Author Topic: What is wrong with..... (Read 965 times)

Big Mouse · « **on:** May 20, 2009, 03:10:16 pm »

Dodge pickups?

I've been half looking for a used pickup, pref a Silverado, around 3-5 years old. I discounted all of the euro and jap pickups on the grounds that my old mum can pull more than they can with one dodgy hip

There are a few F150 or F250s about and a (very) few Chevys at a sensible price; (a few Avalanches but I can't afford the petrol station to go with it). But there are just loads and loads of dodges on the market.

Just wondered why.

HardRockCamaro · « **Reply #1 on:** May 20, 2009, 03:49:54 pm »

I think they were very popular due to the butch looks of the front grill.

My understanding is that the Silverado is considered a tough truck, followed by the Ford with the Dodge brining up the rear. Varies depending which engine and year you get mind. Obviously the owners of each are very brand loyal so it's hard to get a fair opinion.
My understanding is from the Cadillac forum in the states where people seem to be very brand indifferent and discuss all topics including trucks...

Big Mouse · « **Reply #2 on:** May 20, 2009, 04:32:15 pm »

Thats why I wanted the chevy; if Kia made one that was as tough as the chevy I'd buy it.

I'll keep looking, one will turn up.

Motorama · « **Reply #3 on:** May 20, 2009, 06:18:45 pm »

Dont think there's too much wrong with them. A lot of people bought them through their businesses a few years back and they all seem to be hitting the market lately.

I've had several 3rd Gen Ram's and find them ok. The 4x4's can be a bit heavy on front end components and they arent quite so good on gas as 2wds. My current truck is an 2005 Dodge Ram Laramie Quad Cab 2500 Cummins turbo diesel 2wd. Last week i did a 500 mile round trip towing a trailer on £100 worth of diesel which i thought was pretty impressive. I always go for the 2500's as i do a lot of towing but the 1500 2wd's are very car like to drive and the Hemi performance is pretty impressive

A couple of years ago i had an 03 Silverado 2500HD which pulled like a train with the 6.0 Vortech and drove like new even with 100k on it.

The later shape F150's are nice to drive and have lovely interiors but the 04's and early 05's had issues with the spark plugs siezing in the heads and snapping when you try to remove them. If you buy one make sure it's low miles or someone else has changed the plugs.

F Body · « **Reply #4 on:** May 20, 2009, 06:37:17 pm »

The only reason I've never bought an American Pick Up is their outrageous price in the UK

Money for old rope

Motorama · « **Reply #5 on:** May 20, 2009, 06:53:32 pm »

Quoting: F Body

The only reason I've never bought an American Pick Up is their outrageous price in the UK

Money for old rope

Not if you buy them right!

Big Mouse · « **Reply #6 on:** May 20, 2009, 07:02:52 pm »

Quoting: Motorama

Dont think there's too much wrong with them. A lot of people bought them through their businesses a few years back and they all seem to be hitting the market lately.

I've had several 3rd Gen Ram's and find them ok. The 4x4's can be a bit heavy on front end components and they arent quite so good on gas as 2wds. My current truck is an 2005 Dodge Ram Laramie Quad Cab 2500 Cummins turbo diesel 2wd. Last week i did a 500 mile round trip towing a trailer on £100 worth of diesel which i thought was pretty impressive. I always go for the 2500's as i do a lot of towing but the 1500 2wd's are very car like to drive and the Hemi performance is pretty impressive

A couple of years ago i had an 03 Silverado 2500HD which pulled like a train with the 6.0 Vortech and drove like new even with 100k on it.

The later shape F150's are nice to drive and have lovely interiors but the 04's and early 05's had issues with the spark plugs siezing in the heads and snapping when you try to remove them. If you buy one make sure it's low miles or someone else has changed the plugs.

Thats all really helpful to know especially the stuff about plugs in the Fords, didn't know that. Fords would have been my second choice over the Dodge but there are so many dodges about that the price could be right for one of them if I don't find a decent chevy

Cunning Plan · « **Reply #7 on:** May 20, 2009, 08:56:54 pm »

I love all yank trucks - that what I was originally looking for but as FB says - they ARE hard to find at a reasonable price in the usual avenues.

