NEW TRUCK

[HOMER]

Well I took the plunge the other day and went to my local Dodge dealer and leased a 2000 Ram 2500 with the diesel engine. Put over 100 miles on it so far and the fuel gauge has barely moved, that would have been half the tank on my Chevy! The 3/4 ton makes a huge difference pulling the trailer too, doesn't throw me around quite as bad. This is the first brand new vehicle I have ever owned so I hope it's a good one.<p>Homer

[lawnnut]

I only have 51 payments left on my 77 Datsun <br>Then I might trade up.<p>Those Dodges are getting real popular now aren't they

[firedog]

Homer, as far as the engine goes I think they are the best diesel engines that are put in to P/U trucks. I have 2 of them. The only thing I don't like are the brakes. My 98 has 27K miles and its been through 2 sets of pads and 1 new rotor. My 99 has 16K miles and it pulls to the right real bad so I guess it needs to go to the dealer for brakes. I would do it myself but the last time I did it on my 96 ram 2500 I had more problems, so becouse of that I will let the dealer fix them becouse if it still pulls after the brake job I can keep taking it back. Last time Dodge warranted and replaced everything in the brakes except for the pedal and lines and guess what it still pulls to the right. Any ideas? PS I had 38K miles and they still warranted everything. I was told a lot of the problems were fixed in 99. For you and me both I hope. so let me get off my soap box now. As for the rest of the truck, I am very happy.

[jrblawncare]

Gee Homer,New house..shop..and now truck..bizz.must be good or you won the lottery!! I own a 94 Dodge 2500 w/360 in it,I too had brake problem at first with the rear drums,dealer took care of it for me.since then only one set of front brakes,it may be time for the next set,89K on it now,I will look diesel next time that 360 loves the gas...Other than that I love the truck and would get another...seee yaaa and good luck with with the new truck.

[thelawnguy]

The 2000 brake system and front suspension is completely different from the 94-99 trucks so I wouldn't worry about the brake problems some of the older trucks have. Very few parts will interchange, ex., dual piston calipers, different spindle ass'ys, on and on.

[Charles]

I used to have a 1990 Dodge ram deisel 4 wheel drive 3/4 ton. I loved that truck. Pull anything. Traded it in for a much larger truck. Big mistake. I plan to buy another truck just like it soon

[paddy]

hey, i dont mean to rain on your parade. But, why would you LEASE a diesel, you can't put enough miles on it to save on fuel (lease milage restrictions) and you won't own it long enough to reap savings because of a diesel's durability. <p>My uncle has a 89 Jetta diesel, 6 years ago, the odometer broke at 169,000, he just drove it back to NJ from colorado. No major repairs, only glowplugs occasionally. They have a 98 Jetta TDI, 1.5 years old, 55k already, The new one gets 50+ mpg, the old one still gets 35 mpg, nice cars. I think my father is gonna buy a golf or jetta TDI soon.

[HOMER]

Well, business is O.K., the biggest reason for the trade was the amount of money I was burning up on gas! I was putting at least $70.00 every three days in the truck, not to mention the mowers, the Chevy was a little small for the weight I was pulling and plus the move outside of town was not helping. I leased this one so I hope I can get a little help come tax time next year. I'm really hopeing that the gain in the fuel mileage will offset the extra amount of the payment each month! I'm glad to hear the brake problem is fixed, don't want any problems, can't afford the down time.<p>Be good citizens, don't kill yourself!<p>Homer

[cutting edge]

Congrads on the new truck!

[Eric ELM]

Homer, Congrads on the new truck. <p>----------<br>&lt;a href=&quot;http://www.townserver.com/elm/&quot;&gt;Eric@ELM&lt;/a&gt;<br>

[Getmow]

Homer,<br>Congrats on joining the MOPAR team. My 97 2500 diesel is doing fine and I hope you have good luck with yours too.

[Doug406]

HOMER, great move with the new truck,can't hurt the apperance of your lawn company can it.?!! I bought a ford f250 desiel a few months ago, love it! I had some of the same reasons you did. A 24 foot trailer and neary 7000 pounds was to much for the chevy small block. <br> As for the guy that asked why did you lease. Well the reason I leased is lower payments over buying, and since i am planning on getting a new truck every few years to keep warranty, why buy? the fact of leasing is that esspecially with a desiel, I will never actually trade it in. I will sell it outright just before the lease is up. My residual is only $20,500. When was the last time you found a 3 year old truck, extended cab, 3/4 ton, desiel for that low of cost. I will sell for about 23-24 and recover some of the payments. Actually, the dealer said they would buy it for 1000 over residual value because they would want to resell for profit.<br> As fot mine, the gas milage is near 15 now w/trailer, awesome!! Sure beats 7mpg!! My payments are $75 more per month than a gas engine, which with the added torque (500fp on the ford, the dodge makes an impressive 420fp )and milage make it a sound investment. <br> Regarding taxes, 100% of your lease payments are deductable.

[Bobby]

Yea Homer, besides all the above posts, you no longer need a radio. The diesel makes sweet music. And smells almost as good as burnt jet fuel.Makes me want to go get me one.<p>----------<br>Bobby <br>Ft Lauderdale

[Bobby]

[Keith]

The diesel fumes seem to have gotten to Bobby's computer. Or maybe he just wanted to get the point across :)

[HOMER]

It's turning out that that racket and sweet smelling fumes are money in my pocket! I got that truck Friday and still have 5/8 tank of FUEL. I have run the thing all over, by now I know I would have been out on the Chevy. Today I am adding the bed caps so I don't mess up the top of the bed rails, it will look sharp with the tool box, bed caps, and the tailgate protector! <p>Getmow, does that thing transmission shift 5 times? It reads, 4sp auto w/od. I swear it shifts out 4 times after you pull off, and do you pull in overdrive or turn the o/d off?<p>Converted Chevy man,<p>Homer<p>P.S. Ya'll keep them mowers out the water ya hear!

[John DiMartino]

Homer,congrats on the truck,you bought the best truck for economy,and pulling.If you want 1-2 more mpg and 40 more HP,put a set of rv injectors in it-e-mail me private<p>----------<br>John D<br>

[Keith]

The fourth shift is probably the lock up torque converter Homer.

[A CUT ABOVE]

Homer,<br> Congrats on the new truck. I bought a 2000 4x4 Dodge 1500 about 5 months ago. It has the 360. Love the truck....should have gone with a diesel like you though. It loves the gas.

[eagle lawn services]

Homer, <br>let me add my congatulations on your new truck. I have a 1997 ram 2500 w/ diesel and have NEVER regretted buying it. I too have the typical front brake problem, hopefully you won't. Other than that I haven't had a single problem with it and I just turned over 135,000 miles on it last week. Keep your filters and fluids changed and that truck will last forever. I have heard of plenty of folks who have over a million miles on theirs. <br> As for your overdrive question... I leave it alone and forget about it, unless I need a little more torque for getting up a hill or passing. Oh yeah that's something else you'll love, even with a loaded trailer you won't get left behind in traffic. Obviously with a diesel you're not going to win any races but you aren't going to get left behind either. Good luck and enjoy.<br><p>----------<br>Chris H.<br>