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Dodge Pickup............

COONASSCOONASS Member Posts: 2,068 ✭✭✭✭✭
edited April 2002 in General Discussion
Need some HELP......Today I took my wifes Chev
Venture van into the shop for a minor recall...
Well while waiting I spotted this 2002 Dodge Ram
1500 Quad Cab SLT (4 door) P265 tires, 4.7L Mag V-8,
4x2, Cloth Seats , I think a nice truck....Being a
predominently chev man.......Well truck is in my carport
I may or may not close on the truck tomorrow......ANY PROS
OR CONS WOULD BE GREATLY APPRECIATED.........ASAP........


THANKS........*
MRS *
* JRS
«1

Comments

  • badboybobbadboybob Member Posts: 1,658 ✭✭✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    If'n ya kin afford it, go for it. Personally I'd buy a few new guns.

    PC=BS
  • sjc1sjc1 Member Posts: 130
    edited November -1
    Can't comment on the 2002's, as I have a 1999. It is a 2500 4x4 with the Cummins diesel turbo five speed. No problems and I love it.
  • RosieRosie Member Posts: 14,525 ✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    RUN AND TAKE IT BACK!!! I have owned two. A 95 and now a 99 and they were both junk with a capital J!
  • oldfriendsoldfriends Member Posts: 167 ✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    Not sure they could be as bad as the Viper. I have a Viper and hate it. I guess I'll stay with chevys also. Every time I stray, I pay.

    Life is Tough!It's Tougher if You're Stupid
  • gunnutgunnut Member Posts: 724 ✭✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    We have 4 02's at work and every one of them has been back to the dealer at least 1 time. Breaks, Front End, on two of them. The third one has been back 3 times for minor stuff such as radio and cruise control. The forth had some sort of 4x4 problem. Im not real sure as to the exact instances however everyone is talking trash about them. The fords and chevys are running strong as far as I know.

    Hope this helps.



    ~Secret Select Society Of Suave Stylish Smoking Jackets~
  • k.stanonikk.stanonik Member Posts: 2,109 ✭✭
    edited November -1
    Forget the Dodge, buy a Ford
  • COONASSCOONASS Member Posts: 2,068 ✭✭✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    Just getting back from gulf of mexico watching the sun set...
    sure liked the ride (the wife drove too) saw two deer also...
    after all that relaxing , I get home to read this and get scared
    to death..........but thanks for the comments , keep em comming...

    *
  • poolshotpoolshot Member Posts: 548 ✭✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    I got a 1998 Dodge 4x4 in Jan.1999.It was
    new,I pull a 5 th wheel trailer with it,I pull
    my boat with it.It has a 360 motor.Very fast
    and I have had no problems with it at all.
    Well it does have 1 problem,it has automatic
    turn signals,they come on ever time you get near
    a gas station.

    Edited by - poolshot on 04/19/2002 22:36:56
  • 25-0625-06 Member Posts: 382 ✭✭
    edited November -1
    Everyone has their preferences and prejudices. If you know the dealer and they have a very good service department that can mean more than the manufacture. They all make a lemon every now and then. Do not know much about the newer ones, the last I had was a 95 1-ton 4x4 with a V-10, .410 gears, and automatic for a welding rig. Would run 115, but could not pass a gas station. Really liked the new style cab with the bucket seats. Never had a problem with it. If you and the wife like the truck, buy it, and to heck with everyones opinions.
  • buddybbuddyb Member Posts: 5,369 ✭✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    If you buy it,you will quickly discover why you are a Chevy man
  • super chickensuper chicken Member Posts: 58 ✭✭
    edited November -1
    Everyone has a favorite. I have TERRIBLE luck keeping Chevy's out of the shop. It is really up to you. A am a Ford man but spend time in Dodges also and they have all been good.


