2007 Dodge Ram 3500 Review

The Dodge Ram is a full-size pickup truck that became an instant hit when it debuted in 1994. Like any good domestic pickup truck, numerous versions have emerged. The heavy-duty was last updated in 2003. A Mega Cab was released for 2006. It's been named "2006 Truck of the Year" by Four Wheeler and 4-Wheel and Off-Road, Truckin's "Truck of the Year," and Motor Trend's "Truck of the Year" for 1994 and 2003.

The BuyingAdvice Team Says:

The Dodge Ram 3500 offers unprecedented power for a lower price than the competition. In fact, it offers just about the best price/power ratio in its class. While it has its share of reliability concerns, it's still a great work truck for the price.

What's New For 2007:

A new diesel engine has been added, a 6.7-L with 350-hp. It features a six-speed automatic transmission. Remote start is now available, as is an exhaust brake.

Request a free, no-obligation, new 2007 Dodge Ram 3500 price quote or choose any other model you're interested in and receive the Buying Advice Team's Insider Report for New Car Buyers.

Vital Stats

Starting MSRP:

Rebates & Incentives:
no

Seats:

Gas Mileage:

Engine:

Horsepower:
RPM

Torque:
RPM

Transmission:

Drive:

Fuel Capacity:

Fuel Type:
diesel

Basic Warranty:

Powertrain Warranty:

Rust Warranty:

What is the Predicted Reliability:

J.D. Power gives the 3500 2.5 stars for overall mechanical quality. The original Ram had issues with air conditioning, nonfunctional transmissions, problematic shifting, brake wear, failing ABS, engine misfires, engine surges, noisy suspensions, and transmission leaks. It was recalled over 30 (!) times. The current Ram has had issues with air conditioning, buzzing speakers, autonomous locks, dented hoods, rough idling, loose seats, steering noise, and water leaks. It has been recalled eight times since 2002. Expect well-below average reliability. The basic warranty lasts for three years or 36,000 miles.

Analysis Of Safety Ratings And Features:

Crash test scores are not available, but the 1500 earned five stars in government frontal crash tests. The IIHS gave it a "Good" rating for front tests and "Poor" for rear tests. Anti-lock brakes are standard, but side airbags are optional. The Laramie includes power-adjustable pedals, but they're optional on the SLT.

Pros and Cons:

Pros
+ Powerful
+ Well-priced
+ Stylish

Cons
- Horrible reliability
- Few safety options
- Small interior

Head-To-Head Competition:

The Chevrolet Silverado Classic 2500 has 30 less hp than the Ram, but has a bit more ground clearance. The Ford F-350 Super Duty carries about 800 fewer pounds, but costs over $4,000 more. The 3500 can also carry over 1,000 more pounds than the GMC Sierra 3500HD.

What Others Are Saying:

"I drive a pickup truck every day. I don't need a truck as powerful as the Ram 3500, but if I did it would definitely be one of the vehicles on my comparison list. Considering the truck's massive size and load capacity it is surprisingly quiet, gives a decent ride, handles well and has all the interior features most people want and need" - About.com

"As you might imagine, the extra elevation and muscle power are usually a huge hit wherever the truck goes, attracting attention from men and women alike. It certainly stands out in a crowd." - Truck Trend

"The Dodge Ram offers big power and big capabilities. It's responsive and comfortable as an every day driver and it's ready to do some serious work when called upon. Ram's distinctive styling makes it stand out in a rapidly improving field." - Automotive.com

Read more about the 2007 Dodge Ram 3500 at the Dodge manufacturer web site.

Published on Saturday, September 29, 2007 - Email to a friend

Copyright 2006 BuyingAdvice.com, INC. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, rewritten, or redistributed.

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What do you think?

Road Test: Dodge Ram 3500
Read User Comments

Dodge makes no bones about it: Its Dodge Ram 2500 and Dodge Ram 3500 trucks are here for one reason and one reason only-to work and play hard. You want to look good, get a haircut. You want a truck that has the power to haul nearly 5,000 pounds of payload and pull a small country (13,000 pounds towing capacity) these Rams are for you.

Chosen Model Trim:

Side by side, only the 2500 or 3500 model badges allow you to tell them apart. On the models as tested, a "Bright White" clear-coat paint job lights up the air around it, while the 6.7L Turbo Diesel is unexpectedly quiet. Of course, the rear flare side, dual axle wheel housing is a trademark of the 3500.

Exterior & Interior features/comforts:

Both trucks are virtually identical "inside." I brought the power adjustable pedals closer to my 6-foot frame and belted myself in. A 40/20/60 bench seat made my drive extremely comfortable, as I enjoyed the spacious interior and pumped up the volume on an MP3, six-disc CD changer. Traffic reflected in the power, fold-away trailer tow mirrors gave an entirely new meaning to the phrase "objects in mirror are closer than they appear." You'll need the optional side step-rails to easily climb inside either of these behemoths (max height can reach 6-feet, 6-inches). An electric sliding rear window is also a nice option.

Driving Experience:

When I fired up that Cummins Diesel I knew I was sitting in a workhorse of a truck. And even though I wasn't pulling a boat, there was no doubt that all I had to do was hook one up and hit the highway with ease. I wasn't sure I'd be able to tell the difference between the diesel and the 5.7L HEMI. And, I was right. Aside from the (usual) diesel sound, I could barely tell the difference in power. Despite the fact that both trucks and performance packages handle well on the road, make no mistake about it, they're still big rigs that demand you remember that as you go in and out of traffic.

Summary and My Opinion:

There's no doubt the hefty price of $46,130 for the 2500 or $48,910 for the 3500 will also test your how much you want to shell out, but Dodge is trying to ease that pain with almost $2,000 off (if you know a Chrysler employee willing to lend you their discount). Add to that another $6,000 to $8,000 in rebates Dodge is willing to come off of and you're looking at a final coast of under $40,000 for each of these Rams. At that price, the 2500 and 3500 are two heavyweight contenders worth the price of admission.

User Comments

2007 Dodge Ram 3500 Review discusses a heavy-duty truck.

Saturday, September 6, 2008

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2007 Dodge Ram 3500 Review