03 silverado 1500HD vs Ram 1500 w/5.7

LS1Nova · February 10, 2003

Well I got the burb sold and it's time for a new truck. I can't decide between the Ram 1500 with sport package, 20" wheels, hemi, and 5 speed auto. Or the 1500HD LT. The sticker on the 1500hd is around 37,000 and I can get the dodge for 1% under invoice (~$28,000) because my Uncle works for Chrysler.

I drove both and have to say the the Dodge has alot more power. I think most of it is because of the 5 speed auto tranny. But we all know about problems that some of the dodges have. Then again our chevy's have some problems too. I have always had Chevy's but I can't decide whether the close to $9000 price difference would be worth it.

Btw I am only looking at the 1500HD cause I want a crew cab. I will only be towing up to 6000# on occasion during the summer.

Please help me out before I go to the dark side!!

Thanks

Frank

???

Shaners · February 10, 2003

Asking this question on a GM board will definatly give you the GM answer.

The Chevy has the best crewcab on the market. The 6.0L has been in production for 4 years now and has proven its' reliabillity. The GM Vortech motors have been known to have a knock, but so does the new Hemi. We know that the GM knock is not detrimental to the motor, where-as we don't know much about the Hemi.

Sure the Hemi has more power, but the 6.0L has more than enough to handle your tasks at hand. Dodges reliabilty in their truck line for transmissions (auto) has been fair at the best. I don't know if the new tranny will be any better or not. I do know that the 4L80E in the GM line has proven itself very worthy.

The only other question I have is resale value. The GM truck line has always been well above the Chrysler offerings in the gas engine models.

It's your choice, but if you liked the cab and comfort of the "Burb" than you can't go wrong with a 1500HD.

And that is my $0.02 worth!!!

jr.parrish · February 10, 2003

Well I got the burb sold and it's time for a new truck. I can't decide between the Ram 1500 with sport package, 20" wheels, hemi, and 5 speed auto. Or the 1500HD LT. The sticker on the 1500hd is around 37,000 and I can get the dodge for 1% under invoice (~$28,000) because my Uncle works for Chrysler.

I drove both and have to say the the Dodge has alot more power. I think most of it is because of the 5 speed auto tranny. But we all know about problems that some of the dodges have. Then again our chevy's have some problems too. I have always had Chevy's but I can't decide whether the close to $9000 price difference would be worth it.

Btw I am only looking at the 1500HD cause I want a crew cab. I will only be towing up to 6000# on occasion during the summer.

Please help me out before I go to the dark side!!

Thanks

Frank

???

Wow, I'm in the exact same boat your are. I'm looking at trading in my Silverado on a 03 Crew Cab (2500 or 1500HD, doesn't matter), but the Ram w/Hemi is definetly intriguing. In fact I'm considering the Sport Pack. w/ 20's, Hemi w/5 speed in black. $28,000 seems like a really good deal, is that for the laramie trim with heated leather? Thats definetly a requirment of mine.

On the other hand I love the new features of the 03 GM Trucks/ SUVs and I have become accustomed to the setup in both our Denali and Silverado. Right now I'm leaning towards the Chevy because of the positive experience I've had with my 99, and other options Dodge doesn't offer. For example, XM Radio, Power Folding Mirrors with Turn Signals, Dig. Climate Control, Extensive Driver Information Center, ONSTAR, Bose stereo system (we have Chryslers Infinity system in our 02 Sebring Limited Convertible, and the Bose is definetly better for an OEM system), individual driver identification and the crew cab has more room overall.

I'd love to hear what ever you decide to do.

carguru · February 10, 2003

If you are hauling any passengers in the rear seat for an extended period of time, the 1500HD will be a much better ride. The Ram will be a bit cramped in the back. Basically, with the Ram, you are going to the guinea pig for a little while.

As for a $9k price difference, I'm not quite sure you are comparing very similar trucks. The Ram probably wouldn't be quite as well equipped as the 1500HD LT. Plus I certainly hope you aren't paying sticker for the Chevy. If that is the best your dealer will do, find another.