    A 4x2??? you must live where there is no snow. Dodge is the only one besides Hummer that is making a real 4X4 with a straight axle in front.
  • daddodaddo Member Posts: 3,408
    edited November -1
    Had a 1994 dodge d150. 6 recalls, 2 transmissions (was going on the 3rd), muffler noisey at warranty expiration, 2 bolts were missing from exhuaust manifold from factory, steering had lots of play at 40,000 mi.,radio quit at 52,000 mi., valve seals leaked at 78,000 mi., timing chain gone at 110,000 mi. Water pump- 60,000 mi.
    I used synthetic blend oil every 3,000 miles. Took good care of that truck and it was shot at 139,000 miles. Had 200,000 miles on the ford and did nothing but regular maintanence on it, so I bought a Ford and trashed the Dodge. I ran 205,000 miles on a chevy van, towing a trailer and had fewer problems than that 8&^% Dodge.
    I now run pure synthetics and mobil 1 oil filter- change oil every 15,000 miles like on the old ford with 200,000 mi..
  • Big Sky RedneckBig Sky Redneck Member Posts: 19,752 ✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    Sounds like somebody needs to specify that they don't want a Monday or Friday truck! I own a Ford and hate it and I've always liked Dodges, I can't say anything about the problems you have other than I hope they all aint like that now.
  • LightningLightning Member Posts: 945 ✭✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    I drive a 99 Dakota personal truck and a 99 Ranger company truck.
    Dakota has never had a problem and Ranger has been nothing but problems. There is good and bad ones in all makes.
  • LowriderLowrider Member Posts: 6,587
    edited November -1
    I know two guys who drive newer Dodge 4x4's. One is a 2000 1/2 ton club cab with a 318 & automatic. He loves it and it's his third Dodge. The other dude has a 1999 3/4 ton club cab with a 360 & automatic. He loves his also. He traded his '97 Ford 4x4 in on it after two years of problems with the Ford.

    I have a 1987 Dodge 1/2 ton standard cab with a 318 and heavy 4-speed stick. I bought it new, have 105,000 miles on it and it runs like a top. Only repairs I've ever done to it besides normal maintenance was replacing the clutch.

    If I were you, Coonass, I'd buy it.

    Lord Lowrider the LoquaciousMember:Secret Select Society of Suave Stylish Smoking Jackets She was only a fisherman's daughter,But when she saw my rod she reeled.

    Edited by - Lowrider on 04/20/2002 02:09:26
  • varmit huntervarmit hunter Member Posts: 1,674 ✭✭✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    My insurance man told me if I put a anti theft device in my chevy, I would get a discount on my insurance.He said if you did the same for a Ford you would get a little smaller discount.I asked him about a dodge.He said he had been in the insurance business twenty eight years,And no one has had a dodge stolen.( True story).

    A unarmed man is a subject.A armed man is a citizen.
  • sodbustersodbuster Member Posts: 2,305 ✭✭✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    The first thing that I noticed on the new 4 door Dodge
    was the back doors seemed to be too small. I checked Consumer
    Reports and it is true, the Ford and Chevy have a bigger rear
    seating area. Even though I like the looks of the Dodge, this
    would keep me from buying the pickup as I need all the room I
    can get. I don't hang with many skinny people and my daughters
    like to scrap when confined. But If you like the Dodge,,it suites
    you,,,you can afford to keep fuel in it,,BUY IT !!

    It's not the number of your stars that count,,it's the size of your moon.
  • nordnord Member Posts: 6,106
    edited November -1
    Interesting comments....

    I've had Ford's and Dodges and my preference has always been Chrysler first. The only reason for that is that I grew up right next to a small Chrysler dealership and practically lived there watching those wonderful machines.

    That being said, I've owned one GM product through the years and it wasn't the best experience I've ever had in life. I wouldn't turn one down now, but I've never thought that GM made their seats quite as comfortable as Ford or Chrysler. Not a big thing you say? Sit on a piece of hard plywood for 100,000 miles and I can see why some of the Chevy boys have such a bad attitude.

    As for those of us who think one brand is better than another, let's be frank... The three major companies share so many components that it would be hard to point one out from the other if it weren't for the body skins. Real differences are minor and all the products have individual strengths and weaknesses. That's just the name of the game.

