2013 Dodge 1500 Express Crew Cab 4x4

Blake K

Blake K

Active member
Looking for some input on this truck. Looking at getting my first Crew Cab truck. My neighbor is the owner of both a Dodge and Ford dealership and was really pushing the 2013 Dodge . I personally like the looks and driving the Dodge better than the Ford F-150. Guess my concern is long term reliability of the Dodge vs the Ford 150 as well as the gas mileage. As far as engine size the F-150 I am looking at the V-8 and the Dodge the 5.7 Hemi. I rarely pull a trailer so I know the engine size is overkill, but like the way the bigger engine cruises down the interstate. Thanks in advance for any input.
 
If you go with the Dodge, ask if they have fixed the "Blend door" issue with the HVAC system and see the look on the dealers face. Same basic design as the Dakota and Jeep. I've had a Dakota, Wrangler, Cheokee and now a Liberty and ALL have had the HVAC issue. My liberty is out of warranty and last month I was quoted "Between $800 and $2200. Some quote huh? Fool me once, shame on you but in my case I must be insane. No more Dodge products for me. Do a web search and read the complaints. Personally I'd go with the Ford.....just my .2 cents.
 
I can't speak for the 2013 Dodge. I can tell you that Hemi is a nice motor but the gas milage sucks big time. Not even close to published EPA ratings. I also had tranny problems. No more Dodge products for me.
 
Ford.
I've had my F150 since November 2000, has 180,000 miles on it.
Outside of regular maintenance and tires, I've put maybe $500 in repairs, maybe.
The newer engines are supposed to be fantastic. If you aren't towing, consider the Eco-boost for the mileage.
 
I have a 2010 F-150 with 117k on it. I get free oil changes, car washes, and tire rotations at the dealership and they do an inspection each trip. It's been a great truck and I have NO complaints.

-D
 
I guess ther can always be bad vehicles in any manufacturer's line, but......
Owned one Dodge 1500 crew and would probably never buy another Dodge truck. Horrible gas mileage compared to the EPA sticker. Always seemed to have fuel line/ pump issues. Wasn't too happy when the entire drive shaft dropped out at 70 mph on I-75 one day, either. Took the dealer two more tries on his dime to get the first $2200 "repair" right.... however it was never quite right after that, and I cut my losses and sold it.
 
I've got a 2005 F-150 Crew King Ranch 4x4 with 162,000 on it. I have repaired one vaccum leak and a wheel hub (ABS sensor went). I work at a dealership and trade hundreds of vehicles a year and I can tell you this, Dodge trucks just dont hold up. Ford, Chevy and imports trade well because we can resell them with out worrying about them coming back. When we trade a Dodge it almost ALWAYS needs hefty shop bills to get it road worthy. If you buy Dodge get a good manufacturers extened warranty (bumber to bumper not just powertrain) with a zero dollar deductible. They look GREAT but just dont hold up. I had a Ram 1500 and it was powerful but I had A LOT of problems with it. Again its just an opinion and I'm sure a lot of guys have had great luck with Dodge trucks but no one I know. The 5.0 motor in the new F-150 is fantastic, the Eco boost is also a good motor but I'm wary of any Turbo gas motor long term. Hope this helps, any questions dont hesitate to ask, I've been in the auto industry a long time.
 
the Dodge vs the Ford
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Are those your only two choices? If so, I'd probably pick walking. All kidding aside, if both my dad and my father-in-law weren't GM retirees, I'd probably go Toyota.

I'm sure that wasn't helpful at all

Chuck
 
i'm a dodge guy.owned many rams...all are gas guzzlers.I love the looks of them.wait for the transmission paired with the hemi.suppose to do better.

if I was to pick one it would be the dodge with the eco boost.wish dodge would copy that technology.
 
I drive a Ford F-150 and have owned a Dodge Dakota

With that said all auto manufacturers put a few lemons off the line from time to time, so opinions about reliability will always vary according to owner loyalty. I would ask yourself why is the neighbor pushing one over the other. Is he looking out for your best interest or is he trying to push a product line that is not pushing itself? I don't know him or your relationship with him so I cannot comment on which one may be the case.

A particular manufacturer outselling another in a vehicle type generally equates to reliability of the product and how the consumer perceives if its worth the cost. Which manufacturer do you see more of on the road? Around here I see many different colors and versions of my truck.

If you are buying a truck to tow then gas mileage is already out of the equation, at least for me. I like a 4X4 for towing boats for the help it can give on a slippery ramp or in the use of a makeshift launch site. 4X4 and good gas mileage are never in the same sentence.

In the past I would have said Toyota because they built a damn good motor but recently it seems as though their manufacturing processes have slipped a little. My dad retired from GM and won't let me park a Toyota in the driveway, so I would have just parked it along the road!

