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Jon
Dodge Dakota
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4/05/2004
21:40:23
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 Subject: I need your opinion Frontier Vs. Dakota
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Right now I drive an 85 Nissan 4 x 4 pickup and I want to find something newer. I would like to find either a nissan frontier or a Dodge Dakota 97' or newer. So what is everybody's opinion? I really don't haul a lot of stuff and the Nissan would probably be fine, but I really like the room the Club Cab Dakota has. If I do decide to go with a Dakota what are some things I should look for?? What are some common problems with the Dakotas?? Should I get an automatic or 5 speed? 2WD or 4wd? V8 or V6?
Thanks for your opinions
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Old Fool
Dodge Dakota
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4/06/2004
12:41:54
|  RE: I need your opinion Frontier Vs. Dakota
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IMO the Frontier is a fine truck over all, as is the Dakota. I just don't like the looks of the Nissan Frontier. I owned Nissan trucks from 1988 and bought a new one every 2 years up until 1996. When it came time to trade in my '96 in '98 I just couldn't do it, I refuse to drive an ugly truck.
The Dakota is a good truck, but some problems associated with it are ball joints and front rotors. Once these have been replaced with after market greasable units and slotted they do just fine.
I prefer the 2wd Club Cab W/Manual Trans and the 4.7L V-8 for performance and fuel milage. I get about 17.5 to 18 mpg city and 22 to 23 mpg Highway with the cruise set on 80 mph. It runs mid to high 14's in the 1/4 mile, not bad for a 4,250 # truck on all stock internals. Good luck and good hunting.
Later,
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Mr. Big
Dodge Dakota
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4/06/2004
12:49:20
|  RE: I need your opinion Frontier Vs. Dakota
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The Nissan is a nice product. It feels a bit tinny to me. I have a 97 Dakot CC 318 4wd and love it! They are solid throughout. I would suggest you have the front brakes and all of the ball joints checked out. These trucks last forever and are very comfortable for short and long drives. Great trucks
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marlow
Dodge Dakota
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4/06/2004
16:32:54
| RE: I need your opinion Frontier Vs. Dakota
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Frontier V6 has worse mileage less hp and less torque than the dakota V6. Personally I think the Frontier is a seriously ugly truck...but thats coming from a Dodge truck lover. Who's big idea was it to put fake plastic rivets all over a truck?....
Obviously there are a few issues (rotors,ball joints) that need to be checked out with the Dakota. I have 110K on my 98 Club Cab and the ball joints are still kicking. If cared for the Dakota will be a very good and reliable truck.
In the end it will be your personal opinion that makes the decision, but you won't find many or any that will recommend a Nissan on a Dodge Dakota message board.
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Mr.Sleepy
Dodge Dakota
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4/06/2004
16:49:58
| RE: I need your opinion Frontier Vs. Dakota
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I'd have to agree that the nissan is inferior by some degree. I rode in the back of a Nissan crew cab frontier and found it cramped, had serious lack of torque, and still ate the gas like a pig at a buffet. Dakotas have some issues, but most likely a used dakota has most of them taken care of dealer fixins, ask for repair records from the owners and check this board for your hit list of things that need repairs.
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deerridge
GenIII
4/06/2004
16:50:14
| RE: I need your opinion Frontier Vs. Dakota
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The real reason to get a Dakota is the v-8. I would recomend the 4.7 liter. Lots more torque and gets the same MPG as the V-6. Its as good as any 1500 truck around and better than the little guys if you actually want a real truck.
Real Horsepower
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Drew
Dodge Dakota
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4/06/2004
18:12:01
| RE: I need your opinion Frontier Vs. Dakota
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Dakota is far more comfortable and roomy (width)than the Frontier. Much smoother ride. Also, you can get the 4.7L V8 which is the only engine to get if you get a Dakota. You will suffer with build quality and long term (150+K) reliability and the worst dealer customer service on the planet. Just depends what's most important to you and how long you plan to keep it.
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Jon
Dodge Dakota
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4/06/2004
18:12:36
| RE: I need your opinion Frontier Vs. Dakota
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Thanks for all the good information. I agree that the newer Frontiers are ugly. If I do decide to go with a Nissan it would be either the Hardbody or the early Frontier.
I have a few more question about the Dakota. Does anybody know what the difference is between the sport, slt, sxt, sport plus, and slt plus? Did Dodge put the 4.7 in the 1997 Models?? If not what is the earliest year you can get the 4.7?? Also how good does the 5.2 do on gas??