    The last Ford I owned was a '90 full-sized Bronco. Nice interior, comfortable, but weak. Every so often it gulped a quart of oil. Not burned, not leaked, just disappeared. Then it would go perhaps two oil changes without being down at all. Brakes were adequate for itself, but not enough for towing a light trailer. The final blow was the four-wheel drive. It would always fail to disengage at speed and one wheel would hang with a severe pull to that side. On top of that I watched a two wheel Dodge dance around a slippery field in front of me while I got stuck with all four wheel engaged!

    My last three trucks have been Dodge's. All diesel 3/4 ton 4 wheelers. The first was the old body style with an automatic box. I'd call this a man's truck. Utterly reliable, tough, and brutal. The next was a '94 SLT with a 5 speed box. My oldest son has that truck now and I'd take it back in a minute. Tight, no leaks, comfortable... In general I can point out nothing that I'd complain about. My last is a '99 with all the features of the '94, but with every bell and whistle except for a cd player. All I can say is that it's just that much nicer than the '94!

    Mileage... 11-12 mpg towing a 27' SeaRay to Biloxi, MS (1,250 mi each way) at whatever speed the general traffic was going. 20 mpg on a summer day (trip and around town). Winter weather will cost a couple mpg. The Cummins is flawless.

    I have friends that can't seem to tell the truth about economy. They just seem to get better and better economy the more loaded their Chevy's become. It just ain't so! Running light a gasser might do fairly well. Run hard or pull a trailer and it doesn't matter the brand... All turns will be toward a gas station. I can tell you from experience that a Dodge diesel (my last two trucks) can expect over 600 miles from a tank of fuel. Ford and Chevy diesels... Probably not too different, but I don't know.

    Enjoy the truck you like. I expect it will give pretty good service, no matter the brand. Don't spend too much time listening to the brand-blind guys who can'e even be convinced that there's no difference between a Chevy and a GMC!



    nord
  • guns-n-painthorsesguns-n-painthorses Member Posts: 6,462 ✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    Hey coonass,

    post your e-mail and I will send you photo's and show you how well a dodge will stand up to the most harsh abuse. My 3/4 ton has hauled over 1 million pounds of junk and I can prove it!
    Buy the Dodge, you'll love it!
  • PiadeaPiadea Member Posts: 146 ✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    I have a'99 with the 360. Migrated to the Dodge after having a fantastic series of 4 Jeeps. My first pickup, but not my first vehicle since I've been driving for 40 years. Anyway I love it (except at the gas station) I think the new ones look even better, but have a policy against buying ANY vehicle in the first model year. There are always design flaws that show up. My worst luck has been with Fords (Found On Road Dead) except for my '65 Mustang which I loved in spite of its short commings. The GM's have been a mixture of good and bad.
  • mudgemudge Member Posts: 4,225 ✭✭
    edited November -1
    Got my '99 Ram 1500, 5.9 V8, 4X4 in Dec. Only 18,500 miles on it. It's a "land yacht" with all the "bells n' whistles" and takes a 3 acre lot to turn around but I love it. No matter what you choose, you're gonna' get grief about it. Pick what you like.

    Mudge the happy



    I can't come to work today. The voices said, STAY HOME AND CLEAN THE GUNS!
  • COONASSCOONASS Member Posts: 2,068 ✭✭✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    Hey guys these are some great replies.......I brought it back
    to the dealer today.......HE came down a little more...no one around
    can touch him on $$$$$$$$$$......I'll sleep on it this weekend.....
    Looks like I'll most probably get it............................
    e-mail me guns-n-painthorses..........hunter2@teche.net..........
    Hey superchicken I'm from south louisiana it has snowed apx. 3"
    (inches) in the last 20 years.(seriously)

    thanks guys............*
  • rg666rg666 Member Posts: 395 ✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    Dodge has been great for me. I have a 95 with the 360CID engine with 106,000 miles. My Brother has a 96 with the 318CID with 130,000 miles. Neither of us has had anything go wrong. We both are fanatics about changing the oil & the other routine maint. items. RG

