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Posted: 3/13/2011 4:48:19 PM EDT
1. I don't want a new car - I've had the same Jeep for 10 years but its almost 15 years old with over 250k on the clock, and it's time.
2. I don't want a Dodge or any other Chrysler product. 3. This truck is from a family and it is meticulously maintained. 4. This truck is a 4 door in excellent shape w/ hemi motor with 95K on the clock with a $6,700 price |
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1. I don't want a new car - I've had the same Jeep for 10 years but its almost 15 years old with over 250k on the clock, and it's time. 2. I don't want a Dodge or any other Chrysler product. 3. This truck is from a family and it is meticulously maintained. 4. This truck is a 4 door in excellent shape w/ hemi motor with 95K on the clock with a $6,700 price |
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I predict a pounding pain in your anus whenever you pull up to the gas pumps.
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Honestly they arent bad trucks...but dont expect it to stay tight in the front end.
I swear my ex bro in law bought a new one, and every 15-20k he had to tighten something. At 50k his drove like you see in the older movies. Half a turn of play in the wheel. |
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Any more? Realistic fuel economy? fuel economy is measured in gallons per mile with the hemi. pretty sure its around 12/15 on a good day. |
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two guys at work bought Dodge trucks, same fucking color and everything. The first six months they kept having issues with staling at incline. Never fixed correctly for either. Both used the same lawyer to enact lemon law to get a refund.
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I have a 2005, but I believe that it is basically the same truck.
The two big things to watch out for in my mind are the doors in the HVAC system breaking, and, if it has a limited slip differential, the clips that hold the clutch packs together are known to wear out and tear up stuff in the axle. I had to pull the blend door out of mine as it snapped off and fell down over top of the fan resulting in extremely weak output from the AC. Also, I've noticed that switching to defrost takes an inordinate amount of time, so I imagine that that door is probably on it's way out as well. I haven't opened up my differential yet, but it's seeping a little and I notice some shuddering when going around corners in the wet, so I don't know if I have been affected with that problem yet or not. As to fuel mileage, I try to drive extremely conservatively, especially considering the current fuel prices. The built-in average mileage computer was showing 17.4 MPG average last I checked. My tires are 1 size smaller than stock, I believe, so this number may be showing high. That being said, lately I still have the fuel pump cut me off at $75 or $80 before the tank is full. I believe that it's 26 gallons on mine. |
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I LOVE my Hemi Ram. 12-16 MPG though, hard to stay off the gas pedal. Bought it new in 2005 and still runs beautifully.
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Quoted: 1. I don't want a new car - I've had the same Jeep for 10 years but its almost 15 years old with over 250k on the clock, and it's time. 2. I don't want a Dodge or any other Chrysler product. 3. This truck is from a family and it is meticulously maintained. 4. This truck is a 4 door in excellent shape w/ hemi motor with 95K on the clock with a $6,700 price Middle of the road truck, good price. If you want a cheap crew cab, that's it. What's with comment #2? |
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1. I don't want a new car - I've had the same Jeep for 10 years but its almost 15 years old with over 250k on the clock, and it's time. 2. I don't want a Dodge or any other Chrysler product. 3. This truck is from a family and it is meticulously maintained. 4. This truck is a 4 door in excellent shape w/ hemi motor with 95K on the clock with a $6,700 price Middle of the road truck, good price. If you want a cheap crew cab, that's it. What's with comment #2? Ford, Chevrolet, and Toyota have much better track records for long term reliability. The whole 12 - 15 mpg really bugs me too. If I can find a better job I'll trade it off in a year or so. |
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Don't. Those things have interior to make a russian prison feel plush.
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Make sure the computer hasnt had an aftermarket tuner installed.
Check the ball joints. Kinda pricey to replace and my Dodge ate em up every 30K miles or so. Check the trans fluid to make sure the clutches arent burnt up, did the trans indicate any slipping in the torque convertor when you drove it? Other than that its a good solid truck. Mine lasted over 200K with just basic maint. Looks like it is well below book value if its an SLT, a screaming deal if its a Laramie. Good luck and post pics. |
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Any more? Realistic fuel economy? fuel economy is measured in gallons per mile with the hemi. pretty sure its around 12/15 on a good day. word |
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Quoted: Quoted: Any more? Realistic fuel economy? fuel economy is measured in gallons per mile with the hemi. pretty sure its around 12/15 on a good day. 12-15 gallons per mile? |
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i have an 05 ram and it is great, ill probably buy another when the time comes
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Got a 2008 Hemi Quad Cab. Love the power, gas mileage......meh. About 14-15 mostly short distance. Interstate I get 18-20.
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my step brother was glad when his 04 1500 got stolen and my g/f's 1500 was a PITA after turning over 100k. The Cummings is the only reason to buy a dodge
Posted Via AR15.Com Mobile |
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pass on the 2x4 and drive the Jeep for another 30K while you figure out what other vehicle to buy.
