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Matt
Dodge Dakota
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3/02/2003
23:28:16
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 Subject: Tacoma or Dakota
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I'm not sure if this is the best, or worst, place to ask this question?? I am looking for a truck and have narrowed my search to either a tacoma or dakota, they both seem like great trucks, and stats are mostly the same.I want 4x4, V6, automatic, and extended cab. From what I have read, the Toyota seems more reliable in the long run, and I seem to see a lot more Tacomas on the road. (Just wondering if thats a hint about quality, or if there are just more produced.)I do a lot of traveling with the Army and I want someting dependable, thanks for your help.
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Crusty
GenIII
3/02/2003
23:47:10
|  RE: Tacoma or Dakota
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Well... I have taken many road trips in both of the vehicles you are interested in. Here are my thoughts.
Size-The Tacoma is way too small in the cab for two people. The depth of the bed is less than the Dakota (shallower). But, it is more manueverable on trails
Power- the Tacoma is alright on power, just alright. with any load is isnt powerful even with the V6. But with the available supercharger it is fast and very potent. The Dakota motor beats it hands down in power as a stock motor.
reliabitly- I have put about 40,000 miles on my two dakotas and have had one warrranty claim. Clock Spring in the steering wheel. Replaced free. The Toyotas are very reliable and hold their value better than a Toyota.
I like the options that come with the Dak more. obviously I am biased since I own a Dak. But I did look long and hard at the Tacoma. You might look at the Tundra also. Just a bit bigger than the Tacoma, V8, good brakes, but quality issues now that they are US built. Hope this helps.
2002 CC 4.7L 3.55LSD
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Matt
Dodge Dakota
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3/03/2003
00:02:22
| RE: Tacoma or Dakota
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crusty, thanks for the info, its nice to hear an actual persons thoughts. All i have been reading is reviews and they are only helpful to an extent. Was your Dak, to toy, more fun in general?
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shad
Dodge Dakota
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3/03/2003
00:45:25
| RE: Tacoma or Dakota
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one thing to consider is cost of parts and repair. the tacoma maybe a lil more reliable but will cost way more for parts and labor. plus from what i've gathered daks are pretty reliable, ya there are people that have probs with theres but i've known 2 people with tacomas that had quite a few probs. i like the daks cause of the room, the tacos are so small i felt like i was sitting in the center seat while riding with my friends, also there just is'nt a better looking truck on the road then the dakota.
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One_of_each
Dodge Dakota
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3/03/2003
02:22:17
| RE: Tacoma or Dakota
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The Toy only seems slightly more than an inch
narrower, but if you're over 5'10, better go
with the Dak, because there's not enough legroom
to stretch out. Probably get cramps after 10
minutes of driving.
Underside of the Toy is way cleaner and
clearance is better. Locker on demand is really
nice. Mileage rating on the Dak with 4.7 V-8 &
3.55s is marginally better than the Toy V-6. No
ball-joint horror stories.
So, if you're short, doing monthly payments
anyway, intend on selling after a couple of
years, and are doing more offroading than
towing, get the Toy. If you're tall and doing
heavy hauling/towing, and more long-distance
driving get the Dak.
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Texas Todd
Dodge Dakota
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3/03/2003
08:53:32
| RE: Tacoma or Dakota
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Matt,
With all that being said.
If you're EVEN considering a 4x4 dak, with a v6, I feel sorry for you. The dak is heavier, (still my choice), I con't think you'll be at all happy with a v6! The 4.7 is awesome, and will get better MPG, especially when doing anything except driving like your grandma. If you for some reason HAVE to have a v6, then get the tacoma, o/w, 4.7 Dak all the way.
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xplikt
GenIII
3/03/2003
10:13:09
| RE: Tacoma or Dakota
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I was a big Taco fan a couple years ago, still am somewhat. I decided to give the Dakota a test drive right around when I was looking to buy a new car. I had just given a some Tacomas a couple test drives, when I remembered a friend told me way back I should look into the Dakota. So I did and I liked the Dakota many times more.
You just gotta test drive the two. The Dakota wins hands down in towing and power with the 4.7. Basing off my family's 4x4 22r Toy and history, the Tacoma will outlast the Dakota by far. They are almost idiot proof. Oil, what oil? It'll do better on trails. They both are pretty equal when it comes to road handling even though the Dakota is heavier.
