I have had my Toyota Tundra for almost 7 years now. It has 170k miles on it and it has been a great truck. No complaints other than MPG. I am in the market for a new truck and I am trying to decide between a new Tundra or a new Ram 1500 with the 5.7 Hemi or if I can get it,.. the new V6 EcoDiesel.
In comparing the two, here are my takes on them. If any of you guys have bought/leased a Ram 1500 5.7L V8, could you tell me how it has been? I am pretty torn on what to do and will be deciding in a month or 2.
Tundra:
Pros:
1)Uber-Reliable. With 170k miles,.. nothing,.. I mean nothing has gone wrong with it. I have done oil changes every 5k miles and very rarely go with the dealer suggested maintenance upgrades. i.e. radiator flush, transmission flush, etc.
2) Plenty of power for me. I drive back and forth to work, occasionally drive onto oil lease roads to drill a well and haul a 6x10 enclosed trailer full of band gear for my band 10-15 times a year. I have never been short of power for any of that.
3) 1.9% APR for 60mos. You can get it for 72 months but damn I hate giving even more interest to the finance company. If you need 72 months,.. (IMHO) you need to get a cheaper car/truck,... unless it's 0%. Toyota offers 0% but only for 36 months,.. and no dealer incentives at all. You pay sticker.
Cons:
1) MPG. Good God it is a gas guzzler. I might get 15MPG if I'm lucky.
2) Expensive. Compared to other trucks, the Tundra is more expensive. Not only is the sticker price higher than most, the factory rebates and dealer incentives are less than other manufacturers.
3) No 0% financing except for 36 months and with no incentives.. You pay sticker. I bought my current Tundra with 0% for 60 months,.. with incentives.
4) Pretty simple interior. It's bare bones but like I said,.. no issues electronically or mechanically. Maybe simplicity is a key to reliability.
Now onto the Dodge Ram 1500 w V8 5.7L Hemi (Or V6 3.0L EcoDiesel)
Pros:
1) Features,... Good Lord,... the front dash looks like the dashboard to the Space Shuttle. Everything from heated/cooled seats to an 8.4" display, to a fully customizable dash cluster set, to trailer brakes, to air suspension control (you can raise/lower the body 4" up or down),..etc. The dash and cab features are incredible. I was really blown away when test driving it.
2) MPG (on the EcoDiesel) You might be able to get 28 to 30MPG with the EcoDiesel. I think the jury is still out but if even 27MPG, it would be a win.
3) Price. The Laramie package compared to the Tundra Platinum equivalent (not that there is an equivalent, leather and a center dash LCD screen, 5.7L V8 and 4x4 is where the equality ends),.. the Ram sticker price is $3-4k cheaper than the Tundra. Plus you get $6-8k in rebates and incentives from Dodge. Big difference in price at the end of the day.
Cons:
1) The Unknown. I've never owned any Dodge product. I know they do not have a great history but it seems to have gotten better. Ram 1500 has been truck of the year back to back. Don't get mad at me,.. I didn't rate it. This is where you guys come in. Please give me some real world experience with the 2014/2013 Ram 1500.
2)Finance rate. 2.9 is the best they can do unless you want 0% for 36 months. If I put some cash down with my trade in,... I might do that.
3)It's almost too much. There are so many features/gizmos that it is almost overwhelming.
So, that's my dilemma. I'm looking to you to help me make a good decision. Oh yea,.. one other thing. The center console on my Tundra is perfect to mount my holster. I use it when I have to go in the bank, or at work (can't carry in the office), etc. Not sure if my 1911/HK 45C will fit in my slide holster in the Ram's console.
Either way it pains me to have to shell out another $35-45k for a truck.
Help me oh wise truck ones!!!
Thanks in advance.
Carl
In comparing the two, here are my takes on them. If any of you guys have bought/leased a Ram 1500 5.7L V8, could you tell me how it has been? I am pretty torn on what to do and will be deciding in a month or 2.
Tundra:
Pros:
1)Uber-Reliable. With 170k miles,.. nothing,.. I mean nothing has gone wrong with it. I have done oil changes every 5k miles and very rarely go with the dealer suggested maintenance upgrades. i.e. radiator flush, transmission flush, etc.
2) Plenty of power for me. I drive back and forth to work, occasionally drive onto oil lease roads to drill a well and haul a 6x10 enclosed trailer full of band gear for my band 10-15 times a year. I have never been short of power for any of that.
3) 1.9% APR for 60mos. You can get it for 72 months but damn I hate giving even more interest to the finance company. If you need 72 months,.. (IMHO) you need to get a cheaper car/truck,... unless it's 0%. Toyota offers 0% but only for 36 months,.. and no dealer incentives at all. You pay sticker.
Cons:
1) MPG. Good God it is a gas guzzler. I might get 15MPG if I'm lucky.
2) Expensive. Compared to other trucks, the Tundra is more expensive. Not only is the sticker price higher than most, the factory rebates and dealer incentives are less than other manufacturers.
3) No 0% financing except for 36 months and with no incentives.. You pay sticker. I bought my current Tundra with 0% for 60 months,.. with incentives.
4) Pretty simple interior. It's bare bones but like I said,.. no issues electronically or mechanically. Maybe simplicity is a key to reliability.
Now onto the Dodge Ram 1500 w V8 5.7L Hemi (Or V6 3.0L EcoDiesel)
Pros:
1) Features,... Good Lord,... the front dash looks like the dashboard to the Space Shuttle. Everything from heated/cooled seats to an 8.4" display, to a fully customizable dash cluster set, to trailer brakes, to air suspension control (you can raise/lower the body 4" up or down),..etc. The dash and cab features are incredible. I was really blown away when test driving it.
2) MPG (on the EcoDiesel) You might be able to get 28 to 30MPG with the EcoDiesel. I think the jury is still out but if even 27MPG, it would be a win.
3) Price. The Laramie package compared to the Tundra Platinum equivalent (not that there is an equivalent, leather and a center dash LCD screen, 5.7L V8 and 4x4 is where the equality ends),.. the Ram sticker price is $3-4k cheaper than the Tundra. Plus you get $6-8k in rebates and incentives from Dodge. Big difference in price at the end of the day.
Cons:
1) The Unknown. I've never owned any Dodge product. I know they do not have a great history but it seems to have gotten better. Ram 1500 has been truck of the year back to back. Don't get mad at me,.. I didn't rate it. This is where you guys come in. Please give me some real world experience with the 2014/2013 Ram 1500.
2)Finance rate. 2.9 is the best they can do unless you want 0% for 36 months. If I put some cash down with my trade in,... I might do that.
3)It's almost too much. There are so many features/gizmos that it is almost overwhelming.
So, that's my dilemma. I'm looking to you to help me make a good decision. Oh yea,.. one other thing. The center console on my Tundra is perfect to mount my holster. I use it when I have to go in the bank, or at work (can't carry in the office), etc. Not sure if my 1911/HK 45C will fit in my slide holster in the Ram's console.
Either way it pains me to have to shell out another $35-45k for a truck.
Help me oh wise truck ones!!!
Thanks in advance.
Carl
