I'll be buying a new for me truck in the next few months. The checkbook says 2010 or older will be affordable. Without going through every post, which is better, 3rd or 4th gen? I own a small construction company so it'll be hooked to 10k or less tool trailer daily and kid hauler in the evenings. I need reliability more than I need the latest, greatest features. Auto or manual doesn't matter, but needs to be LB and crew cab.
I had a friend who was a service writer for dodge dealer and told me nightmares about 06 07 yrs.
I have a 98.5 24v auto LB QC w 300k or so on it. that has been an outstanding truck. Very few problems with it, especially considering all the crap I've put it through.

 

I haven't had my 4th Gen long enough to say it's a better truck than my '03 was, but I can definitely say it's a lot nicer and has a lot more bells and whistles.

 

If you are kid hauling, you and they would appreciate the larger 2010+ CREW cabs over the 3rd gen QUAD cabs.

 

^ agreed

 

^^^ +2 (and adults)