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Birdinator
Dodge Dakota
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2/19/2004
16:23:12
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 Subject: Buying a new Dakota. Need input help
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Hi,
I'm looking to buy a new Dakota at a local dodge dealer by me and I wanted some input on the price quote I was given along with any other options I should order.
Right now I'm looking at a Dakota Club Cab Sport Plus with these added options.
The 26C Package
Dodge Stampede Group
4.7 engine
auto 5 speed tranny
Axle- anti spin differential
Defroster package
Bed box liner
Radio with in dash 6 CD changer
The sticker with destination chargers is $25,600
Now.. I can buy this truck for $19,000 not including tax, tags, and prep and get 0% financing for 4 years.
Good? Bad? what do you think.
I was also thinking of getting ABS and 4 wheel disk brakes and maybe changing the Gear ratio to 355 or 392. I don't want the 4WD model. I'm happy with the 2 X 4.
So if there is anything you think I should add on. Let me know.
Thanks
Rob
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.boB
Dodge Dakota
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2/19/2004
18:07:10
| RE: Buying a new Dakota. Need input help
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If you live in snow country, get 4 wheel ABS. Otherwise, standard rear wheel ABS will be just fine, and $500 cheaper. Get the 3.92 rear to go with the anti-spin.
$19K + 0% financing isn't a bad deal at all. Now's the time to buy.
I don't have a rear window defroster, and I never notice that to be a problem here in CO. I do have the side mirror defrosters, which occasionally come in handy.
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Kent
Dodge Dakota
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2/19/2004
22:57:39
| RE: Buying a new Dakota. Need input help
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I'd go ahead and get the leather-wrapped steering wheel and radio/cd controls on the steering wheel...
If you've ever used those, they're nice... and not something you want to add later.
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CThomp
*GenIII*
2/20/2004
08:26:24
| RE: Buying a new Dakota. Need input help
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Ditch the bedliner option. It'll mess up your bed's paint. If you can live with a 5spd rather than an auto I'd say go with that. The reliability factor increases in a big way.
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Birdinator
Dodge Dakota
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2/20/2004
09:37:39
| RE: Buying a new Dakota. Need input help
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Thanks for the input. The info posted has been very help full.
.boB
I will be relocating from New York to Florida so I think I will be fine with out the 4WD. I'm still thinking about getting the ABS, If I'm not mistaken, doesn’t the ABS upgrade also come with 4 wheel disk brakes? The reason for me buy a Dakota is I'm buying a print shop in Florida and will need a delivery truck (I hate driving vans)
Kent
I understand what you mean. But it is a $500 option that I would love to get. The steering wheel is only $75 but they make you get the radio/speaker upgrade which adds another $500 to the price. I'm trying to keep the price of the truck with the bed cap below 20K before tax’s. But I really do want it!
Cthomp
I thought the Bed liner would help protect the bed? What would be a better option than a bed liner? Also for family reasons, I have to also go with automatic (wife does not know how to drive stick) Is the 5 auto a better choice over the 4 auto. It looks like there is only $100 difference between the two.
One more question. There giving me a soft cover for the bed but I did notice that Dodge sells a hard cover for the bed for $900 that matches the color of the truck. Is the dodge hard cover a quality piece or should I look into another make?
Thank you for answering all the newbee questions.
Rob
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CThomp
*GenIII*
2/20/2004
09:57:37
| RE: Buying a new Dakota. Need input help
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I'd ask some of the auto guys about their transmission ideas. I've heard you can make the chrysler auto trannies more reliable with aftermarket parts. Check out apsprecision.com. As far as a bedliner...check out bed rugs. If you are going to have a tonneau cover over some sort I'd say get one of those heavey duty rubber mats. It'll save you a load of money and no one will ever see it. The bedrugs cost more but they're pretty cool. I just got one but haven't put it on yet. I'm waiting until I have all of my paint damage repaired from what the bed liner did to it. Check around for other hard covers. Haggle with the dealer and see if he'll bring the price down on it any.
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Been There
Dodge Dakota
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2/20/2004
10:32:00
| RE: Buying a new Dakota. Need input help
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If you're planning on keeping your truck for a long time, you may want to look into an extended warranty. With Dakota's history of self destructing front suspension, rear gear, and other problems, the warranty will probably pay for itself.
