Okay, fella's. Here's the deal. I got approval from the Chief Financial Officer aka Wife, to get a new truck. She said I wore her down! ;D <br>That's a step in the right direction. So far...so good. But I'm still not 100% sold on Dodge. I don't doubt Cummins is the best engine...it's the rest of the truck I'm concerned about. Things like those warning light problems some of you guys have been experiencing on your '03's, etc.. My current 98 Ram busted a spring under the drivers seat recently...only 64,000 miles. It's the quality of those types of things that I worry about.<br><br>Like you guys, I don't want to spend major bucks and regret it down the road. The only other brand I would have would be a (gulp!) Ford. I've had several Ford gassers over the years and never has any complaints. I know a few guys who have PSD's and they like them very much. I never have liked Chevy trucks for a variety of reason. <br><br>One of my local dealers has four new 2002's left.<br> (1) 2500 QC,CTD, 5spd.<br> (2) 2500 QC,CTD, auto<br> (1) 2500 QC,CTD, HO 6 spd.<br><br>I'm going to go look at them on Sunday and check out the prices, etc.. My gut says go with the HO 6 spd. even though I'm not crazy about shifting. But if I opt for a manual tranny it may as well be the 6 HO. (What's one extra throw of the shifter, right?) My motorhead mentality says get the biggest, most powerful engine regardless of what tranny comes attached to it.<br><br>I know we covered most of these issues several times in the past but I'm still apprehensive. After convincing the CFO we should but a new truck, I don't want to make the wrong choice.<br>Thanks in advance for your input. I've never agonized over buying vehicles before...I don't know why this time is so different Buzz [undecided]<br>

 

If the HO 6speed was available in Calif., I would have given it serious thought. Since I had to buy the SO 5 speed I am happy with its pervormance. In town mileage is 18.3 mpg, 21 on highway, and up to 12.5 towing 10,800#. In town where speeds are under 45 mph, gears used 2nd, 3rd, &amp; 4th. On highway or roads where speed will be above 45 mph 5th comes into play. 1st is used only for heavy loads to break inertia and only to get it rolling. Mine has 2500 miles on it so its beginning to loosen up. Though you can get a good deal on a 2002, D-C is beginning to offer incentives on the 2003s. There are so many improvements on the 2003s don't settle for an 02 if you can swing a good deal on an 03, You won't be sorry.

 

Buzz, dude, for a guy from the promised land... ;D<br><br>Lets put it this way, what would you rather have: a busted seat spring, or a dead engine? <br><br>Seriously though, I would skip by the 02s on the lot, and pick up an 03. Custom order and deal at 500 over invoice or something along those lines. I've driven a pile of trucks in my day, and I've never run a truck that was as nice to drive as an 03 Dodge. I know some guys have had some troubles with check engine lights flickering, and with a new design, there will be some teething problems (although my 94 was one of the least problematic trucks I ever had). However, fit and build is at least as solid as any new Ford or Chevy I've been around, and the handling is much tighter than either. The powertrain, I think, is going to prove to be one of the best ever in a 3/4 or 1 ton truck, even the Amercian Axles.<br><br>Rod

 

Buzz,<br><br>Amen to all of the above. <br><br>But one more consderation. With the CFO become the CE (Chief Engineer) on the truck at any point in time.<br><br>Not sure how tall etc. she is, but the most important and bestest thing on my 2003 is the fully adjustable pedals and 8 way power seat. Makes my CE feel like she is the queen of the road with the pedals all the way up and the seat all the way in the air. She does not have to have the seat right up against the steering wheel.<br><br>She also agrees it is a &quot;dream&quot; to drive, but once in a bit, due to my prior life, I gotta get on &quot;Mario&quot; off and on as she likes to roll that puppy into the 2,000's! Don't want no steenkin' speeding tickets!<br><br>Good luck on your choice.<br><br>Hunter

 

Buzz, Look at my signature see what I got for $30K. If you want an auto that's $1K more. It is the greatest driving 6400# sports car on the road, great handling in the mountains. You are only a couple of hundred miles from my dealer. Sells for Invoice + $75. He will order what you want and give you that price. &quot;Drive a little, Save a Lot&quot;.

 

Simple math should answer the problem:<br>1) from the age of your present vehicle, you trade every five years.<br>2) what will a 2002 be worth in five years (it will be six years old when traded)?<br>3) what will a 2003 be worth in five years (five years old)?<br>4) what is the difference you would have to pay for a 2003 as compared to your best deal (equivalent equipment, etc) on a 2002?<br>5) how much extra money will you more in your pocket five years from now buying the 2003?<br>6) is that difference more or less than what you will pay for the 2003 now?<br><br>You can buy a 2003 for not much more that a 2002. 2003 is new body, updated engine, many new features not available on the 2002. It will be worth a lot more money in five years than what you pay difference today to get it as compared to the 2002. Plus, you have the fun and pleasure of driving the new model. I don't think the answer is rocket science. :P<br><br>Bob

 

Thanks guys!
I'm gonna go look at some trucks tomorrow after the NASCAR race. Tony Stewart , my wife's cousin, is trying to win the championship. It's something like a 1.5 million dollar bonus for the winner! It's just too bad they are not not really close cousins...maybe he could spring for a new Dodge CTD for his cousin's husband!
Thanks for eveyones input. I think I'm leaning towards an S.O. w/auto. trans.. Given the limited towing I'll be doing, I think the auto [for me] is a good choice. It will be at least another 9 years before I'm able to do any serious RVing. I might even go for a standard cab. We have no kids at home and they all live out of state...it's just me and the CFO! ;D

We'll see what tomorrow brings...I'll keep you posted. Thanks again!
added:Sunday 11/17
I understand the logic of not buying a 2002, which is already one model year old. On the other hand, it's the only way to get an H.O in Cally-forny!

 

[quote author=Buzz link=board=17;threadid=7102;start=0#68085 date=1037502788]<br>added:Sunday 11/17<br>I understand the logic of not buying a 2002, which is already one model year old. On the other hand, it's the only way to get an H.O in Cally-forny!<br>[/quote]<br><br>Ooops, wrong Buzz when I made with the promised land crack. I should have checked the address : Sorry about that.<br><br>I'm not sure what your licensing issues are, but could you buy out-of-state and get an HO? Or, alternatively, I've been led to believe that the HO will be available in California in January. This may have been rumor mill stuff though...<br><br>Rod

 

If a vehicle is not &quot;manufactured for sale in California&quot;, then you cannot buy a new one and bring it into the state. However, a used vehicle with a minimum of 7,500 miles can be brought into Calif. with no problems.<br>I guess one (a Californian) could wait until he found an used '03 H.O with the required mileage (7,500) then buy it.

 

Hey, I just found a job for me! I'll buy 2003 HO's here in Oregon, put 7,500 miles on them and sell them to Californians!<br><br>Man, this is gonna be a cool job : <br><br>Hunter

 

As somebody who transitioned from a now 11-year-old Acura Integra (automatic even) into an '03 2500 HO 6-speed, I've rediscovered the fun of shifting. My truck is a big (okay, really big) sports car - maneuvers almost as nice as the Integra but with a Space Shuttle booster rocket in the back. If I was in California, I'd be looking at getting one of those 'gently used' Oregon vehicles. I haven't driven the SO truck, but now that I'm used to all that HO power I'd never go back. The teething problems (recall for fan torque, leaking clearance lamps, and one single flicker of the &quot;Check Engine&quot; or &quot;Check Gauges&quot; light aren't abnormal for a brand new vehicle - and one drive with that big Cummins makes all the problems go away!

 

Lon Cray<br><br>Amen<br><br>Hunter