Positive review of the 09 Ram

[hemiram]

http://www.detnews.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080827/OPINION03/808270303/1121/AUTO

Dodge's approach is refreshing. Designers and engineers admit their previous pickup wasn't perfect. I'll go a step farther and say it was the fifth best light-duty pickup in the market, surviving more on reputation and deep discounts than anything else.

But not anymore: Inside and out, the new Ram is miles ahead of its predecessor in ride, comfort and innovation.

While the Ram always chased the leaders, running third in sales behind the Ford F-150 and Chevrolet Silverado 1500, it's now setting higher standards instead of trying to reach them.

[05ram]

Of all the reviews I've read that one seems to make the most sense.  The past 15 years have been a big pissing contest to see who's 1/2 ton truck can be bigger/haul more.  This is the first time I've seen a redesign that doesn't significantly add to that.  And I agree with the author, if people (like me) need to haul/tow more than a 1/2 ton can handle then they can just buy a HD (like me) truck.

[raman noodles]

We're finally getting back to sensible reality because of gas prices.  You can't sell trucks anymore because yours is bigger and badder, you need it to be a lot better than the others too.

[gman]

We're finally getting back to sensible reality because of gas prices.  You can't sell trucks anymore because yours is bigger and badder, you need it to be a lot better than the others too.

Those bragging rights are what sold trucks for the past 15 years.  Now the market is shifting and we're the last one to the table with a new product.  At least it sounds like it'll be the best one available.

[05ram]

More like we're the first one to the table with a new product.  The new Ram has more HP than the tundra and it looks like the interior will blow the tundra away (have you been in the tundra, for being a jap vehicle the interior is terrible).

[markedman]

My prediction is that the new Ram will sell better than any other chrysler vehicle and will sell better than any other truck.

[Mr Anderson]

His reasoning is exactly why I bought an 02 instead of a new 07.  The new Ram is going to be the best truck on the road.  It doesn't need to tow more than it currently does for me to use it.  I'll be able to afford a new one in a couple years, but I might need to buy a used one.  The mrs and I love this camping thing and we might get a bigger camper next year. 

[NitroNanny]

I don't agree that the Ram is the 5th best truck out there right now.  It was the best in 02 when I bought mine and it's still the best today.  Every single dingleberry that reviews the trucks expects them to be luxury cars.  Well the new Ram is a luxury car, the current one is a truck.  Review the truck as a truck and rate it on it's merits for being a truck.  Too many people bought the tundra thinking it was a real truck only to find out that they can't put more than 40 lbs on the tailgate.  How dumb is that?

[flint]

I don't agree that the Ram is the 5th best truck out there right now.  It was the best in 02 when I bought mine and it's still the best today.  Every single dingleberry that reviews the trucks expects them to be luxury cars.  Well the new Ram is a luxury car, the current one is a truck.  Review the truck as a truck and rate it on it's merits for being a truck.  Too many people bought the tundra thinking it was a real truck only to find out that they can't put more than 40 lbs on the tailgate.  How dumb is that?

I'd put the Powerwagon as number 3 in terms of offroading right behind the jeeps and tacomas.  Yes I said tacomas, those things are great offroaders, almost as good as the old jeep trucks.  The Ram is an impressive vehicle, and you're right nitro, too many columnists that are used to their lexus don't know how to review trucks.  They're part of the reason. 

[dodger098]

How is the powerwagon behind a tacoma?  It's got a winch and lockers and all that stuff.  The only reason the wrangler is ahead of it is because the wrangler is smaller, I don't think you can even get it with a winch from the factory.

[NitroNanny]

How is the powerwagon behind a tacoma?  It's got a winch and lockers and all that stuff.  The only reason the wrangler is ahead of it is because the wrangler is smaller, I don't think you can even get it with a winch from the factory.

x2, the PW beats the tacoma for the simple fact that it can drive over the top of it.

[flint]

It wins because of size.  You can put all those things on the tacoma even though it doesn't come with them from the factory.  It'll fit into more places than the powerwagon, and that means more than having a winch.

[squat]

http://www.detnews.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080827/OPINION03/808270303/1121/AUTO

Dodge's approach is refreshing. Designers and engineers admit their previous pickup wasn't perfect. I'll go a step farther and say it was the fifth best light-duty pickup in the market, surviving more on reputation and deep discounts than anything else.

But not anymore: Inside and out, the new Ram is miles ahead of its predecessor in ride, comfort and innovation.

While the Ram always chased the leaders, running third in sales behind the Ford F-150 and Chevrolet Silverado 1500, it's now setting higher standards instead of trying to reach them.

Good to see someone finally taking the Ram seriously.  Chrysler has too many critics in the automotive news world.  At least we know there's a few people out there that'll take a product and review it without regards to it's brand.

[dodgerider]

http://www.detnews.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080827/OPINION03/808270303/1121/AUTO

Dodge's approach is refreshing. Designers and engineers admit their previous pickup wasn't perfect. I'll go a step farther and say it was the fifth best light-duty pickup in the market, surviving more on reputation and deep discounts than anything else.

But not anymore: Inside and out, the new Ram is miles ahead of its predecessor in ride, comfort and innovation.

While the Ram always chased the leaders, running third in sales behind the Ford F-150 and Chevrolet Silverado 1500, it's now setting higher standards instead of trying to reach them.

Good to see someone finally taking the Ram seriously.  Chrysler has too many critics in the automotive news world.  At least we know there's a few people out there that'll take a product and review it without regards to it's brand.

Ain't that the truth.  I recently talked to an automotive journalist and when they found out I drove a Mopar they acted pretty snobbish to me.  Chrysler has really dug itself into a hole over the past decade, well I suppose Diamler dug that hole.  But people like the journalist that I talked to won't be swayed for years.  It'll take many years of new products like the 09 Ram out to get Chrysler out of that hole and I hope they do.  I'm proud to drive a mopar, and everyone else should be to.

[95concord]

I hope this truck is good, I hope it helps to turn around chrysler's image of being a manufacturer of poor quality.  But I also hope that this new truck is so damn expensive that only the people that really need a truck can buy it.