| From | Message |
Dan
Dodge Dakota
JOIN HERE
12/31/2003
23:50:26
|
 Subject: Is Dakota a good buy?
IP: Logged
Message:
this may sound stupid, but my son wants to buy a 4x4 and likes the Dakota. I am trying to find out how reliable they are. I just found this site. On other sites I hear that they have a lot of mechanical trouble, brakes, heater core, etc. all with only 20,0000 to 35000 miles. He is just out of college and we are looking at a 2001. any honest feedback would be appreciated, thank you.
|
Spiller
Dodge Dakota
JOIN HERE
1/01/2004
01:55:57
| RE: Is Dakota a good buy?
IP: Logged
Message:
I'd get another one. As reliable as any vehicle I've owned.
|
DSW
Dodge Dakota
JOIN HERE
1/01/2004
02:14:20
| RE: Is Dakota a good buy?
IP: Logged
Message:
I think my 00 CC Dak was a great buy and has been very reliable. I have done some work on it, but I have about 113K on it without any major problems.
Brakes and ball joints are weak points on these trucks, But I would rather have this than a bad engine, tranny or electrical problems.
I would buy another one.
|
TexasTodd
Dodge Dakota
JOIN HERE
1/01/2004
02:43:19
| RE: Is Dakota a good buy?
IP: Logged
Message:
I'd buy mine again.
01, Quad Cab, 4.7, 5speed manual, etc.
Still got original brakes, heater core, etc.
Which engine and type of cab, tranny, etc.?
|
saywha
Dodge Dakota
JOIN HERE
1/01/2004
08:46:20
| RE: Is Dakota a good buy?
IP: Logged
Message:
go to a site that is unbiased. like edmunds or consumer reports.
You don't go to a MAC convention and ask the people there if they like MAC computers.
It's like D and D'er.
Sorry man but somebody's gotta tell ya.
|
mpa
Dodge Dakota
JOIN HERE
1/01/2004
10:53:21
| RE: Is Dakota a good buy?
IP: Logged
Message:
I own a 2001 Dakota Quad Cad 4.7 4x4 auto which I bought new. I like the size, power and handling of the Dakota. These are the problems I had at 37,000 miles. It needed two new rotors due to poor metal quality, and one upper ball joint. The front and rear sway bar bushings squeaked and needed to be cleaned and lubed. I still hear noises in the front suspension. I'm keeping my truck, but honestly can't recommend one.
|
jeremiah2360
Dodge Dakota
JOIN HERE
1/01/2004
11:46:49
|  RE: Is Dakota a good buy?
IP: Logged
Message:
I would not recommend a Dakota as reliable vehicle. It is more of a hobby to own one and hunt down and solve problems. I have had a lot of them on mine(water on passenger floorboard,leaky pinion seal, harsh up shifts,P0442-the loose gas cap code-but no loose cap,squeaky bushings,rough idle,idle dropping after freeway).
Mostly pain in the ass stuff, nothing major. I found this site before I bought mine so I knew what I was getting into. When something messes up I can`t complain.
On the plus side the truck fits my needs. It just fits in the garage. It tows my boat great. It looks better than anything out there(IMHO). It is fun to drive,plenty of power. I have the time and enjoy messing with it and solving problems.
Bottom line; if your son wants reliability buy a foreign vehicle. If he wants an adventure by domestic.
03 qc 4.7 auto 4x4 24k
|
mddak
Dodge Dakota
JOIN HERE
1/01/2004
15:38:19
| RE: Is Dakota a good buy?
IP: Logged
Message:
Jeremiah, I'm with you you. I do most of my own work and my dak is a hobbby.
It either has a problem, I'm fixing a problem or I'm waiting for my next problem. Plus regular maintenance.
Hey, it's the size and price I wanted and I can fix 90% of the problems myself.
Same as owning a Jageur that can haul plywood.
|
GreenGoblin
Dodge Dakota
JOIN HERE
1/02/2004
17:45:00
| RE: Is Dakota a good buy?
IP: Logged
Message:
I would not recommend a Dakota as a reliable vehicle. I've had to replace the ball joints twice, u-joints on the rear shaft, brake rotors, have the transfer case rebuilt, and the rear-end is noisy. I'm afraid that may go out as well. This is all before 60k miles and with all regular maintenance.
I remember when I was looking for a Dakota, there was one sitting in a Toyota lot, so I stopped in to take a quick look. It wasn't exactly what I was looking for and then the salesperson asked me to look at a Tundra. I was not interested in a Tundra at all. Now that I have a Dakota and the problems that go with it, and seeing Consumer Reports list the Tundra as the most reliable full size truck, I completely regret not giving the Tundra a chance.
|
Justi
Dodge Dakota
JOIN HERE
1/02/2004
18:31:08
| RE: Is Dakota a good buy?
IP: Logged
Message:
Before you lend TOO much credibility to what we say, both good and bad, I ask that you read this quote from another thread on these forums. And THEN go to Edmunds like another guy offered.. Oh, and personally? I love my dakota (03 4x4 QC 4.7L) and would buy it again 10x over..
---
"I can say this about online fan sites such as this one. GENERALLY, you only have two types of people that use them. All out whores of the product that LOVE their X, in this case Dakota. And people that have problems so they go online to research/complain about their problems.
Not that this is necessarily bad, but it means you have to take most oracles that you find on these sites with a relative grain of salt. People that are simply content with their purchase and have no complaints, nor an infatuation with their truck, don't surf to these sites GENERALLY.
There are a few common problems with the Dakotas, i.e. the balljoints, but otherwise there are a lot of hit or miss problems that are amplified here by the sheer amount of people that come here looking for a solution to that problem. Just remember that what you read here is not NECESSARILY a porportionate representation of ALL Dakota owners.