My $.02, if you feel short changed I am sorry! :)
 
the Dodge vs the Ford
Click to expand...

Are those your only two choices? If so, I'd probably pick walking. All kidding aside, if both my dad and my father-in-law weren't GM retirees, I'd probably go Toyota.

I'm sure that wasn't helpful at all

Chuck
Click to expand...


I cringed with a paid $15,000 for my 2008 Jeep Liberty. My son bought a new 2012 4dr, 4wd Toyota Tundra with all the bells and whistles. Nice truck but just shy of $40,000! I didn't even try to talk him out of it. Right now in his young life he can make the payments but I'll give him year or two before he has buyers remorse. Maybe the next time he won't just walk into the showroom and say "I want that one" without asking any questions.

Sorry didn't mean to get off base.
 
Dont let the ford eco-boost propaganda fool you. I have a 2012 4x4 King Ranch Super Crew that barely gets 15mpg - mostly highway. I've never seen anything close to the 21mpg hwy that the EPA ratings claim. Everyone I've talked to since the purchase gets better mileage with the 5.4 v8. Headed back to a Toyota Tundra as soon as i can find a 2103 like I want. The mileage wasnt much better, but it's not a Ford either...
 
I saw a big long thread recently with many horror stories about the Ford Ecoboost, seems like ford has intercooler issues to deal with, dealers dont really have the fix. Dont get me wrong I am a died in the wool ford truck guy. Am working on my third f250 diesel since 96. My present 04 f250 6.0 diesel 4x4 has 215,000 miles has never had any work other than two egr valve cleanings. [No head work, believe it or not] Got 17.3 mpg on the last tank of fuel. John VanHouten recently bought a new Dodge crew cab4x4, send him a PM. Rich
 
Neighbor is a good guy and good friend whom has always taken great care of me. His steering towards the Dodge is that he feels Dodge has made huge strides in the 2013 models compared to their past models. I am like most of you in that the Dodge hasnt always had the best reputation. However with that being said, I used to own a Dodge Dakota a few years ago and really like it and had no mechanical issues with it. Currently drive a F150 in which it appears I will be trading in on the 2013 Dodge. Really like the looks and most importantly how it drives. My round trip to work and home is only 8 miles total.
 
I too am looking to buy a new truck this year. My 2005 Dodge 4x4 is looking pretty rusty. The 4.7 V8 only gets 15 MPG at 70 mph and the milage claims of the Ford EcoBoost and the new V6 from Dodge are sounding very tempting. I've had my share of mechanical issue with this truck and am thinking of changing brands. I need a 4x4 and 4 doors. I would prefer the plainest interior possible. Other than those 2 criteria items, I am wide open to suggestions.

Anybody out there own, or even test drive one of the new V6 turbo Dodge's yet? How about the Tundra, any love for that?

John Bourbon
 
I can't speak to the new ones, but I love my '06 Tundra. '06 was the last year of the 7/8ths truck. When I was looking 3 years ago my only requirements were 4x4 & 4 full doors. Rides great, lots of room, no mechanical issues.
 
Looking for some input on this truck. Looking at getting my first Crew Cab truck. My neighbor is the owner of both a Dodge and Ford dealership and was really pushing the 2013 Dodge . I personally like the looks and driving the Dodge better than the Ford F-150. Guess my concern is long term reliability of the Dodge vs the Ford 150 as well as the gas mileage. As far as engine size the F-150 I am looking at the V-8 and the Dodge the 5.7 Hemi. I rarely pull a trailer so I know the engine size is overkill, but like the way the bigger engine cruises down the interstate. Thanks in advance for any input.
Click to expand...


The Dodge would be dead last on my 1/2 ton list based on reliability. Of your choices, I'd go with an F-150, but not an Ecoboost.
 
the Dodge vs the Ford
Click to expand...

Are those your only two choices? If so, I'd probably pick walking. All kidding aside, if both my dad and my father-in-law weren't GM retirees, I'd probably go Toyota.

I'm sure that wasn't helpful at all

Chuck
Click to expand...


I cringed with a paid $15,000 for my 2008 Jeep Liberty. My son bought a new 2012 4dr, 4wd Toyota Tundra with all the bells and whistles. Nice truck but just shy of $40,000! I didn't even try to talk him out of it. Right now in his young life he can make the payments but I'll give him year or two before he has buyers remorse. Maybe the next time he won't just walk into the showroom and say "I want that one" without asking any questions.

Sorry didn't mean to get off base.
Click to expand...


I wouldn't buy any vehicle I couldn't write a check for...a bit of a pet peeve
 
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