During the last week or so I had a chance to drive a 2003 Dodge 2500, HD with HO Cummins w/M6 transmission. I posted my impressions on another site and I have copied them here. I've rechecked our Forum Rules and believe these copied posts are okay. Because these are my first posts on the TDR, I may have erred somewhere. I apologize in advance if I have violated any rules anywhere and readily accept any appropriate chastisement. The two posts must be posted separately because they are too long when posted together. My second post is copied below. I was not a member of TDR at the time of the original posts.
Today, I had a test drive in the 2003 Dodge Ram at Dave Smith Motors in Kellogg, Idaho. Dave Smith appears to have about a hundred new 2003 Dodge trucks in stock; half ton thru one ton models. The one I drove was a Heavy Duty, 2500, 4WD, Extra Cab, Cummins High Output (HO) Diesel w/6 speed manual trans. The sales rep who took me for the ride is named Greer Hamphill. Before I give my impressions of this truck, it is important to me that I make the following declaration: 1) I have no financial or other interest in Dave Smith Motors or in Daimler Chrysler Corp; 2) I have absolutely no brand loyalties in trucks or pretty much anything else. I always purchase what I believe is the best overall "deal" for me at any given time; 3) I test drove a GMC/Duramax/Alisson about 2 years ago and was very much impressed with the power, handling, ride, fit and finish of that truck; 4) My current vehicle is a '96 Chevy, Ext Cab, C2500 w/ Auto Trans and 5700 Vortec engine. My Chevy has been a great and inexpensive vehicle to run. It has been reliable and essentially maintenance free these last 6. 75 years; Currently has 83,000 miles; 5) I have little or no interest in "Juicing" or otherwise modifying any new vehicle to go faster than the law currently allows. "Stock" is good enough for me, although I might add a new stereo(unless it comes with a Bose system already) and I will have a "spray-in" liner(probably Rhino, as in my current Chevy) applied to the bed.
Having said all of the above, here is my impression of the new Dodge 3/4 ton 4WD: It looks like all other Dodge Trucks. There may have been some small modifications to the outside but it still looks like a Dodge. Some like it, some don't. I think it looks okay. I have not yet decided whether I like the look of the new four door configuration. Size wise, the interior appears to be somewhere between the size of my extra cab Chevy and the Chevy Crew Cab. I am six feet and 200lb and ride okay(not good)in the back seat of the Dodge. I could use a little more leg room. The interior of the Dodge is very nice and all controls on the dash are intuitive and conveniently within reach. The cloth, bucket-like seats were most comfortable. There was ample and comfortable leg room for my 6' frame. I could do without the white background gauges but white or black is not a big deal. Like all new trucks, the body was tight and quiet(no rattles, squeeks or clunks) on a very rough road Dave Smith uses just for these kinds of "ride" trials. There were no obvious air leaks around the windows or four doors. The ride was "solid" without being rough. The wheels seemed to want to stay on the ground all the time instead of bouncing sideways when on the rough road in tight corners(that's as good as I can do in describing the ride). The interior of the cab was very quiet at 80mph on the Interstate. Couldn't hear the engine, fan or any outside air noises. I was much impressed with the ride of the vehicle and absence of outside noises. The 6 speed manual transmission was a joy to shift. I havn't "driven" a manual transmission in about 20 years and missed only one shift today(I went from sixth to third when I wanted to go from sixth to fifth gear). The shift pattern was a little tight but I got used to it very quickly. There were no shakes, grinding, thunking or clunking when shifting-just smooth, effortless shifting. I had a blast. The clutch was likewise a joy to use; It is probably the best feeling clutch I have EVER used(I know this is a strong statement, and it is not an exaggeration). It depresses very easily and when engaging, it is "easy" and smooth. One does not feel like he is engaging 555 ft. lbs of torque. The feel of the accelerator pedal is quite natural; neither too hard nor too soft. The engine's response to the accelerator is immediate and directly proportional to the pedal effort. There is no hesitation and no "flat" spot in the engine's response curve. There was no waiting for the turbo to wind up (I have read about "turbo wind-up" in some Diesel engines and know what the effect is but do not know what causes that effect). The more "gas" you give the Cummins the faster it goes. There are no unwanted surprises when giving it "the gas".
Dodge has gone to a newer recirculating ball steering system and it feels a little more sensitive than my Chevy. I think I might like the Dodge feel better than my Chevy feel. The Dodge turns in a very small circle. The salesman told me it is now the smallest circle in the industry for similiar trucks. I believe him, even without having driven the "similar" trucks. The engine compartment is neatly organized and looks good. The Cummins appears to have cylinders 4,5 and 6 under the dash cowling so working on these three cylinders after the warranty expires could be pretty expensive. I did not look for the location of the fuel or oil filters to determine how easy or difficult they might be to change.
This new Dodge also has four wheel ABS disc brakes and they are massive units. I do not know how they compare in size to those in the Chevy/GMC heavy Duty 3/4 ton vehicles, but these units are very large and stout. Today's truck had a 9,000 lb GVWR. I do not know its towing capacity with the 3. 73 rear axle. Suffice it to say these brakes stop the truck very quickly and confidently.
Now, the new Cummins Diesel. This is the High Output(HO) version of their Diesel. It has a published 305 hp and 555 ft. lb of torque. Is it faster than the Duramax? Does it pull better than the Duramax? Heck, I do not know or care. But this is one heck of a powerful, quiet Diesel engine. Is it as quiet as the Duramax? Again, I do not know(have not seen sound level "db" readings for either engine). Nor do I care. They are both very quiet for Diesel engines. I do know the salesman and I could carry on a normal conversation standing three feet from the truck with the engine running and the engine compartment open. It appeared to be a little louder than my 5700 Vortec in the same situation.
Overall, my impression of this 2003 Dodge 3/4 ton, 4WD is obviously very positive. We can nit-pick some of the interior and exterior designs and appointments and argue our preferences. I'll agree to that with most vehicles. The ride of this new Dodge truck is excellent. The drive train is smooth, effortless and quiet. The engine is smooth, quiet and strong. I believe Dodge has a winner on its hands. Because I have a "gimpy" left leg, getting into and out of the truck is an important consideration in any purchasing decision. This new Dodge truck appears to be an inch or two closer to the ground than in previous years. Could be my imagination but it seems easier to get in and out of this Dodge than the ones from the last two or three years.
I will purchase a new pickup in the next year or so. The only two contenders today are Chevy/GMC and Dodge.
None of this opinion should be interpreted as a criticism of any other vehicle(s). I did not intend to compare vehicles. I am just offering my opinion of this new 2003 Dodge w/Cummins Diesel, based on a mix of rough-road and Interstate driving conditions today.
Best Wishes,
JohnM
Attention: TDR Forum Junkies 
Afterall, you should have been honored to buy *their* truck. 
Nothing peeves me more than those pop-up window stickers some dealerships put on the windows, wherein they add several thousand dollars to the price of a vehicle, just because. It's insulting. 
God bless the TDR and internet, which educates us, the consumer, about what these vehicles cost and how much we *should* pay for them. 
