Posts: 3504
Location: Elk River, Minnesota | Wow,
Surprised to hear all the issues with Dodge here...
I've owned All three of the major brands at some point in time and all had their various issues over the time I had them. The two most recent to present have been a 95 silverado w/5.7 and currently running a 2003 Ram Quad first generation HEMI.
The silverado had two issues: A fuel pump go, and intake manifold let go. Both not cheap to fix, but not hard either... Ran great and would own one again...
The Dodge Ram I purchased brand new (first ever vehicle I have done that with in my 40 years of life) in 2003. I have only had what I would call normal wear and tear issues (brakes, couple of front wheel hubs replaced and after 195,000 it's first tie rod), save one broken valve spring. It currently has 207,000 miles on it and has not skipped a beat....and...this thing is currently pulling my 2500 pound rig, but at times is pulling a 5th wheel camper on a transmission that has not had any maintenance on it at all...not even a flush filter and fill. Still pulling strong today. It is getting tired, though, and could use an engine rebuild at this point, but 207,000 with no major mechanical issues is pretty darn good in my book. I would not hesitate to buy another Ram at all. In fact, for looks, I feel it has the best stance of the three.
I would say with any of the vehicles out there, the breakdowns of things like transmissions, are more due to the driving style and improper use by the person at the helm.
Chevy-vs-dodge-ford-vs-nissan-vs-toyota... They all have their good aspects and not-so-good aspects.. In the end, it it much more about personal preference... But the debate will never stop...
Steve |
