6, if not 7 or 8 speed trannies in them in 2 -3 years, but until that is done it's lacking big time. Other than that, it's an almost perfect vehicle (on paper). I typically don't buy anything that is new the first year, and Chrysler products are ones I wouldn't even recommend buying first year 1.0 models from.

fwiw, I owned one 86 bronco2, with the 2.9 v6 and an auto that was still running when it was retired due to a drunk driver running his stoplight and totaling it. It had 440,000 miles on it when that happened, and it only had ever needed one tranny rebuild at like 200k. Other than that it only ever needed needed brakes and tires, a battery, muffler, paint,1 alternator, a new rear driveshaft with u joints and not the CV joints it originally had, and a 4wd actuator motor put into it.

It was a great truck, and it went through a LOT of abuse, towing, off roading and all the dumb stuff that people from 16-25 do to their cars.

My family had another 86 bronco 2 that made it to 250k without much beyond a tranny, and an 84 bronco 2 that needed nothing outside of normal stuff (tires brakes, mufflers) once that made it to just shy of 400k before they donated it.

I think the new Dodge trucks look great! Plus, the Dodges sound great right off the lot. I don't know what kind of mufflers they use, but, they are the best sounding out there. Yes, I know you don't buy a truck for its sound, but, if everything else is equal.......

I'd still go for the Ford F-150. That King Ranch Edition with its saddle leather interior is very cool. But, I am biased toward Ford. I have a '68 F250 in the garage that still runs great at 190K miles.

Tom...We have a 2003 Mountaineer with 108K miles on it. The only issue with it has been some sort of bearing in the front differential went out a couple of years ago. That cost me $2K. But, a darn sight better than a new $40K SUV. I plan to run this one forever. I HATE $500/month car payments. Oh, by the way, the sun visors did go bad. I priced new ones out at Ford. $220 before taxes for both. I went to my local "auto parts recycling center", and got a working set for $16 total.

My biggest dissapointment was a couple of years ago when I bought a 2006 Impala which had been my old sales car. At around 75K miles, the head gasket went bad. I blew a gasket with the GM service mgrs., and GM ended up paying half. That car had the 3.5 engine (I think it was). Talk to anybody that had had that car/engine combo, and the first thing they say is that the head gasket went out. I think GM really cheapened things up and thats the result. Hopefully they have learned from their past mistakes. I have an Impala now with the 3.9, and no issues....yet. My company is switching over to the Malibu. A lot of the guys that drive them aren't happy going from the V-6 to the 4 banger.

Thanks for all the discussion. I have a few family and friends that have the older Dodges and have had good luck. I've heard some horror stories too. I think you can find horror stories with just about any brand, though.

I was definitely impressed with the ride, power and fit/finish. Still contemplating, but leaning pretty heavy towards doing it.

Congrats on the new truck, looks good and really like the dual exhaust. Enjoy it !!!

John,

Thanks. Yeah the dual exhaust out the back is a nice touch. It's only available with certain trim levels.

Ken,

How are you liking the new F-150? Our F-150 was a Supercab with the 5.4. It always towed well, but it could be quite thirsty. I understand the new ones are doing better on gas mileage. I noticed Ford now has different engine options and the 5.4 isn't one of them. The extra room this new truck has is phenomenal! I think we're going to enjoy that and the regular opening doors, especially with the boys getting older and bigger.

The new '11 F150s have 3.7 v6 with close to 300 hp, standard, 3.5 l DI ecoboost 350+ hp twin turbo V6, the new 5.0 v8 and the 6.2 liter v8 as well.

The 5.4 was not as thirty as it used to be when they put the 6 speed tranny behind it versus the old 4 speed auto.

I really do like the new Rams. The dual exhaust is a nice touch, and they offer a lot of amenities in them. Congrats:)

one small step for mankind. you can park in my drive anytime and the beers are on me

Lee,

Thanks. I like the Sierra too. My Dad has a Sierra 1500HD with the 4 wheel steering. Pretty much all the trucks out there today I like in certain aspects.

eric,

You crack me up. If we drive through your area, I'll be sure to take you up on that offer.

dude,

Thanks for the info. I'll go check that out. What year is yours? So far, we haven't driven it a whole lot, but I don't really notice any difference in power or noise when the engine kicks down to the 4 cylinder mode. Can you expand on what you mean?