DRam11

"Honey, I think we should buy a new pickup."

Trouble is, I really like my '97 12 valve. With 155,000+ on the clock it does need a little attention - new clutch, throwout bearing, etc., shocks, some front end work - all scheduled for the next few weeks. Figure maybe $600 - $1,000. The body in good shape, just a few scratches in the paint. Interior is great. And the tires only have 15,000 or so on them.

I'm so happy with it I haven't even kept up with what's going on in the Dodge diesel world. What's the word on the new ones in terms of reliability, power, fuel economy, etc.?

What would you do in the same situation?

Common

Keep your truck.

wurkenman

I agree, a 97 12V that's just barely broke in. Put some money in the old girl. Give her a face lift and a makeover. But hey it's your world and you have to live in it

Hvytrkmech

As previously stated, keep it. A mortgage free truck is a beautiful thing.


Tim

dieselfuelonly

If you get rid of it you're gonna miss it. Though theres no way I could afford a new truck in the first place, if I had the choice between a brand new 3rd gen or a used 12v, I'd take the 12v for sure.

Just put some of that money that you would be paying for a new truck into your 97 and get it all fixed up.

chaikwa

Oh. Is that all? I was expecting to read, "Honey, let's grab a few beers and go upstairs."

Naaa, stick with the truck ya got.

chaikwa.

HOHN

I was expecting to read "Honey, I'm late-- no, I'm late."

06RAM2500

At the vary least you can test drive a few trucks, new or a little older w/ different options and see what you think.

RAMRODD

Nothing wrong with getting a new truck. Especially if you can keep the old one

rebel_horseman

Look at it this way, with the price of everything going up nowadays and the economy in a slowdown, what's more cost effective; dropping a few grand on your '97 to get it right, or a $40k truck note?

Heck I'd love to have a new common raill, but my old 1st Gen is paid off, gets good fuel mileage, is easily and cheaply bombable, is paid off, and can do everything a new truck can do. And I only have $6k tied up in her so far.

Plus you don't need an electrical engineering degree to work on your '97.

Desert Dually

yeah, what he said! trust me, the "mortgage" payments on my truck are savage, and i've got 5 more years worth of them! Yikes!

TonyB

Personally, I'd keep the 12V. I'd also look into some mods for a little more HP/TQ, then maybe some paint, or whatever else is needed.

I would NOT buy any of the 6.7 motors though. They still have not fixed the DPF system on my neighbors truck. They can't seem to get it right.

Tony

madhat

Keep yours, and buy her a new one...

2500

yikes.... another vote for keeping your 97 12v

don't go backwards!

really happy with my 97 12v... running 50% ATF and motor oil with no problems. try that with a 6.7...

chipmonk

run as fast as you can, and get a new 6.4 PSD! just kidding, another vote for keeping the old truck.