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Comments
wfbarto, also agree with you. The 4x4's stance is not funny-looking to me. Just remember it is NOT a crew cab, it's a larger extended cab. This saturday i will go to Truckville and give it a test drive, and fiddle around with it, and that will be my final decision.
$27K, huh? The SLT starts at $25K. The 2K consists of 20" tires/rims, color keyed grill and bumpers, i guess.
Saw another half-covered HD ram tester on my way to work this morning. PAtriot Blue (my color), duallie, 4x4, crew cab (DEFINIETLY), tan leather. Could not see if it was 2500 or 3500.
Thank You
http://www.4adodge.com/ and click on the ram.
http://www.meetthemayor.com/
That is Dodge's new slogan "Mayor of Truckville". has an event where you can test drive and see the demonstrations of the ram's capabilitites. If you live in southern cali, maybe you can make it in time for this saturday.
call 877-MEET MAYOR
http://www.auto.com/reviews/ulrich13_20010913.htm
I think the interior is very well thought out. There are a lot of trick features—that really make a lot of sense.
I was disappointed with the payload, which was only just a bit over 1400 pounds. Not very impressive, considering the "big-truck image" it conveys.
Bob
My additional comments:
Yes, it does drive very smooth (drove both 2x4 and 4x4) and stops on a dime. Don't know if the ones I drove had 4wheel ABS. Very little body roll. Drove one with the 20"s. 17"s look dinky compared to the 20"s. 20"s ride a tad harder. In the "off road" course which was basically bumpy dirt, ropes, and a 10' hill, the only thing to say was this rig shrugs everything off.
The people were more knowledgeable than i thought. Heavy duties (for you power hungry people) will be out sooner. HEmi? They will not say.
I sat in SLT and there are more storage compartents than you know what to do with them. Back space area is roomy enough for over average sized adults (no emale, not supercrew spacy). The same SLT had a bumper guard, bed rails, nerf bars. They had no brochures but the accessories.
They only had black ones, so I had to go to the dealer right afterwards to see other colors. The patriot blue, still my pick.
After going there and thoroughly testing it out, I confirmed that this will be my next truck within the next week.
what does this mean? out sooner than what?
That ain't much to chew on, but it seems tangible.
I stopped by a dealer Sunday morning while they were closed to check out the 2002 Ram Quad Cab parked out front. Over $30,000!!! And it wasn't loaded. It was an SLT, had the 'image' package (at over $3,000) and tow package. Not even leather seats. How does that compare to my 2000 Quad Cab SLT Plus with tow package, leather seats, loaded for just over $29,000 sticker? If you were to put the heated leather seats in the 2002, I imagine that would be another $1200 or so. Would the extra $2000 over my 2000 be worth it for the 20 inch wheels and tires in the 'image' package.
I haven't driven one yet, but I was surprised by the $$$!
tavgrad,
i can't imagine they would introduce the new heavies without the new hemi. that would seem anticlimactic! plus all the money they'd have to spend to first put the old powertrain in the new heavies, and then turn around soon and put the new hemi powertrain in. to me is seems unlikely.
durango:
Compare prices to a chevy/gmc and ford. Dodge is cheaper. I recall being at a gmc dealer and saw a sierra LOADED at $42K.
if you match toe to toe between 2001 and 02 with base prices, they are no more than the 2001. It's the options that have raised prices. Air conditioning and cassette, for example, was not standard in 2001.
Anyway, my wife will go to AIrport Dodge/Carmax on her lunch hour. (Since she has the money from the truck i just sold and the dealer is 1 mile from her job).
Also brochures would be nice! I went to the dealer and the only 4dr model they had was in the showroom so I couldn't drive it. When I asked for brochures - they didn't have any! How can manufacturers and dealers regress in their standards of service like this? Bringing a car to the showroom without any literature! Ridiculous!
tavgrad (and anyone else considering a purchase) what do you expect to pay over invoice? Any dealers that are willing to deal at or $100 over invoice?
Call 800-4adodge and ask them to give you a price quote. Don't use the web site. They will be more than happy to fax it or email or snail mail it to you. Mine was done in 5 minutes.
many times i have seen the cars arrive before the brochures and advertisements, information comes out. (when i got my car a few years back, it was a month before the ads showed it). You have to understand that the lithographers who make the brochures are contractors...not from chrysler. I have seen misinformation in brochures. The website, once again, are from webmasters (non-chrysler) that are paid from chrysler. Their information is also not 100% accurate.
