After several weeks of driving a rental car and riding my Daytona following my major crash with the Dakota, I finally picked up this Ram late in October, 2002.  Just like the Dakota, this truck had the V-8 / 5-speed combo I had become so set on.  It lacked the strong acceleration and maneuverability of the smaller Dakota, however, and the fuel mileage was to laugh at.  Since all I really needed a truck for was carrying a motorcycle, I decided to sell the Ram, get a smaller pick-up, and save myself some money in gas.