Ram Test Drive Event

[jw133489]

So I was at the Rodeo yesterday and Dodge was sponsoring the "Ram Test Drive Event". Basically they had a bunch of trucks there and if you agreed to take a short test drive in them, they would give you a gift card for 10 bucks.

Having owned one Dodge truck or another for the past 25 years, I saw an opportunity to get back my gate fee... I have also been toying around with the idea of trading my 2003 2500 4X4 in for a new model.

So I will say that the new trucks are really nice. The interior was as nice as any of the auto makers. Very Nice. My problem was with the Dodge folks manning the event. They were more than happy to point out all the cup-holders and seat heaters but not one could answer the questions on if they have addressed the problems with the dash and door panels falling apart after a few years due to sun damage or if the front end was re-designed so the steering box does wear out prematurely and the ball joints having to be replaced after 60000 miles.

I also was pretty disappointed that I waited for 10 minutes to speak to the "RAM Specialist" and ended up walking off because he was occupied talking to his girlfriend (She was pretty cute...). In general, the whole event seemed rather unprofessional and poorly ran.

 

[412 Stroker]

Well I can tell you that it is not only the truck guys, I had an many issues when I went to look at buying my Charger too, sometimes it makes you wonder how they can sell ANY cars/trucks, with some of the idiots they have selling cars.

 

[George R]

I have a 90 Dodge 3/4 ton 4X4.
It has the original dash, original door panels, original steering box, and original ball joints in it still. 207,000 miles.
Who said this stuff wears out prematurely?

 

[inkjunkie]

Don't think you have quite the sun intensity in CT as there is in Texas.....that might explain the dash & door panel comment....

 

[Michaeluser]

My 2003 went through a steering box, the dash was cracked all to sh*t and the ball joints were okay. I sold it and bought a new 2500, CTD. So far great.

 

[Arco440]

Hey i have a 2006 dodge mega cab 2500 diesel last year for the 5.9l.i have 75 thousand have towed all over 3 times toed to KY out Sturgis SD ans tons of local towing.my 06 has held up well.My only ***** about my dodge truck would be seats suck.
No durability.They rip on the seat side that faces the door.

 

[mullinax95]

I changed a bunch of windshields in trucks and cars and the worst dash i have ever seen was in a 2003 Dodge Ram. It was bad! It wasnt cracked ....it was gone. However I have a 2003 Ram and the dash is fine. What gives? We have to be very careful with Dodge trucks to make sure we dont damage them even worse. The older Dodge trucks dont have that problem.

I went to a auto fair and all the attention was on the Dodge trucks. There wasnt anyone checking out the Chevy trucks...Ford had a few. If I didnt have a Ram I would go to a Ford ...that would be my second choice.