After losing my Durango to a deer, I found a 2011 Dodge RAM 1500 in amazing condition—no rust, low miles, and mechanically sound.
Life has a way of throwing curveballs when you least expect them and let me tell you, nothing hits harder than a freaking deer flying out of nowhere and obliterating your ride. My Durango, my trusty vehicle, was gone in a split second. A domestic terrorist on four hooves decided to play kamikaze, and I’m left staring at a totaled SUV and dealing with insurance, car shopping, and the general annoyance of being vehicularly homeless. But you know what? Sometimes, destruction is just another form of progress. Because out of this chaos came something better—a 2011 Dodge RAM 1500.
Let me paint you a picture. This truck isn’t just any truck. It’s a beast. No rust—none. That’s almost unheard of for a vehicle this age. It’s like finding a unicorn. Most of the trucks I looked at were practically decomposing, eaten alive by rust, and not to mention they had mileage so high you’d think they’d been to the moon and back. But this one? 157,000 miles on the engine. That’s barely broken in for a Dodge RAM 1500. Mechanically sound, no major issues, and apart from a bent back bumper—which I can fix—it’s in damn good condition. Oh, and the best part? I didn’t have to sell a kidney to afford it.
Here’s the thing: I was pissed when that deer took out my Durango. I mean, who wouldn’t be? The Durango was solid and dependable, and I had been through a lot with it. But looking back now, I can honestly say I came out ahead. This truck is better in every way, and I’ve always wanted a truck anyway. It’s like fate decided to slap me in the face and say, “Here’s your chance to upgrade, Jim. Stop driving an SUV like some suburban dad and get something with a little more grit.”
Shopping for a vehicle is its own kind of hell. You’re walking through lots, dealing with salespeople who are either way too pushy or so indifferent you wonder why they even bothered coming to work that day. Then there is Facebook Marketplace, filled with overpriced junk and scammers. You’re trying to figure out if the price is fair, if the mileage is reasonable, and if the rust isn’t going to eat the thing alive before you even get it home. It’s exhausting. And the options? Mostly trash. I swear, every truck I looked at had been through some sort of vehicular apocalypse. Frames rusted out, engines on their last leg, interiors that looked like they’d been used as a kennel.
Then I found the Dodge RAM 1500. And let me tell you, it was like a breath of fresh air in a room full of smoke. It was clean and solid, and just sitting there waiting for someone who could appreciate it. The previous owner must’ve actually cared about this thing because it’s in incredible shape for being over a decade old. I’m talking about a truck that’s ready to go to work, not one that’s limping along, hoping for retirement.
Now, I’m not going to sit here and pretend it’s perfect. The bent back bumper is annoying, sure, but that’s nothing a little time and effort can’t fix. If anything, it gives the truck a little character. It’s a reminder that nothing in life is flawless, and sometimes, the little imperfections are what make something truly yours. Besides, I’d rather deal with a bent bumper than a rusted-out frame or an engine that’s one crank away from calling it quits.
Driving this thing is a completely different experience from the Durango. Trucks have a presence, you know? When you’re behind the wheel of a Dodge RAM 1500, you feel like you own the road. It’s not just transportation; it’s a statement. It says, “I’m here, I’m capable, and I’m not messing around.” Plus, it’s practical as hell. Need to haul something? No problem. Want to take it off-road? It can handle it. This isn’t just a vehicle; it’s a tool, a companion, and a damn fine piece of machinery.
I’m still salty about the deer. Let’s be real: nobody enjoys dealing with the aftermath of a totaled car. Insurance claims, shopping for a replacement, and the general hassle of getting back on your feet—it’s not fun. But sometimes, life’s little disasters have a way of pushing you in the right direction. That deer may have taken out my Durango, but in doing so, it cleared the way for something better. I ended up with a truck I love and came out ahead in the grand scheme of things.
There’s a lesson in all of this, I think. Life is unpredictable, and sometimes it throws crap at you that you didn’t see coming. You can get mad, you can wallow, or you can pick yourself up, figure it out, and move forward. When that deer decided to play demolition derby with my Durango, I could’ve let it ruin my week, my month, hell, even my year. But instead, I took it as a sign to upgrade. And now, here I am, with a Dodge RAM 1500 that’s ready to take on whatever comes next.
So yeah, domestic terrorism on four legs took out my Durango, but I’m not mad about it anymore. In fact, I think I owe that deer a thank-you. Because without that big bastard, I might still be driving around in an SUV instead of sitting behind the wheel of a truck that feels like it was meant to be mine. Life’s funny like that. Sometimes, you have to lose something to gain something better. And this truck? It’s better. It’s a win.
Stay disciplined. Stay resilient.
Jim Lunsford
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