Dodge@KY1997

Well I have been driving my 96 CTD for about a year now and love it. In about 6 months I will be getting the opporunity to have a 25k loan at 2% APR. Here is my delimma. I got the 96 cheap because it has 400,000 miles on it and the body has been beat all to....So thats how I was really able to afford it (I paid cash). But now that I am getting a new job and this loan I want a new vehicle but don't know if I should consider getting an SUV of some sort for probably half the amount I am going to spend on a truck. I am looking about an 03 CTD, which in my area is going for around 25k. Or an SUV I can get for around 13k. As far as using the truck, I really dont. Occasionaly help some friends move but I don't do much pulling or anything like that. Not sure what I am asking really, maybe just some convinving that I need to get another CTD instead of an SUV, even if it is double the price.

GoodoleBob

It helps when you have definite use for a truck, but there's plenty of diesel truck buyers who get them to play with. If you find yourself in either category then a Dodge diesel is the class of the field IMHO.

Bob

AttilaTheHun

Get the SUV. You can buy a lot of gas for that price difference. Unless you really need the vehicle for heavy towing and hauling lots of stuff and driving tons of miles a year, get the SUV. You'd be saving lots of money plus your payments will be almost half!

Dodge@KY1997

I am definately a toy truck guy. I love the way my CTD sounds and being able to sit high up above traffic. And the 3rd gen's look sweet. I plan on keeping it for a long time, say 10 years, so that being the case, a CTD looks better just for maintenance reasons, dont you think?

tcr

"Well I have been driving my 96 CTD for about a year now and love it."

I think your first sentence says it all, keep your truck or get the later version of it, you will not be sorry and if for some reason you are you can sell that truck WAY easier than you can sell an SUV. Do you want to take the risk of not "loving" your next SUV, like you love your truck?

dgibbs

Why not keep the truck for when you need, or want to drive a truck, and by the SUV for half the price.

Mcmopar

Get a fun to drive sports car, forget the Super Ugly Vehicle that sucks gas and doesn't do much else.

tomm

What kind of miles do you drive?
That SUV will last 60K miles if you're lucky then you'll be spending another $13,000 whereas the Ram will have at least another 60K miles on it. I never saw an SUV with 400,000 miles on it.

What about resale? These trucks hold their value, I mean what's an 03 SUV worth?
You'll probably get better mileage from the Ram and you and your family will be safer inside of it.

Hope this helped a little.

Dodge@KY1997

Well, I just do the daily driving thing around town, maybe 10-13k a year. Even if I buy a Ram with say 80-90k I can still get say atleast another 100k on it with only having to replace wear items I would think. I guess with that type of mileage I would need 2 SUV's. Okay so I guess I should just ponny up more money now for the Ram

Dodgezilla

Well, you are cooler if you're driving a big loud CTD then a grocery getter SUV!!!
Personally, I don't think I could drive a regular old vehicle after having these CTDs. I like mine to Rattle and smoke......

grantx5

Life is short, drive what you really want.

Here's the test: When you think about the SUV do you get butterflies in your stomach. No?? Ok, now think about driving down the road with your '03 as a Ford guy pulls up next to you. You step on the accelerator and WHAM, the turbo kicks in and he is 6 truck lengths behind you, sucking smoke. Do you get butterflies when you picture this?

hmmm, sounds like a CTD is more fun. Ok, sometimes less practical but you can be practical in other areas of your life.

Drive it like you stole it...

HONDA99

i agree get the truck i had to get rid of my 94 2500 for college and buy a little car. worst mistake i ever made in my life. i miss smokin people out and just the sound of the diesel. its definately worth the extra money in my opinion.