Overview:
This week we’re looking at the 2007 Dodge Ram 1500 Sport. I suspect if you intend to buy a pickup truck you are not concerned with fuel economy but rather there is a business purpose – and your business is profitable enough that you don’t care about the cost at the pump. Why because you’ll pay your favorite Uncle in Washington DC 34% income tax and about 9% to the state of California, for example. Some states are less or nothing at all. Now the way I figure it, for every $100,000 of income I’ll be taxed $43,000. So why not let my Uncle pay for the gas for my inefficient vehicle – after all they made the problem so they simply won’t get as much in income tax.
On the other hand if I’m an individual my tax rate is probably much less so I should buy a Toyota Prius or some other such fuel stingy car.
For the businessman who needs a truck the tax considerations are good enough reason to buy this gas unconscious truck because it has the power and torque (375 ft. lbs.) to pull a house through a swamp. The way the government spends money why give it more to (pardon the expression) piss away. “Suppose you were an idiot; and suppose you were a congressman; but then I repeat myself.” – Mark Twain. Mr. Twain, some things never change and after you died in 1910 our congress only got worse. Twain may have used many more expletives to describe the senators of today if he were alive, so I can think of a few for him – wanna hear them? &%#@ and ^+#@%.
General Info:
Parts – U.S/ Canadian 72%, Mexico 16%
Assembly – Fenton, Missouri
Class: -Standard Pickups
Cars: – Avenger, Caliber, Caravan, Charger, Dakota, Durango, Magnum, Nitro, Ram 15, 25 &3500, Sprinter Van, Sprinter Wagon and Viper.
Wow, trucks and other “things ain’t what they used to be – and probably never was” – Will Rogers. And that fact that things are different was reaffirmed when I took this unassuming race car over my favorite mountain course I refer to as the Crest Test. It was an amazing experience in this Ram 1500 mostly because the results were unexpected. It was like a mountain goat. Ram … goat.
Jack be nimble Jack be quick because it sports a 345 horsepower V8 that is wonderfully responsive.
Styling:
Dodge has tried by advertising to create in our minds an image of tough. Ford and Chevrolet do the same and now that the Japanese are getting into the BIG pick up truck market they also must tell us how tough they are. Consider Toyota Tundra and Nissan’s Titan that are two new additions to the 100 year old truck market.
Aside from being tough, if indeed it is, it is a nice looking truck as well. I’ve got the big dualee Ram 3500 which is also distinctively Dodge.
Fit and Finish:
Very good. Remember the days when cars were put together with bailing wire and chewing gum? Those days are fairly far behind us and today’s cars generally are put together very well. Seams are more exacting and tolerances are closer and thus the end product is far superior to cars produced just 30 years ago.
Cost:
Not bad stripped down, but the tricked out version is pricey.
Conveniences and comfort:
Well, considering my 1955 Ford ½ ton pickup had a radio (AM only), 4 wheels, an engine and transmission I didn’t even think about the roll up windows. Most cars in those days had power windows as an option. Today they are expected as standard equipment on all cars and even trucks are tricked out like a luxury sedan or SUV.
This Ram will seat 3 with the 40/20/40 split bench seat and two without it.
Consumer Recommendation:
My 1955 Ford, like this Dodge Ram, had no back seat. Of course a back seat was just as unthinkable then as it is unthinkable NOT to have one today. I surely would never consider a pick up truck without a rear seat. Likely a crew cab because the small ½ door rear seat entrance on my Ram 3500 isn’t real practical. It is simply too restricting and I find it impossible to think of any occasion where a rear seat wouldn’t be of use. I have to tell you I’ve been very happy with my Ram 3500 and on the ranch it totes a ton or more of hay without even breaking a sweat.
Recognized Competition:
Dodge Ram 1500 $21-41,000, Honda Ridgeline $28-35,000, Ford F150 $18-36,000, Chevrolet Silverado 1500 $17-38,000, GMC Sierra 1500 $17-41,000, Toyota Tundra $22-42,000, Nissan Titan $24-38,000.
Good News:
Lots of power and torque to pull a house, relatively comfy even though it tends to hop a bit on cement highways and even though there is no rear seat they did think to provide a convenient storage bin behind the seat.
Bad News:
Without a load it will shake, rattle and roll… actually that is over stated and it is a smooth ride on blacktop. It will burn way too much fuel to accomplish its job.
Standard Equipment:
5.7 liter 345 hp V8 engine, 5-speed automatic trans, rear wheel drive, dual airbags, 4-wheel disc brakes, ABS, power rack and pinion steering, front stabilizer bar, 136 amp alt., 600 amp maintenance free battery, variable intermittent wipers, 26 gallon fuel tank, air conditioning, tilt 4-spoke steering wheel, cruise control, power windows & locks, remote Keyless entry, tachometer, overhead console w/ trip computer, stereo with CD player, behind the seat storage bin, power heated fold away mirrors.
Gas Stats:
$3.21/ Gal avg. June 11 ‘07
for more information
15 City and 19 Highway MPG
Pricing:
MSRP $24,480.