    PS: I'm hard as hell on this truck too. To me its a tool to be used not a prettyboy truck to look at!!!
  • super chickensuper chicken Member Posts: 58 ✭✭
    edited November -1
    Them 318's live forever. Not as tough as the old slant 6 though. Them slant 6's would go FOREVER and a day..
  • CAndres35CAndres35 Member Posts: 453 ✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    i have a 95,1500stl with 142000 miles. i have replaced gas pump and oil pump. i have changed the oil 3 times but change oil filter every 10000 miles. tow boat and traler frequently and hunt in country a lot. it has a large camper shell with a full length & width shelf in the middle. it has the 360cid and auto with o.d. this is the best truck i have ever owned. gmc[terrible]ford okay chev so so. i would or will buy another. CARL
  • LowriderLowrider Member Posts: 6,587
    edited November -1
    Let me get this straight. In 142,000 miles you've changed the oil three times?

    WOW! Think of the money you're saving.

    Lord Lowrider the LoquaciousMember:Secret Select Society of Suave Stylish Smoking Jackets She was only a fisherman's daughter,But when she saw my rod she reeled.
  • Zuider ZeeZuider Zee Member Posts: 41 ✭✭
    edited November -1
    Was in the automotive service department business for a few years; worked for Dodge and Ford dealers. At the Dodge dealer, I saw a sweet little old lady turn into a tiger because her truck was giving major problems. Chrysler won't let you spend much (as a dealer) to satisfy your customer under warranty. They have a thing called EPUR (expense per unit repaired) and you'd better keep in line with their objectives or they'll visit you and personally approve every warranty claim you turn in - that's called sending in a "baby sitter". Ford, on the other hand makes a superior product, and are better about taking care of the problem. They have vehicle expense service requirements too, but they make sure the customer wins.

    "You can always tell a Dodge from the handprints on the back" (where it's been pushed).

    Go with a Ford; you'll be happier in the long run.


    "Unless You're The Lead Dog The View Never Changes!"

    Zee
  • legn4legn4 Member Posts: 481 ✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    * *, I like that name, used to work with one. I have a 01 Dodge diesal quad cab not much more room ( in back) than the 02 4 door. I like mine (#4 now). Have you throuhgt about waiting for a 2003 in 3/4 or ton suppose to look like the 02 half tons do now. And rumor has it the diesal will be over 300 hp!

    Work'n like a dog all nite
  • dakotashooter2dakotashooter2 Member Posts: 6,186
    edited November -1
    I've had all three and will stick with the Dodge.They are ranked in order of least time spent in the shop.

    Dodge
    Ford
    Chevy

    The farmers around here trade their chevys every two years and if you bought one of their used ones you'd know why.
  • stanmanstanman Member Posts: 3,052
    edited November -1
    I'm primarily a Ford guy and I couldn't even tell you excactly why!
    I guess I just know what kind of problems to expect with a Ford.
    I have two good friends who drive newer Dodge trucks, (1999 & 2000) and one is on his 2nd tranny, the other on his 3rd. I still think they're the best looking, but I also notice lots of them parked along side the interstate with their hoods up!
  • dobieman0690dobieman0690 Member Posts: 148 ✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    stick with the chevy we have a fleet of dodges(theold man bought them) every one of them have been back to the shop many times tried to sell them no one and i mean no one will even offer us anything to buy them
  • gunnutgunnut Member Posts: 724 ✭✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    Just look at the resale value of each line. Dodge is the worst, always. If you don't mind loosing 10k the first year I say go for it!

