Basic, Manual, Truck shootout? Basic, stick-shift, Dodge?

Hey folks, 

I'm looking at offloading my too nice truck that's mainly sitting because I tow to the race track with the motorhome now - for something more basic. I've just started the search - but I think I want a 90-something dodge with a manual?

I found a few gassers in the range and of course a lot of high miles i6 diesels that cost more than they seem like they should, but I'm sure that's just their value. 

Any thoughts around ... well finding a basic truck that I can just put miles on?

Only requirements are A/C, cruise, stickshift, decent towing capacity 9k+.

I'm going to avoid that vintage Fords, having owned 3 medium to HD trucks in that range, man - I hate how they steer, just looseee

The 2010 Dodge redesign was a big step up in NVH and general refinement. You could still get a non-DPF diesel with a stick and a cloth interior. 

In reply to Keith Tanner :

Gotcha, I'm not **too** worried about NVH, I just use my truck for various handy-man tasks and running around in town with the occasional slightly longer tow. 

The current plan is to offload it and get and reliable cheapish truck + ND miata. We take the cx9 on longer trips.

My son wanted something 4-wheel drive and truck and manual shift.  I told him "good luck."  Within a week he finds one.  We drove a couple hours north to look at a 2006 Dodge Ram 1500 4x4 with the 4.7 and the Getrag 6-speed manual and about 120k miles.  Then we drove it home.

That's a couple years ago.  Truck has been fine.

What's your price range? If you're not worried about fuel economy an F2/350 with the 6.8 and a stick is much cheaper than a diesel and will do what you want.

In reply to buzzboy :

I was shooting for 10ish +/-5 . I'm offloading a '22 Chevy 1500 w/ the 3.0 diesel so the budget is flexible. The only things I have an aversion to is the wobble steering - hence I don't love most of the 90-00 Fords, I've owned a V10, an F250, and an F450 with fully rebuilt steering (in 2wd and 4wd variants ) and still didn't love driving on the interstate....

Ford steering has gotten better but new enough that you're not getting a fun pedal. I had an 03 E450 and it was atrocious.