Those are mostly the facts. There a a zillion other things that are just opinions. For example, I think the Dakota was much more comfortable overall.
The regular cab Toyota pickups don't come with the largest engine upgrade. Havn't since 96, what a joke.
-Mike
http://www.dodgetruckworld.com/xplikt/
2002 2WD RC SLT 4.7L 5spd 3.92 LSD
MBRP Single in/out | straight piped 3rd cat | turndown tip
Full Hotchkis (bars, springs, shocks) and RAS
Shaved emblems and antennae
150BM fan | removed clutch | HD Radiator
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sandman
Dodge Dakota
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3/03/2003
11:48:27
| RE: Tacoma or Dakota
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Well the two trucks are not even in the same EPA class. The Tacoma is a copact truck and the Dakota is a Mid-size. From a durability and off road stand point the Toyota will drive the Dodge into ground. If you are after comfortable HWY drive or space the Dakota has the Toyota beat by a large margin. If you want to compare an older Dak to a midsize Toyota the T100 is a better comparison. My dad has a 1996 Tacoma and it is plenty powerful and fast. The 3.4 liter V6 Toyota has in the Tacoma has to be on Par with the old 3.9 Dodge V6 especily if you compare vechile weight. I am thinking that the 3.4 makes more HP and about the same torque as the old 3.9. An added bonus is that Toyota do not have the transmission problems that seem to plague Dodge,GM and Ford trucks!!! You will give up towing capcity and bed capacity to get the better ground clearance and durability!! So really think about your needs!!
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Demon-Xanth
Dodge Dakota
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3/03/2003
12:28:35
| RE: Tacoma or Dakota
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Seriously, getting a 3.9 over the 4.7 does NOTHING. It doesn't help gas milage, doesn't help performance, and you won't be as happy. Just get the 4.7.
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Rob454
Dodge Dakota
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3/03/2003
12:58:57
| RE: Tacoma or Dakota
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If youre keeping the truck for a long time get the tacoma. they have better resale value than the Dodge ever will. Ive had problems with my dakota. quite a few problems. nothing with the motor or tranny but axle problems aplenty. The toyota v6 i spowerful enough. Nopt when you comapre it to a v8 but for a v6 its plenty powerful. Since youre in the military I dotn think youre towing boats all over the place but even if you are a Toyota does a good job.
I bought my dakota based on looks and v8 availability and price. its cheaper to own a dodge but the Toyota will outlast it as far as longevity is converned. And parts are nto that expensive. if you go to the dealer sure youll pay a arm and a leg but thats any dealer.
Thats the biggest misconception I ever heard of. Probably true back in the 80s but now they are not expensive to maintain
rob
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topcrow
Dodge Dakota
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3/03/2003
16:21:33
| RE: Tacoma or Dakota
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I had a new 2002 Tacoma Doublecab with the 3.4 V6. I am 6'4" and it was rather small both in height and width. In addition, it was underpowered compared to my 4.7 Dakota. I got about 15 mpg around town-same as my Club Cab Dakota. Both are 2WD.
Bob
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sandman
Dodge Dakota
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3/03/2003
16:35:53
| RE: Tacoma or Dakota
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If you are enlisted and buying used get a recertified Tacoma. If you are buying new get the Tacoma. You can not afford to be buying a new vechile every 3-4 years or paying to fix it out of warranty every 6 mounths. The Dodge will be cheaper initialy but the Toyota will cost you less past year 3. With routine maintence you can expect to get 200,000-300,000 out of a Toyota truck with no problems. If you are in a military town the salvage yard are just as full of import parts as domestic because of all the car accidents and most service men own imports due to durability. Take them for a spin and compare how solid they fill. The worst thing about Toyotas Tacomas is how low the seat sits. They tried to lower it to make it easier to step into at the last minute and becasue of that it feels like you are sitting on the floor board.
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Kowalski
Dodge Dakota
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3/03/2003
17:50:19
| RE: Tacoma or Dakota
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Had 2 Toys before my 4.7 Dak - stone cold reliable and excellent resale value (trade in was half what I paid new after 7-8 years and 100,000 miles). Plenty of room for taller guys if you get the extra cab. The only way you could really go wrong here would be to pass on the 4.7 - about a $500 dollar option on my 2000 and actually rated better milage than the 3.9. If you prefer the Dak, you'll never regret the 4.7 !
