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Matt
Dodge Dakota
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3/03/2003
00:13:37
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 Subject: tacoma or dakota?
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I'm not sure if this is the best, or worst, place to ask this question?? I am looking for a truck and have narrowed my search to either a tacoma or dakota, they both seem like great trucks, and stats are mostly the same.I want 4x4, V6, automatic, and extended cab. From what I have read, the Toyota seems more reliable in the long run, and I seem to see a lot more Tacomas on the road. (Just wondering if thats a hint about quality, or if there are just more produced.)I do a lot of traveling with the Army and I want someting dependable, thanks for your help.
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Marine1
Dodge Dakota
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3/03/2003
00:45:07
|  RE: tacoma or dakota?
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Semper Fi and go with the Dakota. They have more room, can haul, and tow more as well. Don't know what your uses would include but in my situation I needed to be able to tow my Vette, no problems as of yet. I respect Toyotas (especially when they opened a plant in my native W. Va). I would give reliability to Toyota as well as gas mileage. Mopar V8s love Gas. I would personally look into a 4.3L S10 if your looking for a knock-a-round. They run forever (2.2 and 2.8 excluded), anyone tells you different must be drivin a FORD.
I prefer to stay in the American car market but anymore they are all the same.
OOH-RAH my Army brother!
Rob
--------------
1999 Dodge Dakota CC Sport 4X4
5.2L 3.92 Auto
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whikota
Dodge Dakota
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3/03/2003
00:56:08
| RE: tacoma or dakota?
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I RECOMMEND THE TACOMA MATT , IM SURE THAT THIS WONT SIT WELL WITH OTHERS HERE .....BUT ITS MY P.O.V.!!!HERE WE GO.....
I MYSELF ONCE OWNED A 2001 DAKOTA, AND AT 30,000 MILES AND A YEAR AND A HALF OLD IT WAS ALREADY GIVING ME A HEADACHE!!!I HAD THE 3.9 V-6 AND IT WOULD STALL IF I CRANKED THE WHEEL TOO HARD, ONE EXAMPLE WOULD BE WHEN I WAS NEGOTIATING A U-TURN IT WOULD DIE EVERYTIME!!!BUT THAT WAS NOT MY MAIN CONCERN ,WAT REALLY BOTHERED ME MATT WAS THE BLUE BOOK VALUE OF THE DAKOTA ONCE YOU DRIVE IT OFF THE LOT , THE VALUE DROPS CONSIDERABLY, SO BARE THIS IN MIND IF YOU CHOOSE A DAKOTA YOU PROBABLY WILL WANT TO KEEP IT!!! IF YOU TRY TO TRADE IT IN YOU WILL HAVE NEGATIVE EQUITY BECAUSE OF THE KELLEY BLUE BOOK VALUE,1 POINTER... THE V-8 AND 4WD BRINGS THE VALUE UP A LITTLE.
IM NOT CONDEMING DAKOTAS BUT I WAS UNHAPPY ABOUT MINE!!!LIKE I SAID TO EVERYONE HERE BEFORE... ITS PERSONAL PREFERANCE!!!! I CHOSE THE TACOMA FOR A FEW SPECIFIC REASONS, 1 BEING THE RESALE VALUE IS AWESOME IN A TACOMA , ANOTHER REASON IS, THE GAS MILEAGE SEEMS TO BE MUCH BETTER (SO FAR) IM AT 2,OOO MILES !!!I CAN GO A WEEK ON 1 TANK OF GAS AND I COMMUTE PRETTY FAR DAILY.I ALSO LIKE THE FACT THAT THE TACOMA 4X4 ,EVEN PRERUNNER SIT HIGHER THAN THE DAKOTA 4X4....OK GUYS I KNOW YOUR ALL READY TO KILL ME NOW,LOL!!!IF YOU ARE INTO LIFTING THE TACOMAS THERES LOTS OF EASY WAYS TO DO IT AND RUN 33'S.
I HAVE A 2003 TOYOTA TACOMA 4X4 XTRACAB WITH THE TRD PACKAGE MINE ALSO COMES WITH THE LOCKING REAR DIFFERENTIALS AND SHIFT ON THE FLY 4 WHEEL DRIVE,AND ECT POWER!
I THINK THEY ARE BOTH GREAT TRUCKS,I CHOOSE THE TACOMA THOUGH,THATS JUST MY POV!!!DONT HATE!!!
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Blizzard
*GenIII*
3/03/2003
06:38:38
| RE: tacoma or dakota?
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lol ... QUIT SCREAMIN' WHIKOTA! We hear you! hehehe
I chose the Dakota ... and haven't had a problem yet. Get a V8 Dakota. But that's just MY POV.
'01 QC 4x4
5.9L, 3.92 LSD, loaded
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knobbyman
*GenIII*
3/03/2003
08:56:04
| RE: tacoma or dakota?
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Glad to see all caps anoys other people as well.
Even with all the problems I've had with my truck. I'd still go with the Dakota. American made.. less expensive.. bigger.. but then again it all comes down to what you like.
