New 2015 or used 2006

[Slowmoe]

I have been driving my current 1998.5 dodge for 13 years. It has been a good truck. Had the normal problems nothing major except the injector pump caused by low fuel pump pressure and a transmission rebuild. I am looking at a new tradesman 4wd vs a used 2006 4wd with 95000.00 miles on it. It has the bighorn package, never had a tuner or brake controller on it according to the owner. I cannot make up my mind if the 5.9 would be better than the 6.7. I can get the 06 for 24,000 but its going to need tires before long. Fuel mileage is a factor too. My 98.5 gets 17 to 18 mpg. I am also considering the ford 6.7 diesel but I keep coming back to the dodge. Just looking for opinions, thanks for any recommendations or input. The reason I am upgrading is I need 4wd and extra room.

 

[Regcabguy]

As much as I like my '07,a new '15 tradesman would be nice. I've sat and ridden in some and they sure are nice. The owner's seem very pleased. Interiors,braking and handling are improved.

 

[garrettg84]

Do you plan on modifying it in any way? If you do, avoid the new one with a nice warranty. I've got a 14 I bought new last year. I am very happy with my purchase. The 06 with a few mods will likely be able to get better mileage. The newer truck will likely have more power stock though. Also, if you are considering the newer, make a hard look at a 3500 with the AISIN trans - pretty tough to kill.

Good luck. Either truck will pull better than the Ford =P

 

[Slowmoe]

I do not plan on any mods. My 98.5 is stock.

 

[Cummins12V98]

the 13-15's blow away any of the previous years.

 

[AllianceDiesel]

I own an 06 and Im in love with it but my next pickup will be a 14,15,16 when I can afford one

 

[Joseph Donnelly]

My 2013 gets better mileage than my 2004 did, even after the mods I did to it to help mpg. Even if I found a brand new 2004, I would not get it over my 2013. Performance, comfort, safety, brakes, towing capability all favor the new Rams strongly.

 

[x50v]

I just sold my 06, too many trans problems, was stock except for the exhaust brake. I just got my 14 Mega 2500 Laramie, love the new truck, pulling my new 14 fifth wheel (2,000 lbs heaver) no issues, my 06 did get better fuel mileage, but I would not trade back.

 

[LHarper]

I have been driving my current 1998.5 dodge for 13 years. It has been a good truck. Had the normal problems nothing major except the injector pump caused by low fuel pump pressure and a transmission rebuild. I am looking at a new tradesman 4wd vs a used 2006 4wd with 95000.00 miles on it. It has the bighorn package, never had a tuner or brake controller on it according to the owner. I cannot make up my mind if the 5.9 would be better than the 6.7. I can get the 06 for 24,000 but its going to need tires before long. Fuel mileage is a factor too. My 98.5 gets 17 to 18 mpg. I am also considering the ford 6.7 diesel but I keep coming back to the dodge. Just looking for opinions, thanks for any recommendations or input. The reason I am upgrading is I need 4wd and extra room.

I had a 2005 for nine years and it was the best truck I have owned. Sold it and bought a 2014. Fuel mileage is a little less with the 2014 but the extra features of the 2014 are well worth the difference. I have a 3500 srw with the Aisin and I highly recommend the Aisin. I tow an enclosed car trailer through the hills of Oregon and this truck does not even know it is behind it. I enjoy driving it everyday. Good luck with your choice.

 

[x50v]

I just hope the trans holds up better than the one in my 06

 

[AllianceDiesel]

I just hope the trans holds up better than the one in my 06

My pickup had just over 200,000 on it before a band went bad. And some of that mileage was owned by a college kid. Its all on how you maintain and treat them. Yes there can be other issues but 95% of the trans failures I seen were customer caused

 

[photowrite]

Newer trucks are almost always nicer/more comfortable to drive because of features. And late model used diesels can be very steep $$$ while a new Tradesman can be relatively cheap $$$. I like my '14 Tradesman 2500 so much I've considered selling one of my other pickups and buying a second (so one can have a camper mounted full-time).

 

[Freidhof]

I vote for the new truck. We just traded from an 06 3500 Mega to a 15 3500 Mega.

We bought the 06 used with 90k and ran it 5 years and put another 100k on it, while it was a nice truck and very reliable, it doesn't hold a candle to the 15 on refinement, quietness, and comfort. Even when we first bought the 06 I always felt that fit and finish on that truck was not the greatest, and honestly felt that my 99 was built tighter and more refined than the 06. Probably my biggest complaint was that the drivers door on the 06 leaked air constantly, and no amount of tweeking or weather stripping could fix the problem. Every 06-07 vintage Mega in this area I know of has the same problem. Mechanically it was a very sound truck as to be expected, other than a set of injectors and general maintenance, it was always a very reliable truck, except for the very end with a 4wd electrical gremlin. In regards to the transmission, I had 190k on original, but I maintained it religiously with oil change and band adjustment every 30k, and the truck was bone stock.

The 15 is a lot more quiet, better fit and finish in the cab, no air noise what so ever, and just an all around nicer truck (too be expected right, its new). I got the Aisin, SRW, with 3.42's and it is getting slight better mileage than my 06. Just checked it the other day, and for the 4200 miles that are on it, it has averaged 19.5 ( not hand calc'd) where my 06 would do about 17-17.5, and DEF usage has been nil. Took 2.5 gallon jug at 3000 miles to bring it from half to full.

All and all, I would highly recommend the new truck, we love it.

 

[GBBrown]

I didn't know trannies still had bands, thought they went away years ago.

 

[gsbrockman]

I didn't know trannies still had bands, thought they went away years ago.

No bands in the 68RFE.....and that goes back to 2007.5

 

[AH64ID]

I love my 05, it has more power than the new trucks and does an AMAZING job with everything I throw at it...


That being said if I had the financial option I would have a 2015 QC LB Aisin SRW Air Suspension 4.10 (yeah I know... DIO) in the driveway.

 

[mwilson]

Probably my biggest complaint was that the drivers door on the 06 leaked air constantly, and no amount of tweeking or weather stripping could fix the problem. Every 06-07 vintage Mega in this area I know of has the same problem.

Mine just started doing that very same thing last summer. Had not investigated it. I was blaming it on wind rushing past the tow mirror, it almost sounds the window is open just a crack. Other than that the cab is as tight as the day I bought it new with 45 miles on it.

I'm going to get it out of storage next weekend and I will put that on the spring "to do" list.

Mike.

 

[AH64ID]

Mine just started doing that very same thing last summer. Had not investigated it. I was blaming it on wind rushing past the tow mirror, it almost sounds the window is open just a crack. Other than that the cab is as tight as the day I bought it new with 45 miles on it.

I'm going to get it out of storage next weekend and I will put that on the spring "to do" list.

Mike.

There was a TSB in the 05-06 time frame for new weather seals. I bought them for my 05 and haven't had any issues with wind in the last 95K miles since I installed the upgraded seals.

 

[mwilson]

I remember reading about some issues years back, maybe that includes mine. I have always kept the hinges oiled and there is no sag, drop or latch drag as I recall.

I will do a closer examination when I get it home. It must be getting worse if I can hear it now over the exhaust.............

 

[Gonzo 1066]

I just sold my much modified 2004 because the 2013 does EVERYTHING so much better than the 04 did. Better towing MPG, better handling of the load, better ride etc. I would prefer the heater controls of the 04 but that is it.