Goodbye GM. Ford/Dodge? (Dodge wins!)

[PJB4x4]

My F150 has been very reliable in the 2 years and 35k Ive owned it. Its an '06 with a 5.4.

Id stay away from a brand new one though since its the first year for the new motors and theres almost always issues with the first year.

The Dodges look pretty good, especially with factory dual exhaust thru the bumper.

Dodges seem to be of questionable quality though. Ive seen quite a few '04+ Rams with a good amount of rust already.

My brother has an '05 2500 and its got some rust on the tailgate, the front end parts have been replaced (some twice already) and the tranny went bad at 95k.

 

[Riggs]

that really sucks, i would try a different dealership my dealer replaced my whole radio and heater controls because a bulb was out lol, and numerous other little things, they take care of me so i go back and send them business

 

[Cowboy Cadillac]

You have a dealer problem.

Not a GM problem.

That's too bad.

Ya and it's even worse that I work there.

Which dealership is it? I've heard good things about Ron Hodgesons.

 

[OldCracker29]

You have a dealer problem.

Not a GM problem.

That's too bad.

My thoughts exactly.
Good luck to your dad on finding something else.

 

[NMRam]

I guess I will chip in. I have had Ford, GM, and Dodge (and Nissan) vehicles, and of them all, I am probably most happy with the Ram I have now. Is it perfect? No. Does it meet my needs, and do I enjoy driving it? Resounding yes!

The new Hemi in the Rams is rated at 390 hp, 407 ft-lbs torque, well above the GM 5.3 or Ford 5.0. The transmission is a 5 speed, compared to the others 6 speeds, but I find it to be very good. It doesn't downshift nearly as much as the GM 6 speeds I have driven, and it also doesn't stumble like they do either (like when accelerating and you have to lift off for a second, then get back into it). The Hemi does have cylinder deactivation (MDS) which cuts it from 8 to 4, similar to the GM system, but I haven't heard of any issues with the MDS like I have with the 5.3. I am averaging right around 17 mpg in mixed driving with mine (40% rural hwy-65 mph, 40% interstate-82 mph, 20% city-stop and go). This is with 3.92 gears and 33.5" MT tires as well, so his mileage would probably be better with a stock size/tread tire. The ride in the Ram is VERY good, much better than the Fords or GM's I have driven, but there is a slight trade-off with the Ram's coil rear springs in that if he hauls heavy loads alot, the rear does probably sag a little more than the leaf springs in Ford/GM. I have had some fairly heavy loads in the bed of mine (don't know exact weight, but the bed was heaped full of damp wood mulch) and it dropped about 4". I haven't had any problems with mine, but I only have about 9k miles on it so far. From what I have garnered from the Ram forums I am on, some do have problems, just like any other brand. Some of the common things mentioned are: a slight tranny shudder when accelerating, some folks talk about a "surge" when the MDS kicks in or out, some have rust spots on their chrome bumpers, and some with leveling kits which increase the CV angles talk about a vibration under hard acceleration in 4wd on hard surfaces(user error if you ask me). I haven't had any of these issues with mine, so hopefully it will stay that way.

Whichever he decides, I really don't think he can go wrong with either Ford or Dodge, and as mentioned before, I would put dealership service high on the list as a deciding factor. Good luck!

 

[Mixedbreed]

stay with GM, just get a new dealer. the big three are all good trucks. really depends on luck and what your styling prefences are.

 

[Nick The Great]

I find it odd that your dad's dealer is here in Des Moines, Iowa

I'd like to think if you told someone at the dealer that this was causing him to jump ship, they'd try to make good by him. Sounds like they wouldn't be willing, and it's too late for that.

I'm also curious about the new RAM's. FWIW, "Dodge" doesn't make a truck any more. We have purchased a bunch of F150's at work over the last year or two. I prefer the general ride, interior, and look of my Chevy, but I think they're good trucks.

 

[Zembonez]

60 here - headed for 78! WOO HOO!

 

[Mixedbreed]

really Z? how do you post in the wrong thread sooooo much???

 

[Zembonez]

For fun