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Dan M
Dodge Dakota
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2/03/2009
12:54:14
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 Subject: sad times - no more dakota
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This past Saturday I traded in my 2002 QC dakota 4x4 4.7L V8 with 93,700 miles in on a 2009 Jeep patriot limited 4x4.
I hated to do it, but unfortunately this was best for me and my family at this time.
I've been a dakota owner since July 1998 when I purchased my first dakota, 1995 SLT CC 4x4 with 3.9L V6. I traded that dakota in on the 02 in Jan 2004. Both were great trucks and I'd consider buying another dakota again in the future. I never had any major issues with either truck and both performed well on and off road. Many good memories in both. I have hardly driven the dakota since I bought my 08 avenger in Nov 2007, logging about 200 miles a month.
We also traded in my wife's 2006 jetta 2.5 with 5 speed 5.
In the end, we cut all of our costs (loan, insurance, fuel) and added life time power train warranty and retained functional vehicles.
2009 Jeep Patriot Limited 4x4
- 4 cylinder 2.4L engine (same as caliber, avenger)
- Freedom Drive II with cont-var trans with off road mode (19:1 gear reduction in low range) which allows it to wear the Trail Rated Badge
- uConnect GPS (myGig)
- Sun and sound package (9 speaker boson accoustics with sun roof)
- Premium convenience group
- 9" ground clearance (FDI 4x4 system has 8")
- can drive though 19" of water
- skid plates
- 2 front and 1 rear tow hook
It is roughly the same size as the jeep cherokee classic and and has similar body lines. Plenty of room for 4 adults plus cargo.
I know it's not going to win any races and that is fine. It will be great for my fishing and camping trips and a good all around family oriented vehicle.
Other people with similar vehicles claim 22-25 mpg combined and some claiming 30+ highway mpg.
- Dan M
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Dan M
Dodge Dakota
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2/03/2009
13:06:41
| RE: sad times - no more dakota
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I should also mention that there is still a demand for 4x4 trucks in certain parts of the country. I think this bad winter helped me get a premium price for mine.
No serious local officers and local dealers were offering 2-3k for trade in. I found a dealer in the mountains (~300 miles away from where I live) that offered me over 2x the local dealer quotes without even seeing the truck. They gave me a good price on the jetta as well. This dealer was the closet dealer to me that had a patriot in stock that had everything I wanted.
It worked out for the best since no local dealer had any 4x4 jeep patriots with the FDII 4x4 system (all had FDI). I considered ordering one but the discounts for ordering were much lower than buying one sitting on the lot already.
I got employee pricing + rebates + discounts + owner loyalty (I received a flier in the mail from Dodge Program headquarters mentioning the dealer that I bought my Avenger from back in Nov 07) talking about owner loyalty (discount depends on vehicle).
I had planned on keeping the 02 dakota, but the conditions were right and i took advantage of it.
500 miles on the new jeep patriot and my wife and I both love it.
- Dan M
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RadioMan
Dodge Dakota
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2/03/2009
13:13:16
|  RE: sad times - no more dakota
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Message:
Well Dan M, you're not the only one that got rid
of a Dakota. I no longer have my 02 Sport 4X4
with the V8. Sold it out right a few months ago.
I just bought a 04 Liberty 4X4 with the 3.7 V6.
Not happy with its gas mileage at all! It's got
enough power but it seems to be worse on gas than
my old 02 was. Maybe it's the bad Ohio weather
right now. I'll be tuning it up this spring and
maybe I'll see better mileage. If no better
mileage, it will be time to move on to Jap made
gas sippers.
Good luck on your new rides...
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modain
GenIII
2/03/2009
13:15:22
| RE: sad times - no more dakota
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Message:
I keep getting those dealer trade incentives to get me into a new vehicle in exchange for my truck. Well for me, they can have my Dakota when they pry my dead, cold hands off the steering wheel.
Everybody has their priorities and needs. I'm glad it worked out for you Dan, sounds like a sweet deal for a very usable vehicle.
What's your left foot doing?
==============
2002 Graphite QC SLT Plus, 4.7L, NV3500, Superchips 3715, 3.92 LSD, R/T rear swaybar, no chrome, loads o'fun...
2001 Patriot Blue Durango SLT, 4.7L, 45RFE, Superchips 3715, 3.55 Open (for now)
1999 Forest Green Dakota RC Sport, 2.5L, NV1500, 3.55 Open
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jayb
Dodge Dakota
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2/04/2009
11:26:25
| RE: sad times - no more dakota
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Message:
yup.... i took had to do away with my dakota... now granted it was a 1993 cc v8 4x4.. the mileage was terrible compared to what i have now, and it started eating away at my wallet for repairs so.. yeah. if it wasnt nickel and dimeing me, id probably still be driving it instead of my silverado. i do miss it from time to time no doubt, but i have to say that my fullsize silverado gets about 22 highway and thats almost 10mpg better than the dakota.
