What year 3500 to buy?

[LSonnenberg]

Looking for opinions.



I am looking for a used (new to me) 3500. I am looking at 1999 and newer. 3500, CTD, DRW, 4X4, Quad Cab or . Looking to spend up to $35,000, but would like to stay in the 20's if possible. Prefer an auto as I commute 100 miles a day in L. A. traffic. Also have camper and tow a jeep on a trailer (total weight of current truck camper and jeep/trailer is about 15,000).



1. Which years are best (or best to avoid)

2. When did the full four doors first appear?

3. Are the later auto transmissions any better and will they hold up to the 15,000 pounds?

4. At $30,000 plus, is it better to just buy new?

5. Any great Dodge dealers in Southern Cal?



I currently have a 1994 CTD 2500 4x4 with 260,000 miles, but it's a regular cab, my wife has suggested we need a backseat, cuz the Boxer dog now weighs 80 lbs.



Thanks for any opinion.



LSonnenberg

 

[PORPRES]

I have an 02 which I have heard is the best.



I have the 6SPD, H. O. 4x4, QC, Dually long bed, Black on Grey Int, tinited windows and Rhoino lined... ... ... ... ... ... ... ..... Loaded with only 40K miles. Its for sale... ... ... ... ... ..... give me a call. 916-730-3274



$27,500



Thanks Kevin

 

[Bloomy]

the 01. 5 and 02's have 4 wheel disc. Less likely to get a 53 block with those years. Autos are ok. A little money and they are very very good. 5600 6sp is rock solid. Any second gen 24v you will probably have to deal with the lift pump and vp44 eventually. The front ends of the second gens are also questionable with rebuilds using better components a must at some point. 03 is the first year of the third gens. Better front ends steering wise/track bar design but seems like some of the ball joints aren't lasting as long as they should be. We have already replaced a few sets on 03's with high miles 75k +. My preference is to avoid any first year model. A few production problems for the 03's and 04's. 04. 5 is start of the 600's with the 05's going to 610. My thinking would be this: look for an 01. 5, 02, 04, 05 or new. I would stay away from 99, 00, 03 and 04. 5. No real sense in looking at a used 05 when tomeygun can sell you new for nearly the same price or even less. The second gens and the 04 need to be a good deal price wise once again relative to what you can get one new. I guess that is all I have. One thing. Reading these forums would scare the begeezes out of somebody looking to buy simply because our primary concerns are how to fix problems. Therefore every other post is about somebody having a malfunction of some type. All makes are almost as good as the next with a few exceptions. Its all about how lucky you will be. Forgot some of your other questions.



#2 the third gens (03) were the first. But they aren't full size doors. These are not crew cabs. Some people have a problem with this. 06 mega cab will be slightly larger than 4 full size doors.



#3 Maybe. Some yes, some no.



#4 Yes buy new.



#5 I am 3000 miles away. I have no idea.



12 valves are great. If only quad cab 12 valves were readily available.







Thomas

 

[LSonnenberg]

That is exactly the kind of information I was looking for, thank you. And is also exactly the dilemma I thought I would have, too close to the new model years to get a big enough price cut to justify not buying new and I also don't like buying the end years of a model run, but dang, those new 3500's are pricey, especially when I think about driving one south of the border to fish Baja (down there, I might as well just leave it running with the keys in it).



I have also already been enjoying the challenges of a 2nd gen front end. DT Trac bar, wheel balancers, regular alignment and regular tire replacement have finally resolved that problem



Probably gonna scout around for a solid 01. 5 or an 02. But gonna need an auto.



Again, awesome advice,



Thanks.

LSonnenberg