Thanks
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Old Fool
Dodge Dakota
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4/06/2004
22:09:03
| RE: I need your opinion Frontier Vs. Dakota
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First year for the 4.7L was late '99 or 2000. And the 5.2L in most cases (I'm not saying all just most) only gets about 16 to 17 mpg Highway at 70 mph.
The difference is the trim package, mine is a Sport Plus which includes the following options. Customer Preffered Package 25C.
Later,
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Chiz
Dodge Dakota
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4/07/2004
02:49:13
| RE: I need your opinion Frontier Vs. Dakota
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If you're getting an older truck then this won't matter, but the Frontier redesign coming out next year (I think) is much improved over the current one. More room, more mature looks, cheaper, 250hp.........V6. So probably the high-RPM (yet the super-common) 3.5L. Compare that with the 2005 Dakota though and I think the Dakota wins again. Except maybe the looks, at least that's how I feel at this point. Sorry about the syntax in this thing, I'm really tired (but I'm on the west coast so no, I'm not up at 3AM to be on this site, don't worry).
As for the ones that you're looking at, I think the Dakota is a better vehicle in all areas. Can't really think of one thing that the Frontier beats it it. Except the whole four full doors and "full-length" bed. What a crock that is anyway. If that's what you want then get a fullsize with an extended cab and regular bed, but now that I read again it seems like you were looking at a club cab anyways.
Comments on gas mileage: I've got a 3.9 V6 2x4 and get 13-14 city and 20-22 hwy. Gas mileage:Engine size is much lower for the 4.7 V8, making it a better buy in my opinion. As for the 5.2 V8 it would seem to me that the gas mileage is a bit worse, at least on the highway.
I've had a plethora of nuisances up to this point (20,000 miles), but nothing major. Most major thing is right now the engine requires some prodding to start in the morning and the throttle is a bit sticky, but I'm sure Dodge will fix it right up when I take it in later this week.
Last thing, I've got an SLT-plus, lower sticker price than the guy above this. Supposedly I have more luxury options, but he's got better speakers, better mirrors, better seats. Mostly everything else is the same. Basically goes to show that you can get what you want regardless of the designation. Plus is usually more luxury than others, SLT is more luxury (really just more comfort) than Sport. SXT is a V6, stripped mostly, except for the appearance options and sound options.
Good Luck
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99DAK
Dodge Dakota
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4/07/2004
10:22:02
| RE: I need your opinion Frontier Vs. Dakota
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SLT has chrome bumpers and front grille.
Sport is body color.
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cool
Dodge Dakota
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4/07/2004
10:49:18
| RE: I need your opinion Frontier Vs. Dakota
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My SLT doesn't have chrome bumpers.
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bemoore
Dodge Dakota
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4/07/2004
12:09:30
| RE: I need your opinion Frontier Vs. Dakota
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i feel riped off i got my v6 for that price
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Old Fool
Dodge Dakota
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4/07/2004
14:41:45
| RE: I need your opinion Frontier Vs. Dakota
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I also got $1,500 off that price, so the actual price was $21,520 Delivered to Germany and I also didn't have to pay any sales tax. Wasn't that so cool. Registration cost me $20. If you notice the delivery location is SWITZERLAND. I custom ordered that truck, I brought the sales man a Excel Spread sheet with all the options I wanted how I wanted them.
Later,
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Old Fool
Dodge Dakota
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4/07/2004
14:43:42
| RE: I need your opinion Frontier Vs. Dakota
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I also got $1,500 off that price, so the actual price was $21,520 Delivered to Germany and I also didn't have to pay any sales tax. Wasn't that so cool. Registration cost me $20. If you notice the delivery location is SWITZERLAND. I custom ordered that truck, I brought the sales man a Excel Spread sheet with all the options I wanted how I wanted them.
Later,
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01Motorsport
Dodge Dakota
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4/08/2004
14:25:17
| RE: I need your opinion Frontier Vs. Dakota
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For FYI sake, a Dak Sport or Sport Plus Club Cab 4x2 manual trans. weighs 3977 lbs. www.dodge.com/dakota/capacities-weights
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Old Fool
Dodge Dakota
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4/08/2004
16:19:26
| RE: I need your opinion Frontier Vs. Dakota
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I know how much they questimate it at from the factory, I'm going by the real world, real time weight ticket that you see above.
Later,
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STS
Dodge Dakota
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4/10/2004
16:34:05
| RE: I need your opinion Frontier Vs. Dakota
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HA, What I like about those older 2.4L Nissans is that the take off power feels like a strong V6.
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