Chrysler's finance arm is also (historically) more willing to extend credit to those with troubled/spotted credit history, so ... easier to sell (cheaper) trucks when you're making it easier to finance them.

That said, I bought a 2002 Ram Quad Cab 4x4 with the 360ci motor. It was the first year they switched to the "new" look. I worked for a direct supplier to Dodge City/Warren Truck plant (where they are built), so felt it was the right thing to do - despite being eligible for AZ Plan pricing through my father.

I owned it for 10 years. At around ~32K miles, the transmission and torque convertor had to be replaced. At about ~60K, the battery wouldn't hold a charge overnight, and it turned out to be a short on the PCB on the back side of the speedometer cluster (cost me $600 to get it replaced). At about ~90K, one of the brake lines near the master cylinder rusted through, shooting brake fluid all over the exhaust header, causing an engine fire that melted vacuum, electrical and plastic EGR lines. Lots of other "small" things that, over the years, added up. ~108K miles and I finally traded it in on my '12 F150 EB. Now ~56K miles on my F150, and although there have been some minor issues, and although the EB occasionally exhibits the 'shudder/studder' issue, it's never left me stranded like the Ram.

Living in Minnesota, my 4wd gets used A LOT and never had an issue with leaving it on for a decent length trip or turning it on or off when needed. 4-high shifts on the fly so it's a matter of flipping a switch.

Could you wait a little longer? I spoke with a local dealership on a '15. Surprisingly they didn't try to sell me on the truck. Once I started negotiating the price I was told that there isn't any money on these trucks yet and that if I would wait six months or so that the pricing would be better because of the factory rebates will be more.