Take them both for a test drive again and get comfortable when your driving. I know my Dakota was GREAT for long trips which is mostly what I do and I can't stand driving my Cougar for 3 hours. It's actually painful.
Another thing I wished I looked for before I bought my truck. Figure out if you want to do aftermarket things to it.. What do you want to do? Make sure that's available for each truck.
Good luck with what ever you choose.
-www.knobbyman.com
-Sold '01 Dakota
-'02 Cougar Stock
----Mud Only Breaks It Faster----
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Blizzard
*GenIII*
3/03/2003
09:56:07
| RE: tacoma or dakota?
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Good to see ya knobby!
'01 QC 4x4
5.9L, 3.92 LSD, loaded
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SuperBee
Dodge Dakota
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3/03/2003
17:22:05
| RE: tacoma or dakota?
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no matter what you get, go for 8 cylinders
i wish imag html worked, id post my sassy pic directing towards the caps key :-)
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Scott
Dodge Dakota
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3/03/2003
19:27:30
|  RE: tacoma or dakota?
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No 8cyl in the Taco Superbee...but there is the TRD supercharger that really bumps the HP on that 6 banger!
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matmick
Dodge Dakota
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3/04/2003
00:06:36
| RE: tacoma or dakota?
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Having owned both of them, and owned both at the same time, I can't figure out which one I liked better. I don't have the Tacoma anymore, it was a 2 person truck with storage, extended cab. We drove from Utah back to California in it with my wife and brother, I rode in the back almost all the way. It was not made to carry people back there. Mine was a 1999 SR5 ExCab V6 5 spd 4WD w/ the TRD Package. There were 3 reasons we got rid of it, no passenger room, was the roughest riding truck when empty, and it couldn't tow for crap. I see alot of people towing boats around CA with them, but I have 2 snowmobiles and going up the mountains it was worthless. I would have to put it in second gear at times to make it up the hills. The trailer w/ 2 sleds weighs about 2200lbs. My Dakota on the other hand, with it's $580 optional V8, tows the sleds up the hills at 80MPH, just give it more gas and it keeps going. It is not nearly as rough, rides more like a car, and the seats are alot more comfy. My Dakota sits higher than my Tacoma, ground clearance was won by the Tacoma. The Tacoma averaged around 21MPG on the highway at 80, and I get about 16-17MPG in my Dakota, but it is AWD and has the 4.7
If I had to buy both again, I would buy the 4 door model in both of them. And if I went with the TRD Package on the Tacoma, I would change the shocks within the first week. I wouldn't have gotten the AWD in the Dakota, but now my tires last a lot longer than they would.
As for resale value...We bought the Tacoma for $23,500(good deal) in Sept 99, sold it for $15,000 in Aug 02 with 36K miles. We now have a 2000 Z71 Tahoe, which we can tow with and have friends/family with us. And of course we still have the Dakota.
Your vehicle will be as good to you as you are to it. Toyotas have problems too, just like every other manufacturer. My advice, test drive them both on the freeway, and see how you like the handling, Tacoma tends to bounce a lot and can get quite scary, needs a stabilizer. Dakota will ride better, it's heavier, and can haul more if you get the V8, maybe 1-2MPG less than the 3.9. But when you are done driving them, slam the door and listen, there is a big difference, and I know which one I would rather be in a wreck in. Oh and by the way, insurance is quite a bit more on a Toyota for some reason, the difference between the Tahoe and Tacoma was -$100 for the Tahoe, which was newer, go figure.
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Dean
Dodge Dakota
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3/04/2003
15:57:09
| RE: tacoma or dakota?
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If you like posi trak rear ends get a Dakota, if you like limited slip get a Tacoma
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arthur
Dodge Dakota
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3/04/2003
16:35:20
| RE: tacoma or dakota?
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Hey everyone!
Everyone here that knows me knows i will have a few things to say, having gone down this path too many times. Here goes!
Get the tacoma if...
You want a better off-roading truck.
You don't mind only carrying yourself and one other.
You want better gas mileage and resale for your buck.
You want a factory locking rear differencial!!
Get the dakota if...
You want a V8(please dont get a V6, you will regret it like me!)
You tow stuff.
You have friends ;)
You want a comfy ride both in suspension and seats at a loss of off-road ability.
You don't mind a truck with a dated body style(hey, it's been around since 1995!)
I love my dakota, but i wish i got it fully loaded for the price, so be sure to do that no matter what u get. If you get the Tacoma the TRD IS A MUST!!! You get better shocks, progressive rate springs, and ahhhh an electronic locking rear diff!!!!! If you get a dakota the V8 IS A MUST!!! You get power to drive, tow, and ahhhhh the 5sp automatic so none of those crappy 4sp trannys(which i have) get into your truck.
But they are both great trucks, i hated my dakota, but im slowly falling for it more and more.
2002 SXT CC 4X4 3.9L LSD
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Dakman
Dodge Dakota
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3/04/2003
17:19:13
|  RE: tacoma or dakota?
