Anyone own a Dodge Dakota?

[GoinAllTheWay]

What are they like? I have to replace an aging car in the not so distant future and have been thinking truck for some time. Just want something that can take on the winter without slipping and sliding and a 4X4 would sure be nice. Something I can use to take junk to the dump, tow a trailer, bring home large boxes from the store (like a big screen), drywall, etc....

What are the pros? What are the cons? Gas mileage any good? Reliable? Expensive to maintain?

I'm open to other suggestions but really like the look of the Dakota. Not looking to spend a ton of money, looking used really but no older than 2002-03.

Any feedback would be great, thanks guys.

[Looger]

had three friends that had dakotas, all varieties.

the 390 HAULS. very fast.

all models, even the six, get horrible gas mileage. probably 80%+ as much as a half-ton.

reliability is the same as all dodge trucks - don't get one that doesn't have plenty of powertrain warranty and expect to replace everything in the front end once in awhile.

man does that 390 haul though.

[TimSJ]

my uncles is on his second dakota a will not ever have another one.

First one was a 98 V8 and was great

His current one is an 2005 V6

He was hauling his boat out of the water.. (water was not even to the bottom of the doors.) and it sucked in water and blew the engine. Apparently on the 6 cyl dakotas the air intake is down in the left front wheel well. anything more that like 9 or 10 inches of water and bye bye engine. Warranty would not cover it.. cost him like $7,0000

brutal...

[jolinar of malkshor]

Originally Posted by Looger

had three friends that had dakotas, all varieties.

the 390 HAULS. very fast.

all models, even the six, get horrible gas mileage. probably 80%+ as much as a half-ton.

reliability is the same as all dodge trucks - don't get one that doesn't have plenty of powertrain warranty and expect to replace everything in the front end once in awhile.

man does that 390 haul though.

I have a 2000 Daktoa quad quab. It is perfect for me. Lots of room for a smaller truck (with the quad cab. Would never buy it without.) I can haul my 16 foot camper trailer without to much difficulty. No real problems with it. I am doing the breaks next weekend (165,000km). Gas milage isn't the greatest. I can get 700 km on a tank of gas (85L). If I am pulling my trailer, that goes down by half.

I could have purchased a full size but I figured this would work good for me, and it has. Not to big, I am not pulling or hauling big loads and enough room to take 4 people comfortably 6 people cramped.

Oh it is a V6 (4.7L)

[White Doors]

You can get the Chevy Colorado/GMC Canyon with their in line 5 cyl engine that gets over 240 HP and 30MG on highway.
If you're looking 1/4 ton and good mileage, definitely the way to go.

[the-rasta-masta]

Originally Posted by TimSJ

my uncles is on his second dakota a will not ever have another one.

First one was a 98 V8 and was great

His current one is an 2005 V6

He was hauling his boat out of the water.. (water was not even to the bottom of the doors.) and it sucked in water and blew the engine. Apparently on the 6 cyl dakotas the air intake is down in the left front wheel well. anything more that like 9 or 10 inches of water and bye bye engine. Warranty would not cover it.. cost him like $7,0000

brutal...

Why was the front of the truck even near the water? I've never seen someone back their truck all the way in to the water up to their front wheel well to even make that a problem.

[GoinAllTheWay]

Originally Posted by the-rasta-masta

Why was the front of the truck even near the water? I've never seen someone back their truck all the way in to the water up to their front wheel well to even make that a problem.

I was kinda wondering the same thing.

OK, so not an overwhelming response to the Dakota, anyone have an opinion on the GMC Canyon?

[TimSJ]

it was at the cottage and we lauch from the beach not a boat ramp. does not drop off that quickly so as a result you have to back in farther. To get enough water to float the boat off the trailer you have to get the front wheels to the water.

[BlackArcher101]

Just about purchased a Canyon/Colorado, but instead bought a used S10 4x4. I'll be dumping the S10 for a Canyon as soon as I can afford to. The mileage I get is horrendous (13mpg city, 16 hwy). The equivalent Canyon/Colorado model get's 18mpg city and 22 hwy.

I like the chevy trucks. In the odd case that something does need to be fixed, it's very easy to do yourself. I've never had to tear apart an engine or transmission yet on my previous chev's. Have no need for a full-size either as the S10/Colorado does what I need it to do.

[GoinAllTheWay]

Don't think I would be into a Colorado. The beds on those things don't look as serviceable as one you would find on a regurlar p/u. Defenitley got me thinking about the Canyon though. I like the idea of an inline engine and the horsepower/mileage sounds like it would be good.

[White Doors]

I have heard good things about the engine.

[Bring_Back_Shantz]

Originally Posted by White Doors

You can get the Chevy Colorado/GMC Canyon with their in line 5 cyl engine that gets over 240 HP and 30MG on highway.
If you're looking 1/4 ton and good mileage, definitely the way to go.

I just bought a new '06 Colorado, and I love it so far. I'd driven one for work for a few days and decided that I'd buy one when it was time to upgrade to a truck and I'm really happy with it.

I haven't tired to tow anything yet, so I can't commnet on that unfortunatley.

[White Doors]

Originally Posted by Bring_Back_Shantz

I just bought a new '06 Colorado, and I love it so far. I'd driven one for work for a few days and decided that I'd buy one when it was time to upgrade to a truck and I'm really happy with it.

I haven't tired to tow anything yet, so I can't commnet on that unfortunatley.

9900 lbs I think. not great for a 5th wheel but could haul a Quad or two no prob. They are good lookign too. I seen one or two with a bit bigger tires. Sharp.

[Bring_Back_Shantz]

Originally Posted by GoinAllTheWay

Don't think I would be into a Colorado. The beds on those things don't look as serviceable as one you would find on a regurlar p/u. Defenitley got me thinking about the Canyon though. I like the idea of an inline engine and the horsepower/mileage sounds like it would be good.

The Canyon and Colorado are the exact same truck, except one has a GMC logo and the other has a Chevy Logo, so I'm not sure why you like one and not the other.

Maybe you're thinking of the difference between a crew cab and a regular cab?

[White Doors]

Yep, same. Except one has fairing around the wheel well.

[Bring_Back_Shantz]

Originally Posted by White Doors

Yep, same. Except one has fairing around the wheel well.

Nope, that's an option you can get on either one.
Trust me, I did a lot of research when I bought mine, and except for the logo/name, all of the options available, and standard equipement are the same.

[White Doors]

Originally Posted by Bring_Back_Shantz

Nope, that's an option you can get on either one.
Trust me, I did a lot of research when I bought mine, and except for the logo/name, all of the options available, and standard equipement are the same.

Oh. good to know as I don't like the plastic fairing. Too 'avalanche' for me.

[kaotik]

I have an '05 Colorado and love it... Havn't had a single problem with it... I've towed a small trailer behind it, and other than having to go slow up steep hills in the mountains, it pulls just fine.

[GoinAllTheWay]

Originally Posted by Bring_Back_Shantz

The Canyon and Colorado are the exact same truck, except one has a GMC logo and the other has a Chevy Logo, so I'm not sure why you like one and not the other.

Maybe you're thinking of the difference between a crew cab and a regular cab?

Sorry guys, I was thinking of the Avalanche, not the Colorado. My bad, I'll look through those as well.