OK, I have a 1990 F-250 and I love it, but it is getting old. I want to buy a new truck, and here is what I am looking at:

Ford F-250 2wd regular cab long bed w/ 5.4 XLT = ~$32K MSRP. can supposedly get this for under 30K total "out the door" (tax license, etc included)

Dodge Ram 1500 2wd regular cab short bed w/ 5.7 SLT = ~$27K MSRP. Dodge deals quite a bit, after rebates its already at 24K plus whatever I deal, I probably get out the door around 26 or 27K all said and done. definitely tempting.

Ford F-150 2wd regular cab short bed w/ 5.4 XLT = ~$27K MSRP. not sure if I can deal with this one since they sell so darn well. I know Dodge needs to move trucks so I can get that for cheapest probably.

My questions are: Can I realistically get a 2wd XLT Superduty for under 30K all said and done? I would prefer that vehicle, but I need to stay within my budget. Secondly, what are the pros of F-150 over Ram, and Ram over F-150. I'm sorry to say this but the looks of the Ford are just not as good. The Superduty beats 'em both but the Ram 1500 looks really good to me. Thanks for your help guys, I'm tearing hair out over this!

 

i would get the f-150. if you're getting a superduty, i think you need to at least get the v10 or psd to move it around. i do kinda like the looks of the ram a little bit more than the f-150 (gasp!) but i like the ford truck overall alot better

 

You should probably be able to get the F250 for between 26 and 27K easily. My truck (2003 F250) was $25,800 retail and I got it for $19,700 without doing any bargaining.

 

I would go with the super duty with the 5.4. they have upped the hp to 300 and you should be able to get it alot cheaper then 32k you can get a 4x4 for 32k.

 

Try to find a left over 04 model. They were offering up to $10k in rebates and such in my local area on left over models.

 

I would get a F150 because of the storage behind the seat. It has the 2 extra doors and you can put groceries and luggage in out of the weather and still carry 3 people. I bought my 04 regular cab short bed 5.4 w/3.73 4X4 and loaded. Sticker was $31,010 and after discounts and rebates, I actually paid $22,549.

 

you can get a really nice gm for 30k out the door. 300hp doesn't push the heavier ford like it does in a gm. i would go with a bigger motor if i were to get the 250 and i think resale value would hold better on the bigger motor.

also if i were you, i would investigate the transmissions on the dodge further before buying one because if it has 40k on it you only get to drive it for 40-50k before planning on a transmission from what i have both seen and heard. just my .02

 

if i were you, id go and test drive them and make your own opinion, it all depends what you like

 

does the Ram have a Hemi?

 

The 5.7 is the Hemi. A short bed, 2wd, reg cab Hemi Ram will be a quick little truck.


Best as always.

 

your right about that my 04 Hemi quad cab has ran a best of 13.99 my time slip and mods are in my gallery

 

If the Ram is a 1500 then the Hemi is fine. Ram 2500/3500s with Hemis are gutless wonders though. I've towed a few times with a 2500 Hemi 4x4 and even 3000lbs to 4000lbs of weight behind the truck keeps it revving out of OD up around 4000rpm just to maintain speed on the slightest hills. Made me wonder where the 340(?) HP was at. My truck's rated at only 310hp and most of the time it feels like it's not even working hard at 2000rpm to 2500rpm to move double that weight.

That's the bad thing about Dodge right now-if you want a 3/4 or 1 ton you pretty much have to get a diesel becuase the Hemi is gutless at moving weight. Dodge doesn't currently make a 400lb-ft+ torque producing gas engine like GM and Ford (Unless you get an SRT10).

But really, if you are just looking for a 2wd town truck to drive around on the pavement and don't plan to tow or haul much the Ram 5.7 will be a good truck for you. The build quality is definitely better than the last generation Ram and most of the guys with Ram 1/2 tons I know seem to like them.

 

Well, that Ram 1500 sure is tempting! 13.99 with a FOUR door? Dang, what would a 2 door shortbed run? And do you have the 17" or 20" rims? I like the look of the 20s and the fact that they put in 3.92s with those.

However, my conscience is slapping me around because I'm a FORD man through and through. I want to at the very least drive the F-150 before saying no, even if it does look terrible. I could always replace those ugly rims or something.

Furthermore, I'm 19 years old and when I drop this much on a truck I want the thing to last. Something tells me the Ford is a more solid offering in general, although I could always get the Chrysler 7/70,000 warranty like we did with our van, so when the tranny went at 50K it was free. The second has lasted to 120K so far.

Lastly, my dream truck the Superduty: I really need to look into this, because thats what I would really like. I would have to order it though, because here in CA they don't order ANY XLT regular cab longbeds. They're all extended or quad cab and the only thing you can get in regular cab long bed is a bare-bones XL work truck. If I didn't love power windows I'd go for it, cause they sure are cheap, but the XLT just plain looks and feels better in my opinion. Plus, am I getting gouged cause I'm in CA? Man, I need to do some research. Thanks for the help, guys. Any other ideas?

 

I have 20's on it and thats what it ran that time with I don't beleive in changing part just to have better times I want to know that my truck is capable of running that time at any time I like. Some people put 17's with slicks, but put their stock wheels on once they get home.(whats the point of that? you don't drive down the street on slicks)

 

I gotta admit those Hemis sound nice. What exhaust you runnin?