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RadioMan
Dodge Dakota
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2/04/2009
12:44:31
|  RE: sad times - no more dakota
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jayb, 22 to the gallon! Is that the 4.3 V6?
What Silverado you have? 4X4 and what for city
driving MPG you getting?
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Dan M
Dodge Dakota
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2/04/2009
12:55:34
| RE: sad times - no more dakota
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I have a co-worker that has an 07 ZR1 4x4 with fiberglass tonneau
he gets 18 combined for his weekly commute, 21/22 highway. He said he got 24/25 highway driving from georgia to texas.
- Dan M
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TexasTodd
GenIII
2/04/2009
17:37:25
|  RE: sad times - no more dakota
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Message:
Well Good on ya Dan, Glad you're happy with your purchase.
I recently had my truck washed, vacuumed, and wiped down at a local drive thru/soft bruch wash, all for about $ 9.
They spray some kind of waxs on it too at the end of the wash line.
It looks GREAT again!, All clean inside, etc.
I do keep my truck in a closed garage at my house every night.
I was just thinking how happy I still am with my truck!
Anyways, good job, and good luck, and stop by here and teach us something every now and then!
01 SLT QC, two tone paint,
OEM fender flares
Cab high Leer cap w/ double slider window,
Infinity sound,
Tire and handling pack,
R/T sway bars
Trailer towing pack,
4.7 manual,
HO cams,
HO intake,
Ported the stock 68mm TB,
Homebrew 'true' CAI, w/ K&N
No belt driven clutch or cooling fan
No third cat.
SuperChips Tuner
Max dyno, NO short belts, etc.
227 RW HP
300 RW TQ
Drive it like its paid for!
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TimmyTard
Dodge Dakota
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2/06/2009
07:56:02
| RE: sad times - no more dakota
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Message:
Good another idiot gone. Take Todd the Dumb A$$ Bouton with you.
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ecdak
Dodge Dakota
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2/06/2009
09:01:34
| RE: sad times - no more dakota
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I hear that there may even be a tax credit on the way for new vehicle purchases. Not to sure on any of the specifics.
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Kowalski
GenIII
2/06/2009
09:33:51
| RE: sad times - no more dakota
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Message:
I it goes through, it won't be much - Just be able to deduct the tax on the sale, and the interest on the loan from your wages before taxes. So it might be worth a few hundred bucks - I don't think that's enough to encourage someone to buy a new vehicle who wouldn't already. I doubt it will help the industry much.
Lead, follow, or get out of the way
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Joe.C
Dodge Dakota
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2/06/2009
15:12:07
| RE: sad times - no more dakota
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Radioman, Does Jeep still offer a deisel with the Liberty?
I know you can get one with the Grand Cherrokee.
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jayb
Dodge Dakota
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2/09/2009
15:23:31
| RE: sad times - no more dakota
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"jayb, 22 to the gallon! Is that the 4.3 V6?
What Silverado you have? 4X4 and what for city
driving MPG you getting? "
yes it is. 2003 rc long bed. 2wd v6 auto. I'm getting around 17/22 on average. it has the rear automatic locker, towing, heavy duty suspension, aftermarket trailer brake controller, a/c etc. its rated to tow 5,000, which is more than enough for my boat, and the future one.. I looked around at other v6 fullsizers and they just aren't rated to tow as much as the chevy was(by far). i got it for the payload capacity, and volume. I was surprised at the 4.3... its no powerhouse but its not a dog either. powerband seems to be in the right place.I wouldn't get a v6 4x4... i can see it being somewhat gutless then.. no complaints so far.
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STS
Dodge Dakota
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2/09/2009
16:13:20
|  RE: sad times - no more dakota
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No longer can you get a diesel in the Liberty, just the 3.7L V6.
For a while I thought about buying a Silverado W/T truck with a V6. For some reason they rated the engine from 205 to 195 HP. I've wondered why not axe the 350 based engine for a newer 4.2L I6. But even the I5 found in both the Hummer H3 and Canyon/Colorado truck might just work.
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jayb
Dodge Dakota
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2/10/2009
07:24:29
| RE: sad times - no more dakota
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the horsepower of the vortec 4.3L has varied over the years. 190 to 200 i believe. my year its 200, and i know they improved the intake so it has more low end in my year. the I-5 doesnt have the low end balls to be suited for a heavier truck like that. even though the I-5 has more top end, it would be a gutless rig with that motor. I dont have the W/T version, i have more options than that.
and the diesel just didnt sell in the liberty.
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yo
Dodge Dakota
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2/10/2009
08:00:49
| RE: sad times - no more dakota
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i love dodge dakotas
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