You ask a question that is almost impossible to answer with any credibility. Let me provide enough background to paint a frame for my answer. I currently own a 76, 86, 96, 98, 2002, 2005, 2007 group of RAM 1500’s. Including two friends, I work on a 95, 99, 2000, and 2009 RAM 1500. I was a professional bonified, certified Bow Tie technician for 8 years prior to moving into the IT world. My house looks like your local independent service shop. With that said and $4.85 cents I can get a coffee at Starbucks. With that said, each truck has a personality all its own, requiring its own kind of lovin. My 86 has went to hell and back twice, takes a licking and keeps on ticking. The 02 on the other hand has to be coddled with tender loving care, it doesn't like the cold, or when its to hot and if it rains forget about it. The point, each vehicle is unique in some ways.
To answer your questions.
Is the 5.7 HEMI reliable? As reliable as any other engine. However, is that the question you want to ask? Reading into the question, I think you are asking, is the hemi “Bullet Proof”? Like some of the previous standards, Ford 302, Chevy 305 etc. Frankly the answer is “no”. However, that answer is the same for all manufactures. The primary reason for this, no manufacturer is completely making all the components that comprise a single engine. There is currently an ongoing debate (to be nice) about quality control. I won’t walk into the crossfire. It is apparent there are issues regardless. My personal experience with the HEMI is 5 and 2. Meaning I routinely service and repair 7 HEMI’s. 5 of them 100% had exhaust manifold bolt failures. (This is not bad) One had a head crack, cam failure and an intake manifold warp. All prior to 75k miles (Note this was a Dodge Durango not a RAM) The second had the head crack (Note this was a 98 charger not a RAM). Take that for what it’s worth, yes, I repaired them all. All the pre 2003 rams have a 318 or 360 in them. All of them have over 300k. I have only had to rebuild one of them and that was because the owner of that one didn’t realize the water pump failed as well the indicator light. This is my reasoning for saying the HEMI is not quote “Bullet Proof” as the term is often used.
Are there blind spots? I currently drive a 2007 Dodge Ram 1500 2wd Laramie Crew Cab Short Bed. Of all the Dodge rams they all have blind spots. Some worse than others. My 86 Ram Charger is probably the best for lack of blind spots. The 2007 is a “B**TCH” in the right rear of the cab. That’s all I can speak to. The best bet would be to drive it if you can prior to purchasing it.
Are RAMs hard to drive? The truck is wonderful to drive, eazzy peezy. I suspect you are talking about maneuvering. My 2002 Ram is a Single cab short bed Like a 114” wheelbase. I can turn that truck on a dime. My 2007 has a 160” wheelbase, I need a Walmart parking lot to do a U turn in. (slight exaggeration). Point being, when I drive in DC, a u turn is not an option. That will be a major consideration for you as far as the question you asked.
You asked for opinion about a 4th gen with 100K+ miles. My thoughts, at that mileage and age I suspect most of the “stuff” that could be wrong would be. (minus the cam, lifter issue) If the engine idles smooth with no noise (out of the ordinary), it accelerates with no hesitation or knocking and the shift points are smooth, If it were me, I would feel confident in that purchase.
For me, my concern in the later trucks, 4th gen and up is the amount of electronic control aka computer control incorporated in the vehicle not just the drive train. When it works, they are wonderful. When it doesn’t and it’s not under warranty you have entered the “suck zone”. Some of those parts are so expensive it kills the Return On Investment of the vehicle. However, that’s more user preference then mechanical reliability.
I will tell you driving the RAM is a blast. Of course, that’s a user preference as well, lol. I do enjoy the RAM.
