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11:09:28 - 04/19/2024
General Dakota Board
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S. Allen
Dodge Dakota
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7/12/2002
15:12:49
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 Subject: thinking of buying Ram (opinions please)
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I KNOW this is kind of "off topic" so I understand if the webmaster deletes this thread, but you guys are the most "Mopar savvy" bunch I know of to ask about anything Dodge, so here it goes...
A neighbor of mine works for a biggie local Dodge dealer and has been trying to woo me away from Ford trucks for years.
I visited this dealership's used lot (while looking at new Dakotas - which is my #1 new truck consideration at around 25K dollars) and found a VERY tempting truck I might consider buying.
What I found was a 2001 Dodge Ram Quad Cab 4x2 with the 5.2 V-8, SLT Laramie package, automatic tranny, power everything and a trailering package. This truck also had a spray in bedliner and other little goodies that I would add to any new truck I would consider buying, anyway.
It is in immaculate shape and has 18,000 miles on it. This is the old Ram body style, and they're trying to move it as fast as possible, os its priced cheap. They are asking $16,900 for the truck but he said I could get it for around $15,000 (!!!). I can also get an extended Dodge warranty for up to 100K miles that covers all the major stuff.
This is MUCH less than the brand new Dakotas and F-150s I have been looking at and I won't have to finance it as long, either, so I am very tempted.
The only drawback is that I know no one that owns a Dodge Ram pick-up to gauge its reliability on. I plan on keeping it a long time and I know its not going to be any Toyota on the reliability scale, but if its as relaible as the average F-150 or Silverado, I'd be happy. (it is half the price of a new Tundra and hauls alot more)
So...anyone out there ever own a Dodge Ram pick-up? How do you like it? Any major trouble spots I should be aware of? How bad will the gas mileage be with the 5.2 V-8?
Does the Ram have the same brake rotor issues and paint issues as the Dakota? It sure seems like a nice truck for the price. I ran a CarFax report on the VIN# and it has not been totaled, flooded or wrecked (heck, its only a year old and has 18K miles...how bad could you screw it up in that short time?)
Any advice...good or bad on the Dodge Ram would be appreciated. A 15K dollar truck sounds better than 22-27K dollars right now - especially with this shaky economy these days!
I like the Dakota, but this Ram is sure tempting...it seems almost new.
Thanks in advance!
-SA
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boon
Dodge Dakota
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7/13/2002
01:09:08
| RE: thinking of buying Ram (opinions please)
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don't get hoodwinked by a neighbor looking to bank some commision off your relationship. Tell him what you really want.(you already said it was a Dak.) don't accept any lamo excuses and get a fair price for service rendered. If it takes longer to pay it off so be it. time flys when 'yer havin' fun!!!!
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Manuel
Dodge Dakota
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7/13/2002
21:01:19
| RE: thinking of buying Ram (opinions please)
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I have a little bit of experience with the Rams. My dad has a '01 Ram Off Road Quad cab. He has done some upgrades to it. His has the 360 and he has dual exhaust, an air-raid intake and a power-aid spacer (power-aid PROBABLY doesn't add anything, but the exhaust and intake do). He's had no problems, but its pretty new still. His is an auto. My dak is a 5-speed, so keep that in mind. It just isn't as fun to drive as my Dakota. I don't know if my truck does have a lot more get-up-and-go or it just feels that way, but the ram just doesn't seem to take off like the Dak. Dak feels much more sporty.
Also, I'm guessing the reason you can get such a deal on that Ram is because its a 2-wheel drive and because it has the 5.2 instead of the 5.9. The dealer will have a very hard time moving this truck and it won't hold its value as much as a 4x4 or one with a 5.9. Before you consider it any longer, check NADA and Kelley Blue books. Make sure it really is a deal.
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Rrrockhound
Gen III
7/13/2002
21:42:18
| RE: thinking of buying Ram (opinions please)
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A friend of mine has had a '94 Ram since new and loves it, even with way over 100k miles. There is a little rust on the doors, but otherwise it looks fine. He's had few issues with it, and the 5.2 engine is a proven design that will probably run forever. In addition, on my job we have 3 Rams (1 V8 and 2 V10s). They look like you'd expect beat up old work trucks to look but as far as I know, they haven't given us any major trouble. If you can get an '01 for 15k, go for it, but don't get too excited, because trucks seem to lose their resale pretty quickly, so what looks like a steal is probably just about normal.
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Dak318
Dodge Dakota
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7/14/2002
01:26:34
| RE: thinking of buying Ram (opinions please)
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The Ram can be fun, but I would prefer the 360 Dakota RT. By the way, What does the S stand for?
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Dak318
Dodge Dakota
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7/14/2002
01:41:02
| RE: thinking of buying Ram (opinions please)
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One more thing, image two trucks with the same engine and same tranny. Truck 1 weighs about 2000 pounds less than truck 2, which one sounds like more fun?????
Same Tourque, same HP.
My 91 5.2 Dak can out run the magnum ram 5.2 by a lot. These engines aren't even the same generation, the magnum produces more HP. The weight is so different that I can still out run the Ram.
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