Going to be a new ram owner

[baxzilla]

Hey guys I'm Michael. I am looking to buy a new truck in the next year or so and could use a bit of advice. I've researched a lot about these trucks and feel confident that the ram is definitely the way to go I just have a few questions. First of all painted bumpers or chrome bumpers? I'm personally a die hard chrome bumper person. Have them on my 2000 silverado and they have held up great. My mom has painted bumpers on her 2007 expedition and you can see nicks and chips and road rash. But what scares me is that I've been reading horror stories about the chrome bumpers. People saying they rust too easily and they are too thin and the chrome isn't put on well enough....basically I want to keep this truck until is drops. I'm good about maintaining the truck I just don't want to go with chrome bumpers for durability if its not there.

I'll have many more questions in the future but am just trying to take this one step at a time.

Thanks

 

[Designflaw]

Trucks are expensive, get what you want and just take care of it. I've had painted bumpers since 2005 on my Dodge's so I guess I can't comment on the Chrome quality

 

[frankmm2]

Good luck in your truck search. As far as chrome bumpers go my father owns a 08 Ram with chrome bumpers. He uses his truck off road quite a bit for hunting and is not the best at keeping it cleaned on a regular basis and he has no issues with his chrome. We just cleaned it up a couple of weeks ago and it still looks good as new.

 

[Etroze86]

Love my painted bumpers.

 

[5.7L Hemi]

My advice is to get want you want. I just changed back to a Ram after owning a Silverado. I just really missed my previous Ram. I bought a like new 2012 Ram Express. It came with painted bumpers. I have to say that I really like the looks of the painted bumpers on the current generation Rams over chrome. But that said I think both will hold up well. It all comes down to personal preference.

 

[PX8]

Hi, baxzilla. If this helps I left my house the other day and I have a crew cab 2wd. Taking it pretty easy 19.8mpg for an hour and a half trip wt the hemi, on the way home I was more aggressive and for the trip I average 19.2mpg. Very happy right now. It is recomended that you use 89 octane for the hemi. It was a suprise to me and limited slip diff is an option on many models, so make sure you check the sticker for that.

 

[baxzilla]

Good stuff guys. I really appreciate the informative replies and the speedy responses. I personally prefer the looks of the painted bumpers on the 2013 rams. I really like the chrome on the 09-12 rams but the 13 rams don't do it for me. And design flaw I agree with you 100% not only are they expensive but they need to be taken care of and maintained which I am religious about so I should be good there. My concern is cost. I know a lot of this has to do with personality and how you deal but any suggestions on how to get a good price. I've heard numerous people say their window sticker was $43,000 but they got the truck down to $30,000. HOW?!

Thanks again,
Mike

 

[audio1der]

Another vote for painted bumpers.
We started out looking for used RAMs, but quickly noticed rust spots at every nick & scratch in the chrome. That, and incentives/rebates offered for new trucks just made sense to buy a new truck with painted bumpers. YMMV.
As for mileage, it's as one-off as that pricing you asked about. Depends how you drive, your elevation, grade of gas you use, tire inflation, city/highway balance, regular maintenance........ We're neither impressed nor surprised by ours. It's a truck. And we LOVE it.

 

[baxzilla]

Alright so based on the fact I'm going to probably go with painted bumpers I think I'll lean towards the express or outdoorsman. I just have 2 more questions. First I can't seem to find this anywhere, but is deep water blue ever coming back? Second can somebody tell me if these are factory wheels on this outdoorsman and what keywords I can use to find them on the internet?

Thanks

 

[PX8]

Maybe that's a 14.

 

[5hole]

Unless they turned the fogs back horizontal for the 14's its a 12 or older model

 

[toofart]

That is a '12 or older -- horizontal fog lamps and ram 1500 badge on the side isn't stacked. Those wheels are not stock.

I doubt DWB is coming back. Too bad because I like it better than True Blue.

 

[loveracing1988]

That is a 11 or 12 outdoorsman, the rims could be ones that were never released or something like that. They did change the rim design for 2013 but not that much.

 

[tprice9427]

My advice is to get want you want. I just changed back to a Ram after owning a Silverado. I just really missed my previous Ram. I bought a like new 2012 Ram Express. It came with painted bumpers. I have to say that I really like the looks of the painted bumpers on the current generation Rams over chrome. But that said I think both will hold up well. It all comes down to personal preference.

Silverado>ram myself

 

[argray90]

Deff painted bumpers but that's because I am a chrome hater. The rims in that photo look aftermarket.

 

[argray90]

After searching that is the 2010 Outdoorsman from the Sema show which deff has aftermarket rims on it.

 

[baxzilla]

Darn. Alright well thank you guys and gals! I appreciate the advice and help. If anyone does find out the name for those rims then please let me know. They look sporty.

Thanks

 

[Jaderain]

Baxzilla, I'm looking at new Ram as well. My current 2002 Tundra has served me well, and I've taken extremely good care of it, but, the new 2013 Ram's are just making me go crazy! They have hit it out of the park! I understand older members comments about not liking new looks, but since I've never had one, but have been watching from afar since the "Big Rig Look" came out, now is the time for me! I have to have the Hemi with the 8 speed, but have so many questions about other things. Might have to start adding new threads, just registered. I just can't decide if I can live with the 5'7" bed, since I've always had 6'4" one, but man, that CrewCab back seat is insane! Also, want to know more about the air suspension, I guess I'm going to let the 8 speeds and air suspensions get some miles on them, then I hope to make a move in spring. Cheers!

 

[baxzilla]

Ya I have heard a ton of great things about the 8 speed so as long as it and the air suspension hold up then I'm good. And personally I'm going to go with the 6'4" bed just because I'm going to get the ram boxes. It's one of those things where once I get this truck I will literally run it until it drops so I'd rather spend a little now and be completely happy with it

 

[Hemi Joe]

Hey guys I'm Michael. I am looking to buy a new truck in the next year or so and could use a bit of advice. I've researched a lot about these trucks and feel confident that the ram is definitely the way to go I just have a few questions. First of all painted bumpers or chrome bumpers? I'm personally a die hard chrome bumper person. Have them on my 2000 silverado and they have held up great. My mom has painted bumpers on her 2007 expedition and you can see nicks and chips and road rash. But what scares me is that I've been reading horror stories about the chrome bumpers. People saying they rust too easily and they are too thin and the chrome isn't put on well enough....basically I want to keep this truck until is drops. I'm good about maintaining the truck I just don't want to go with chrome bumpers for durability if its not there.

I'll have many more questions in the future but am just trying to take this one step at a time.

Thanks

How things hold up depends on how you take care of it. I had an 06 Ram that I washed and waxed regularly. Traded it in in March of 2012 without a hint of rust on it, and that was when I lived in Erie. Also, get the 8-speed, the 545rfe/65rfe has been the weak link in Ram's for a long time.