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.boB
Dodge Dakota
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2/20/2004
20:08:27
| RE: Buying a new Dakota. Need input help
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In FL, you certainly won't need 4x4. You don't need limited slip, either. But for around town, and with heavy loads, definatly get the 3.92 rear gear.
I could be wrong, but I thought 4 wheel disc brakes are standard starting in 2003. But I think that's just for QC and 4x4. Anyway, is that a big deal? The advantage to disc brakes is that they run a little cooler in repeated/heavy use, don't fade in heavy use like drums do, and are more water resistant than drums. The disadvantage is that they are more expensive to buy and maintain. I have drums on mine, and I wouldn't waste the time or money upgrading to discs.
I think a lot of it is market driven, rather than true function. If rear drums didn't work, you wouldn't need ABS. But rear ABS is standard, because the rear drums can easily overpower available traction. You won't be needing 4 wheel ABS in FL.
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another mark
Dodge Dakota
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2/20/2004
20:30:32
| RE: Buying a new Dakota. Need input help
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"Ditch the bedliner option. It'll mess up your bed's paint"
I'm confused. And carrying things in your bed without a bedliner won't mess up the paint?
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NoLiner
Dodge Dakota
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2/20/2004
22:08:29
| RE: Buying a new Dakota. Need input help
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Florida has a lot of salty air. Bedliner will keep the salt in and whalla! Rust city! Make sure your able to rinse the salt off, cause a bed liner wont let you
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birdinator
Dodge Dakota
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2/21/2004
12:52:02
| RE: Buying a new Dakota. Need input help
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I was thinking for doing the bed rug thing at this point.
My idea about the 4 wheel disk with ABS is this. For $500 if it makes the car stop even 10 feet less than the stock system. IMO it can be the differance of hitting something or someone. Also I'm thinking of doing some autoX's with the truck ;)
Anyone here from Florida. I'm moving to the Melbourne area.
Rob
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.boB
Dodge Dakota
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2/21/2004
13:14:35
| RE: Buying a new Dakota. Need input help
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Well, here's the thing. The general idea with ABS was that it helped to stop the vehicle in a shorter distance. So insurance companies started giving a discount to vehicles equipped with it. Then they discovered that vehicles so equipped actually had more accidents! So now there's no discount. Unless traction is limited (snow), there's no advantage, and there may be a disadvantage. The argument could be made that a good driver does better without it, and a bad driver needs. Of course, it may also increase resale value, but probably not by $500
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DakotaGuy
Dodge Dakota
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2/21/2004
15:19:34
| RE: Buying a new Dakota. Need input help
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As much as I like my Dakota I'd almost recomend a toyota.......I bought mine without researching much. If I knew then what I know now about dakota's front end problems I wouldnt a bought it. The low end really sucks on the 3.9L to dont know anything about the V-8, except that my wifes grandpa has a 360 in his full size ram and he gets better gas mileage and has a solid front axle.
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birdinator
Dodge Dakota
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2/21/2004
16:27:37
| RE: Buying a new Dakota. Need input help
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Does anyone have a link to the know problems of Dakota's. Or if you don't mind typing it out, that would be great. I still think for 19K you get more truck for your money.
I'm not a fan of Toyota for personal reasons. They never did right by me when I had a problem with my Toyota.
Rob
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deerridge
GenIII
2/21/2004
17:04:24
|  RE: Buying a new Dakota. Need input help
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I have a 2003 4.7 AWD and it comes with 4 wheel discs with ABS on the back. They seem to be better than in the past. Mine are holding up great. I have them checked on every oil change. I'm up to 32000 with no significant wear or problems. Its the best truck I've ever had. Get a Rhino Liner and you don't have to worry about the bed.
Real Horsepower
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WipLash
R/T
2/21/2004
20:31:09
| RE: Buying a new Dakota. Need input help
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BED LINERS SUCK!!! Especially the ones that go over the bed rails. My 94 Dak came with the Mopar bed liner. In just 18 months the bedliner rubbed all the paint off the bed rails and most of the bed. Sand and grit gets under the plastic and the vibration of just driving down the road causes the bed liner to shake and it literally sands all the paint off. Then moisture gets trapped under the plastic because it can't get enough air to evaporate. The combunation of moisture and sanded away paint makes for a beautiful rusted out bed. If you have to have a liner get the sprayed in kind.
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