Considering a New Ram 150 Crew

[Lawman]

I'm 63 years old. I've never owned a Dodge of any kind. Always driven Ford 150. Really looking for something different not because I dislike Ford but just because I'm ready for a change. The new Dodge Ram looks and drives awesome. I would really appreciate input on things that concern me. I also would like any and all input on anything relevant. $65,000.00 is a lot money and I want to make a good decision.. Pros and cons are appreciated. The e torque engine is intriguing..Can it be turned off? The a.c. seems lacking..The old hemi engine is old.. The electronics seem overwhelming for an old man that drives a 2010 Ford. The navigation in my Toyota 4 Riunner is terrible. How is the Dodge nav sustem? Drive system on 4WD is confusing with various limited slip and locking rear end. As much as I love driving and looking at the new Ram I'm just not sure I can pull the trigger..I have never believed the assembly of the Dodge was on par with Ford or Chevy.. Please change my mind! I really want to go with the new Ram...Thanks...

 

[JD Martin]

You sound like you're actually looking for reasons *not* to buy it! Confusing 4wd, new fangled electronics, old engine, build quality not so great.

My take: this is my first Ram/Dodge product of any type and so far I'm impressed. Before this truck I drove Nissan Titans for 15 years. Before that compact Nissans and before that Chevys. I've only got 2k miles on this truck but it is performing well for me so far. The Nissans were far more reliable than any of the Chevys I had. We use virtually nothing but Ford at work for our fleet and frankly they're not that impressive. We've had to make some pretty serious repairs in the low 100k mile range to most of these trucks, which is what I would consider exorbitant. If not for the fact that we get them at a very good fleet price, we'd switch.

If you are concerned with some of the newness of the truck, get a more stripped down model. Those will come with more buttons and knobs than touchscreen stuff. Other than that, I personally don't believe there's much difference at all in build quality between any of the full-size trucks. Everything has become pretty good, and most things that go wrong have something to do with new technology or a company trying to shortcut something (like Nissan did with the first generation rear axles and front brakes early on).

 

[CincyZach]

I am a first time RAM owner. I've had mine about 10 months and have a little over 16,000 miles on it. I could not be happier with the truck! Seriously after 10 months I still look for excuses to drive it! lol. I really feel RAM has the best looking truck out there too... IMHO. The AC works good for me, the engine has been good for me, has plenty of power, I got a little over 22 MPG on a road trip... I think you may have to learn a little of the electronics on any new truck you get as yours is 9 years old. I do not have the NAV on mine, but my buddy does and he said it works really well. He loves his RAM too! lol.

 

[Tim Garceau]

None of them are Toyota, IMO that's where you need to be based on your statement.

 

[Russell44]

So you're saying that Toyota is the best of em all?

 

[Tim Garceau]

So you're saying that Toyota is the best of em all?

Toyota is and has been light years ahead of American Automotive manufacturing for quite some time. Tech and HP/Towing wars aside, they are #1 in reliability and durability for a reason.

 

[Russell44]

Ok but there's people like me need a good towing vehicle also reliable for that

 

[Lawman]

Toyota is and has been light years ahead of American Automotive manufacturing for quite some time. Tech and HP/Towing wars aside, they are #1 in reliability and durability for a reason.

Don't get me wrong..I love our 4Runner but the navigation system is the worst I have ever seen..the voice recognition is a joke and the maps will often add an additional 30 minutes to a 3 hour trip..Other than that the Toyota is tops but the truck is not comparable to higher trim level Ford or Dodge..

 

[Tim Garceau]

I agree, and especially the 5th Gen Rams are above and beyond in luxury features/comfort. But in this case we may not be able to “teach an old dog new tricks” so I suggest you at least get in a Tundra, sir .

 

[Glenn54]

I have a 2016 4Runner. 2019 Laramie is ordered so can't compare till I put some drive time in it. For now, I still change my own oil and can't stand having to remove all the plates on the 4Runner to get to the oil drain plug. I have had numerous Toyotas, trucks, etc. They are good vehicles. I'm ready for a change and really like the looks of the new RAM, inside and out. I'm sure the RAM 5.7 Hemi will pull much better than the 4Runner v6.

 

[Tim Garceau]

I will say the 5.7(even though it's "dated") mated with the ZF 8 speed is the pinnacle power-train in the half ton gas truck market. Well, once you replace the TCM that is prone to fail in the 5th Gens.

 

[Lawman]

I agree, and especially the 5th Gen Rams are above and beyond in luxury features/comfort. But in this case we may not be able to “teach an old dog new tricks” so I suggest you at least get in a Tundra, sir .

Thank you for your suggestion sir.

 

[Jus Cruisin]

I've been swapping back and forth between Ford and Ram for about 16 years. Both are fine. I won't even consider any kind of Japanese/Korean anything. I've looked to buy GMC but the interiors haven't been advanced enough for me. When I get tired of this Ram the next generation gasser F250 will be on my radar.

 

[madtrucker2016]

My first Ram was a 2004 1500 8 foot bed SLT 4x4 crew cab when I started to really drive this vehicle daily I just fell in love with it. Sold that and went to dealer and from then on all new Ram,s 2 big horns and now a Laramie. Just go sit down in a dealer and make a purchase of what you like color and size life is too short to not have fun in a Ram pick up Also the chicks love it don't tell my wife I said that

 

[Lawman]

Another question I have regards fuel efficiency..If I get the 5.7 hemi (not Etorque) I have the option of 3.21 rear end or 3.92 rear end..I don't pull very often and I think the 3.21 would be sufficient for my needs but I'm curious as to how much more fuel efficient the 3.21 would be in real life..If it added 2 mpg it would be worth giving up the trade off but less then that and I would go with the 3.92..Any real life experiences appreciated..


Also...As i understand the ETorque uses a very expensive battery..How long will that battery last and what is the cost of replacement?

 

[madtrucker2016]

I have a 2016 4Runner. 2019 Laramie is ordered so can't compare till I put some drive time in it. For now, I still change my own oil and can't stand having to remove all the plates on the 4Runner to get to the oil drain plug. I have had numerous Toyotas, trucks, etc. They are good vehicles. I'm ready for a change and really like the looks of the new RAM, inside and out. I'm sure the RAM 5.7 Hemi will pull much better than the 4Runner v6.

Also on the 2019 the ride is a lot smoother then the 4th gen Rams Fords got nothing on the new Rams

 

[DRkNESS]

I’m watching this as I’m curious as to where the OP will land.

 

[Jus Cruisin]

I've got the 3.21's in mine. I'm not a mpg calculator. The couple of times I have checked, it's better than the F150 3.5l EcoBoost. I do tow occasionally. Fixing to tow this to Michigan .

 

[DRkNESS]

Nice, what’s in the trailer ?

 

[Jus Cruisin]

Nice, what’s in the trailer ?

1969 Camaro 502ci