Dodge Ram...check with an auto paint expert. Some of their paint will peal after about 2 years. I have a Silver...paint comes off in chunks. They said they'd spot-repaint (which won't fix the problem), but I'd still have to pay half.

Good friend bought a 4 door a bit over a year ago and she loves it. Hauls a** pulling a eight horse trailer.

It quickly got sqeaks, filthy, worn interior, but she does that to everything. Hauling a goat and three dogs in the back seat is typical.

I think they're assembled in Mexico, so the 'mezzican bigots here will explode, but so what?

From what I've seen, if you want a work truck to beat the crap out of, it does make friends.

If you want luxury, buy a Toyota Tundra. I did and love it!

Buy American: Tundra = Indiana, Dodge = Mexico?

I had rented a 2002 Dodge RAM, 1500 xlt, for a weeks drive to Florida. I live about a thousand miles away. The truck had about 15000 miles on it. I found that at highway speeds, 70+, it tended to wander with the slope of the highway. This could be a result of the tires, I realize, but they were pretty good Michelins. The wander was so bad, that I stopped at a gas station and attempted to put air in the tires, but they were inflated correctly. The tires said 35 lbs, and due to the fact that I had been running them on a highway, just prior to checking them, they were all reading 40 lbs +/- 1 - 2 lbs. I also noticed that it was extremely difficult to shift from 2WD to 4WD. Occasionally, I would hear a noise from the front end, when I would cut the wheel sharply, such as backing out of a driveway. The noise, sounded to me like a ball joint, or perhaps the coil spring....I'm not a mechanic, but if I owned the truck, I would have definitely taken it to a mechanic, after hearing the noise. I realize that this was a rental truck, so it may not be fair to cite all these things that are wrong, and expect that they would be the same problems a normal owner would experience. On the plus side, the truck handled good sized bumps fairly well. In cornering, it seemed to not give you the feel that you were about to roll over, that you can find with the newer Fords these days. The acceleration was very nice...V8 and all....but my job requires that I travel extensively, and all we rent is SUV's or pickups.....many other trucks, which have V8's don't seem to get the pickup that the Dodge has. I did have one panic stop situation, and was not real happy with the way it performed. I had to jump onto the shoulder to avoid the Ford pickup in front of me, who had locked up his tires. I came away from this truck with the impression that I probably souldn't buy one, unless I got a killer deal on one.

I own a new Dodge and would NEVER buy another. in the first 6 months I replced the power steering, steering column, total alignment (3X), Air conditioner compressor, master brake cylinder reservoir, and more.

My neighbor across the street bought a four door Ram and the cab light over the bed was on one day. I told him about it so his battery wouldnt die. He messed with all the switches and nothing worked. So we thought cycling the power on and off (turn the engine on and off) might help. As soon as he turned the key to Accessory position, the wiring under the dash caught fire and torched his new truck. BRAND NEW. He hadnt even made 1 payment. What did Dodge do? He had to tow it there at HIS expense, and waited over a week for it and instead of replacing it they re-wired it and it still has the burn marks and electrical fire smell.

I report. You decide.

Buy a Ford. I just bought a 2001 F-250 Diesel, best truck I've ever owned. I've had a 2001 F-150, a 1996 F-150 and a 1986 Dodge Ram. Ford makes a better product in my opinion.

How about Chevy Silverados or GMC Sierras?

Only reason I'm responding is that I'm thinking of picking up a 4x4 as well. Been visiting dealerships to get brochures, but haven't decided on one yet.

A friend of mine told me last week about his experiences with the Dodge SUV (e.g. the Ford Explorer sized vehicle that Dodge makes). He wants to get rid of it. He keeps have small problems with it, and he says it takes days for him to get the vehicle back.

My experience with Chrysler (based on people I know who've had them, including parents) isn't good. The wheel came off my Mom's 1986 Chrysler 5th Avenue. I would buy a Ford or Chevy instead, but enjoy whatever you get.

I'm holding out for next year's model with the 350-cid class HEMI V8. I plan to buy it immediately after I win the PCH Sweepstakes...

I just bought a 2002 4x4 Quad Cab (four real doors that open 90 degrees). It is a fine vehicle. Many, many enhancements to it. Alot of "little" extra's that you'll keep finding too...The 4x4 is smooth, not jumpy like the previous models when making tight turns. It has all wheel disc ABS now, modified steering (my wife says she feels like she is driving a "car", not a truck). The interior of the SLT's are very clean as well. Mine came with an Infinity sound system amped with a factory 120 watt amp. The only downside that I though about is the 5.2 engine is no longer offered. I went with the 4.7 over the 5.9 for mpg reasons, but was quite surprised to find that it seems to have more power than my 97 Dodge Ram with it's 5.2...Oh, also, the latest power train warranty is far better than what was being offered in 97 when I picked up my first Ram...

Hope this helps

Note: And no, the paint does not peel unless your completely lazy about keeping up with your finish..

Anything else we should know?

It's a Dodge...

Another note: I never had any serious problems with my 97 Ram other than a porblem I created one time. Dodge took care of me with no hassles. I did have to pay the deductible on my extended warranty, but it was worth it. Other than that, my 97 was NEVER in the shop for any problems. Keep up with your vehicles, and they'll take care of you.

Ford Ranger. They are the best. Our last ranger had 140,000 miles on it. The only thing we ever did was change the oil and buy tires and get it tuned.

Our new one drives and rides like a car. The only thing that we don't like about it is having to shift alot when we drive up into the mountains.

They have great service too. You have 24 hr a day road side service if something goes wrong.

Now that they kicked out the socialist from top management, we plan to buy another one for me.

I bought a 2001 Toyota Tunda V8 4x4, regular cab, and I love it. I wouldn't trade it for any other truck, it rides like a luxury car!

Buy the Ford...

I bought a 2001 Toyota Tunda V8 4x4, regular cab, and I love it. I wouldn't trade it for any other truck, it rides like a luxury car! Totally trouble free so far, other than having to change the oil.

A word to the wise -- never buy the first year model of a redesign or new model no matter how great they make it sound. It really does take a year or two for the unforseen yet inevitable bugs or glitches to surface and then be rectified.

I hear ya. That hopefully will be my next vehicle, if I don't buy an old pickemup and fix it up.

That's what I am in the market for now...an old "beater/fixer-upper" that I can keep running through the winters for my "plow truck"

"Buy American: Tundra = Indiana, Dodge = Mexico?"

Profit - Tundra = Japan, Profit - Dodge = US of A