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sandman
Dodge Dakota
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3/03/2003
21:36:59
| RE: Tacoma or Dakota
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I hope a 4.7 liter V8 has more power and torque then a 3.4V6. I do not know how you can complain about the power though. In a 2wd Tacoma the 3.4 in a manual trans is smoking. I have eaten up 4.3 S-10 in them and a Mustang 4.6 from stop light to stoplight 3 time in a row!!! THe old 3.0V6 in a two wheel drive would kill the old 5.0 Mustangs all day long. To add too that I have friend that towed a 16 Foot twin hull fishing boat with two 300 HP Yamaha Outboard with a T100 with the V6. I think the 3.4V6 makes 240HP and 295ft-lbs of torque now. P.S.I am 6'2" and I have more of problem in my Dodge then in my Toyota. Their is plenty of head room in both vechiles but doge stoped the windshield about 3 inchs too soon. So unless I am 2 cars back at a light i have to bend forward and lookup at the light.
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ShortSport
GenIII
3/03/2003
23:39:53
| RE: Tacoma or Dakota
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sandman your horsepower and torque numbers are way off the 3.4 makes 190hp last i heard and torque 220 i think somewhere around there
2002 Reg cab 4x2 4.7 5-spd 3.55.1 LSD
fiberglass tonneau cover; stainless steel cat-back dual exhaust; magnaflow muffler
Go hard or go home!!
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Matt
Dodge Dakota
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3/04/2003
00:26:16
| RE: Tacoma or Dakota
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cool, thanks for the info, its all been a big help. (sounds like if i get the Dak, i need the 4.7!) Ill rack my mind a little while longer before i make any decisions. If you have any more info, yall please feel free to keep on posting! *also, what year did the Tacoma get limited slip on demand, thats gotta be a big plus!. And what year did the Tacoma start gettin the TRD package. Sorry, i know this is a Dodge board, buy yall seem to know about both trucks. Thanks again!
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lacent
Dodge Dakota
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3/04/2003
11:37:20
| RE: Tacoma or Dakota
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yea i feel the same way, i was out test driving vehicles, drove a tacoma loved it, it was a really awesome truck but i did notice it was incredibly small, i mean the extended cab was nothing more than a place to put your truck, a 5 year old girl could probably fit back there but it would be cramped, anywho, just happend to stop into the dodge dealer, hadnt really even considered dodge, and saw a v6 dak, drove it and loved it, but as i was talking to the guy i was like well i really love this truck but it just dosnt quite have the power i want, so he takes me over and shows me mine, 4.7 02 CC, automatic 4x4 SLT loaded, only thing my truck didnt have was the over head computer, anyway, it was only 500 more, went home that day went back the next day and got my truck for 21,000 only ended up financing like 10,000 anyway, the yota was 24 and didnt have half the options or power my dak does, it was a 4cyl 5spd, pitiful if you ask me if yota would put their v8 in the tacoma it would be a huge contender,
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xplikt
GenIII
3/04/2003
20:02:30
| RE: Tacoma or Dakota
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They wont even put the V8 in their regular cab Tundra. They really should.
Matt, most of us know the Tacoma quite well because we've either owned one, or it was one of our choices when we got our Dakotas.
Drive the 4.7 with the 5spd! You gotta do it. One tip for you, get the absolute biggest gears you can. For the Dakota, to upgrade to the 3.92s is a $40 option. If you want to do it later on, it'll cost you 400 from a shop. Same with the limited slip, get that in either vehicle you get.
-Mike
http://www.dodgetruckworld.com/xplikt/
2002 2WD RC SLT 4.7L 5spd 3.92 LSD
MBRP Single in/out | straight piped 3rd cat | turndown tip
Full Hotchkis (bars, springs, shocks) and RAS
Shaved emblems and antennae
150BM fan | removed clutch | HD Radiator
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Matt
Dodge Dakota
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3/05/2003
00:16:57
| RE: Tacoma or Dakota
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sounds like i just need to get my butt in gear and go test drive them both back to back and see which one feels like it fits better and what will do everything i need. (does anyone have safety info on both trucks?) Again, thanks for everyones opinions!
