Dealer said they could not order an 06 and had no info for the 07. Does anyone know about early production 07's. Chev is offering a 07 classic. Might Dodge do the same?

 

Yes- - - -all ordering is done for the 06 Model year. Get an 06 or wait for the late 07/08 6.7l Cummins.

Everyone here seems to think that these are going to be difficult engines to work with and that the EGR System is going to make them weak, but Cummins knows what they are doing.

 

So does Toyota and even they have first and second year vehicle problems.

I would stay away from the '07 and maybe the '08 too.

 

I have been looking for an 06 sport but there don't seem to be any around Maryland. Nothing like spending 40k and not getting what you want. Any thoughts as to when DC may release some info on the 07 changes. I have read about the engine, but couldn't find any info on any other changes.

 

It's going to be interesting to see how the new '07's are going to be received by the market place with so many new variables. On one hand the prices are supposed to jump on the 07's to cover the more EPA friendly engine. On the other hand, its a first year production (4th generation engine?) with a lot of new stuff added to the redesigned 6.7L engine (EGR, Particulate Filter, Variable Turbo, ULSD fuel only...) so there may be good reason for the dealers to negotiate early to get them out the door and on the road. The big question is fuel mileage on the '07's and the price of ULSD fuel. Only time will tell! Since you are not looking at the automatic you have already eliminated another big variable in the '07 puzzle.

It appears you are also willing to look at used, therefore I would try to wait if I could till the 07's hit the lots and wait for some facts to surface. In about 90 days or so, you should be able to catch both the 06's and 07's on the lots plus there might be more trade-ins then. If fuel prices continue to go up much more its my opinion that there might be a glut of new and used ~7,000 lb trucks as those that don't really need the utility and towing ability of a big diesel truck switch to more economical vehicles. Also, I would open up your Dealer search by using various area codes outside your area to find dealers all across the U.S. to find what you want. You can buy anywhere across the country and fly and drive away (nice road trip) or even have it shipped to your door...probably less than the cost of a plane ticket and the fuel cost to drive it back.

If you have the time, take your time and enjoy the process as these things shake out. Regardless of when you buy, good luck with your hunt!

 

Thanks for the reply.

That's what I'm doing know. There are no new Sports local and the discounts aren't great only $3500 off. Plus when the 07 is out the 06 should get better discounts. I'm not concerned about first year cars. The extended warranty and good dealer service should take care of any issues.

 

The real shame is the fact that American car manufacturers as a whole like to mess with your heads...and wallets in that they will release a brand new model (e.g., the new '07 Ram), but will make some important changes in either '08 or even '08.5 thus edit off buyers just so that Dodge can get more money. I love how BMW does their models. They develop the hell out of them for years, and then release a model for 7 years, making only the most MINOR changes, if any, from year to year. Just look at the jump in HP and TQ from '04 to '04.5. You can't tell me people were kicking themselves in the edit when they drove their brand new '04s off the lot and then read in a magazine that in two weeks the new 600 engine was going to be out!

I understand that Dodge is a business and, like all businesses is profit driven, but with DC's ownership of the company now, they really ought to think about designing the truck to 99% and then making the last 1% fine tuning through the generations run as opposed to making the truck 80% and offering trucks that are 20% better in the very short future.

That being said, I am a sucker for "new" toys so good luck with your '07!!!

Just my .02

 

I think that this is the turning point for diesels... It is like the 69 & 70 years for muscle cars.

The 04.5 had the standard lift pump and CP3 then for 05 they put in the in tank fuel pump... 06 they changed the Computer to a new design..

Now in 07 there is major changes and no one will be able to predict the future of the 07 durability.. I am sure that the basic engine will be fine and reliable but it is all the other crap they have to put on that worries me.

I own an 05 but there is something to be siad for the early 12 valve's that are all mechanical.. they just keep going and going... one of my co workers has a 94 12 valve and it has 365,000 miles on it. He does minimal maintence (basicaly none) and the only thing done to it is 1 clutch and 1 transmission. Other than that the truck is falling apart around the engine.

There is something to be said for simplicity. Not to compare dodges to Fords but I think that is the main problem with the powerstroke .. the engine is just to complicated... to many thing to go worng. Lets hope that 07+ doesn't turn out to be another 6.0

Gerry

 

Very well put. It would be nice to see some info about the new model. There is info on the 07 cad a d chassis. The diesel being a 6.7 and only making 305hp and 6?? wasn't very impressive as the fuel mileage will most likely be worse than the 06. You would think that with all the Emission cra? that there would also be some stink about MPG. After all a dirty diesel is still better than a lawn mower and other gas burning machines. It would be nice if the Gov got there head out of there ? and implemented changes that really made a difference. Sorry for the soap box but I'm sure I'm not the only one that feels this way.

 

the Government is going to do something.. I heard on the news the other night they are going to require emissions controls on Lawn Mowers!!!!!!

 

I'd be afraid. (of a brand new model that is)
I talked to a 6.0 owner a few weeks ago, he said "never again". He went on to say how he knew better than to buy a first production year and the truck has been one thing after another. I'm not saying that DC is going to have similiar problems, but anything is possible.....

 

I have an 05 6.0 and have had no problems. It seems that those that try to add power tend to have more problems. But that isn't to say that there aren't some bad apples. There is always going to be something with the new cars.

 

It's a drag to be ready to buy a brand new truck and not be able to find out what you might be getting. And with this BIG change coming on '07, I'd really be debating. It was somewhat similar in '04. I ordered my '04 in time to avoid the '04.5 because nobody knew about the EGR question. I wanted less complexity and I really liked the '04 HO. Turned out the '04.5s didn't have EGR but who knew for sure. And I avoided the cat.

I do trust Cummins though, and if there's a new tranny, that could be one sweet truck. I wouldn't pay much attention to the low HP figure they're hinting at. Heavier duty trucks are often rated low because they are intended to run hard all day long and Dodge is not going to show their cards in the middle of a major horsepower race. I don't think they are going to give anything up to Ford or Chevy. With a 6.7 and the strength and reputation Cummins has, they won't have to. The next couple of years are going to be interesting. They will probably start out with a competitive HP number and then just walk it up as needed in the coming years. The Duramax had a displacement advantage until now, but that disappears in '07. I'm wondering how much torque the rest of the truck can take! Not in a racing situation, but year after year in stock factory trim. Will we be seeing 2 1/2 ton axles pretty soon? These trucks are becoming so powerful, heavy and expensive that they are opening up an opportunity for a lighter and more practical diesel in the 1500s or Dakotas. Not everyone is willing to get something this heavy just to get a diesel, and even 20 MPG is not very good mileage for a vehicle that is lightly used. I say bring on a RAM 1500 diesel and show me 30 MPG.

Now that we've come this far, mileage is secondary in the design and it's time for them to step up and get some serious mileage solutions on the road. Now! These pitiful mileage figures on so many of the popular new cars and trucks are just way past overdue for a change. Uh oh, time to get off the soap box.

Wetspirit

 

With a due respect, you are in the minority. 500 Million in warranty work, people losing turbos, head studs....

This guys truck is bone stock, he knows very little about modifying diesel trucks.

 

You might want to find a better spot to keep your faith, you're liable to be let down putting it on those two items. The extended warranty people are notorious for denying claims for no good reason, and on any major issue you're going to be fight DaimlerChrysler, not your dealer.