Do I buy this for my 16 yr. old?

Coach 51 · Mar 22, 2013

New to the site. Just joined to get some information from the 2008 guys and gals. My son just turned 16 and I have found him a 2008 SXT 3.7L automatic for 9,500 with only 60,477 miles on it. I was just wondering what the pros and cons are to this truck? Any help would be greatly appreciated.

TheMaddog · Mar 22, 2013

I'd do it. Is it private sale?

moparman · Mar 22, 2013

I have an 05 st reg cab short bed and ive had no problems at all. Its ok on gas, a 3.7 v6 and a 5000 pound truck dont exactly get along well but i can still see 15-16 mpg with mixed city and highway driving

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SilsHemi · Mar 22, 2013

I'm partial to my 2008 3rd Gen. Last year of this generation. I think they worked everything out nicely in the final year. Your son will enjoy his first vehicle.

ZakkBaker · Mar 22, 2013

Oh for sure! I got my 02 for my 17th Bday. I love it, just wanna fix it up.
Good price, low miles so shouldn't have any issues for a while, 6 cyl so he won't be crazy in it lol! It's a truck, everyone needs one, and safe!

Bluesmoke91 · Mar 22, 2013

If it's a quad cab, I say no. I had one. Mileage is terrible, and it doesn't move when you punch it which can be dangerous as hell in tight situations. Especially while merging onto freeways. I've had a few situations where I could have benefited from some extra hp. If it's a single cab, then sure.

Coach 51 · Mar 22, 2013

Private sale, single cab

BAILEY1 · Mar 22, 2013

I say do it! Good starter vehicle for a good price. I'm sure the insurance for a 16 yo would be slightly lower in that than a car.

KGBIGCOUNTRY · Mar 23, 2013

I would look for a 4.7 atleast in it. My only reasoning is him getting up to speed on an entrance ramp for the highway and possibly running out of room or merging into another car because its not picking up quick enough. Im willing to bet the MPGs on it will be low to trying to push the weight.

PCA4208 · Mar 23, 2013

I'm 16 I have the hemi

, but I drove a 4.7 and a v6. Little power with the v6 in these trucks, I'd try to find a 4.7 at least, if he has to pay for gas, don't opt out for the hemi haha.

EDIT: I also payed for 90% of the cost of my truck, so I got to choose what I wanted.

smiley87 · Mar 23, 2013

I am sure I will get bashed for this but;

is your 16 year old contributing any to purchasing this vehicle? Seems silly to buy your child a vehicle for that amount as a first car. I know I bought my own car at 16 and cherished it, took care of it, and felt proud that I had bought it myself, whereas my sisters were bought cars by my parents and destroyed them.

Now on the other hand if your 16 year old is contributing the majority towards this vehicle then yes it may be a good vehicle to buy your child depending on what the insurance rate would be (I believe the 16 year old should pay for that themselves as well)

Who knows maybe I am old fashioned, it seems parents want to be their childs friend nowadays and be that "cool" parent instead of making their kids actually work for anything they give them everything.

Bluesmoke91 · Mar 23, 2013

smiley87 said:
I am sure I will get bashed for this but;

is your 16 year old contributing any to purchasing this vehicle? Seems silly to buy your child a vehicle for that amount as a first car. I know I bought my own car at 16 and cherished it, took care of it, and felt proud that I had bought it myself, whereas my sisters were bought cars by my parents and destroyed them.

Now on the other hand if your 16 year old is contributing the majority towards this vehicle then yes it may be a good vehicle to buy your child depending on what the insurance rate would be (I believe the 16 year old should pay for that themselves as well)

Who knows maybe I am old fashioned, it seems parents want to be their childs friend nowadays and be that "cool" parent instead of making their kids actually work for anything they give them everything.

Not if he's raised correctly. My parents were always my "friends" but they made sure I knew where the line was and not to cross it. My first truck was bought for me. From there on out I payed for gas and insurance and repairs. Granted, for the first year or so it was all money given to me by my parents as a sort of allowance until I started college and received financial aid, but I still never spent that money on stupid things. A few years later, now at the age of 21, I have a well paying job, a different truck that I'm paying for completely on my own, and a large portion of my monthly income going back to my parents to help out. I'm not saying I could raise a kid on my own, but I sure as hell can raise them to be mature at a young age.

HemiMan08 · Mar 28, 2013

Get the kid a hemi, so maybe he might bring home a couple speeding tickets but hey that's what kids do, my 08 quad cab with hemi gets 20 on highway and 16 in the city, v6 would be a waste

Bluesmoke91 · Mar 28, 2013

HemiMan08 said:
Get the kid a hemi, so maybe he might bring home a couple speeding tickets but hey that's what kids do, my 08 quad cab with hemi gets 20 on highway and 16 in the city, v6 would be a waste

16 city? I swear it seems like I'm the only one getting 10-11 around town in my 3rd gen

PCA4208 · Mar 28, 2013

Bluesmoke91 said:
16 city? I swear it seems like I'm the only one getting 10-11 around town in my 3rd gen

Oh no. I get like 12-13 city, and my truck doesn't like the highway so I don't know what it does then.

S2kiHemi · Mar 28, 2013

HemiMan08 said:
Get the kid a hemi, so maybe he might bring home a couple speeding tickets but hey that's what kids do, my 08 quad cab with hemi gets 20 on highway and 16 in the city, v6 would be a waste

I agree. A V6 in a full size truck is pointless (ecoboost is the only exception). If he doesn't need the capabilities of a full size truck then just get him a Tacoma.

smiley · Mar 28, 2013

Sounds decent you don't want it to be a race car but have decent power so I assume in that rig it is ample. I have never driven a V6 in a Ram though. I used to own a Dakota with a 3.9 V6 it was nice power in that but in full size might be a dog.

$miley

S2kiHemi · Mar 28, 2013

smiley3303 said:
Sounds decent you don't want it to be a race car but have decent power so I assume in that rig it is ample. I have never driven a V6 in a Ram though. I used to own a Dakota with a 3.9 V6 it was nice power in that but in full size might be a dog.

$miley

The 3.7 makes 215hp and 235torque. It certainly won't be a race car lol. It won't even be able to get out of its own way.

Hemi450hp · Mar 28, 2013

I have to agree that the 3.7 is just too underpowered for a truck. My brother had one that was also a RC/SB, and it struggled to get out of its own way. Like others have said, it can be dangerous pulling onto the freeway because it takes a while to get up to 60-65mph. I would at least look into a 4.7. Mileage will be better on a 4.7, driveability will be better, and he will be happier.

that white kid · Mar 28, 2013

Just get him whatever you think is good for him because a car is one of the best things ever at that age i know it is for me

Do I buy this for my 16 yr. old?

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