Attention: TDR Forum Junkies Just picked up my 07 Mega Cab 3500 SRW from the dealer on Monday.
Spent a few days in it driving 140km per day.
I sold my cherished '99 to get it, so I'll do a bit of a comparison...
What I Like:
1) Steering: BIG BIG BIG improvement over my '99. This 07 steers and tracks as tightly as our Volvo car does. I can't believe the difference. It's TIGHT.
2) Brakes: Another BIG BIG improvement over my '99. The brakes actually feel like they are designed to stop something this big and heavy. Great stopping power.
3) Suspension: Again, much improvement over the 2nd gen trucks IMHO. Back end doesn't dance around nearly as much just feels less squirelly over washboards.
4) The U-Connect option. This is totally kick ***. My absolute favourite feature of the truck, hands down. I do a lot of conference calls, and this makes it so much more pleasurable.
What I don't like:
1) Body Style: OK, I still prefer the stylings of my '99 better. Don't know why - just seemed to have better aesthetics IMHO.
2) Body Panel thickness: Is it just me or do the doors seem significantly more paper-like. It feels like they have really reduced the metal panel thickness and I fear it will dent really easily. Doesn't "feel" solid when I close the door.
3) Rear Wheel wells: They don't build 'em standard with the rear wheel well liners it seems anymore, so I had to buy them as an add-on and have them installed. They are critical to keeping mud and crap out of the rear end frame.
Things I don't necessarily like or dislike:
1) The interior styling: Everything seems more "square" and blocky. Doesn't make it feel as cozy.
2) Quiet Engine: Boy, is this thing ever substantially quieter than my 99 in a big way. OK, I'm really starting to enjoy the quiet driving now. Didn't think I would, be I'm really starting to appreciate it.
3) Engine power band: Stock power band feels a lot more like a gasser. It really has a pulling top end, where my 99 it had the seat of pants feel in the low-mid rpm. The 07 has it at the upper end. Needs more low end torque. Nothing a smarty wouldn't fix.
Overall, the 07 feels like a more refined vehicle, no question about it. The massive improvements in the basic functions like steering and braking can't be overstated enough.
I hated having to sell my '99 - and it's going to take some time to get this one to grow on me, but it's starting to.
If you are coming from the 2nd gen era of these trucks and thinking about moving up - you're really going to notice it in handling and suspension refinement.
I'll post a pic of the new rig tomorrow when I can take a picture when it's light outside.
Cheers,
Shawn
Spent a few days in it driving 140km per day.
I sold my cherished '99 to get it, so I'll do a bit of a comparison...
What I Like:
1) Steering: BIG BIG BIG improvement over my '99. This 07 steers and tracks as tightly as our Volvo car does. I can't believe the difference. It's TIGHT.
2) Brakes: Another BIG BIG improvement over my '99. The brakes actually feel like they are designed to stop something this big and heavy. Great stopping power.
3) Suspension: Again, much improvement over the 2nd gen trucks IMHO. Back end doesn't dance around nearly as much just feels less squirelly over washboards.
4) The U-Connect option. This is totally kick ***. My absolute favourite feature of the truck, hands down. I do a lot of conference calls, and this makes it so much more pleasurable.
What I don't like:
1) Body Style: OK, I still prefer the stylings of my '99 better. Don't know why - just seemed to have better aesthetics IMHO.
2) Body Panel thickness: Is it just me or do the doors seem significantly more paper-like. It feels like they have really reduced the metal panel thickness and I fear it will dent really easily. Doesn't "feel" solid when I close the door.
3) Rear Wheel wells: They don't build 'em standard with the rear wheel well liners it seems anymore, so I had to buy them as an add-on and have them installed. They are critical to keeping mud and crap out of the rear end frame.
Things I don't necessarily like or dislike:
1) The interior styling: Everything seems more "square" and blocky. Doesn't make it feel as cozy.
2) Quiet Engine: Boy, is this thing ever substantially quieter than my 99 in a big way. OK, I'm really starting to enjoy the quiet driving now. Didn't think I would, be I'm really starting to appreciate it.
3) Engine power band: Stock power band feels a lot more like a gasser. It really has a pulling top end, where my 99 it had the seat of pants feel in the low-mid rpm. The 07 has it at the upper end. Needs more low end torque. Nothing a smarty wouldn't fix.
Overall, the 07 feels like a more refined vehicle, no question about it. The massive improvements in the basic functions like steering and braking can't be overstated enough.
I hated having to sell my '99 - and it's going to take some time to get this one to grow on me, but it's starting to.
If you are coming from the 2nd gen era of these trucks and thinking about moving up - you're really going to notice it in handling and suspension refinement.
I'll post a pic of the new rig tomorrow when I can take a picture when it's light outside.
Cheers,
Shawn
