test drove an '08 Dak today
Champion
Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 4,119
Likes: 5
From: Sycamore, Illinois (displaced to Arkansas)
RE: test drove an '08 Dak today
ORIGINAL: jnellydodge
The dakota is no more overpriced than any of the other midsizes with similiar options, heck those little colorados get really pricey really fast once you start adding options to them.
The dakota is no more overpriced than any of the other midsizes with similiar options, heck those little colorados get really pricey really fast once you start adding options to them.
2007 Coloradoextended cab, 2WD, LS 1LS MSRP $16,995
2007 Dakotaclubcab, 2WD, ST MSRP $20,015
No options added high models:
2007 Colorado LT 3LT Crew Cab 4x4 MSRP $26,305 (That's a 3.7L I-5 that makes more than our 3.7L)
2007 Dakota Larmaie Crew Cab 4x4 MSRP $31,160 (That's a 3.7L V6, like I said, no options added)
You can see, differance in price, base to high-line models, is about $10G's. (And the price differance Dodge vs. Chevyis still about $4-ish grand)
Please note: Laramie comes standard with leather seats, Colorado it's a $1,5000 option (price not included, like I said, no options added). Plus, anti-spin diff is $300+ on Colorado. So now your up to $28,105. I'll take a $31,000 Dakota over a $28,000 Colorado any day.
Bottom line: busnesses or people looking for totally base line trucks that aren't going to be used for anything but hauling small things, yea, a base Colorado would probably be awesome for them.
But for a weekend warrior, something you'd need to tow a decent size trailer or boat with, count me out.
But don't listen to me, my Dakota is supposedly no more capable than the new Colorados.
Record Breaker
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 1,211
Likes: 0
From: Lebanon, PA
RE: test drove an '08 Dak today
Yeah, I agree with that one...I owned a GMC Canyon (Colorado twin) and paid a bit less to replace it with my Dakota, but got a lot more truck, and a lot more reliability. I've put my Dakota through it's paces the last few months with all the towing and hauling I've been doing and it hasn't had a single problem. I've got about 24,000 miles on it already and it's solid as a rock. The 4.7, from everything I've heard, both from guys on here and my Dodge mechanic friend, is a great engine, as long as you maintain it. Sure, you'll get a lemon every once in awhile, but the majority of them are going to be solid and I wouldn't worry about purchasing an older generation 4.7.
I wouldn't want to be any of the people buying a new 4.7 though...I'd wait a year or two 'til all the bugs are worked out.
I wouldn't want to be any of the people buying a new 4.7 though...I'd wait a year or two 'til all the bugs are worked out.
Veteran
Joined: Jun 2006
Posts: 322
Likes: 0
From:
RE: test drove an '08 Dak today
As close as I can determine, there is no comparison between Daks and either Ranger or Colorado. Neither of tham will tow much of a load. Neither has the seating room of a Quad. The only real comparison was with the old model of Toyota Tundra and that isn't built any more.
My '05 have been trouble-free and performs pretty well. My only complaint is the same as all of our's - almost no performance stuff. I think resale value sucks to but I'm keeping mine until the diesel is available(but I'm not really expecting it to make it to the market).
My '05 have been trouble-free and performs pretty well. My only complaint is the same as all of our's - almost no performance stuff. I think resale value sucks to but I'm keeping mine until the diesel is available(but I'm not really expecting it to make it to the market).
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 28
Likes: 0
RE: test drove an '08 Dak today
ORIGINAL: TheGreatMonkey
These things are ugly as hell. And then again OVERPRICED once again. Who would pay $26995 for a truck that has no options, and that doesn't even include 4x4. It's also Canadian price too. Thats crazy. Thats way too much for something like that with no options and no 4x4. Thats for the ST model too. Thats just the basic. Geez. Like I went to Ford today cause they has this big sale on and they had a few 2008 Rangers in, they were just regular price, so i'm looking at one, Sports model with a 4.0L 4x4, sport bucket seats, MP3/6cd w/ Sirius, Power equip group, box liner, Privacy glass, Mid and aft Skid plates, Tilt steering w/ speed control, Class III trailer tow, rear slider window, and with all that in it, i thought it was atleast $30000 but nope, it was $26264. Now which truck would I choose, the one thats $26995 with no options and no 4x4, or the one thats $26264 that has options with 4x4. Hmmm, lets see, I think i'll take the Ranger. But I guess people do have more money then brains in this world. Why would someone wanna pay $26995 for something that has no options along with no 4x4. Like come on. Whoop de do, theres nothing great about the Dakota's. Like 2 days ago, I decided to tow my sled out to my buddies cabin, and about half way there, the tranny blew, along with the engine too. Come on, total weight I was towing was maybe 800-1000 pounds, and I do have the trailer package with my POS Dakota. If I knew what kinda price I was going to pay for this Dakota, I wouldn't have gotten it cause my dad did all the dealing and everything, so I had no idea what I was paying. But now I do, $40000 for something that had no options with 4x4. Geez. Thats a little overpriced don't ya think. Oh wait, i'm talking to a bunch of people they throw away their money on overpriced Dakota's. So I guess you wouldn't know the difference then.
