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S. Allen
Dodge Dakota
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5/10/2002
15:59:01
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 Subject: Thinking of buying Dakota (opinions?)
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A friend of the family works for a major Dodge dealer in my town and has been trying to lure me away from my Ranger for years.
What I am looking at is a 2002 Quad Cab SLT 4x2 with the 4.7/auto. This truck has the trailering package, limited slip diff, Infiniti sound system and leather seats. It is Bright White with a Taupe leather interior (nice!).
This truk is powerful, good looking and priced right. I told my friend that I would not divulge the "sweetheart deal" I was getting, but lets just say it is about 200 dollars over what the dealership payed for it.
Couple this with the big warranty and low financing and I might actually be buying my first Dodge truck.
I AM a little skeptical about Dodge's build quality and have had VERY good luck with my Ranger and the Silverado I owned before it. I know no one that owns a Dakota, so I have no reference to how quality-built this truck is.
Be honest, now, Chrysler, in the past, has NOT had the most stellar track record in the customer satisfaction department, but I wonder if merging with the Germans has helped in this area.
I like to buy a truck and drive it for 10-12 years. Usually by that time, my trucks have close to 200K miles on them and i have gotten my money out of them. My Ranger has 183K miles on the original engine/tranny right now (!!!).
So...
Is the Dakota a reliable truck, overall?
Will it go 10 years and 200K miles with minimal troubles, if I take good care of it and don't abuse it too much?
EVERY truck has it's Achilles heel, the Dakota's seems to be the brake rotors (yes, the Ranger has one too) - how difficult is it to remedy this problem completely? This seems to be the only recurring trouble I hear you guys bitch about...that in itself is a good thing.
Any of you guys got close to 100K miles on the 4.7 V-8 yet? What have you fixed along the way?
How ARE the dealers at honoring that 7yr warranty? Do you have to beg to get them to fix things? Are there tons of loopholes in it?
(I am guessing that if the Dakotas/Rams were really junky, they wouldn't offer such a long warranty, otherwise they'd be eating every one of them!)
Any advice would be appreciated. I really like this Dakota I am looking at. It is powerful, looks GREAT and has enough room in it to do anything, but will fit in the garage, unlike the Ram, Silverado and F-150s.
It is also nice to see such a cool site to glean information on the truck as well.
Thanks!
(a "maybe" soon Quad Cab owner)
-SA
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Bluethunder
Dodge Dakota
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5/10/2002
16:17:29
|  RE: Thinking of buying Dakota (opinions?)
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You hit the nail on the head about the brakes. Buy the truck, replace the front rotors and pads and your set.
I only have 10000 miles on my 01 so i dont know about longevity, but so far so good.
From being around here for the past few yrs, only probs Ive heard of lie in the brakes, front ball joints and some bad weather stripping on the front doors...other than that its all good. And that 4.7 is a joy to ride. So much acceleration power and passing power on the highway is great too. Do it, you shouldnt be dissapointed. It cant be any worse than a Ranger
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rtdkota
Dodge Dakota
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5/10/2002
16:21:42
|  RE: Thinking of buying Dakota (opinions?)
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DON'T DO IT.. Dakota's suck...
the money out of your wallet... Soon you'll be racing the thing, having tow- offs against Ford/Cheby owners...
It's a disease. Save yourself, DON'T DO IT!
:P
I've had Dakota's for 10 years now (had to count on all fingers to remember). I miss the 'new car' experience (seems I drop into a new one every 2-3 years lately, and they don't seem like 'new' to me being I keep getting a Dakota). I've ridden in a lot of the new trucks out there (even the Ram). Sorry-- I'm stuck on Dakotas. There's the normal things that can, and sometime do go wrong. The 4.7 is a pretty solid engine-- good gas mileage too. I think you'll be happy with a Dakota.
Sam '00 RT
www.socaldakota.com
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don n
Dodge Dakota
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5/10/2002
16:59:39
| RE: Thinking of buying Dakota (opinions?)
