Towing a boat back from FL to NC last week with my 08 GMC Sierra Z71 crew (83k miles on it, 3 mos out of powertrain warranty) I blow a cam/lifter deal. Truck is sitting in NC at the dealership currently, and they want $5600 to fix. They are contacting GM (I can see the writing on the wall) about cutting me some slack on the repair, but in my exhaustive internet research I found a chevy site where droves and droves of guys had the exact same problem around that mileage.
So, I'm most likely faced with a new truck purchase. With this god awful foul GM taste in my mouth, coupled with their latest recall crap/congressional mess, I find myself (a lifetime GM buyer) looking elsewhere.
I'm seeing some nice incentives on new Rams...would like to hear from those who own/have owned 13's or 14's...4x4, 5.7 hemi's. What do you like/dislike about the truck?
I had a 2007 Ram Quad cab, 5.7 l hemi. It would tow a small house and not think twice...I think it had a towing capacity of 12,800 lbs. The only thing I didn't like about it was the 20" tires. They wore quickly and I kept breaking belts...now I have a 2013, 5.7l hemi but I got the Outdoorsman package this time. That came with the 17" tires...much better ride. I've only got 18k miles on it, but no broken belts...it's built like a crap brick house...I got the crew cab this time and really like it. Let me know if you have any other questions...
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I've got an 11 Ram and love it. The 13/14 made a few small changes but the 5.7 is still the primary motor. It'll pull pretty much anything you need. The cab is comfortable and there's tons of storage inside.
I switched over to Ram in 2009 after only buying Chevys before . I just got 5000 miles on my 2014 and love it so far . I went with the crew cab and 6'4 bed this time in the outdoorsman package . That little bit of extra bed length sure makes a difference . I'm not a big fan of the dial knob shifter yet, but im sure I'll get use to it . This is the first one I got with the backup camera and i like not having to get out of the truck 5 times hooking the trailer up, I also like the locking tailgate feature when you lock your doors , just wish I knew it was there , I thought the dam thing was frozen at first . I opted for the 32 gal tank, 392's and brake controller and those are nice for towing and this thing will pull a house, but don't be fooled they like gas......... I averaged 10mpg on my first trip to Canada towing a 3 place enclosed snowmobile trailer packed to the ceiling. Theres no lack of power when towing to pass someone either.
Had an 05 1500 quad cab 5.7 Hemi. Loved it. Now have '13 1500 crew cab 5.7 Hemi and love it more. I held out for the new 8 speed. Get 22-24 MPG on highway driving 60-65. Drive 70-75 mpg fails to 18. I also have the air suspension and that is the best part of the truck. I can hook up my boat trailer and never have to get out of the truck. Put suspension in entry/exit mode and it lowers the truck 2". Using backup camera, back up to trailer then hit the suspension button a few times to the off-road-2 position and the truck raises 4" inserting the ball into the coupler. Get out, lock the coupler and drive off.
I had that same foul taste in my mouth as I had a an "07" Avalanche with the oil consumption issue. I had never owned a Dodge product but went for a 2012 1500 Ram with the 5.7 Hemi. I have close to 50,000 miles on it and not one issue.
I am in sales and have had a lot of vehicles over my career with Honda being my number one choice. However, this is the 1st one that I never had some sort of issue with in the beginning. This Hemi engine is one my top two engines I have ever owned.
Probably made up your mind already but I traded in an avalanche for a Tundra a little over a year ago. I did not have an engine issue but it was starting to feel tired with around 90k on it. Absolutely awesome truck. I have the rock warrior package on a crew cab. The power sliding rear window is great and this truck will pull anything. The down side is the mpg. I run ethanol and unleaded but have averaged only 15.5 over the first 25k.
Have been looking at the dodges due to mpg's. Other than that, I don't think you can go wrong with a Tundra or Ram.
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Probably made up your mind already but I traded in an avalanche for a Tundra a little over a year ago. I did not have an engine issue but it was starting to feel tired with around 90k on it. Absolutely awesome truck. I have the rock warrior package on a crew cab. The power sliding rear window is great and this truck will pull anything. The down side is the mpg. I run ethanol and unleaded but have averaged only 15.5 over the first 25k.
Have been looking at the dodges due to mpg's. Other than that, I don't think you can go wrong with a Tundra or Ram.
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When buying a vehicle, are you tired of everytime you ask a question or make an offer to your sales rep that they have to run to their manager and ask them. If so, then Weekley Dodge in Butler is your dealership and Erik Schneeg is your Sales Rep. I ordered a 2013 Ram 1500 Big Horn on April 10,2013 and I received the truck on June 4, 2013. Every aspect of my experience was outstanding. I worked with Erik on everything with my truck order. He placed the order, he drove my truck and offered me a trade-in price and I negotiated with him. It was only after I came back a second time to beat Erik up for another $1500 that he had Matt Weekley look at my truck just to make sure he was OK on our final negotiated deal. Don't believe that you cannot get the best deal from the small town family dealerships. Weekley's was able to beat Spitzer's by almost $2000 in a friendly, no-pressure sales atmosphere. As an added surprise when I got home and went through the truck I found a New Testament Bible in the glove box just re-affirming the moral character of this dealership.
