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Graham
Dodge Dakota
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5/20/2002
18:30:00
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 Subject: Lemons
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Hey guys,
I'm in the market for a new truck...and of course I'm looking at a Dakota, but I keep hearing that Dakotas tend to be lemons. So I was just wondering if anyone could give me an unbiast opinion on the Dakota rumors?
Thanks,
Graham Hurlburt
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dakination
Dodge Dakota
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5/20/2002
19:01:34
|  RE: Lemons
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I drive a dakota, so my next comment may be a bit bias. Get a Tundra.
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Dan Gruber
GenIII
5/20/2002
19:21:49
| RE: Lemons
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If you're looking for unbiased opinions, you stumbled across the wrong board. Here you'll see people who are passionate about their trucks, so you'll find the comments are likely to be on the extremes...extremely good from people who love their truck, and extremely critical from people who expect perfection in return for their passion (or $$).
Having said that...
Dakotas are good trucks. They have their weak points (ball joints and brakes), and their strong points (power, style, size, and utility). I am on my second Dakota, and I have been impressed with the reliability...I have not had problems that some others on this board have pointed out. I don't abuse my truck (but I do drive it hard fairly often), and I am OBSESSIVE about maintenance.
Probably the biggest single complaint against Dakotas could be levied against all Dodges (and many other brands as well): Dealer Service. Some are excellent, some are really poor. And the "5-star" dealer rating is not necessarily an indicator...both dealerships I've been to locally are 5-star dealers...I'd rate one as just okay, and the other outstanding. Finding a good dealer is critical.
Say it with Krylon!
Dan
2000 CC SLT 4.7 4X4 Auto 3.92 LSD
3 inch Performance Accesories lift & 32 inch BFG MT KM's
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Dakaty
GenIII
5/20/2002
20:33:43
| RE: Lemons
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I have had my QC for 1 1/2 years and almost 30,000 miles.
I took it back to the Dealer for "warranty related" work 2 times. Once for a realignment and heater blower check. The second time was for a "check engine light" triggered by an after market TB. Mine is not a lemon. The truck was well built. I have read some posts where guys claim their trucks are lemons. Most of these seem to me to deal with very petty, annal issues. I guess there are some Dakotas that are lemons with lots of problems. However, they are all built at the exact same plant. Go figure??
I looked at all the 4 door trucks before I decided on the Dakota. I wanted a smaller truck that sat low and manuvered easily, yet had the power for a full payload and towing. Price was not a primary concern as my Dak listed for $28M and the bigger trucks were only $2000 more, similarly equipped.
I have never regretted my Dakota purchase. It runs good, is easy to work on, looks good, drives easily and is very functional for my needs.
I will probably keep it for a LONG time unless they offer the 5.7 with a stick in the Dakota. Then......... Hmmm, I bet my wife would love to keep it.
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Madddman
Dodge Dakota
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5/20/2002
21:08:57
| RE: Lemons
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I got my '99 4x4 .318 crew cab Dakota last Sept used from a dealer w/50k miles.
I didn't have really any brand loyality,I was basically looking for a truck in my price range in good shape.
Trying to be objective and keep in mind I've had it less than a year,I love it and will concider the model in the future.
The ride is better than most cars,the fit and finish is excellent and I really enjoy driving it.
Mad
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...
Dodge Dakota
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5/20/2002
21:11:48
| RE: Lemons
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want my opinion ? if you want a performance truck ..... Ford Lightning
sorry dodge guys
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Texas Todd
Dodge Dakota
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5/20/2002
21:13:23
|  RE: Lemons
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Flame Suit On!
O.K., safe now. I love my Dak, it's no lemon.
From what I've read, DON'T get the V-6, about the same MPG as the 4.7, and alot less power.
the 5.9, has a little mo power, but terrible MPG.
I'm real happy with the 4.7, with low $ mods, nice running truck.
Go with the 3.92 rear end, the 3.55, (I have), is OK too. LSD ONLY!
Get the 5-spd, if you can, the auto's have probs sometimes.
My .02
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IntenseDak39
*GenIII*
5/20/2002
21:16:05
| RE: Lemons
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i have heard of a few recalls but the only real lemon i have heard of was the 1999 Dakota RT... and thats only because they rated it at the wrong payload capacity... not anything mechanical.
I have had my truck for 2 years now and love it. Its my first truck to own and havent had any "owner induced" problems. My parents had a S10 that was nice but too small for me and too "average" looking.
intensedak39
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1Flamed92Dak
Dodge Dakota
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5/20/2002
21:55:16
| RE: Lemons
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Hey i have learned in life that each vehicle has their own personality thats why i have learned to love my Dakota, i know it very personally... So if your planning on buying a Truck just ask the dealers if you can keep each truck you wanna think about buying overnite. And learn their quirks
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DansDakAtak
Dodge Dakota
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5/21/2002
00:08:43
| RE: Lemons
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Ive had my '99 V-6, 2WD SC Dak Sport since she was 5 months old from the dealer lot, and i have been nothing but overjoyed with my truck. I've had it 3 years, 52,000 miles, and not a single problem at all, besides an occasional spark knock. Granted I baby my truck beyond belief, it still has all i wanted in a compact truck. The only other truck I would ever buy would be a full size Ram, but i dont need that big of a truck.
Dan
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LI Blackdak
Dodge Dakota
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5/21/2002
00:22:37
| RE: Lemons
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slow, yes, lemon....HELL NO. never any problems up to 25,000 and i dont even take good care of it(probably be saying something different at 50,000...lol)
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Todd Bouton
Dodge Dakota
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5/21/2002
09:08:30
| RE: Lemons
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Ll Blk Dak,
Your truck is slow? Really? Sorry I don't know, what you got?
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Todd Bouton
Dodge Dakota
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5/21/2002
09:21:44
| RE: Lemons
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Ll Blk Dak,
Read on another thread you have a v-6.
My 4.7 QC 5spd LSD, is NOT slow.
porting the 68mm TB, and removing the belt fan really helped! :')
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CThomp
Dodge Dakota
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5/21/2002
09:30:27
| RE: Lemons
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2000 4.7L CC 2wd 3.92's 5spd. 36,000 miles. No problems. Hauls ass. Gas mileage just as good as any V6 or S6 i've ever owned.
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BMAC
Dodge Dakota
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5/21/2002
09:31:10
|  RE: Lemons
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I'm on my third. The first one was an '89, first year for the TB. The auto w/ o/d went out once. Other than that it was a very dependable truck that I put 288,000km on it.
Second was a '95 v6 5speed. Had it 9 months and found my '98 Sport ext.cab 5.2 auto. Am very happy with it. Has 90,000 on it and works very well. Needed ball joints and upper control arm bushings.
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LI Blackdak
Dodge Dakota
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5/21/2002
12:43:31
| RE: Lemons
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NOT ONLY V6, V6 4X4 CC AUTO!!! ONLY SLOWER daks are 4 cyl and QC V6s
interesting how vast the difference between the slowest dak and the fastest is. most cars don't have that many choices of engine and/or weight.
most will have like one model that does 0-60 in like 9 and one that does it in 7 1/2 or something, but daks range from like 15 seconds to just over 6 i think. i guess that is an obvious observation. 4 cyl dak vs 4.7 rc 5 speed is like a beetle vs a boxster...lol
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Dr.Dakota
Dodge Dakota
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5/21/2002
15:10:56
| RE: Lemons
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My Dak ain't slow, ain't sluggish and hell no it ain't no lemon! I don't even know of a Dak thats slow or even a lemon (maybe, just maybe a V-6 Dak).
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