'06 Ram

[Hermansdiesel]

I just saw an '06 Ram the other day for the first time. I dam nearly cried when I saw the dash. That new dash is butt ugly( have a look at the pic). The front end doesn't leave me impressed either, looks like a Durango/Dakota. All I can say is I'm glad I got an '05.

 

[67guzzler]

I'm not so sure about the front end either but I love the new dash. The main reason for the change to the dash was to accommodate the new generation of radios including the next gen very large screen NAV units... .



To each is own I guess.

 

[nickleinonen]

i don't like the plastic wood on the dash... why are they bringing that back???

 

[Jengle]

The new dash don't bother me too much. Now that fake wood, that has to go. Even some cheap plastic in brushed aluminum would be better.

 

[MultiSmith]

I do not care for the chiseled look of the new grill. I don't mind the dash but I too could do without the wood. Perhaps brushed stainless \ titanium would of been better or even carbon fiber I could of tolorated... but wood?? I'm really going to miss the 03-05 front-end. Thats ok I'll just buy a used 03 in another two years

 

[67guzzler]

Ok, Ok. I'm onboard with you guys -- I hate the wood too.



I was thinking more about the layout. I love the new layout.



Do you have to get the wood or is that part of the Laramie package or something?

 

[TowRig]

I don't like the wood either, BUT the Sport package does not have it.



#ad

 

[dpatt67]

I love the dash and the front end, but still bought an 05 to save the dough.

 

[yogibear]

Heck, I like the dash, front, top, bottom and even the *** end!!!!

 

[Bagger]

I can't remember the last time I saw ugly like that. I'm not rationalizing my '05 purchase. The simple fact is, the '06 is a friggin' ugly truck. This is traumatic.

 

[cwcox]

I can deal with the wood- ok diversion from the yard of gray plastic in new interiors. The fact that the dash shape mimics the grille does NOT impress me. I'm glad they make room for a bunch of video screen junk, but no room for gauges. Almost everybody runs a boost/pyro combe- Dodge would it kill you to throw in a factory one?

Front end is THE MOST WRETCHED concoction I have ever been molested by. Perhaps an unfortunate mating of an Edsel and a Pontiac Aztec. Wrong. ALL WRONG.

And the headlamps! What are they thinking? If I wanted some asian import looking freakmobile, I'd go get a Hyundai or Kia. I want a truck. One that LOOKS like a truck. Dodge could have saved a whole pile of money with this new design: they should have just made the headlamps 3-4 inches longer and they could have eliminated the front fenders altogether.

Dodge- if you are reading this, go for a ride on the highway. Wait till a new Super Duty shows up in your mirror. Look intimidating? That's how the Ram USED to look to folks. Now it looks like a cartoon character. You had better wise up fast!

 

[Bagger]

Front end is THE MOST WRETCHED concoction I have ever been molested by. Perhaps an unfortunate mating of an Edsel and a Pontiac Aztec. Wrong. ALL WRONG.

You had better wise up fast!

I could not have said this any better. Edsel crossed my mind earlier today, but I could not think of its mate. The Aztec fits perfectly. Bottom line is this truck makes the Edsel and the Aztec look doggone appealing!

 

[DavidTD]

Penny and I went Friday and drove new 06 GM and Dodge. I agree with everyone here about the looks of the Dodge... until I saw it in person.



The truck we drove was a 3500 4x4 Laramie, Red with Gray leather. I hated the pictures of this truck, but IMO it was the best looking new Dodge to date in person. Of course we all know looks is purely subjective, but I loved this truck in person.

 

[Vaughn MacKenzie]

Saw one in person Saturday, I agree about the ugly dash. It is grossly out of proportion with the instrument panel, way too fat and adorned with acres of cheap faux wood. The worst thing is the vents are not trimmed, just molded in. How weak is that? They are screaming for brushed aluminum bezels or something.



Many models of finer cars nicely integrate a large nav screen into their consoles, Dodge could have tried a little harder.



The front end is easier on my eyes than the dash, but definitely took a turn in the wrong direction just like the Dakota did. Don't care for the insect eyes.



Vaughn

 

[cyborg]

Don't care for the insect eyes. Vaughn

Styling que's from chevy,

Why copy ugly? Who knows... .



Maybe the 4th gens will be better.

 

[gsbrockman]

I don't like the wood either, BUT the Sport package does not have it.



#ad

I took those pics !

The 2500's and 3500's also don't have that hideous-looking GM tailgate piece on them, too... . only the 1500's.



Greg

 

[05mxdiesel]

The 06 makes want to go out and buy a couple more 05 or older Dodges. Who knows what the future will pan out for us, electric hybrids, computer controlled everything scares me and our freedom. Pretty soon every car will have a speed alerts to the nearest cop.

 

[LDobie]

One good thing that I'm wondering about is if the 48RE is now offered with BOTH the Tow/Haul and O/D Off as the 545RFE in the Hemi 'quipped trucks are??

 

[Radman]

I can't remember the last time I saw ugly like that. I'm not rationalizing my '05 purchase. The simple fact is, the '06 is a friggin' ugly truck. This is traumatic.

... yep, what bagger said!

 

[ohnoitsyu]

I can't remember the last time I saw ugly like that. I'm not rationalizing my '05 purchase. The simple fact is, the '06 is a friggin' ugly truck. This is traumatic.

Too funny! You consider the looks of a vehicle traumatizing? You must be older than me to be that easily affected by little things such as the styling on a truck you don't/wouldn't own. My father can be that way. He gets so wound up even over the most irrelevant things (meaning things that really don't affect his life).



To each his own, of course.



I've been looking at buying a 2500 since the 3rd gens came out, but never really cared for them that much, after really liking my 2nd gen. I was really close to just getting a 2005 model. But once I saw the 06 design, I felt that they were much more aggressively looking. While you guys don't care for the 06, my thought on the 2003-05's headlights is that they look droopy, giving the truck the aggressive look of a bassett hound.



Again, to each his own. Those who have their trucks and are happy with them, will no doubtedly continue to enjoy them. Those of us who get our 06s will no doubtedly enjoy them as well. Eventually!



Speaking of, why has my 06 been sitting in a train yard in Texas since August 5? Any guesses?