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Arthur said,
"You don't mind a truck with a dated body style(hey, it's been around since 1995!) "
Not! The current body style came out in 1997.
P.S. If you want to lift it, get the Taco.
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Matt
Dodge Dakota
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3/05/2003
00:29:04
| RE: tacoma or dakota?
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Hey! its nice to see that I gota a good response. Thanks everyone, its nice to get actual opinions and not read the same review over and over. Im still not sure, but yall have helped a lot. (Also, does anyone know the safety ratings on both trucks?) You are more then welcome to keep informing me on both trucks, and im always open to suggestions! God Bless America! *Marine1, thanks for the support*
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Dakota
GenIII
3/05/2003
14:01:52
| RE: tacoma or dakota?
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Alright - ill add my .02 too.
Right now I have both. I have the title to the 1998 Dakota 8 cyl 4x4, while the better half has a 1999 Tacoma 6 cyl 4x4. I drive both of them a lot and have pros and cons for each. I never could see myself driving anything but a Dodge (after all, I have owned 3 Dak's), but truth be told, I am quite pleased with the Tacoma. (Granted she did have me put a 3" body lift and 33's on) But still, Its a great truck.
It all really boils down to personal preferance. ALl in all, trucks are built the same. With the technology out these days, a Tacoma will last as long as a Dodge, as long as a Chevy, and as long as a Ford...well...second thought, maybe not, but the point being, Buy what you like. What looks good to you, what drives nice to you, what you like best. There will always be someone out there that wont like what you have. So get what pleases you.
Ok...so that was a little more the $.02, but you get the point.
-Dakota
3" Body Lift
Quick D Intake
Dynomax Race Magnum Exhaust
33x12.5x15 Super Swamper Thornbirds
Dakota.4mg.com
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cwzywbt
Dodge Dakota
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3/05/2003
15:16:33
| RE: tacoma or dakota?
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Can't answer your tac vs dak? but if you're looking for the safety ratings go here:
http://www.hwysafety.org/vehicle_ratings/ratings.htm
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Matt
Dodge Dakota
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3/05/2003
22:43:00
| RE: tacoma or dakota?
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ummm wow, this was suprising! Not what I expected, I always thought of the Dak as the safer of the 2. Check this out :
http://www.hwysafety.org/vehicle_ratings/ce/html/photo_comp_smpickup.htm
you can look all kinda of info on their crash ratings on the web sight.
Thanks CWZYWBT! that helps a lot
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KJW
Dodge Dakota
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3/05/2003
22:45:31
| RE: tacoma or dakota?
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One last bit....
I own both also....
I have a 01 QC 4x4 Dakota with the 4.7 and the 5 speed. My first ever Dodge.
I just bought my son a loaded 99 V6 TRD Prerunner XC....... which are all automatics.
Decision: The Toyota is a good truck, quality and resale can hardly be beat. But.... it rides hard and it sounds like a tuna can when you shut the doors. If you ever think of buying parts from Toyota your wallet better be real thick.
The Dodge is bigger, rides better, and my 4.7 has always got better mileage then my kids V6 from day 1. May be partly due to the way he drives but I suspect also the automatic vs. the 5 speed makes a good difference.
Bottom line is:
They are both good trucks....the reality is the Toyota will almost certainly last longer and be worth more when you get done..... BUT....I would much rather drive the Dodge on a day in day out basis.
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Matt
Dodge Dakota
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3/05/2003
23:54:59
| RE: tacoma or dakota?
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KJW, that seems to be how everyone feels that owns both. Now i just have to decide what i want, ride, and comfort, or reliability, and resale... i wish i could combine the 2 trucks!
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WHIKOTA
Dodge Dakota
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3/06/2003
21:47:45
| RE: tacoma or dakota?
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MAYBE YOU SHOULD TEST DRIVE BOTH OF THEM ....AND DONT LET THE SALESMEN WHEEL YOU IN UNTIL YOUR READY,AND HAVE MADE YOUR DECISION!!!
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bowhunter
Dodge Dakota
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3/08/2003
13:33:48
|  RE: tacoma or dakota?
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so you want to buy a tacoma. well, not trying to dis
tacos, but if you are over 6 feet tall, then you should
enroll in yoga lessons because you will need them to
get in and out. locker only engages in 4low., and the
truck is $$$$. just my $.02.
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ludakris
Dodge Dakota
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3/13/2003
16:13:28
| RE: tacoma or dakota?
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I owned a 2001 tacoma 2wd, i bought it because it was cheap. i lowered it 3 inches and at 10K miles I broke the Pressure Plate on the clutch in half. The dumb ass "master mechanic" at the dealer said it was because of the lowered suspension. the little truck was pretty quick and great on gas, but i am 6'3" and the tiny interior got real old. luckily it had great resale and i was able to get what i wanted, 02 dakota quad 4x4, and this is the best freaking car or truck i have ever owned. Go for the Dodge.
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