    Stir, Stir, Stir

    ~Secret Select Society Of Suave Stylish Smoking Jackets~
  • LightningLightning Member Posts: 945 ✭✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    ZuilderZee,
    I will have to disagree with you on Fords customer service.
    On my afore mentioned 99 Ranger it had several problems ever since it was new. 2 of them being the check engine light stays on constantly and it spark knocks real bad. The octane of fuel has no effect on the knocking. I had it to 2 different Ford dealers for a total of 7 times. First few times they tried to fix it with no success. Next to the last time they unhooked the battery long enough to reset the check engine light and told me all of them knocked. The last time they did nothing and politely told me not to bring it back and I should just live with it. All this is when it had less that 5000 miles on it. It now has 89000 miles and the check engine light is still on, still knocks, and is starting to burn oil. If it was my personal vehicle and not a company owned truck I would have applied the lemon law to it.
    Telling me too bad,live with it, is not what I call good customer service.
    On the other hand a co-worker with a 2000 model 3/4 ton Dodge got stuck up and abused the he** out of it until he broke 2 teeth off the ring gear in the rear diff. and dodge covered it under warranty. No questions asked.
    I have bought new Fords in the past but never will again.
  • Miss. CreantMiss. Creant Member Posts: 300 ✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    For hard word the Ford with a powerstroke or a Dodge with any of the motors is the way to go.

    For driving around town or down the hiway the Chevy is best. Chevy NEVER has had the suspension for hard work and have not had the powertrain or awhile. But they ride nice. Kind of a city truck.

    When it comes to 3/4 tons these things are even more obvious.


    JMHO
  • halsam00halsam00 Member Posts: 79 ✭✭
    edited November -1
    the 2002 ram 1500 is a brand new truck! it has very little in common with the 94-01 rams, new tighter suspension,braking system and power plant. I work in a dodge dealership in MI in the parts dept haven't seen too many in the shop yet, some rack and pinion problems and thats all i can think of, but you cant beat the looks its one tough truck.



    homer.
  • COONASSCOONASS Member Posts: 2,068 ✭✭✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    Halsam00.........What do you think about the new all four wheel Disc brakes......the "old" brake problem is said to be a thing of the past.....time will tell.......coonass
  • Zuider ZeeZuider Zee Member Posts: 41 ✭✭
    edited November -1
    Lightning -

    Sorry you had problems with the truck; it could've been fixed easily by replacing a knock sensor.(or a short in that circuit). Rangers have had a few small problems, but nothing like the Dodge trucks have. I used to spend 12 hours a day listening to customer complaints, and working the tech support lines in Detroit trying to help the mechanics repair the trucks. I have a Ranger with 84,000 miles on it and have never had a major problem with it. (knock on wood) By the way, how fast have you been driving that Ranger? The check engine light will come on when you exceed 100 MPH!

    Zee
  • LightningLightning Member Posts: 945 ✭✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    Zuilder Zee
    Wish someone as knowelegeable as you would have been at one of the dealers I took it to.
    It is a 4x4 extended cab with a 3 liter engine. It might do 100 mph if you dropped it out of an airplane. Seriously the fastest I have ever had it is about 85.(downhill)
  • k.stanonikk.stanonik Member Posts: 2,109 ✭✭
    edited November -1
    Befor i went into construction i worked on a fleet of dodge vans, its a wonder i still have blond hair and not all grey. out of 8 vans in the first year 1 tranny replaced, 2 fuel pumps on 2 separate ocassions, and 1 van all the u joints. spent more time at the dealer than i did in the office.
  • Richie RichRichie Rich Member Posts: 439 ✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    lots of good points and opinions, so here's mine. I now drive a ford excursion, 4x4 with a Tubodiesel/automatic, I had a 99 2500 suburban it had a 454 and was a 4x4 also.I dumped it due to major trbl. at just 31k. The top end had to come off due to a intake leak and that is when the real trbl begun.My buddy has a 97 dog and just got it back from having the rear main seal replaced and the harmonic balancer was self distructing. But as said you will find troubles with them all, they are like cell phones... they all suck you just have to find the one that sucks less!!
    PS: how can anyone say that the new 1500 look is anything but YUK...Sorry just not my cup of tea.Rich

    Remember,"your woman may not find you handsome, But atleast she'll find ya handy". I love that show..............
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