99silveradoz71 · February 10, 2003

Hmm, I'd also have to say stick with the chevy as the Dodge isn't proven yet. I would think you could use your Dodge consideration in your negotiations with a Chevy/GM dealer to get that price down a bit.

LarryE · February 10, 2003

Dodge.. HEMI - 20" rims - HEMI

Chevy just isn't cutting it with all the stupid computer controllers, the DIC is a s*%tty ideal having it intergrated on everything... our trailblazer is giving us computer problems right now with the DIC

sduquette · February 10, 2003

unless you get the laramie, the dodge has such a cheap looking interior. And I don't know the difference between LT ans SLE, but I have a 2500HD 4x4 SLE trim w/ onstar, am/fm/cd/cass, power driver seat, steering wheel controls, fog lights, alloy wheels, tow package, maybe more options I'm not sure are options, and I walked off the lot for $30k and some change

OK, found the sticker:

SLE

onstar

locking rear diff

power driver seat

heavy duty trailering package

polished aluminum wheels

electronic transfer case

dimming mirrors w/ signals

steering wheel controls

am/fm/cd/cass

off-road skid plate

oor bw tires (whatever they are)

wiring provisions for camper (whatever that is)

Block heater

spare tire lock

$35868.00, dealer markup put it at $36555.00

like I said though, I got it off the lot at $30k and some change

HillHound · February 10, 2003

Stick with GM if you're looking at 1500HD vs Ram 1500. The Ram might have more get up and go, look flashier and maybe even have more gadgets but if you keep the truck for several years the durability of the GM pickup will beat the Dodge.

I fell into the temptation and bought a Ram 1500 4x4 and it was a big letdown after the "newness" wore off. The power steering pump cut out twice in the first 9000 miles. A few other little things broke that were just aggravating to have to deal with.

Also remember when comparing a Ram 1500 with a GM 1500HD is kind of like apple to oranges. The Ram 1500 is a basic 1/2 ton pickup while the 1500HD is built on a heavier 3/4 ton chassis (aka a GM 2500LD chassis) with the load capacities and transmission that goes with it.

LS1Nova · February 10, 2003

thanks guys, I wouldn't really be considering the ram, but my uncle can get me a ticket to get it at 1% below invoice because he works at chrysler. Otherwise there would only be a few thousand dolar price diference. But I'm comparing what I can get the dodge for to sticker on the chevy, So I'm sure the gap will close up on the price once i haggle with the gm dealer. I wouln't even get a HD model but I want the crew cab, my suburban has got me spoiled with interior space.

Thanks for all the opinions

Frank

Larry E, I know how you feel, I'm having problems with our trailblazer also (02) The 4 wheel drive quit's on occasion and service 4x4 light comes on. The deal is saying that the computer is bad. Have been waiting on it for almost 3 weeks.

MarkD · February 10, 2003

If you are still seriously considering the Dodge, make sure you ride in the back seat before you buy it. After seeing the doors open on the Dodge, I was dissappointed by the actual room in the back seat. It is comparable to a 4-door extended cab Chevy/GMC, without the suicide doors.

BlueRado · February 10, 2003

Guess I'd personally have a hard time justifying a Ram, especially a first year total remodel (major understatement! ) .

Also in terms of grunt, I would expect the Hemi Ram 1500 to be stronger than the 1500 HD, which is quite a bit heavier and gives up 45 hp.

I think GM has really refined the '03s - mine is heads and shoulders better, so far, with respect to those problems than my '99 was.

MarkD has a good point about the back seat - just because it has 4 doors, doesn't mean it's a crew cab!

Shotgun · February 10, 2003

comparing 1500HD vs. Dodge Goat 1500 ? Puhhlease

SnakeEyeSS · February 10, 2003

the only reason I'D consider the ram is the 5.7, it has sweet numbers for a 1/2 no matter how you look at it. Otherwise if you need one now, the chevy, as teh guys have said, as proven itself. Since the last ram never really showed lasting quality, 1 year to work out bugs may not be enough, but look, they've changed the pwertrain, so it resets again for 2003.