Need some help

[buster]

Ok, I love my truck but I'm a bit concerned about two things in the first 3,600 miles or 3 months. They had to re-align the door bc the weather stripping rubs against the door and it toor off. Their is a TSB out and it's a common problem with Rams. Door had to come off. Second thing is the trans every now and then (not too often) bucks a little when going into 3rd gear. Very seldom and not very noticeable. The last thing is minor and that is the plastic on the driver's side door bottome is slightly buckled. Is this a bad sign of things to come?

I know someone that works for Toyota. I'm keeping an eye on the new Taco's. What I was thinking was to just sit tight for a year or two and see what happens. It's under warranty so I'm covered. My other option is to jump out of this truck and go with the Toyota Tacoma. Doesn't have the look and power of the Ram but I doubt I'll have issues like this with it.

 

[ediamiam]

I don't know where the Ram is built, but you are aware that the Tacoma is built in the US, not in Japan? Personally, I don't think build quality is the same in the US, compared to being built in Japan. I have a Frontier, I think built in Tennessee, and there are definitely flaws.

 

[buster]

Yeah, I'm aware of that. I'm happy with this truck but their have been some quirks that have me a bit concerned. Engine is very smooth and hasn't burned a drop of oil yet. I like that.

 

[JohnBrowning]

The first year I owned my Dakota I had to go to the dealer 6 times for recalls and TSB's. Then I had an emsion system failure and an a/c compressor fail.

Now to contrast this my family has owned Toyota's since 1971 and we have only been to the dealership 3 times since 1971. All but one of the those numerious toyotas is still on the road. My dads friends and our family always bought our used Toyota's off of us.

I always told people that the difference in price between a Toyota and a simalar domestic product is not that great if you look long term and factor opertunity cost into the picture. One way or the other you either end up paying $1500-$5000 more up front for quality or you end up paying the same down the road out of waranty on parts and labor to fix the domestic. The alternative is to constantly be in debt because you are always tradeing in and paying a new vechile every 3 years or 120,000 with most domstics!

Before the domestic flame throwers come out of the wood work I want to qualify my statement by saying that I know their are expection but I am speaking of industry standards. J.D. Powers, Wards and a host of other industry stat. tracking company pretty much agree with the above. This is also reflected in resale value.

I also understand that his Dodge is technicly an import.

P.S. Toyota's 1 Ton is on the way. Expect a 390 HP 705 Lb.-ft. of torq. diesel. It is probably going to have a Hino diesel engine and an Aisi 5 spd automatic. Toyota is also bringing a Hino plant to Detroit soon!

 

[oilcan]

My wife had a Dakota and it was not to our liking, lots of little problems, then problems like no brakes etc. One thing we found out as soon as the warrenty is up your SOL. This was the first Dodge that I had been a part owner in and I decided that it would be the last.

I have owned Toyota's and one Nissan and the Nissan was the only truck worse than the Dodge. We went back to driving Chevy and Ford products We have more peace of mind, and less repairs.