That said, there is some down right excellent information to be found here, I learn new things every day without exception. I love my truck (03 SLT+ 4x4 QC with the 4.7L/auto tranny)and haven't had problems yet. But I will, as anything man made is destined to, and when I do, I KNOW I will find a reference to that problem here. I appreciate this site and it's users for that simple reason. But you can't get worried about every complaint you see listed here because there's a good chance you'll never experience it, and if you get worried about all of them you will NEVER enjoy your truck. That doesn't mean to ignore the posts, simply browse and keep it in mind to check for yourself later or maybe keep an eye out for it. Use the site as the information sharing portal it is and ignore the extreme pro and extreme con posts and pay attention to everything in between. :)"
|
Knucklehead
Dodge Dakota
JOIN HERE
1/02/2004
20:48:35
| RE: Is Dakota a good buy?
IP: Logged
Message:
Jeremiah, did your hard upshifts return? If I remember correctly you had a flash that fixed it initially.
|
Dan
Dodge Dakota
JOIN HERE
1/02/2004
20:59:15
| RE: Is Dakota a good buy?
IP: Logged
Message:
I am the guy that asked the question and would like to say Thanks to all of you for your responses! I really like the looks of the Dakota, the size, and I just like Dodges,, have had a RamCharger in the old days,, But, I had heard of lots of problems with these Dakotas,,too bad because I am from South Dakota,, He will make up his mind on this, but again,, thanks alot, nice people on this site,, dan
|
jeremiah2360
Dodge Dakota
JOIN HERE
1/02/2004
21:20:30
| RE: Is Dakota a good buy?
IP: Logged
Message:
No Knucklehead they have not :)
|
Knucklehead
Dodge Dakota
JOIN HERE
1/02/2004
22:03:17
| RE: Is Dakota a good buy?
IP: Logged
Message:
Ok cool. I thought when you mentioned that it may have started again.
|
slopehead
Dodge Dakota
JOIN HERE
1/03/2004
06:51:04
| RE: Is Dakota a good buy?
IP: Logged
Message:
the guys that complain about driveline problems are also the guys that brag about racing them, they are a TRUCK not a race car, and need to be treated as such. You beat them and like any other car/truck, you will have drive line problems. But for those of us that DRIVE them not race them, they start every morning and get us to work and back, every day.
|
GreenGoblin
Dodge Dakota
JOIN HERE
1/05/2004
00:09:24
| RE: Is Dakota a good buy?
IP: Logged
Message:
Here it goes again. Slopehead, the problems that have come up with my truck have nothing to do with racing! Just because your luck has been good with your Dakota, don't assume that mine has had its numerous problems due to abuse or neglect. My truck has been taken care of and I do not abuse it! The only off roading it has seen are mild trails that get me to my campsites and dirt bike unloading areas! I drive the speed limit and I don't drag race from light to light because it is a waste of gas! The old saying "if you take care of your car, it will take care of you" just isn't true with this pickup! They break! No amount of maintenance and babying will change that! Accept it!
|
forexfour
GenIII
1/05/2004
18:54:37
| RE: Is Dakota a good buy?
IP: Logged
Message:
Like any truck or car you get one that works or doesn't.
The Dakota is an awesome truck and performs well off road and on road. That is my opinion and I work my truck hard off road and as my daily driver on road. I have over 78K on my 2000 club cab and no major problems.
Check my site and see. I frequently do long day trips and weekend trips of up to 800 miles to go off roading. great truck! 2000 4x4 club cab V-6 3" suspension lift.
I would buy another but why mine runs great and has lots of extra's and they look great!!!
Chris
Never late for a Tee time or wheelin with my buddies! Always ready for both!!!Forexfour's home
|
GraphiteDak
GenIII
1/05/2004
21:36:42
| RE: Is Dakota a good buy?
IP: Logged
Message:
forexfour, holy crap you really do run your truck off road don't you??!!
I've got a '03 4.7 QC 4X4 and have taken it out a few times. Wacked a rock (more like a boulder) that was hidden under the water in a crossing a few weekes ago. Left a nice battlescar on my front crossmember and was surprised the alignment is still true. Anyway I see you lifted yours and looks like your 33's just BARELY fit up in your wheel wells when you were going thru the big holes. It's NICE to see people who actually go off road with their trucks instead of just out fitting the truck for LOOKS (RICE)!
I am curious about your lift. I'm thinking of a slight lift, like 2 inches in the rear with a add a leaf and a crank on the front torsion bars. What have you got for a lift if I may ask?
|
forexfour
GenIII
1/06/2004
11:41:55
| RE: Is Dakota a good buy?
IP: Logged
Message:
Yes I do!!! I wheel with Perpetrate and he runs a 98 Dakota 3" body lift and has seen more action than me.
If you are reffering to the full flex photo's I have at my site I should clarify some of them. I have full flex photo's of me running 33x12.5x15 on STOCK suspension and I have 33x10.5x15 with the 3" Rancho lift.
For the increase in height you are talking about an Add A Leaf will give you initially 2.5" of lift in back but it will prolly sag to 2". Yo can crank you torsion bars to get 1.5 to 2" if you have enough turns left on your bolts. This will increase the stress on the front end so you will need to monitor the front suspension parts. I have run with fully cranked TB's for a longtime now with no issues but I did put on MOOG upper due to ripped rubber boots on my old ones.
Hit me on the Off road board if you need more info so we do not continue to go off topic on this thread.
Thank
Chris
Never late for a Tee time or wheelin with my buddies! Always ready for both!!!Forexfour's home
|
| | P 1 |
|
Post a reply to this message:
Username Registration: Optional
All visitors are allowed to post messages
|
