Posted by John in Utah [166.70.201.2] on Wednesday, May 07, 2014 at 11:29:14 :
In Reply to: Re: Dodge will no longer be mainstream brand posted by mannyc [96.224.210.179] on Wednesday, May 07, 2014 at 08:56:48 :
Not arguing just adding my observations.
I have been working on cars of all type and makes since i was 10yrs old. I have come to the conclusion that the reason i have a tool box full of different tools, is that no one thing covers all the bases. the same is true for cars/trucks.
I don't have any bias based on just a name, there are things that all brands do well, and lets face it every brand has at least one vehicle to be ashamed of, ie Neon, focus, cavalier, etc.
and just to prove my un-bias, My jeep is powered by a Chevy 350 and an sm465 trans, and will likely never change, it is sweet!
loved my 97 Ford f250, hated the split front end! and the lack of MPG.
when i compare the GM trucks to the Dodge trucks there are ups and downs to both.
The things that my experience with both have taught me....
1. dodge continues to produce competitive performance with less pollution from the ground up, not just the diesel with no pig urine, but my durango does not even have a smog pump and minimal add-on emission controls
2. dodge takes a practical design approach that GM has missed the mark on big time. for example the frame on the GM trucks hang so low they are useless off road unless you lift them, not to mention the pig urine tank hangs even lower than that....?what were they thinking??
3. last but not least is the 4x4 system that would not engage on a 2 year old chevy that left me stuck in a flat field with 1 inch of mud..... that is angry making enough to make anyone trade it in.
That said, Dodge has trouble too, "death wobble" need i say more? Stupid unit-bearings, ball-joints, tie-rods,.....
there are things that i like about the GM trucks the auto trans that lets you truly manually select a gear is nice!
just my thoughts
thanks