I told my wife to talk to ONLY the fleet manager. Most fleet managers negotiate about 1-10% over invoice. If willing, GO TO FLEET MANAGER of a LARGE dealer that is far away from any metro area.
Black w/ taupe interior. All Power. Adjustable Pedals. CD/Cassette Player w/EQ. Sliding Rear Window, bedliner, chrome exhaust, fog lamps, chrome rims and large tires, and other stuff I haven't even looked at.
MSRP: $29,749. Went to Airport Dodge/Carmax -$3800 off of sticker. Since I saved $, bought extended warranty for the hell of it.. After tax, titles, tags: $28,350.
This baby wails.
When I got it, it had 37 miles on it. Needle on gas guage was way past "F". now I'm at 58, and the needle hasn't even touched the "F".
anyone know how to post pictures on this site? ANy advice?
I know the 20 inch wheels are a knock-out in looks but from what I heard they ride much harder than the 17 inch wheels. You will probably get better acceleration and towing capabilites with the 17 inch wheels also since the larger wheel/tire combos act to reduce lower the rear-drive ratio. Also can you imagine the cost of replacing the 20 inch tires!
I have been checking on the Dodge Dakota discussion board and a lot of the guys there debate betweeen the 3.55 and the 3.92 rear drive ratio. From what I can glean from that board the 3.92 only lowers the MPG about 1.0 MPG in the Dakota but it gives the truck noticeably snappier acceleration and hill-climbing/towing capabilities.
Keep us informed on your likes and dislikes with your new truck! Did they throw-in a bedliner? Are they still offering $500 off for Farm Bureau members?
You know, I'm not sure, but the dealer will honor any of those organizations like Farm Bureau. Hang tight. Chrysler usually offers those incentives from state to state, too.
The bedliner was an separate dealer add on option that was included in their discount.
So far my only gripes are the stereo positioned almost on top of the dash. Keep all informed.
We are only on day one (bought it last night @ 8pm PST, so yesterday does not count.) This weekend will test the power/weight ratio.
Ok, gas mileage report: I've put 100 miles on the truck since I had it and now it is at 3/4 tank. City driving, mostly highway. I ask the seasoned full size drivers: is this good? I don't wanna punch it yet.
hard to say about fuel mileage. i've had vehicles that it seemed as if the tank took forever to go down to 1/2...then from there it dropped like a rock! btw, what does your window sticker give for highway miles on the 4.7l? i just got back from my local dealership. he had six new quads (all short box) on his lot but all where 4x4s with the 5.9l. rated only 15 on the highway! yikes!! i took one for a drive and it is definitely a nice driving truck, and decently quiet. back seat leg room and comfort is decidely not as good as my s-crew but i kinda expected that. the seat back on the rear seat was too upright. also, wasn't sure about front seat comfort either. i guess more seat time would be needed to determine that. last note: to me the sport model is definitely the tops in looks - the body color grill and billet bars look killer! much beter, imo, than the all chrome slt. take care and have fun.
I'm a newbie at the full size game here so I will ask questions from time to time. I've finally gotten around to read the manual. It states that it can take 87 octane but higher octane is not recommended and WILL NOT give your engine better performance. Huh?
Yeah, I agree about the rear seating...had two of my friends (both of them on the hefty side), sat in the back, and said it's OK for a short trip but not for cross country cruising. driver seat has lumbar support. If you are still into the Ram, I'd wait until next year for the TRUE crew cab (betcha the hemi will be around then). Ram has caught up with modern times, but the Supercrew is by far more comfortable...neighbor bought the King Ranch(?) 4x4 earlier this month. The interior is smooooth.
gripe #2: I wish I could've gotten a sunroof.
Also agree about the Sport model too, but dealer did not have any on the lot....I didn't want chrome at all (remember I said I wanted a stripper) but the price was right.
oil change on my 01 chev 2500 (Just up the street)
Know a couple of salesmen and they let me drive
a 02 ram quad 1/2 ton. It has 4 real doors !
Are all the quads like this ? slt model only
29k sticker black too. Salesmen busy when i came
back so couldn't ask....Just curious...
BTW nice truck GM 4drs cost more too.........
1) Great Styling. Although not said in brochure it is a cab forward design similiar to minivans and cars. The windshield and dashboard cover half the engine.
2) VISIBILTY !!! From the pilot seat the hood seems half the length and width of the old style. The windshield is much bigger. The doors are forward facing. The rear doors are 80% the size of the front ones and easy to climb in the back. The cab seems much tighter with the new frame, no squeaks. The B-pillars are much smaller. Making a left turn is much easier as you can see out the rear right window, not a porthole like the old style.