VIPER · « **Reply #8 on:** May 21, 2009, 12:48:48 am »

Dodge rams where also available direct from Chrysler as a truck....

Motorama · « **Reply #9 on:** May 21, 2009, 02:26:17 pm »

Quoting: Big Mouse

Thats all really helpful to know especially the stuff about plugs in the Fords, didn't know that

I should add, that's only on the 5.4 Triton 3 valve motor, not the 4.6.

Big Mouse · « **Reply #10 on:** May 21, 2009, 03:54:35 pm »

just found this

http://stock.thesttgroup.com/detailTrucks.asp?Type=Truck&search=Search&id=26

what the hell is a 'single way' rear axle?

looks like cloth seats

emailed him for mileage etc

Motorama · « **Reply #11 on:** May 21, 2009, 04:05:43 pm »

Quoting: Big Mouse

what the hell is a 'single way' rear axle?

i'm guessing they mean single rear wheels as a lot of trucks used for 5th wheel towing are duallys

Quoting: Big Mouse

looks like cloth seats

The cloth seats in Chevys wear better than the leather ones, mine had done something like 110k and were perfect with none of the edge wear you seem to get on the leather ones.

Thats basically the same as my 03 model, bar the alloys. Looks a nice truck but overpriced im my opinion unless it's mint and superlow miles. I bought mine in 2007 for £8k and used it for six months and got my money back.

F Body · « **Reply #12 on:** May 21, 2009, 04:12:15 pm »

STT Group < shudder > EDIT : Not sure if this relates to the STS Group and NOT the STT Group - Which is the one that displays at Billing ?

Have you ever looked at the cars they bring to Billing

Even a brand new unregistered 300C SRT8 had a damaged alloy, scratches and a stained drivers seat

Jim round the corner bought a yellow Ford Boss truck from them 2 years ago. Despite numerous attempts to repair it the electrics kept failing, so Jim took it to an Auto Electrician

The Guy phoned him up and said you'll better come and look at this, it was a complete cut and shut job.

It took months for him to get a refund using a solicitor and he lost £3k because he dared to drive it 1,800 miles.

This is just my personal opinion, but I wouldn't touch them with a barge pole

Big Mouse · « **Reply #13 on:** May 21, 2009, 04:18:04 pm »

All good to know; I had heard a similar horror story about them back when I first bought the camaro and took it to Billing. IMHO two bad stories about one dealer is enough to make you wary

I thought it was a bit pricey too; don't mind the VAT as I can get that back but it does need to be real low mileage for that sort of monmey

Big Mouse · « **Reply #14 on:** May 21, 2009, 04:20:05 pm »

Had a look on here too, he's a nice old boy but a couple of the trucks he has for sale were then when I last went over there 4 years ago!!

http://www.jmamericanautos.co.uk/

Motorama · « **Reply #15 on:** May 21, 2009, 04:26:12 pm »

I could be tempted to sell my 05 Ram clanker for the right price

Big Mouse · « **Reply #16 on:** May 21, 2009, 06:10:15 pm »

Looks a bit rough

Motorama · « **Reply #17 on:** May 21, 2009, 07:26:52 pm »

Quoting: Big Mouse

Looks a bit rough

Ha ha

This is the second 2005 Ram 2500 ive had, the other being a 4wd. This one is a way nicer drive though as it sits a bit lower, has more direct steering plus road tyres which dramatically improve the ride and cut down on road noise.

I've been fortunate enough to own most makes of late model American truck over the last few years and whilst i'm a big fan of the Chevys i really like the power from the Cummins engine in the Dodge Rams. The torque band is great and they will tow in top all day when most of the other trucks will hunt up and down the gears.

VIPER · « **Reply #18 on:** May 24, 2009, 08:09:03 am »

Know the owner as well... he has had 50 cars/trucks from ACI......

http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/1023197.htm