Joined
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1 Posts
New to forum; Ordered yesterday: 1500 Crew, Laramie Limited edition, 4x4, white exterior, black interior (only choice on limited), air suspension (standard on limited), limited slip diff, trailer brake controller (NOT tow package as I wanted to keep the standard mirros that power fold), chrome bodyside molding on doors, RamBox, bedliner (standard).
Why did I order and what did I consider? I'll share my story as I am wondering how unique my journey was. I'm in my late 30s, 3 young kids, office job for a heavy equip manufacter but grew up with a diesel mechanic -- my dad has driven german diesel sedans since the 70s, excellent cars. So that explains my fondness for diesels and german brands. My mercedes E500 2005 was getting high milage and expensive repairs and service were looming; hate to give up, awesome HP and torque from that 5.0 gas engine, instant throttle response, but only 18 mpg mixed driving. Need more room for kids, and don't like driving her SUV on longer trips. To avoid getting a minivan that my wife wanted, we looked at german and high end domestic SUVs, and tried to stay with diesel (which meant german). Many expensive choices, and to get any space for a third kids, you pay through the nose to get any cubic space in a german car.
my wife always liked the idea of having a truck around, but was waiting for a half ton diesel option before I'd even consider it. read about the new diesel, seemed great. also impressed with the litature on the suspension, both rear coils and the especially teh air matic (which my mercedes has as well). test drove a hemi laramie limited with the family, just to get a feel for space with kids and drivability. I am very particular about road handling and comfort at speed, I like to cruise safely at 85 mph on the high way. if you have never driven a german car at speed, its an errie feeling how their cars seem to get more confident at higher tripple digit speeds. awesome feeling, and admit you get spoiled. last criteria, need low sound levels in the interior, hate wind and tire noise.
after driving in the 2014 1500, we were immediately impressed with the comfort and lack of road noise. took on the highway, and again, very impressed. the air suspension is excellent, and loved how you could change height. the ability to lower while parked to allow easy entry with the young kids was great. the standard step bars on longhorn+ were easy to use. driving at 90 was very comfortable cruising. low road noise, similar to many high end SUVs. body lean in corners like highway on/off ramps was noticable but not surprising. could look into strong anti-roll bars as a future modification. loved how the suspension automatically lowered at 50 mph to gain stability and lower drag, just like my mercedes, although it doesn't lower until 72 mph. My wife also liked driving it. after seeing how much wider a truck is vs any SUV, we realized this was a great choice. the leg room is excellent as well, far better than most SUVs. no third row, but three car seats across the back was very comfortable. by the way,the fold out platform under rear seats makes for a great footrest for children, so their legs don't just dangle; hoping they are less tempted to kick the seat!
last test, had to try the engine. couldnt't find a diesel 1500 to try, so tested a grand cherokee with same diesel. great power, after you get past the minor turbo lag. my benchmark performance diesel is the BMW 3.0 twin turbo diesel, sequentially aligned... small turbo spools imediategly at low rpm, then the big turbo kicks in. the mercedes diesel is a bit frustraing due only to its turbo lag off the line. The audi 3.0 diesel is excellent, better than this VM Motori engine, but shy of BMW. but the drive in the cherokee confirmed that the VM Motori would be adeqate, performance wise.
Overall pleased to see Chrysler take the risk on the suspension set-up, air plus coils, and especially the diesel. happy to reward them for taking this risk and bucking conventions. with their quality interiors, I bet they get some new customers like me that woudl never have bought a truck if it weren't for the 1) diesel, 2) suspension and road comfort, and 3) quality interior with excellent modern electronics. it helped that my company helps me get supplier discounts, 1% below Invoice price, and still get rebates in addition. the expected strong resale value with the diesel makes for a great relative value proposition vs SUV choices, especially the germans. should be a great overall family vechicle, and looking forward to trips, camping and adventure.
Why did I order and what did I consider? I'll share my story as I am wondering how unique my journey was. I'm in my late 30s, 3 young kids, office job for a heavy equip manufacter but grew up with a diesel mechanic -- my dad has driven german diesel sedans since the 70s, excellent cars. So that explains my fondness for diesels and german brands. My mercedes E500 2005 was getting high milage and expensive repairs and service were looming; hate to give up, awesome HP and torque from that 5.0 gas engine, instant throttle response, but only 18 mpg mixed driving. Need more room for kids, and don't like driving her SUV on longer trips. To avoid getting a minivan that my wife wanted, we looked at german and high end domestic SUVs, and tried to stay with diesel (which meant german). Many expensive choices, and to get any space for a third kids, you pay through the nose to get any cubic space in a german car.
my wife always liked the idea of having a truck around, but was waiting for a half ton diesel option before I'd even consider it. read about the new diesel, seemed great. also impressed with the litature on the suspension, both rear coils and the especially teh air matic (which my mercedes has as well). test drove a hemi laramie limited with the family, just to get a feel for space with kids and drivability. I am very particular about road handling and comfort at speed, I like to cruise safely at 85 mph on the high way. if you have never driven a german car at speed, its an errie feeling how their cars seem to get more confident at higher tripple digit speeds. awesome feeling, and admit you get spoiled. last criteria, need low sound levels in the interior, hate wind and tire noise.
after driving in the 2014 1500, we were immediately impressed with the comfort and lack of road noise. took on the highway, and again, very impressed. the air suspension is excellent, and loved how you could change height. the ability to lower while parked to allow easy entry with the young kids was great. the standard step bars on longhorn+ were easy to use. driving at 90 was very comfortable cruising. low road noise, similar to many high end SUVs. body lean in corners like highway on/off ramps was noticable but not surprising. could look into strong anti-roll bars as a future modification. loved how the suspension automatically lowered at 50 mph to gain stability and lower drag, just like my mercedes, although it doesn't lower until 72 mph. My wife also liked driving it. after seeing how much wider a truck is vs any SUV, we realized this was a great choice. the leg room is excellent as well, far better than most SUVs. no third row, but three car seats across the back was very comfortable. by the way,the fold out platform under rear seats makes for a great footrest for children, so their legs don't just dangle; hoping they are less tempted to kick the seat!
last test, had to try the engine. couldnt't find a diesel 1500 to try, so tested a grand cherokee with same diesel. great power, after you get past the minor turbo lag. my benchmark performance diesel is the BMW 3.0 twin turbo diesel, sequentially aligned... small turbo spools imediategly at low rpm, then the big turbo kicks in. the mercedes diesel is a bit frustraing due only to its turbo lag off the line. The audi 3.0 diesel is excellent, better than this VM Motori engine, but shy of BMW. but the drive in the cherokee confirmed that the VM Motori would be adeqate, performance wise.
Overall pleased to see Chrysler take the risk on the suspension set-up, air plus coils, and especially the diesel. happy to reward them for taking this risk and bucking conventions. with their quality interiors, I bet they get some new customers like me that woudl never have bought a truck if it weren't for the 1) diesel, 2) suspension and road comfort, and 3) quality interior with excellent modern electronics. it helped that my company helps me get supplier discounts, 1% below Invoice price, and still get rebates in addition. the expected strong resale value with the diesel makes for a great relative value proposition vs SUV choices, especially the germans. should be a great overall family vechicle, and looking forward to trips, camping and adventure.
