What would you do?

[David Pendleton]

Hello all.



I've been posting transmission-related questions in other forums trying to determine what the best course of action is for my 2001 2500 ETH with the 47RE. Towing performance has been poor lately, for whatever reason and the consensus appears to be upgrade the torque converter and valve body (at a minimum). By my research, a $1500-$2000 fix. I'm towing about 8000lbs.



I'm very satisfied with this truck, it's a Laramie SLT, so it has all the creature comforts I like. The only thing I would add, would be (MOPAR) power towing mirrors (not available) and cab clearance lights. It will be paid off within the year, and is in excellent, like-new condition.



My dealer called today and has an 03 2500 ETC SLT in my favorite color, with a bunch of interior goodies and the like. Pretty much the 03 version of my truck, just not the Laramie.



At any rate, believe it or not, my payments on the new truck would be $136 less than what I am paying now, and he has made me a very generous trade-in offer.



I'm not sure why, but I'm having a hard time making up my mind on this one. The new truck is also an auto, but with the HO and 48RE. It has the mirrors, lights, and basically everything else my current truck has, just a better (?) motor and transmission.



Three more years of payments doesn't thrill me, but a new truck would be nice.



What would you do? Spend four or five thousand upgrading the current truck to the 'perfect' truck or buy the new one?



Thanks for your input.



Regards-

Dave

 

[zari]

As long as ...

... they give you good deals on the 03 (i. e. you pay no more than invoice, or even a little less) and your trade, I'd go for the 03.



I love mine.

 

[SilverFox]

From the information you've given... Get the '03!!!!

 

[David Pendleton]

I bought the 03.



Thanks.



Dave

 

[SilverFox]

David, You're gonna love it

 

[TSRAM]

I have a 99 and was in the same situation a couple of months ago. I elected to keep what I had and do a few mods. DD3's, DTT transmission, comp box have been added since I made my decision. Even with a new truck I would have still wanted to do all of the above on top of new truck payments. What finally made my mind up was the wife saying " when the truck is paid off shortly, you can go get the HD Fatboy you want ". Enough said.

 

[y-knot]

While I would not be interrested in a fat boy, I do agree with your thoughts on keeping what you have, the older truck. I guess a new truck might be nice, some people might feel the need too keep up the jones's as it were. But why get ridd of your older truck, the new one will have the same transmission problems? Dodge never addressed the real troblem with the auto, they stopped short and forgot the TC, the few new ones I drove were very dissapointing. One dealer had the 47 and 48 on his lot, I drove them both back to back, and there is not a noticable difference between them. And as far as the HO goes, well I was real upset with it, it wasn't any more crisp, didn't run any harder, and if I hadn't known it was a HO, I couldn't tell a difference. The fact that it has 305 hp, is not a big deal, most people are well above that. Besides, it just to dam quiet. kind of sounds like gasser with a bad water pump. I would have chosen too keep your OLD truck and improve on it, but then I guess it's just easier to trade it off, wouldn't want you to get your hands dirty, now would we.

 

[David Pendleton]

y-knot --



Your comments are a tad presumptuous, don't you think? About my 'hands', that is? I do appreciate your opinion, but please don't make assumptions about me or my need to keep up appearances.



I ultimately chose to buy new because it worked out well for me.



Regards.



David

 

[DPKetchum]

Wish I had my 93w250 and a FATBOY!!!!!!

 

[Fireman]

David,



In reality your trans upgrades will probably cost on the order of $3000 + if you have someone else do the work. Your '01 still has a good resale value and you are getting a good deal on a new truck. That is exactly where I was last year. I put the upgrade money towards a new truck. It wasn't a bad deal, except like you said 3 extra yrs of payments.



Of course I went from an auto to a 6spd, couldn't be happier



Fireman

 

[TSRAM]

Like I said though, even with a new truck I would still end up BOMBing it. Then the same transmission issue would rear it's ugly head. On top of that the fueling boxes, injectors and such are more expensive for the new ones. Just couldn't afford "new" payments +BOMBs. Can"t seem to afford the BOMBs fast enough on what I've got.

 

[L_Rutigliano]

Dave Pendleton:



I was in the same situation as you (I had an '01 that I loved, except nothing wrong with it). I test drove the '03 and haven't missed the old truck one bit. The '03 is a better truck in every category IMHO. I dont agree w/Y'not's comments. Those 305 ponies and 555 ft-lbs of torque are very noticeable when you hook up your 8k trailer and you pull a 6% grade and pass people in OD! Plus the brakes on the '03 are night and day compared to the '01. Supposedly, the 48RE has addressed all of the concerns with the 47RE (time will tell).



This new truck just pulls so much harder than the 235hp, 460 ft-lbs motor. The fold flat split floor is great, the roomier back seat is great, the oil change is easier, on and on... .



One negative comment I have is the aluminum wheels are not polished like on the '01, so they don't stand out as good as the '01 wheels. They look dull even after they are cleaned.



Hope this helps,



Louis.

 

[SilverFox]

David,



Don't let anybody talk you into having second thoughts! Here are some of the reasons I believe you made the right decision.



If you upgraded your old truck you would probably plan to keep it for another two or three years. After 5 years that truck is not going to be worth very much because of depreciation, especially living in St Paul where any vehicle gets a daily dose of salt for 5 or 6 months a year. (Not knocking St Paul here, just a fact of life. ) So after 5 years your old truck would make a good down payment on a new truck but the loan for the remainder would certainly be much more than now. Interest rates in 2-3 years will very likely be much higher than now adding even more to the monthly payments. Once you get behind the curve on owning a new vehicle it's painful to get back.



It's also likely that this '03 will depreciate slower than your old truck did because it's the first year of the 3rd generation and the 3rd generation will likely be around for 4 or 5 years. (Would you rather have a 1st generation or 2nd generation truck)



Your payments are less on this truck than the old truck.



The economy is slowly but surely coming back, you might get a salary increase in the next year or so.



The above are only some of the reasons I said buy now and of course it's only my opinion.

 

[Posm]

You don't have to have three more years of payments. Instead of lowering your payments, just have them right a shorter note and keep your payments the same. The three year and less loan rates are usually less than the 48 to 72 month notes. A local credit union is offering 2. 99 on up to 36 and 3. 99 on 48 to 72 months. Also, if you have the 2 to grand that you would use to bomb the transmission throw that in their and you may only have an extra year or so.