new guy with questions

[no name]

they were asking 11900. which in my opinion is way too much for a truck with 100k miles on it. But they gave me a great trade in price and it was about the best truck for the money I had found in about 3 months. It sounded like a good deal at the time. I take it back to the dealership on Tues. They are going to figure out what is wrong with it and we go from there. I am pretty much sold on the blown head gasket. Losing a little coolant but not alot. The whole missing almost 4 qrts of oil has me puzzled though. I havnt noticed it burning it and couldn't find any signs of a leak. I had just checked the oil a few days ago and it was good. A little dirtier than I thought it should be. They chnged it before I bought it, and it is black already. If you guys can give me your thoughts about the truck that would be great. Let them fix it or just find a different truck? I will pass more info on when I can.

 

[AWE Daniel]

Sounds like a lemon to me bro. The previous owner musta really ignored it.

 

[no name]

Well I got the phone call today. The dealership is now searching for a different truck to get me into. The only thing I got out of them was the truck basically needed a new engine. Never did get out of them what was actually wrong with it. The service guy sat down with the manager and told him you have two options, get him a different truck or a new engine. It took me forever to find this truck. Now I have to start all over again.

 

[ramhunter9]

Keep your head up , AND dont let them put a new engine in it . With the miles you had on it they will go out and get a junk yard motor with the same miles . PLEASE do not let them do that to you . A junk yard engine is about the same trouble and even if they did put one in you would have more problems in the long run .
If they are a good dealer they will get you in a better truck for the same price to make up for it . If it was bought in Illinois there is a lemon law . Read up on it so you know what options you have .

But again dont let them put in a engine !!! get another truck at there expense that they will grant the same price you paid for this one .

 

[no name]

Yeah thats the plan for now. They don't want to mess with the truck anymore. They are looking for a different truck now. The only way I would go for the replacement engine would be a new one. Not one from a junkyard. They seem like a good dealer. I have bought vehicles from them before and never had any problems. They seem like they are going to make this right.

 

[ramhunter9]

Well keep us posted , and maybe one day this coming year you can make it to our GTG

 

[Trupiano]

Sounds like you might get a great deal out of this! Turning some lemons into spiked lemonade! Lol Love when bad situations turn out good! = p

 

[Redtruck-VA]

Excellent!

 

[no name]

still waitin to hear something. I've spent alot of time searching myself. Not a whole lot out there. I'm waiting to see what they come up with first. Don't want to find something on my own if they are finding something better.

 

[no name]

Any suggestion on how I should play this? Should I try to find a truck and tell them about it? Or should I see what they find first? I don't want to sell myself short on suggesting a truck if they are going to find something better. The sales person is supposed to email me pics and info of whatever she finds. If she does that it should give me an indicator of what they are looking at. They talked like they had a dealer network they could pick from. My thought is they may be able to get more truck for the money doing that than me finding a truck from another dealer. They also talked about getting something from the auction. Auction is on Tuesday I think. Have not heard or seen anything yet though. Sorry for rambling just confused and anxious to get it over with.

 

[4.7Ram5.7Rango]

Man, I really hope they get you straightened out buddy. Sounds like they are a decent dealership, moreso than what Im used to hearing/dealing with. Just don't let this get you discouraged about Rams, they are great trucks with even the most basic of maintence.

As far as how you should play this...... I would be on the hunt, while the dealer is hunting too. Go ahead a get a couple trucks in mind, then compare with what the dealer comes up with. If they have a nicer truck for you, great. If your choices are better for you, speak up. The ball is in your court IMO........

 

[no name]

Thanks. Not really discouraged about the Rams. I've owned everything. They all have issues and problems. What do you guys think about the V-8's that are not the Hemis. 4.7 I think, sorry for my ignorance. I told the dealer it didn't have to be a Hemi, now I am not sure. Read a little about the sludge problems they had. I currently have about a dozen trucks saved on autotrader. Just need to get it down to a few possibilities. Looking at trucks that are priced about the same or a little higher than what I had. Not many trucks out there for the price I paid for it, in as good as shape and equipped any way.

 

[4.7Ram5.7Rango]

I say it all depends on what you're gonna use your truck for, as for what motor to go with. If you're doing a buncha hauling/towing, consistantly, the Hemi is the way to go. The 4-7 is a decent motor IMO, so far. I do a bunch of hauling, but haven't towed anything yet. I think once I'm re-geared, it'll have no problem with whatever I throw at'er.

As far as the sludge problem..... I've heard about the issue, but just hearsay, nothing directly from someone who's had any kinda of engine failure due to sludge. With proper maintance using decent-quality products, there shouldn't be any problems with the 4.7.

 

[no name]

Well still no truck. Was hoping to get one for Christmas (haha). I found one that I liked but dealership didn't want to go get it since it was so far away. It was worth a shot though.

 

[no name]

Well no truck for Christmas and now no truck for New Years!!! I am about ready to have the dealership cut me a check for my losses and go find my own truck. They are trying to buy from different dealers at wholesale and none of the other dealers are willing to sell to another dealer for wholesale prices. The dealers know that 4x4's are always going to sell in my area, ecspecially with the winter we have had so far, so they can sell them to individuals and not take the wholesale price from another dealer. The dealer at least gave me another truck to drive until they/I find one. I have ran across several and told the dealer about them. Either the other dealer won't call them back or they want more for the truck than what it is advertised for. Really getting frustrated but trying to stay patient and get the truck I want. Sorry for the rant, HAPPY NEW YEAR EVERYBODY!!!

 

[Redtruck-VA]

Wish you luck, talk to the sales manager and tell him you need this resolved. Be firm, but as long as they have given you a loner I think they are showing good faith.

 

[no name]

Yeah I think they are trying. I am not the most patient person in the world anyway. In my neverending quest to locate a truck. I stumbled onto something that might be a good deal, I think. I want some advice or another opinion before I say anything to the dealer though. I have ran across a couple of trucks that are newer than what I have been finding. Most of the ones I find in my price range are 2002-2005, well equipped, some wear and tear, with around 90 to 100k miles, you know a typical older truck. I have spotted a 07 well equipped with 115k miles. What do you guys think? Is the 2 to 5 years newer worth the extra mileage? What about the value down the road? I put average to less than average mileage per year on my vehicles. In my mind it makes since to go the newer model and give up the mileage, but don't know if I am just justifying it because I like the truck or not. Thanks.

 

[ramhunter9]

It all depends on the CONDITION of the engine . A 04 with 50 k could be crappier than a 07 with 115k ... It is all in how it is maintained . A well maintained engine with 115k will out last the 04 with 50k that might be neglected .

I would go for the one that has a good maintenance record . Regardless of the age or mileage .

 

[no name]

How do know about the maintenance though. I mean I do mine normally, sometimes take it to the dealers. So I am sure my maintenance record looks really crappy. Is there a better way to tell that I don't know about. The 07 from the pics looks new. Very hard to tell from pics normally, but this truck looks good from what I can tell.

 

[no name]

After what seems a lifetime, the dealership is going to put a different engine in my truck. What do I need to look for when I get the truck back? What should be the first thing I do to this truck? I think I will probably do the Seafoam thing or is there something better out there to use. The engine will be used but with a warranty.