I bought a 2012 dodge ram1500 outdoorsman after taking legal action against gm for my last truck.
The ram is amazing. The outdoorsman model model came with bedliner, a storage gate for the bed that can adjust front to back every two inches or so. A rear camera (incredibly useful, especially when hitching a trailor or backing up near kids. It has downward lights on the mirrors to light up the ground near the door, perfect for the end of a long fishing day. And of course is 4x4 with the 5.7 hemi. It does drink like a fish, but when it is running around 2200 rpms or below, it automatically drops to 4 cylinder to save on fuel. I usually throw it in cruise control on long highway trips and have been able to average close to 20mpg (not towing though). But by far my favorite feature is the ram boxes on the side of the beds. So much storage! I use one for truck things like ratchet straps, hitches and tow straps. The other I use to store my fishing rods, tackle ane / or firearms depending on the occassion.
Definitly the best vehicle I have ever had. Couldn't reccomend it more
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My current truck is a 2013 Toyota Tundra 4x4, 5.7L V8. Love everything about it except the gas mileage as shake mentioned. Thankfully I don't have to use it for commuting.
Fishman43078, I'm with you. That power rear window is kool and I swear the Tundra could beat any unmodified gas pickup in a pulling contest...or in the quarter mile for that matter.
Drive the new 2014 Silverado first Brandon before you make up your mind....a lot of changes has been made in Silverado's since 6 years ago. If you dont take a new one for a drive your kidding yourself. North American Truck of the year for a reason.
Scum...I've always owned GM and loved them. Unfortunately since they don't seem to care about my lifetime loyalty to cut me some slack (on an issue that has effected tons of owners), it would take the deal of a lifetime for GM to earn back my business.
I'm realistic...I know warranties have expiration dates and should...not looking for or expecting a free ride. The amount of money I've spent on new GM vehicles over the last 15 years alone (a new lease for the wife every 3 years, new trucks for me every 4) is staggering, and the fact that they are wanting service records to even talk to me I find extremely disappointing. I've changed my own oil, had friends do it, even out of state oil changes that I will have no record of...That, plus the fact that they are about to get raked over the coals (rightfully so) for their latest recall debacle...yeah man, that's a hard sell with my current frame of mind.
I too gave up on Chevy. Same crap broke over and over on the last 4 trucks I had from them. Even on the "new and improved model" the same dumb issues. They never fix a problem just ignore it and keep selling them. Dealership support is non existent. I went back to Ford. No bailout money for Ford either! I don't know about new dodges. But when I test drove some used ones looking for a work truck all of them had bad trans or rear ends in them. Odd for a few years old with 50-60k on them. I was shocked the dealers would even try and sell them that way. They just said we'll fix that before you buy it.
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Not going to overtake Brandon's thread but to say Ford didnt take a bail out is ignorant. Just because media didnt blow them up like they did GM and Chrysler doesnt mean they didnt borrow from the government as well.
I have a 2014 Ram Sport Crew Cab w/ 5.7L Hemi and I love it. Inside and out. It has the 6'4" bed and 32 gallon tank. Sunroof.
I was fixated on Black until I saw this on a lot. It's white with the Sport Hood, full length side steps and spray in bedliner. Black Leather Interior and every option you can think of minus the Load Leveling System which I want nothing to do with anyway.
8 Speed Auto with the rotary shifter on dash and 8.4AN top of line UConnect System.
This thing rides like a Caddy on smoother roads and has real good power, especially from 50-80 on any highway when needed to get by Grandma or entering highway. The Hemi is awesome.
IMO. I looked at Chevy and Ford and these Rams are BY FAR the best looking trucks made on the exterior and way nicer looking on the interior, including the dash layout. This thing is a high tech MARVEL.
Drove these both in the past 24 hours. The gmc is my same truck with a lift/tires...was fun for the first few miles. The Ram really blew me away. The power of that hemi was WOW. Gonna try a 2014 GM to see what the changes are, but I'm my latest experience has me very non gm at the moment
I would agree the new ram is nice and don't think they would disappoint you. I am a Chevy guy and am on my third Silverado. Also have alot of buddies who own them too. I would agree that they ignore issues that should be fixed. Everyone I know with a Chevy has experienced the Evap sensor warning light issue that I know. I owned a 2001 2006 and a 2011. Two of my three had the warning light and sensor need replacing. My buddy has an identical 11 GMC. His was just in the shop for evap sensor. 10 years of the exact same issue without correcting the design or fixing the one that went wrong??? Those are the type of things that make me consider other brands. If my 11 does it and Chevy does not issue recall or fix it, more than likely my next one will be a Ford or Dodge
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Quit messing around and buy a Tundra. What you give up on MPG will pay you back on reliability and longevity. The MPG isn't much different than other brands once you calculate real world gas mileage. The sticker MPG must be taken with a grain of salt.
Get the ram 1500 you wont be disappointed. I have had ford, and rams. Key word ramss, wont change, no problems either. love my rams. will be getting another ram.
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