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my step brother was glad when his 04 1500 got stolen and my g/f's 1500 was a PITA after turning over 100k. The Cummings is the only reason to buy a dodge Posted Via AR15.Com Mobile Cummins Say it. Cummins |
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I ordered my '03 half ton as soon as the 5.7 hemi was announced as an option - it still runs great 167K later. Yes, I pay a lot for gas, and it's not the most comfortable ride, but golly it sure is fun to drive.
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From my experience, Hemi is a piece of shit, and Dodge Automatic transmissions have a max life of about 120k miles
Just my two cents Gas will be $5 a gallon this year and that Hemi will drink it all day |
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look hard at the history of those engines. My Brother had one and there is a screen in the oil pan that clogs and causes the motor to blow. Not a good thing. If I remember right it can't be cleaned or changed unless you pull the motor?
Just an observation. Check it out. I hope I am wrong. As others said though, mileage will SUCK! |
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I say go for it. Specially if it's 4X4. 2wd. Deal killer, period. Unless you live in the heart of Pavement Paradise (LA, DC, New York, Atlanta etc) I wouldnt touch a 2WD pickup. |
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Gas prices are about to get crazy. A 2wd truck is like a 4 door car that gets shitty mileage. Unless you need it to tow somthing alot.
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Any more? Realistic fuel economy? fuel economy is measured in gallons per mile with the hemi. pretty sure its around 12/15 on a good day. 12-15 gallons per mile? thats what it will seem like. |
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my step brother was glad when his 04 1500 got stolen and my g/f's 1500 was a PITA after turning over 100k. The Cummings is the only reason to buy a dodge Posted Via AR15.Com Mobile Cummins Say it. Cummins Damn phone has a mind of its own with the auto correct. Posted Via AR15.Com Mobile |
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My step father has the dodge daytona hemi truck. It is mostly freeway miles but he takes VERY good care of it and it has managed to reach 150 now without anything other than maintenance
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I have an '01 1500 2wd w/5.9 auto, not completely comparable, but I'll give you the low down anyway. Truck has about 149xxx miles on it, first tranny blew at 75k, is now slipping again when I pull anything heavier than a jon boat or load of logs. Engine doesn't run perfectly, there is a vacuum leak somewhere, but when you stomp on it, it goes like a bat outta hell (for a truck), averages about 12-14 mpg, not towing.. Wheel bearings, shocks, normal things have gone out at about normal mileages (or less, wheel bearings), and I can do the front brakes with my eyes closed now..
Normal Dodge rust on lower parts of doors, and on rear fenderwells, interior is basically screwed, fold down cupholder fell off, 0% of map lights work anymore, giant cracks on dashboard, HVAC controls basically do nothing anymore, its either full heat or full cool, defrost if you're lucky. There is a leak in the A/C system somewhere, burns oil a bit, sliding rear window tracks are broken, driver's side window no longer works, both license plate lights have melted their sockets and no longer work, driver's headlight bulb doesn't really fit in its socket anymore, kind of taped in there now. It basically only gets used for a hunting/hauling/beat the crap out of it vehicle at this point, thats it IMO, it is a terribly designed truck that was even worse in execution, I liked the way they looked and the power when I was first looking at trucks. Now, I look at my "new" '04 Maxima that is pretty much perfect, everything works, no weird noises or quirks, and wonder why I ever bought an "American" vehicle.. My '91 Bronco is a tank that seems like it will never actually die, but has its own long long list of problems. YMMV |
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Gas prices are about to get crazy. A 2wd truck is like a 4 door car that gets shitty mileage. Unless you need it to tow somthing alot. You can't carry sheet rock in a car. Or a gutted deer. Or 20 80 lbs bags of concrete. Or a lot of other shit. Gas prices go up and down. People who drive a pickup and keep on driving them, drive them for a reason. |
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I have an 03 2500. It's a pretty good truck. If something has to be moved it'll do the trick. The only drawbacks are the mileage sucks (I get 11-12 mpg), costs about $80 to fill up, the turning radius is huge, and it's pretty tall. Aside from regular oil changes and other routine maintenance, I've had to get my AC fixed ($700) and I think I need new hub assemblies. Right now I have over 135K miles and expect to get to 200K easily. The price of gas sucks but my truck is paid off and gas costs less than a car payment or higher insurance.
My recommendation is, if your jeep is paid off and you're not having any mechanical problems there's no reason to fork out uneccessary cash. If you need a car then the Ram is a good deal as long as it's been well-maintained. As mentioned previously, check all the fluids and make sure there's no dry rot on the hoses. I'd also recommend having the radiator and transmission flushed if it hasn't been done already; it's good preventive maintenance. Oh yeah, if the Ram is a 2x4 I'd pass. There's nothing worse than seeing a truck with no "sack" |
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