ORIGINAL: Yankee

I drove several at the Ram Test Challenge earlier this year also, I was very impressed. I had an 04 that I bought new and very much miss it. The new 09's interior is leaps and bounds better than the previous - that was one of my biggest complaints with my 04.

I kinda wish Dodge would make a "truck" version of the 6.1 - perhaps not as high-strung as the SRT 6.1 but with more torque and can run on 87 (or 89). GM now has their 403 hp 6.2 in their half-tons, making the 390 hp Hemi come up a bit short. Dodge also needs to dump their Mercedes 5-speed tranny and get a real 6-speed auto like the competition does. As far as a manual, if you really need one you can always upgrade to the 2500 model - yeah it'd be nice if they offered one in the 1500, but that's hardly a deal-breaker for me. In my Challenger I demand a manual, but not for my truck (unless it's the SRT-10... different story there)

Bottom line is if you liked the 2002-08 Ram, you should easily love the new one.

ORIGINAL: epegasus

What I want from all manufacturers is the low bucks sleeper option. Their biggest, badest drive train in their sexy but bare bones package with their best brakes and suspension. No leather, no entertainment systems, rubber floor mats, half the sound damping material, no sun roofs, no climate control, no blue-tooth, or traction control, or stability control or hill assist. You can leave in the central door locks and power windows, though. Delete the back seats, too.