I'm at a crossroad in life and trucks. I've been driving Dakotas for 27 years, having the first gen for 11 and now the 2nd gen for 16 years. I am coming to a decision of whether or not to jump into a 4th gen RAM. I love the look but I drove two different trucks at two different dealerships and I cannot wrap my head around how disconnected the steering feels compared to my Dakota. They were both certified 2014's with around the same 40K on the clock. I didn't get the opportunity to thrash either truck because of the areas I drove it, but my Dakota has always given me positive feedback through the steering and the RAM seems like the steering wheel is an accessory instead of a functioning control. I am guessing it is mostly the electric steering that is the norm these days but I'm not sure I want to make the jump.

My Dakota is suffering from the dreaded clearcoat peeling and has minor blistering above the rear wheel wells, a repair that I already know I can do for around $3K. My truck is sitting at 73K miles so it isn't getting worn out mechanically. I'm chasing an irritating CEL issue but otherwise it does everything it should. True, the HVAC is irritating but it seems to be something that a swing of the dial back and forth will correct, at least right now.

I guess I'm looking for support in making the change. My wife is all for the RAM but she won't fight about keeping the Dakota either. I'm not frightened about the larger vehicle although that will take some getting used to. My Dakota gets used almost daily, just not for long trips so it doesn't just sit idle. And we're hitting retirement and are planning on trying our hand at camping. I know what the Dakota can pull. The RAM's we are looking at also have a trailer package and the pulling capacity seems to be no problem either.

 

It's funny you mention the steering. I drove a new silerado and also a new F-150 and the steering does not compare to that of a dakota (I have a 98). Long story short. I retired with the intent of getting a new truck, that was about 5 years ago. I'm glad I didn't...spent about 2K on the dakota to get the mechanical back in order, did all the work myself....being retired it's more of a hobby and something to do. I've decided to keep the truck with 250K on it and run it till it don't run anymore. Still looks good for an old truck and runs great but I'm very sensitive to how a vehicle steers. All new parts on the front end and it's tight, which I like. The newer vehicles just don't feel right to me, a lot larger like you said and being at 65 years old I really like the fact it's not high off the ground and it's easy to get to get a load in and out especially motorcycles which I haul around a lot. I didn't drive the Ram though so can't judge that yet. Hope you find what your looking for, I guess it all dpends on what your doing with it. The dakota rocks and I know it pretty much inside and out. I guess if I live long enough one day I'll pull the trigger and get something newer. I had this thing since new and I remember they called it at the time "the new dodge". It's been a great vehicle but I guess if you take care of and maintain something almost any vehicle wil last a long time. Good Luck!

 

I actually did drive a Chevy recently and was WAY off that one, and that I got to drive without the owner in the cab and over several miles of mixed driving. Talk about disconnected steering! I can't say that the RAM is anywhere as wimpy as the Chevy, but I'm also not going to do a real side by side since I'm not a GM or Ford guy by nature.

I dunno. I'll be away from the temptation for a few weeks and I'll see what happens. I did pose the question on a RAM specific site and the responses were pretty much "keep the Dakota" but only based on my wording in my post which was similar to this post. I was sort of hoping I'd get a response for someone who actually DID make the change. Maybe I'm looking for encouragement to swap or maybe for encouragement to stay. Even THAT I can't confirm! And I'm already three years older than you!

 

I drive dad's 2011 ram every now and then. It's not completely disconnected, but about 80% of the way there. Brakes also feel totally different (same pedal, different response from the truck).

My hyundai elantra on the other hand, it's like a little damn sports car. Still has electric steering, but it actually feels attached. Not like some cheap PC racing wheel.

 

I've been eyeing the Rams too, but haven't test driven any yet. I've done a lot on this Dak and she drives damn near perfect now, even approaching 276K. I also had a Honda Accord, with 200k in stellar condition... I just gave it to my daughter and now the Dak is my only vehicle. I'm also in the process of moving into a new house and the quad cab has come in very handy with all that entails. Luckily, the paint is great... no flaws and I live in GA, so no rust. Guess I'm keeping the old girl. She's running damn near like a big luxury car now.

 

Wow....didn't realize the same body style was still around in 03. Looks darn good against the body styles today. At one time I hated Chysler products....back in the 70's or early 80's I guess it was. I actually have two Chysler products now and I can say I'm happy with em. It's always good to hear about peoples driving experiences and what they think of what they drive. I'm sure there are some crappy vehicles out there but I've been fortunate enough not to own one of them.

 

Looks good but wait 2 years the clear coat will just let go then it looks sick. Still love my 98 but when the clear coat went bad 1.5 years ago your love fades some it’s a real bummer to look at.

I hate that from looking great to sick nothing but a complete new paint job will fix it the problem is the clear coat just disintegrates and can’t stick to the base color coat anymore.

 

Yeah, this didn't happen till 05'...





Hush, don't call it into being. I actually garage it at home and work, so it doesn't see much sun. Sadly, I've never waxed. Maybe it's time to start.

 

In California it was outside but CA is half the time under clouds well waxed also. In AZ until 2 years ago it was parked in a garage so I don't think the sun is what kills it.

The clear coat just goes in 16 to 18 years what sucks is how fast it goes one day it looks great the next bubbles bubbles bubbles it SUCKS.

I never waxed it I used Nu finish worked great most people were amazed how nice my Dakota always looked asked how I kept it up so well.

Well 16 to 18 years is not bad but it still SUCKS and a good paint job runs 2 to 3K.

 

This is how she looked 2 years ago great not 1 bubble.