By accessing this website, you acknowledge that Edmunds and its third party business partners may use cookies, pixels, and similar technologies to collect information about you and your interactions with the website as described in our
Privacy Statement, and you agree that your use of the website is subject to our
Visitor Agreement.
Comments
While I would love to have the rear seat, which I could sit easily in (6') at the dealer, I couldn't justify paying the extra $3-4k for something I would rarely use. I test drove a Quad with a long bed, the darn thing was longer than I would be comfortable driving daily.
I got mine for about $300 below invoice before rebates/discounts and got a bedliner & wheel locks thrown in. Start off offering about $100 over invoice because you have a friend whose a broker for GM, and that's what he recommended.
Then act shocked that the invoice was that much, you thought it would be less, and then let the dickering begin. Then its driven by how bad
the dealer wants your business, and whether you are willing to walk away...
None of the dealers in my area had manual trans, and there was only 1 base model; everything else was Quad/5.9/SLT/auto/Sport heavily, so I had only 1 or 2 to choose from. Mine didn't come with the security package, so I am arranging to have it installed as soon as the parts come in.
MPG average on the first tank averaged 14.5, 90% city driving, with highway at 60 reading 19-20 on the comp, and 17-18 at 70 mph, with the 3.55 (standard equip) axle and limited slip. And that's with a feather touch on the gas; I don't romp on the gas hard.
None at the dealers had the 4 wheel abs or security pkg, and all had the tow package and limited slip differential.
Twinscrew: I was interested in your comment that the manual trans was not available yet!! Anyone have an update on this?
Also on the automatic, I've read where this tranny incorporates a second 2nd gear. Have those of you with autos experienced how this works in practice?
Anyone got an answer on the Farm Bureau question?
I am assuming that I want the standard 3.55 gear since I will not be towing and want best hwy mileage. Good points re: limited slip diff...I should probably get that since this vehicle will see snow and ice (but not much off-road).
Researching a possible 4-door pick-up purchase next year to replace my 9 year-old Sentra. I've driven the Tacoma, Tundra, F150, and the new RAM. The RAM is very impressive, indeed. I think that Ford does a better job in providing more comfortable seating in the XLT, but the more I look that may be the only advantage.
One of my major concerns that I don't believe have been discussed here, is my desire to eliminate trailering my ATV and be able to load it onto the bed of a truck. With the competition, they'd all have to have the tailgate down when the ATV is loaded. The RAM QC bed length is 6 feet 3 inches and that means my ATV can load with the tailgate up.
I have seen a few manual transmission equiped RAM 1500s on dealers lots, but not too many. My local dealer, oddly enough, had a SLT Quad Cab 4x4 with a 5-speed.
Dusty
Also, regarding bed length, two options are available for every model 1500. The 6'-3" is the short one but you can also get a full eight footer if you need it. You're talking one long truck with QC and 8' bed.
Thanks for the tip on checking inventory. My plans don't include me doing anything until at least April of this year.
Bests,
Dusty
This link has some cool knobs.
http://www.flameball.com/FLAMEBALL.htm
I also found some good ones at Autozone of all places (billet aluminum sphere to match my suicide knob).
02 Dakota QC 4.7L 4X4 man.x
The local Chevy dealer has a lot more trucks than the Dodge dealers. Now GM's truck platform sales have skyrocketted in the last year. I think GM wants to sell a lot of units to build on this recent success. Keep in mind that this company has been losing market share at a much faster rate then anybody. Capitalizing on this current frenzy allows the brass to say that the corner has been turned and the market analysts (Wall Street as well as Detroit) will hopefully change their attitudes about GM's long term performance. But taking 2K off the top of every sale is seriously cutting into profit, and GM's car sales are either flat (meaning stagnant) or down across the model line-up. I think GM's truck rebate when sales are up is very telling and points to another business dynamic. I suspect they believe there are other things to gain and worth the profits they lose on every truck sale because of the rebate. Its very important to increase market share now, especially when the writing is on the wall. Ford's steady rise in market share (and the comensurate GM loss) will push GM to number 2 by 2004 at the current rate. This affects the stock price, you know and the rate of lending!
Ford has inventory. Surprised by the sales boom in GM trucks, they are about 200,000 units off of last year. The $2500 rebate on trucks makes much more sense for Ford.
Dusty
Dustyk, I think GM's truck share growth in 2001 is directly related to the fact that they brought to market a much needed revision to the Silverado. I.e., it was the hot new model. Dodge is getting some of that buzz now, but as you allude, it will soon wear off, sales momentum will slip and they'll get more aggressive. Ford obviously needs to rush a new F150 to market before they suffer too much damage. With the top selling vehicle in the entire market, their "I can top yours" rebate is obviously a stop-gap measure to protect hard won market share while they get an updated truck to market.
I talked to one dealer today about the uncompetitive rebate and he basically confirmed that Ram 1500's were moving very well and that Detroit watches sales closely and would do more if and when they need to. Maybe there aren't many buyers like me, but, I've entered the buy cycle thinking, "RAM, RAM and nothing but RAM" but if I can get $2002 off even a stripped down Silverado (with better engines for the money by the way), Dodge has let Chevy open the door to stealing this potential purchase.
Besides, almost all of GM truck platforms are selling much better, with the exception, I think, of the S-10 series. So its not just the Silverado.
What surprises me is that truck consumers, thought to be more reliability and quality conscious nowadays, are apparently abondoning Ford who is perceived as the quality leader in trucks. (I believe that Consumers Report has stated that the F150 is the most reliable vehicle coming from Ford in the last few years.) With full-size GM trucks being rated dead last in quality and reliability, I think that there is another reason at work here.
Bests,
Dusty
I'm thinking that if I did bend the frame, I may trade the truck in on a Ram QC for the extra room inside and the bigger box.
What I'm not sure about is should I go with the 5.9 or the 4.7 again? I'll be pulling a 25ft Fifth wheel with it, but from what I can tell the 5.9 only has 5 more HP and 35lb of torque than the 4.7 so for the better gas millage should I just get the 4.7?
It features the new 5.7L HEMI with 345 HP and 365 ft.lbs of torque or the new 5.9L Cummings disel with 305 HP and 555 ft.lbs. of torque.
Dodge has just raised the bar again!
Will be built in the summer of 2002.
If you want the whole story, go to http://www.car-truck.com and search under "hemi". There are several columns.
Finally, and most importantly probably, the cost savings Dodge realizes by sticking to a single wheelbase/cab style may allow them to beat the competition on price, which would more than make up for the loss of sales to those wanting bigger cab space in back, I'd guess. After all, let the kids and employees deal with it, right? The guy who pays for the truck is sitting up front.
The Ram is the New Mayor of Truckville!!
Btw, I had an Ext. cab GMC before I went the crew cab way, I know the room that one has and an Ext cab wasn't even in the running when I was looking to trade.