3) 4.7L is much smoother than the 5.2. In a series of acceleration test vs. my 2001 5.2L, the new truck is in front at all times. Fuel economy is up by 1 mpg and new engine is quieter.
4) While the torsion front end does ride better, you never forget its a truck. The steering is a bit to light and quick for a truck. On a bumpy road it is difficult to keep straight. The truck drives like its half its size. I have also driven both the Ford 150 supercab and GMC Sierra QuadCab. The Dodge is the best of the bunch, although I have a soft spot for the GMC V-8 power.
5) Quad Cab is much bigger. Rear seating equal or greater than GMC. Nice touch with split folding seats.
6) Overall the truck seems like a leap forward. All the body seams line-up, finish looks great. Buttons and knobs are well attached and firm. Fit and finish is very good. The only thing I was not excited about was the front seats. In my 2001 the seats are large, firm and securely attached to the floor. These new seats seem small, weak and under stuffed, covered in cheap cloth and the truck had the premium cloth seats too. Not a big problem but a glaring sore spot in an overall great new truck.
I heard that the older dodges has leather seating in front and vinyl in the rear in the older ones. When I sat in the 02 Quad cab SLT+ with leather at truckville, the seats did have a different grain btw front and rear.
i thought you had gotten a sport. guess i need to read these posts a little closer. and, yep, the new quad also has vinyl for the rear bench on the slt+ model - not kewl but i suppose...
All this talk about the new trucks is killing me!
This is my opinion I hope for Dodge's sake it is not a popular one,but from all of the other true Mopar men I have talked to it seems I am not alone in my opinion. I predict Dodge might gain a few new customers with this truck,but will lose many,many old ones.
as for the look itself, i think the body coloured grill and billet bars look much better than the chrome grill and surround. plus, i do agree that the dropped snout makes the truck look like it has less of a "high" stance vs the old model. but it certainly seems to take as much ummph to get into the cab as the old one. i must admit that originally i was surprised that dodge didn't take more risks with the new rams styling. but how could you possibly top the earthquake that the 94 model created? when i look at the new truck, i'm thinking; yeah, it is definitely an improvement on the big rig styling of the 94. but will it be enough to get all those buyers back? probably not, at least not until they start getting some decent and new powertrains that at least match the competitions horsepower and torque.
I may have to wait for the 03' to get the 2500 though.
The QUad cab is a competitor to the other extended cabs, so the vinyl seats are justified. There will be a crew cab, and i'm sure just like the supercrew and other CREW cabs, it will have front and rear leather. In the 01 brochures, they say that the rear is vinyl. And i don't think that many trucks have FULL leather (seating and non seating areas) unless they are considered "luxury" trucks.
Sometimes it is just best to play it safe in terms of redesigning trucks, you lose loyal fan base if it gets too redesigned However,in moparmad's case, if it doesn't get any different, it just gets cookie cutter. I loved the ram's older looks (94-01) and they improved on it with this model except for the nosedive. GM's full sized trucks barely got redone, and they're selling like hotcakes. I can't tell the previous generation from the current. but emale you are right about the powertrains.
The only pickup to me that got a complete overhaul (in looks) for the better was the Ford F-Series.
Daimler won't ruin chrysler just yet. Despite the failures chrysler/dodge/jeep/plymouth had, they are american icons.
moparmad, the all new 03 viper will not get much cosmetic surgury either, are you p.o'd at that, as well?
The supercrew has a lower roofline, that's why it seems "smaller" than ram inside but it does have more room than ram. I would recommend the supercrew if you are hauling more people more than 60% of the time.
My favorite one is the Harley..and I heard that it's getting the Lightening's supercharged engine.
I am not trying to knock someone who bought a new truck with a 4.7L,or other brand with the smaller V8. I'm just trying to shed some light on where the real improvement has come in the last several years,more in the transmission than the engine.
moparmad, who is arguing with you? or better yet, who are you arguing with? No one here is offended by your disliking the new ram. to each is own. I admire your passion for dodge trucks. The regular cab IMO looks better, especially the sport model.
i guess i just find it hard to see how anyone could like the styling of the '01 and not like the '02. to me, it's more of the same, only better and more up-to-date. dodge sorta did what gm did with their latest pickup...altho dodge had a much better looking foundation to start with!
Also isn't it funny that you can't get the R/T Dakota with a 5 speed? Who are they trying to kid? What good is all that power with an "auto-slug" bolted to it?