Please Don't Hate Me

[RedRider]

Greetings all. First, let me start by saying that I have found this board to be probably the most informative automotive board on the net. The information and users make this a great site. I've been hanging around here for a while trying to gain as much info and insight as possible with regards to the Titan. This info was invaluable when taking test drives and talking to dealers. But, after taking a different test drive this weekend, I ended up buying a 2004 Dodge Ram 1500 Quad Cab 4x4 SLT (Hemi). The dealer gave me a price I couldn't refuse. Please don't be mad, I really wanted a Titan. But the vibe I was getting from my dealer didn't feel right. When I asked about the brakes, the salesman told me if there was really a problem there would be a recall. Then, when I wanted to get invoice price on an XE King Cab 4x4, he told me that he really couldn't do that and that Titans needed a little profit on them. This is at the end of the year with Titans on the lot from months back. After reading numerous posts on the board about problems and dealer excuses, I didn't want the headache. When I drove the Dodge and the brake pedal was right at the top and pushing down a quarter inch alsmost put me through the windshield, I knew it was the truck for me. I think the Titan is a great truck, I like all trucks as a matter of fact. But for me, I really didn't feel I would have the support of the dealer and that's is more worrysome than any minor problems. I hope we all have great luck with our trucks, regardless of make. I'm not saying one is better than the other. In this case it came down to the dealer. Peace.

[TitanBrian]

Roger, RedRider. Gotta be happy with your decision. Reminds me of a song from back in my long haired days, "if you can't be with the one you love, love the one you're with!".

That Nissan dealer could definitely have played ball on pricing. They all make money on an invoice sale. Period. It did show a lack of flexibility on their part and it's probably not in your best interest over the long haul to deal with them. I bought my truck from an out of state dealer so I have no sales/service dealer loyalty or future at all. My service issues will be handled by the local, bozo dealerships. Not looking forward to it but I might be surprised and find they are better to work with than the sales departments. I sincerely hope that's the case.

Enjoy the Ram. I honestly have nothing at all bad to say about them. Never owned one, but I like to keep an open mind!

Cheers.

[QWIKWHIP]

I was also torn between the Titan and the Ram but over the years between my company vehicles (Jeeps) and some friends Dodge's I have seen far more problems, reliability and dealer issues with Chrysler than I have seen with Nissan. My Nissan dealer has always been great. Good luck with your Ram, it is a nice truck.

[pagerdaddy]

I think you can find bad dealers for all the major brands.
One of the Dodge dealers suggested that we take my
wife's Quest and park it at the mall with the keys in it.

I have dealt with three Nissan dealers in my area. There
is only one of them that I will go back to trade with. I
haven't bought from them in a couple of years, but they
still send me coupons for accessories, service, etc.

Good luck with your Ram, RedRider, and continue to enjoy
the forum if you still want to. If you stick around, Budman
may not get so lonely!

Steve

[tnbowhunter]

Why should we be mad???
Your the one stuck with the Dodge

[SupraTitan]

Well you get what you pay for. I find your brake evaluation puzzling as my dad has an 04 hemi and the brakes are much more spongy than my titans which also in 10k miles had zero problems with. Also you comment on "all the problems" associated with the titan, apparently you haven't been to the doge board much. I agree Nissan needs work on there dealers. Hope you like your truck, seems like you strictly made your descision based on price, which is fine but its money you would get back in resale value later down the road. Like I said you get what you pay for.

[IMADOGMAN]

Originally Posted by tnbowhunter

Why should we be mad???
Your the one stuck with the Dodge

I can't be slowing down to hate him either....

Actually, I was considering a Dodge (for the horsepower), before the Titan became available...then it was no contest.

[RedRider]

Thanks guys. I'll be popping in from time to time. Like I said before, this is a great board. Thanks for the kind words.

[rholland]

I have he XE CC 2x4, and the brakes are spongy. It takes a lot more pressure applied to the pedal to slow it down than the F-150 I traded in. Will have it checked when I take it in.

[PHOEBISIS]

RedRider,I also came down to Hemi Ram vs Titan.I liked the Ram,it rode,and felt a lot like the Titan.I chose the Titan because I could get Side Curtain ABags on a XE.On the Ram,I couldn't find one with them-though they are an option.
Than Ram is a good looking truck,and Dodge is improving their QC-you'll come out OK.Only real downside is you will get about 1-2 mpg less(despite EPA numbers being so close)-not to big a deal.Luck,Charlie PS Please Come back and let us know your city and HY mpg-I'm very curious about real world mpg.

[joekrz]

As far as the brake thing, that was a TSB not a recall. There is a difference.
As far as any of the other problems they have been minor.

I too considered the Dodge, but I have too many friends that own one and had the transmission dump on them between 30,000 and 50,000 miles. The latest one being my brother-in-law who had to spend $3000 to fix his transmission on his 2001 Dodge with 48,000 miles on it. His truck was bought before they offered the 7yr./70,000 warranty. Maybe Dodge has fixed this problem on the newer ones, but I didn't want to find out.

Good luck with your new truck.

[drags1998]

Hey Red Rider, You got yourself a NICE truck there and dont let ANYONE tell ya different!!!!! I have not purchaced my new TITAN yet,But I will in the next couple of weeks. I have driven Dodges for the last 10 yrs. and NEVER been left stranded. I BEAT the SNOT out of a truck,ANY TRUCK that I own. My current truck (00Dokota 4.7 Auto) is by FAR the best truck I have EVER owned, just gettint rid of it for Tax reasons!!!! Hope you have GREAT LUCK with your new Dodge!!!!

[titanwild]

Yep, agree with most all above, Ram is a great lookin' truck (well, except the nose is way too huge, but I've heard some say they didn't like the Titan front end either)!!
Stop back and let us know how the Ram works out.
See Ya!

[TNTITAN]

Well it may be hard for some of you to slow down with those crappy brakes.......kidding. The Dodge should be a good truck, I just dont think the styling suite me. Also, they are a really big truck. Compared to my 04 Titan, my 04 Chevy has a few noticeable differences. Firstly, the Chevy is a much smoother riding and driving truck, yet has a much less satisfying powertrain. The interior of the Chevy is nicer and the materials are so much better it is ridiculous. I dont have to be paranoid about my any little thing knicking up the plastic. My chevy does not rattle or squeak or make any noise whatsover over even the biggest bumps. Just a hushed silence. I love it. The Bose system is great, and the back seat of the extended cab is much better than the Titan. When backing my 5200lb trailer down a gravel drive the Titan would just lock up and slide, very scary. The chevy just calmly will back it down with out locking up the front wheels. But the truth is that I loved my Titan just as much as I did the Chevy, and that I think you can be happy with any of the trucks out now. They are all impressive machines, each with their strengths and weaknesses.

[rawze]

good luck with the hemi-i like them