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xplikt
GenIII
3/05/2003
10:53:38
| RE: Tacoma or Dakota
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Both are real safe and sturdy vehicles, for trucks. Just remember the seat belt. I saw just last week where only 59% of pickup truck owners wear their seat belt. That being a major factor in why rollover deaths are high for pickup trucks.
-Mike
http://www.dodgetruckworld.com/xplikt/
2002 2WD RC SLT 4.7L 5spd 3.92 LSD
MBRP Single in/out | straight piped 3rd cat | turndown tip
Full Hotchkis (bars, springs, shocks) and RAS
Shaved emblems and antennae
150BM fan | removed clutch | HD Radiator
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Matt
Dodge Dakota
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3/05/2003
13:44:04
|  RE: Tacoma or Dakota
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I am VERY strict on wearing my seat belt. Ive made it such a habit that if im even just moving my car , i put it on.That is a very good point and im glad you brought that, not enough people wear their seatbelt. Thanks!
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Matt
Dodge Dakota
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3/05/2003
22:41:18
|  RE: Tacoma or Dakota
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ummm wow, this was suprising! Not what I expected, I always thought of the Dak as the safer of the 2. Check this out :
http://www.hwysafety.org/vehicle_ratings/ce/html/photo_comp_smpickup.htm
you can look all kinda of info on their crash ratings on the web sight.
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RTare cool
Dodge Dakota
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3/05/2003
23:04:13
| RE: Tacoma or Dakota
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lol i test drove a tacoma and i am 6'7 lol my dad had a hard time fitting in it and he is 6'2 they are like rangers and s10 all have extremely small cabs. Thats why i got a dak
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adam182003
Dodge Dakota
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3/06/2003
10:23:38
|  RE: Tacoma or Dakota
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mat,
my freind has an older toyota truck and he loves it. its a nice truck and doesnt seem to have any problem besides its on its 3rd clutch but thats to be expected at 240000 miles. i wouldnt belive it if i didnt see it milage wise. the toyota he has gets slighty beter gas milage. i have a 99 dakota sport i personall like it beter becuase it has more power and looks beter. the dakota seames to be a little beter built in terms of suspetio.
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JMII
Dodge Dakota
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3/06/2003
10:36:45
| RE: Tacoma or Dakota
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I got the Dak because of the size (not too big, not too small), towing capacity and V8 option. Based on all my research I went with the 4.7l, 3.92 rear-end with the LSD - like everyone said they are cheap options up front but costly add-ons later if you decide you want/need them (and you will!).
Glad to see people not bashing the Toy even on this site - cause it's a good truck, just not what I wanted.
http://home.mindspring.com/~jntmoore/truck/home.html
- John
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Dustin
Dodge Dakota
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3/06/2003
13:51:08
| RE: Tacoma or Dakota
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About to hit the 100,000 mile mark on my 99 Dakota......still running great! My old Toyota was nice but the V8 and bigger size are wonderful!
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Jas01dakon
Dodge Dakota
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3/06/2003
15:32:29
| RE: Tacoma or Dakota
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I test drove a Tacoma before buying my Dak and was seriously considering buying one. Actually I tested several pickups from different makers. The Tacoma is definitely a fine truck, well designed and well built. The initial build quality seems excellent.
The reason I went with the Dodge is price. Both seemed comparable in build quality (though I have found that Dodges are still put together poorly and still have crappy paint, ball joints and the 3.9 is crap; not a flame, I love my Dak), but the Tacoma was almost $10,000.00 more than the Dak I bought. Maybe not exactly comparable models but close enough to make a decision. That $10,000.00 plus interest would buy alot of upgrades.
In the end it comes down to intangables. Forget the "buy American" bullsh1t. Both are built in the USA by foreign companies so that argument is moot. I like the look of the Dak over the Tacoma, the Dak seems less "tinny" but the Tacoma has more standard features.
In the end it's a tough choice. I love the look of the Dak and the price was right.
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Kowalski
Dodge Dakota
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3/08/2003
10:08:48
| RE: Tacoma or Dakota
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If you do go with the Toy you can make make the "buy American" thing work for you though - tell dealer you're looking at both and concerned how your domestic vehicle driving friends and co-workers will view you driving a jap truck - then enjoy the price drop they will likely offer. If your co-workers are in the building trades and/or union workers all the better. Something no one's brought up yet is that heavier vehicles are more stable towing, giving the nod to the Dak if there is a nice boat or camper in your future plans.
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