Email from San Diego on New Dodge Pickup

[Bill Beers]

Somebody find me a deal on Sprinters.

Regrettably, we'll never get a deal on Sprinters: Dodge, Freightliner or otherwise. As I understand it, because it is cheaper to import "parts" than assembled vehicles, Sprinters are built in Germany, disassembled and shipped over here to SC to be put back together, which has still got to be very expensive.

-Bill

 

[West Coast Mags]

I was shopping for a diesel about a month back and none of the brands or dealers was dealing on anything with a diesel. But anything with a gas motor they were going really deep. Avondale Nissan was doing crew cab v8 titans 4x4s for $14000 which was half off sticker and they were nicely equipped packages. So half off sticker on most gas trucks seemed to be pretty legit.

 

[00dog]

I would argue the 2008 Ram 1500 4x4 with the 4.7L V8 is an awesome value right now. The 4.7L V8 is the upgraded version and the Ram underwent several key improvements in the last couple several production years.

I'll look forward to checking out the new 09 too, but I really liked the 07-08.

What were these "key improvements"? I have an 06 diesel and all I can tell is they changed the lights in 07. The diesel drivetrain changed in 07.5 but for the worse, IMO.

 

[mrblond]

What were these "key improvements"? I have an 06 diesel and all I can tell is they changed the lights in 07. The diesel drivetrain changed in 07.5 but for the worse, IMO.

For the worse, how so?

 

[00dog]

For the worse, how so?

I'm referring to the engine on this. The 07.5 has more displacement, 6.7 vs. 5.9, and uses a bunch more fuel (I hear about 3MPG worse on average) because of all of emissions equipment. That equipment is causing a lot of trips to the dealership (check engine lights, turbo sooting up, etc.) They are running cleaner but at a huge expense. I'm sure at some point they'll have it so they can be clean, efficient, and reliable at the same time, but the technology (for the price) isn't there yet. I find that with blending biodiesel into my #2, I can run a very clean mixture (my truck barely makes any smoke) and it is completely reliable, while getting the same MPG, if not better, than my old Pathfinder (it is way heavier, bigger, and can tow more too).