New advice guys.

Okay so I need some real advice here... I'm just trying to decide what's best for me. Reliable vehicle wise and financially...

My 03 ram with 154k miles is needing work. After I bought it head and manifold gaskets were done along with machined heads (they were warped, and rear brakes...

But now not even a year later it's gonna need all four tires before winter, new shocks, front brakes, power steering leaks, steering is sloppy, loud clunking in the front, I'm sure ball joints and all that might be due for a swap... Also need a front bumper and she's rusting on me pretty good...

I have already put 2grand of my money into this I can't afford to keep dropping money into it.. I owe 6500$ still for 3 1/2 years.

My main question is what's my best option ? Keep putting money into it? Or try and trade it off and take a hit then be in more debt on another vehicle .. Another vehicle could be a good option cause I could find a more reliable one but just don't know what to do.

Thanks for advice just bummed out with this ram... But man at least it's got a Hemi



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Sad to hear you situation.

There is good a bad news with this. The good news is you might at teh very least be able to trade and make payoff value. Of course the bad is it dont give you any equity towards a trade.

However, Ram has a large line of trucks equiped in many ways to suit each ones budget and needs.

With great discounts available. Might I suggest talking to a salesman, take nothing less than pay off for you 03 find out what sales incentives you qualify for and start figuring what truck trim you should be looking at based on your budget.
Even if you get a less optioned trim but keep your payments comfy you can build it up for pennies on the dollar from ebay and other sorces.
You are in a pickle. I am afraid if you 2 big into a truck that has 3 more years to pay on it wont be wortha 1/3rd of that when your paid off. Plus if it does give up on you your still obligated to pay or roll the difference into an already hard to buy truck.
But most of all good luck I hope you get things to work out for you.

Thank you! Also could you explain equity? When I refinanced my truck bank said I have some equity on this truck around 10,000$ what would that mean?


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Typicly equity is the amount you have to the good.

Say your truck as the bank said is worth $10,000. and you owe $6,000.00 you have $4,000.0 in positive equity. If you owe 10,000. on a book valued $6000.00 truck you have a negitive equity of 4,000.00. THis is what they would tack onto your new truck making it out of equity right away. you would have to keep it for several years before you flip the equity back to positive.

I would not hold that 10,000.00 to firm. Its closer to what you owe in reality.
I feel you will have to push hard to get payoff on trade. I dont think youll make payoff pluss 4000.00 as down payment then get the dealer discounts.
A dealership will consider you 6500.00 for trade which will only pay it off leaving you to buy from scratch. You may even need to come up with some cash for Tax and Tags, Who knows either way you need to work the dealership hard. Have your ducks in a row. Know the game a bit.
It can be done though.
Good luck.

I would say thats pretty solid advice, but only you know your personal financial situation, and also, the overall condition of your truck. I bought m1ine 11 years ago. it needs a few small things done, the cab, as far as I can see with a pretty good inspection, is rust free. The bed is having new sides installed now due to rust. I don't consider brakes shocks tires and the like an overall expense, just the cost of doing business on any vehicle. When I bought my truck, I got a good deal at $36,000. To replace it now will put me back over $50,000. Mi 2500 has been paid off for many years, and as long as the body stays solid, I'll keep fixing it. Even if the diesel engine puked tomorrow, at the cost of replacing it, i'm way, way ahead of the game over the cost of new. i guess it comes down to how much financial freedom you're comfortable with losing.

Another question, all that stuff listed above what do you guys think it'd cost me myself compared to having a shop do that? Looks like easily a grand in


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I say keep it, chip away at the things needing attention in order of importance.
You own it you know it. You stand the risk of losing out on the sale/trade and potentially buying another dud.

That's exactly my thought.. What would I get myself into with another used truck.. I know what's been done to this one and know the issues. Good point thanks


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Tolson93 said:

My 03 ram with 154k miles is needing work. After I bought it head and manifold gaskets were done along with machined heads (they were warped, and rear brakes...

But now not even a year later it's gonna need all four tires before winter,[it's April, plenty of time to save up. $500 can get you a decent set of *new* tires]
new shocks,[Monroe Reflex-around $200 all four, install yourself]
front brakes,[$30/40 parts, do work yourself]
power steering leaks,[might just be those stupid clamps are bad, in that case, $5 in parts]
steering is sloppy,[This is where you could spend some money]
loud clunking in the front,[swaybar end links is common culprit, inexpensive diy repair]
I'm sure ball joints[bearble $ on parts, diy labor sucks, figure $800 at a shop for all 4] and all that might be due for a swap... Also need a front bumper[need? Or would like?]



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Click to expand...

I replied next to your original. Best of luck. I still say keep it!