4500/5500 purchase from bankrupt Chrysler?

[JWey]

I am on my third Dodge Ram Diesel. I need to get a heavier (GCVW) towing truck and would love to buy a 4500 or 5500 for my needs. I am hesitant to buy a Dodge with the situation they are in financially. The only other alternative in my mind is a Ford F450 or 550. I am very reluctant to go that way since I don't trust the 6. 4 yet. I know nobody knows how this will all play out, but what are the scenarios possible for a person who buys a new Dodge a few months before Chrysler goes under (if that does in fact happen)? My concerns are warranty issues, parts, aftermarket parts producers, etc... Some of these concerns carry over to folks who currently own Dodge's, new or used. I know that no one can really give a definitive answer, just curious about your thoughts. Not sure if it is OK to post this here. If the moderator needs to move it, fine with me, thought I'd stick it here since it is about the 4500/5500. Thanks!

 

[macdaddy]

Ill go first... ... ... ... .....



Not sure of the weight your talking but one thing is for sure.....



That 05 you have is a gem. Ever thought of an DRW conversion?



Mac

 

[HBarlow]

I am on my third Dodge Ram Diesel. I need to get a heavier (GCVW) towing truck and would love to buy a 4500 or 5500 for my needs. I am hesitant to buy a Dodge with the situation they are in financially. The only other alternative in my mind is a Ford F450 or 550. I am very reluctant to go that way since I don't trust the 6. 4 yet. I know nobody knows how this will all play out, but what are the scenarios possible for a person who buys a new Dodge a few months before Chrysler goes under (if that does in fact happen)? My concerns are warranty issues, parts, aftermarket parts producers, etc... Some of these concerns carry over to folks who currently own Dodge's, new or used. I know that no one can really give a definitive answer, just curious about your thoughts. Not sure if it is OK to post this here. If the moderator needs to move it, fine with me, thought I'd stick it here since it is about the 4500/5500. Thanks!

If you need or want a new Ram 4500/5500 go buy one. All the discussion about impending BK or financial meltdown of Chrysler doesn't mean squat to an owner or potential owner. Chrysler is not going to disappear. The new socialist government will continue to prop it up to take care of the labor unions.

Even if production of Dodge Ram trucks should end in a few years it won't matter to me or you. The engine was manufactured by Cummins and the transmission by Aisin. They will continue to be supported. Aftermarket parts suppliers will pick up the slack and produce replacement parts for the Ram for many years into the future. Free market capitalism works everytime it is left alone. Entrepreneurs will see the opportunity to make a profit manufacturing or importing parts for our Dodge Rams.

 

[Gary - K7GLD]

A possible alternative, depending upon your specific weight capacity needs, might be the Ford 650 class with the optional Cummins engine and a pretty decent transmission to back it up. Ford so far is looking in fairly decent shape, and it doesn't hurt to explore all options - I bet the truck Fleet sales manager at a dealership near you would just LOVE to give you a good price on one!



A relatively local GM dealer was offering brand new trucks in that class, complete with nice dump beds down in the $45K range - but of course, that's a whole 'nother kettle of fish... :-laf

 

[JWey]

Thanks for the comments!

 

[AABEN]

YES buy one . When DODGE was in trouble before I bought a new DODGE truck. I would like to think that help them stay going. Like the man said it a CUMMINS eng. Aisin transmission GO FOR IT.

 

[AKaiser]

Buy the Dodge. UAW, corporate and Fiat are going to make this work. There's a reason why Washington gave GM 2x the time it did Chrysler to fix things. I'd be more worried about GM than Chrysler. Fiat is working two deals at the same time (Opel, which is currently part of GM is the other deal, though the Opel deal looks unlikely) and Chrysler and Fiat are a good mix, as neither is competing against the other. We have the bigger stuff, they have the smaller stuff.

 

[RVTRKN]

I am on my third Dodge Ram Diesel. I need to get a heavier (GCVW) towing truck and would love to buy a 4500 or 5500 for my needs. I am hesitant to buy a Dodge with the situation they are in financially. The only other alternative in my mind is a Ford F450 or 550. I am very reluctant to go that way since I don't trust the 6. 4 yet. I know nobody knows how this will all play out, but what are the scenarios possible for a person who buys a new Dodge a few months before Chrysler goes under (if that does in fact happen)? My concerns are warranty issues, parts, aftermarket parts producers, etc... Some of these concerns carry over to folks who currently own Dodge's, new or used. I know that no one can really give a definitive answer, just curious about your thoughts. Not sure if it is OK to post this here. If the moderator needs to move it, fine with me, thought I'd stick it here since it is about the 4500/5500. Thanks!

Why worry, Obama is the all knowing and all telling, hold your hand because your too stupid to figure it out. That is part of the deal, Obama stated that the tax payers will be your warranty if they go BK. The 4500/5500 C&C is a great truck and if it wasn't for the economy it would start to take a lot of market share from Ford. I own a 07 3500 C&C and would buy another even with Dodge on the bubble. Remember, if you wait too long then you wont have a choice if they fail, that means a F650 W/Cummins would be the only way you can get a medium duty truck with a cummins. Your other option would be a Duramax

 

[burnin oil]

Or my joice would be foriegn by that point. Isuzu, Nissan, or Mitsubishi all make awesome diesel trucks. F650s are not that great and have Cummins with less HP than the dodges and there definatly will not be an anemic Duramax in the Drive!

 

[RVTRKN]

Or my joice would be foriegn by that point. Isuzu, Nissan, or Mitsubishi all make awesome diesel trucks. F650s are not that great and have Cummins with less HP than the dodges and there definatly will not be an anemic Duramax in the Drive!

Isuzu = Duramax

 

[JWey]

Thanks Guys,

I have considered the japanese stuff briefly but the only 4wd is too light GCVW for my needs. Mitsubishi makes it. I may end up going with the Dodge. I suppose none of the manufacturers are guaranteed to stay in business. Might hang on to my current truck for a few months to see how things play out. Thought I might get a better deal if I buy now while things are slow for the dealers. Keep the comments coming if you like!! Thanks again.

JWey

 

[FFeiller]

i wish i was in a position to buy a new dodge right now, i'd jump on it. i'm looking at a year for my second truck. i like my 08 5500 and won't be getting rid of it. need a 3500 pickup