Because in 2022 with an 840 credit score I got .99% financing and 5k off MSRP. Which NO ONE was offering. Everyone wanted 5-10k if not more OVER sticker. Plus at the time there was only three trucks with front and rear lockers and only two with factory winches. Of which FCA/Stelantis made both. I needed those features due to my liking to go far out into the middle of nowhere without anyone else but my wife and I. I don’t want us stuck somewhere (not that I’m going to put us into those situations purposefully) so I wanted every goody available to get unstuck if push comes to shove.
Plus it’s not like the alternatives are much better now. The 5.3/6.2 from GM with DFM has problems and fails quickly, the 6.2 from Ford is OK and I haven’t heard of many problems with the 7.2 Godzilla. That said the 10 speed trans from them is problematic allegedly and the Ram has the ZF 8 speed which is both bullet proof and also readily available since BMW and VW/Audi also use it. Toyota only had the 5.7 at the time which was thirsty and old. I wanted the new Tundra, but unfortunately I knew it would be years before I could get one easily and for a reasonable cost. Now for my current truck I don’t intend to replace it hopefully ever. It gets 7k oil changes on synthetic and I take care of the paint and ceramic coat it to prevent the oxidation problems. Hemi tick is present, but it’s not detrimental. If the engine blows the good news is that every recruit that financed a 392 crashed them within months which means there’s good motors out there with low miles if I need a new one and they’re relatively cheap and easy to replace myself.
Because in 2022 with an 840 credit score I got .99% financing and 5k off MSRP. Which NO ONE was offering. Everyone wanted 5-10k if not more OVER sticker. Plus at the time there was only three trucks with front and rear lockers and only two with factory winches. Of which FCA/Stelantis made both. I needed those features due to my liking to go far out into the middle of nowhere without anyone else but my wife and I. I don’t want us stuck somewhere (not that I’m going to put us into those situations purposefully) so I wanted every goody available to get unstuck if push comes to shove.
Plus it’s not like the alternatives are much better now. The 5.3/6.2 from GM with DFM has problems and fails quickly, the 6.2 from Ford is OK and I haven’t heard of many problems with the 7.2 Godzilla. That said the 10 speed trans from them is problematic allegedly and the Ram has the ZF 8 speed which is both bullet proof and also readily available since BMW and VW/Audi also use it. Toyota only had the 5.7 at the time which was thirsty and old. I wanted the new Tundra, but unfortunately I knew it would be years before I could get one easily and for a reasonable cost. Now for my current truck I don’t intend to replace it hopefully ever. It gets 7k oil changes on synthetic and I take care of the paint and ceramic coat it to prevent the oxidation problems. Hemi tick is present, but it’s not detrimental. If the engine blows the good news is that every recruit that financed a 392 crashed them within months which means there’s good motors out there with low miles if I need a new one and they’re relatively cheap and easy to replace myself.