nirion

I have been thinking about selling my 03 Ram 2500 CTD (see sig.) and buying a 12v. Any thoughts/opinions on this topic. I don't really tow much now (all under 5k), but I want club cab long bed. If I did this, I would be planning on doing moderate mods to the 12v (fuel plate, injectors, exhaust, etc) but nothing too extreme.

Basically, am I crazy for thinking about getting rid of this great 2 year old truck for a 8-10 year old one?

Thanks,

Nick

Fred Swanson

Depends on the reason to go to a 12V. It would be nice to have an older 97-98 12V with 5 speed to play with. Plus, if your getting lousy mileage, there's a plus for the 12V.

kandgo

I will tell you how partial I am to 12valves, I would not trade my 97 for a new one!! And if I run on to another low mileage 12 valve [which I am looking hard] I will ****** it up for a spare to replace the one I have if I wreck her or wear her out which ever comes first. With all the new injection pumps and electronics on the newer ones and the fuel economy I am real partial. I got the new truck fever a few months ago and went and tried them out and I opted to stay with my dependable 97. Goodluck,,,,Rick

nirion

Well mileage isn't an issue, as I get constant 18.5-20.5mpg not towing. The main reasons I have been considering it are

1)pay for it quickly/low payment
2)12v bombed are sweet
3)Why am I driving around in a 40k truck? I don't need it(but I do like it)
4)I am getting engaged soon and want to buy her a newer car and a house in the near future

Thanks for the input,

Nick

kandgo

The above reasons are exactly what more people should adhere to!! It is easy to slip off in the world of living beyond our means ie; {living on credit}. I have always wondered why people buy new?? I guess if some didn't we would'nt have used trucks to buy and drive. I feel better about my family's finance's when I can drive two used low mileage vehicles for the price of one new one. I am finacially able to drive new ones, but chose not to as I cannot justify it in my mind when I can find good used ones to drive. Goodluck in finding you a used 2nd gen truck, it looks like I have another new foe in the hunt for the low mileage 2nd gen Dodge diesel trucks. It sure sounds like you are aligning your prioritys up in good order. Goodluck,,,Rick

Rare1

Kandgo gives sensible advice which I agree with. However, you will take a beating on the sale of your 2002 and a 1998 QC is tough to find, and a good one is expensive. Not for sale, but I could sell mine for more than I paid.

rjordan

well i just sold my 02 and im lookin HARD for a 95-98 12valver, reasons,....
1 their cheaper to buy,
2 their cheaper to bomb,
3 their mechanical, so i can work on it, instead of a frikin computer,
4 I LOVE THE SMOKE!!!!!!

TxDiesel007

I agree...

Simplicity, dependability, B O M B A B I L I T Y !!! economy, less insurance cost, and gettin married soon, hmmm.. id say do it... BUT i might be partially biased...

Tx

96_12V

Provided you don't take too big of a hit on your new truck, I would say this makes lots of sense. All of my vechiles so far I have made one payment on - and only one. Hope to not do anything else. But...

If you already own an '03 and you look at what the market will bring for your truck and find it's just too much of a loss (and your fiance' agrees with this idea) then perhaps look at an older 2nd car and plan to keep the '03 for the long haul. Investing in a house is a *much* better investment, but again if you take a hit you can't recover (factor in your warranty and repairs that may be needed on an older truck, etc) then you may be better off paying off your '03 and moving ahead on a house a bit more slowly. Finally to split hairs financially even more, call your insurance agent and ask about rate variations from an '03 to a '97-'96 or so. Good luck with this, hindsight always seems to be 20/20, and I congratuate you on wanting to live on a budget!

Palmetto_kid

I did it. I sold my 2001, and bought a 1998. Now im all paid up! I got lucky and bought the 1998 from my wife's grandad. He wanted an auto.... His loss, my gain.