Dodge disappoints

This is a follow-up to my last post about the headliner issue.  I have to tell you that I am very disappointed in a few Dodge dealers right now.  I took the time to contact 5-6 dealers scattered over the country, one in TX, CA, IL, NC and MT.  I alerted them to the post in our blog about the headliner question from a Dodge owner.  (see previous post)

I received one “automated” follow-up email from a dealer and an email from another who actually committed to reply to the posting.  But after 7 days, not one dealer has responded. This actually surprised me because if a dealer had any marketing sense, they’d know that this would have been a great opportunity to get the name and URL of their dealership posted on an external, content-related website.  If you’re in the Internet business (and all dealerships are these days), you search for such opportunities.

So, do these guys just not get it, or are they too flush with business to bother with such questions?  Who knows…. I like their product, but I’m not impressed with their lack of action and willingness to help a Dodge customer with a legitimate question.  Go figure…

Headliner Issue

I received an email today from Mike K. who wrote…

I have a 1996 Dodge 2500 and have a problem with the headliner fabric seperating from the backing near the top of the winshield / visor. I have talked to other owners with newer models who have had the same problem. Adhesive for headliners worked for a while, but I feel the problem is the lack of sufficient overlapp of the fabric around the edge of the backing. Is this considered a manufacturers’ defect?

MIke, I’m no lawyer (thank God) and I have no experience as a service manager, so I’m going to ask our readers if anyone has had to deal with this kind of problem. In addition, I will ask some dealers if they would be willing to respond to your question.  If I receive an answer via email or through this blog, I’ll post it here and reply to your email.  Thanks, great question.

Why don’t I like Ford trucks?

My last post solicited feedback and questions from all readers and I received my first question just a few minutes ago from Lisa who asked…“My husband and I are looking at buying a new truck and we’re torn between the Ford and the Dodge. I like the Ford and my husband likes the Dodge. Obviously, you like the Dodge more than a Ford, but what makes this a better truck in your opinion? Why don’t you like Fords?”

Lisa, thanks for asking a great question.  First of all, I like Ford trucks, and Chevys too! I just happen to prefer the Dodge – overall.  In fairness to Ford, I like their interior design much better than Dodge, which is actually qyite Spartan. I like the Ford’s ride better (smoother), and I like some of their other features more than Dodge.

As with any other product comparison, there are usually things you love or hate about the products you’re comparing. The ultimate decision is considering the “total package” and the pricing differences. When I bought my last truck, there was a substantial difference in price between my Dodge 3500 and Ford’s F350 (one ton trucks). However, even if the price was the same, I would have bought the Dodge. When talking about the complete package, the Dodge got my juices flowing more so than the Ford.

Why? Begin with styling… IMHO, the Dodge Ram just looks more like a no nonsense, get the job done, serious hauling machine. While the Ford looks like something my father would drive. Don’t throw anything please, you asked for my opinion and that’s all this is – one guy’s opinion. Other factors that led to my decision were comments I heard from other truck owners about the Cummins diesel vs. Ford’s offering – people seemed more satisfied with Dodge’s diesel than Ford’s. Please remember that this was NOT a scientific study – just things I heard or read online. The bottom line was that I liked the looks of the Dodge better, I was satisfied that the powerplant was a better engine and it was less expensive. All things considered – I bought the Dodge… for the fourth time.

PS: My wife and I are looking at Toyota trucks for her to drive.  She wants a 4×4 truck, but isn’t comfortable with a full-sized truck.  I tell you this so that you’ll know I’m not just some brainwashed Dodge-head who won’t consider anything else.  Mostly I’m a truck guy – I like ‘em all.

PPS:  Tell your husband I think he has good taste in trucks

Got a Dodge truck question?

A friend of mine asked me this morning why I was writing this Dodge blog. The answer may be more complex than what I had originally planned. Initially, I thought it might be a good idea to have an informational site with an owner that had no agenda. When I was in the market for a truck in ‘98, I would have loved to have seen a site from a Dodge owner who wasn’t connected to Dodge or a dealer and only wanted to share his experiences with the vehicle. Someone who would give me the good-bad-and ugly about the truck. That was my original aim and remains a big part of what I’m doing today.However, things are evolving and I’m starting to see a broader purpose for this blog. An an example, a person asked a question the other day about a Dodge security remote. I didn’t have a clue, but someone posted an answer to that question. That incident doesn’t mean that I plan to launch a Dodge community of owners, develop forums and bother people with emails… but it does encourage me to expand the scope of my monologue.

If you have a question or a problem with your Dodge and want to see if any of our readers have an answer or a suggestion, post a comment. My goal is to keep everyting relevant and hopefully help a few people who have the same questions I once had about buying a Dodge. So, jump in and add your two-cents… it just might save someone else some big bucks!