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i have a 94 dak v6 sport and i love the tk. only have 14,500 on it and my only problem is not with the tk but the dealers that service it. if u get a good dealer that is reputable then u are set. love the size and ride of my tk and im 6'2" and have room in cab. good luck on ur decision. also the amount of galvanized metal that dodge uses sure helps with rust out, at least on my tk.
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Bill
GenIII
5/10/2002
17:12:17
| RE: Thinking of buying Dakota (opinions?)
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I bought my 2001 CC Dakota last July and have put around 15000 miles on it so far. I am starting a job on Monday that will require me to put about 1000 miles a week on it. I am not worried one bit about the truck. I have the 3.9 V6, but I have heard very good things about the 4.7. I have had some minor problems that the dealer has taken care of, as always, some dealers are better than others, but that is the same for all companies. The dakota will have its share of problems just like any other car, but I would not trade my truck in for anything. The looks, the utility, the list goes on and on. Buy the Dakota, it is WELL worth it!!! (then become a members of the site!)
Bill
Bill's Truck Page
ARE Tonneau Cover
Wet Okole Seat Covers
Homebrew Intake and Other Mods Coming Soon!!
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kevster
Dodge Dakota
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5/10/2002
17:52:25
| RE: Thinking of buying Dakota (opinions?)
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I own 2 Daks, a 2000 Club Cab 4x2 and my 02 quad cab 4x4 both have 4.7, auto. and i love em. the 2k has 37,000 no probs, and my 02 now has 7,000 and no probs the 4.7 is a awsome motor. BUY THE DAK, you will be glad ya did.. Ya cant beat a Smokin deal.
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xplikt
Dodge Dakota
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5/10/2002
18:11:51
| RE: Thinking of buying Dakota (opinions?)
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200 dollars over invoice is not sweathearted, forget that; the dealership gets 3% holdback anyways on the vehicle's MSRP. Tell them/him you want invoice or no sale, no excuses from the dealer/friend should be accepted.
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YJ
Dodge Dakota
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5/10/2002
18:20:21
|  RE: Thinking of buying Dakota (opinions?)
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Buy a Tundra orrrr.....buy the Dakota and do the following:
1. Replace wheel hubs
2. Replace ball-joints
3. Replace tranny with manual
4. Replace tires
5. Possibly repaint
Other than that you'll be set! ; )
Later,
YJ
Black 2K QC 4x4 4.7 3.92 KVT910DVD
Black 91 YJ 4LHO Borla | Pioneer | Lifted
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JMII
Dodge Dakota
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5/10/2002
18:52:46
| RE: Thinking of buying Dakota (opinions?)
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I just ditched my Ranger for one :D basically the same set up your looking at minus the leather and overpriced stereo.
Like xplikt said, $200 over invoice is no big deal - I paid $100 over for mine by just walking in off the street and knowing my stuff.
Read this: http://www.edmunds.com/reviews/comparison/articles/46966/page009.html you can get the invoice price there too.
- John
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Dave Mitchell
Dodge Dakota
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5/10/2002
19:42:59
| RE: Thinking of buying Dakota (opinions?)
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Replaced right front hub (2WD) at 30,000.
Paint scratches like Play-Doh...
Other than that... Mine's been good to me.
Don't expect any gas mileage from the auto, especially if 4WD.
My manual 2WD Quad gets 23.5 on freeway, 19MPG on the average with California's MTBE additive (lose 2MPG for MTBE).
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Chris W
Dodge Dakota
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5/10/2002
20:56:53
| RE: Thinking of buying Dakota (opinions?)
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Got a 95 3.9 with 124,000 on it. by the time you get to this mileadge, you will have replaced every damn thing on this POS and then you can consider it a "new truck".
Seriously though, my truck has been reliable but has had quite a few major repairs, and been a nickle and dime thing throughout ownership.
Baby the paint especially if you have the Emerald green mettallic! this color looks great, but scratches and fades easily.
Brakes, rotors, trannys, fuel gages, front suspension ball joints seem to be regular problem areas on the Dakotas.