These things are ugly as hell. And then again OVERPRICED once again. Who would pay $26995 for a truck that has no options, and that doesn't even include 4x4. It's also Canadian price too. Thats crazy. Thats way too much for something like that with no options and no 4x4. Thats for the ST model too. Thats just the basic. Geez. Like I went to Ford today cause they has this big sale on and they had a few 2008 Rangers in, they were just regular price, so i'm looking at one, Sports model with a 4.0L 4x4, sport bucket seats, MP3/6cd w/ Sirius, Power equip group, box liner, Privacy glass, Mid and aft Skid plates, Tilt steering w/ speed control, Class III trailer tow, rear slider window, and with all that in it, i thought it was atleast $30000 but nope, it was $26264. Now which truck would I choose, the one thats $26995 with no options and no 4x4, or the one thats $26264 that has options with 4x4. Hmmm, lets see, I think i'll take the Ranger. But I guess people do have more money then brains in this world. Why would someone wanna pay $26995 for something that has no options along with no 4x4. Like come on. Whoop de do, theres nothing great about the Dakota's. Like 2 days ago, I decided to tow my sled out to my buddies cabin, and about half way there, the tranny blew, along with the engine too. Come on, total weight I was towing was maybe 800-1000 pounds, and I do have the trailer package with my POS Dakota. If I knew what kinda price I was going to pay for this Dakota, I wouldn't have gotten it cause my dad did all the dealing and everything, so I had no idea what I was paying. But now I do, $40000 for something that had no options with 4x4. Geez. Thats a little overpriced don't ya think. Oh wait, i'm talking to a bunch of people they throw away their money on overpriced Dakota's. So I guess you wouldn't know the difference then.
Veteran
Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 327
Likes: 27
From:
RE: test drove an '08 Dak today
Since nobody that drove one will actually comment on howit drove I hunted one down today and took it for a spin. It was a 2WD, extended cab STX with the 3.7 V6, auto and 3.55 gear..
I was strictly interested in the suspension. From what I remember about my 05 model, the 08 feels WAY better. The suspension was firm, controlled and responsive. I made sure to take a specific route near the dealer that had a nasty dip in the road. This particular dip would make my 05 model dip and bounce for what seemed like an eternity. I really felt like I was driving a trampoline. When I hit the same spot in the 08 model during the test drive it absorbed it, rebounded and stopped. No continuing undulation or wallowing that I was used to....
I'll be going back to test a V8 when they come in. If it feels as good or better than that V6 I'll be taking one home on the spot.
I was strictly interested in the suspension. From what I remember about my 05 model, the 08 feels WAY better. The suspension was firm, controlled and responsive. I made sure to take a specific route near the dealer that had a nasty dip in the road. This particular dip would make my 05 model dip and bounce for what seemed like an eternity. I really felt like I was driving a trampoline. When I hit the same spot in the 08 model during the test drive it absorbed it, rebounded and stopped. No continuing undulation or wallowing that I was used to....
I'll be going back to test a V8 when they come in. If it feels as good or better than that V6 I'll be taking one home on the spot.
Veteran
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 405
Likes: 0
From:
RE: test drove an '08 Dak today
I would be interested to know if there are any big changes to the 08 suspension or just better struts. If its only better struts then will they fit on the 05 to 07 trucks and if they do I'd buy them.
Professional
Joined: Jun 2006
Posts: 163
Likes: 0
From: Budd Lake, NJ
RE: test drove an '08 Dak today
Well my view on the '08's has changed a bit. The local dealer in my town has a few on the lot. They also have an Yellow (not crazy about yellow, but..)Quad Cab with the TRX4 package with the Mopar Nerf Bars and I must say it is a good looking truck! The pictures do not do it justice. After ******* it for a few monts, I have to say that I like it.