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BILL LAYTON
Dodge Dakota
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1/30/2003
17:43:29
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 Subject: buy 03 Dakota
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Can any one honestly give me a reason to buy a Quad cab 4wd. I read there are a lot unhappy owners? THANKS upstste New York.
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xplikt
GenIII
1/30/2003
20:17:34
|  RE: buy 03 Dakota
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It's easy to see and hear the complaints, but people don't post weekly, "Man, I got no problems with my Dakota. That is all." People post problems, never no-problems.
So when you read a forum and see lots of posts of problems and endless complaints, it's a very small fraction of Dakota owners.
I say just test drive the damn thing. If you like it, you like it. If you don't, you don't. It's all based on marginal utility. You will buy it because it suits you better than any other vehicles. We can't decide this for you or convince you over the internet.
I will tell you that I love my lil truck though!
-Mike
http://www.dodgetruckworld.com/xplikt/
2002 2WD RC SLT 4.7L 5spd 3.92 LSD
MBRP Single in/out | straight piped 3rd cat | turndown tip
Full Hotchkis (bars, springs, shocks) and RAS
Shaved emblems and antennae
150BM fan | removed clutch | HD Radiator
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kevster
Dodge Dakota
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1/30/2003
20:34:00
| RE: buy 03 Dakota
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Message:
I have 2 Daks with the 4.7, my newest is a 2002 Quad cab 4x4 SLT+ and I love em both, no probs. I am glad I purchased them both.
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UpperDecker
Dodge Dakota
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1/30/2003
20:59:25
| RE: buy 03 Dakota
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Message:
I have a club cab, but get whatever kind you like. Quads are better if you have kids or if you plan on hauling any humans in the back seat. The club cab is good for speakers and extra clothes. Thats IT!
If you live in NY, i say you should go with 4x4 also.
I bought my 02 truck and financed it through Dodge with 0 interest. I bought a brand new truck for the same price as a used one would cost after interest. Dodge is very smart by offering these incredible rates. If it wasnt for that i would have bought a used vehicle from a private owner rather than a Dodge dealership.
so if you can get that deal, go for it!
If not, Buy a 00 or 01
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BILL LAYTON
Dodge Dakota
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1/31/2003
16:14:24
| RE: next generation v8
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I love the of power of V8,I dont know Alot about them. Im planning on buying new. And one more thing Dodge needs to bring back the amber orange color ,That is the sweetest color around!!!
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Clark
Dodge Dakota
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1/31/2003
21:31:34
| RE: buy 03 Dakota
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Message:
Bill, I live in upstate NY also, in Syracuse, and I just ordered a 2003 QC 4x4 that will arrive in a few days. Your question is too general - xplikt got it right when he said it would be your own set of compromises and optimizations to achieve the "marginal Utility" that is right for you.
In our part of the country I would recommend 4x4 AWD transfer case, no matter the body style.
The basic low-down on problems, as I understand it, is that the Dakota is a VERY reliable truck - except: be prepared to replace the rotors and ball joints within 20,000 miles. They will be replaced for free under warranty, but you are better off in the long run by installing better aftermarket parts such as Moog balljoints and Powerslot rotors. Other than that just change the oil often enough.
Check out boards for other makes of trucks and you will see that they have problems also. I did notice though that the Chevy S-10 board showed that the S-10 problems were all over the vehicle, indicating a general quality control problem. The Dakota that you are considering has few chronic faults except the balljoints and rotors, an indication that an inferior part is used in that area of the vehicle but that overall materials and quality control is very good. I consider this predictability an advantage over a vehicle with a pot-luck laundry list of common problems.
Ultimately it is your choice and your money. Drive 'em and decide.
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Highlander
Dodge Dakota
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2/01/2003
17:48:10
|  RE: buy 03 Dakota
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Message:
To Bill Layton,,, Hello, Just to tell my experience. I bought a 98 CC new and just traded it in for a 03 CC. 98 was original with only a K&N drop-in filter.Mileage up to the day of trade-in was 190742, MPG was 20 Highway, 17 City. No problems exept rotors ( I put on new ones with higher nickle content and premium pads).The 98 had a 3.9 v6 w/ 4 speed auto and 4x2 with 3.26(?)rear end. The 03 has a 4.7 v8 w/ 5 speed auto and 3.92 rear end (4x2) The 03 will be a while to know how it runs due to break-in time, but that's half the fun. Norris
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Brad
Dodge Dakota
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2/02/2003
12:35:59
| RE: buy 03 Dakota
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Message:
When can you safely say your motor is broken in? I've got just over 2600 miles on my 5.9 QC. Getting around 16-17 MPG highway, 12-13 MPG city. Hoping it gets a little better.
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ShortSport
GenIII
2/02/2003
12:48:21
| RE: buy 03 Dakota
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Message:
well hope is dead man the 5.9 is a guzzler no offense to anyone
2002 Reg cab 4x2 4.7 5-spd 3.55.1 LSD
fiberglass tonneau cover; stainless steel cat-back dual exhaust; magnaflow muffler
Go hard or go home!!
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Brad
Dodge Dakota
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2/02/2003
12:58:08
| RE: buy 03 Dakota
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Message:
Yup. I know...it's a guzzler, not expecting good mileage with it. But, I just want to know what the average break in time is for the 5.9. When it will be getting optimum mpg's.
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xplikt
GenIII
2/02/2003
18:16:33
| RE: buy 03 Dakota
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Message:
Heh, you must be one of them select few who like the amber fire. I personally think it's horribible, but my sisters think it's the greatest thing and I should have gotten that colour. I guess that's what's wonderful about choices.
"You can paint it any color, so long as it's black."
hahaha.
-Mike
http://www.dodgetruckworld.com/xplikt/
2002 2WD RC SLT 4.7L 5spd 3.92 LSD
MBRP Single in/out | straight piped 3rd cat | turndown tip
Full Hotchkis (bars, springs, shocks) and RAS
Shaved emblems and antennae
150BM fan | removed clutch | HD Radiator
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BAD360RT
Dodge Dakota
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2/03/2003
05:22:27
| RE: buy 03 Dakota
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Message:
Brad, your mileage is right on for the 5.9, probably won't get much better. I've got 17,500 on mine and that's what I get. Although I've stopped calculating my mileage in town, cause I can't keep my foot out of it :P
-Dave
'02 FR RC R/T
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Steve
Dodge Dakota
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2/03/2003
21:15:19
| RE: buy 03 Dakota
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Message:
two wheel drive is underrated. i live in upstate as well, i haven't had any problems at all. 01 RC 287 5 speed, 3.92 LSD
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