Dodge dealerships have a lousy reputation for customer service and efficiency, so finding or lucking upon a good dealer is important.
I love my truck, but my next will probably be a toyota 4x4 QC. The Dakotas are nice though.
Good luck, it was easier for me to pick a wife than a new truck. probably why i'm married and still drive an old Dodge!
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Inspector
Dodge Dakota
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5/10/2002
21:55:56
| RE: Thinking of buying Dakota (opinions?)
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Good Gawd Houston, how did you get lost over here! After I got rid of my Ranger for the second time ,I bought a Dak. 2001 Club Cab, SLT+, all options with the 3.9 V6. I just got back from Atlanta where I picked up a check from DC becuse they bought it back. In a year and a half, I had to replace the Goodyear tires- they explode quite well in our Texas heat, rear axle 3 times, computer,it rained more inside than out, transmission twice, And this was in the first 30,000 miles. There were other minor things but service on Dodge products sucks real bad. I got 17 mpg's with the V6 which is laughable because my 2002 Supercrew get 20+, and that's a V8. On the plus side, it does have a fun factor like the Ranger. Mine handled great, drove great, and I enjoyed it when it would run and not leave me on the side of the road. I can't recommend one but my experience was one of the bad ones.By the way, I paid 17,900 for mine.
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Dak Attack
Dodge Dakota
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5/11/2002
00:11:35
| RE: Thinking of buying Dakota (opinions?)
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Why not spend alittle more and get the 4x4.
I ordered a v6 4x2 from the dealer. They messed up and I got a v8 4.7 4x4. I am glad they did. Didn't think I would need the 4x4 but in a couple of cases it came in handy.
2001 Blk Dak
4.7l AT 4x4
Aftermarket cold air intake
Aftermarket crappy seatcovers... :-)
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Justin_NTFS
Dodge Dakota
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5/11/2002
00:47:25
| RE: Thinking of buying Dakota (opinions?)
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My opinion is that the Engine and Tranny will last forever as long as you don't try to pull to much with it. My 91 has 242000 miles on it and it's still running pretty good, but it's on it's third tranny and seventh engine.
My truck is a MAJOR exception to the dodge standards though, it used to belong to a company that kicked it's ass daily and pulled thing that I wouldn't pull with a 1 ton diesel. So mine isn't a good example to look at. In the one year that I've had it I've had to have the tranny rebuilt and I've blown the sixth V6 motor and replaced it with a 5.2L V8. Since I've done that it's all been good.
Justin's
Red 1991 Dodge Dakota Sport
5.2L, 318 Cubic Inch, V8
4-Speed-Automatic
Current Modifications:
18 Inch Glass Pack w/ 3 Inch Tips
K&N Airfilter
Mobil 1 15W50 and Mobil 1 Oil Filter
HD Radiator
HD Fan Clutch
Bosch Platinum +4 Plugs
8mm Kevlar Inuslated Bosch Wires
Big Dodge Sticker on Back Glass
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Halo3
GenIII
5/11/2002
09:28:30
| RE: Thinking of buying Dakota (opinions?)
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S. Allen,
I was in your shoes two years ago. I'd been born & raised as a Ford lover. Ahhhh, I miss that old '65 Ford F100...short box...fleet side...*sniff*...it would've made such an awesome project truck!!
At any rate, after getting out of the Marine Corps & getting a job that actually pays, I decided to go new truck shopping. As luck would have it, the Quad Cabs debuted that year, and after a couple of months of research, I bought one.
Now, two years later, the worst thing I can say about it is that Daimler-Chrysler REALLY needs to do something about the brake systems on the Dakotas & Durangos! I've had glazed rotors and a warped rotor on the Quad Cab, but after doing my PowerSlot rotor & Raybestos QS pad "upgrade," everything has been peachy!
Go for it. You won't regret it.
Just two cents from a reformed Ford-aholic.
Semper Fi,
Halo3
'00 Lt. Driftwood 4x4 SLT DQC w/5.9L
http://home.attbi.com/~quadcab
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