looking at a Dakota, any hints?

[DPelletier]

My wife wants a new vehicle, so I thought I would try to steer her into a new Dakota (I already tried the " I think we should have two cummins rams", but no deal It would be a 4x4, preferably a "crew cab". any suggestions on options or anything to look out for?.

Thanks

Dave

 

[emarsh]

If you think you will tow, get the optional 3. 90 rear gears. No noticible loss in MPG, much snappier acceleration, a quad cab is also heavier, so this would help. After 106k miles on our Dakota, I would not want the 3. 55 gearing, even empty. Ed

 

[socal_rattler]

My daughter bought one about 6 months ago. Nice truck, but it has terrible brakes. Reported it to dealer and their response was that it was 'working as designed' I got the impression from the service people that yeah, the brakes were crappy, but that's the way they were designed.



Overall, she has had good luck with it.

 

[DPelletier]

Thanks for the replies guys,



emarsh, what engine do you have in it? I was thinking of the 4. 7? v-8 (230hp?) rather than the old 318 (5. 9 240hp) engine, but I would like to hear from somebody that has the new one.



socal, do you know if she has the optional 4-wheel antilocks?

although I am not sure if it would make alot of difference. Brakes are probably just week and undersized like my old 1992 F-150.



Dave

 

[Komik]

We have two Dakota's in our garage, both 2001 4X4. One with the 4. 7 and Quad Cab Sport, other 6 cyl and Reg cab SLT. The 4. 7 gets the best milage, best ride and more room. The short box hasn't been a problem so far. We like the 4. 7 best , has much more power. Where the 6 cyl is always downshifting while searching for more power. Neither has had any problems to date.



Komik

 

[BCFAST]

If you're gonna buy a gas pickup, dont mess around... go straight for the Toyota. Im gonna get flamed for this, but even though the thing is built in Commiefornia I still consider it Japanese... and superior to our American/Canadian vehicles. Give one a try before you buy... you'd hate to kick yourself later!

 

[K_Arts]

You know... for the price you are going to pay for a Dakota... just step her up to a 2500 CTD.



My wife was looking at a Durango before we got her truck... and boy are we glad we got the CTD. Not only is the fuel mileage better then them gassers, but the truck was about 10k less then the durango.



If you can't tell... after I got my truck... I have made a very rash decision. GAS MOTORS SUCK!!!!



JMHO



Kev

 

[Komik]

Don't kick yourself to hard, a hunk of rust will fall off that toyota and hit you breaking your leg.

 

[illflem]

I'm with BCFAST, if you want a trouble free ride get a Tundra. Don't worry that it's a foreign rig, after all who owns Chrysler? Remember many here only bought Dodges because of the Cummins engine.

 

[FFutch]

crappy brakes...

I've got 98 and newer s-10s here at work and the A. B. S. (absent brake system)s*ck. If the roads are wet or a little bit slick sometimes these trucks do not want to stop. They have been back to the dealer several times and they say"thats the way their supposed to be" . We are now getting in some 2002 Dakotas to replace them and the brakes are 100% better. We will see how they hold up cause if anybody abuses a truck it's a meter reader on these back country "roads". Doug