Well I drove another 08 model today. This one was a quad cab, 4x4. I also drove a little of everything else. A Ram 1500 regular cab with 4.7 and a six speed manual, a Chevrolet 1500 regular cab with the 4.8 and auto, a Ford F-150 STX regular cab with the 4.6 and auto and a Tundra extended cab with the 5.7....

My thoughts on the Dakota. I think it's a very nice truck. Way improved over the 05 to 07 model. I might hasten to say it's better than my 2000 model. I might even consider actually getting rid of my 2000 model finally and get a permanent replacment. I'd be very interested in driving a club cab, 2wd first to see how it compares. The 4x4 quad was nice but it didn't have the tow package and think it had the 3.21 or so gear in it. Although you could tell it was stronger than the 05-07 models, the 1-2 shift was a nearly 50mph... Holy high gearing batman. I think losing some pounds by going to a 2wd club cab and getting the two package with the 3.92 gear would make that thing scream. And again, the suspension felt good. Very good....

And since I drove a little of everything else these are my thoughts....

Ram 1500 - This was a regular cab in SLT trim with the 4.7 and 6 speed manual. It was also an 07 model. I really liked it. For the price and incentives this truck would be VERY attractive. It ran OK. The transmisison shifted smooth and easy but it wasn't something you could bang gears in. Ride was quiet, smooth and controlled. I'm honestly going to have to wait for the 08 model to try it out in a regular cab and a stick. I think it would be a LOT of fun to drive with the extra power. Apparently the Ram is about the only full size truck you can get these days with a stick.

08 Chevy 1500 - This was also a regular cab with the 4.8 V8 and an auto. Generally a nice looking truck. The inside looked nice but the materials are CHEAP.... Dash looks like the plastic used to make coolers out of. I also had to laugh as I guess this is what I always expect out of a GM vehicle. We open the door and the seat recline handle was broken on the driver seat, the trim around the a-pillar on the passenger door was loose and the battery was dead..... Still won't be buying a Chevy.... Any why in this day and age are their premium trucks still using the same old 4 speed auto?

07 Ford F150 - This was also a regular cab with the STX trim. I wish I could get my Dakota like this. A nicely optioned work truck. Regular cab, V8, two package, vinyl flooring.... Nice driving truck, looked good inside, decent price. But damn that 4.6 is WEAK and again Ford is still using the four speed auto. Won't be buying a Ford either.

07 Toyota Tundra - This was a regular cab with the 5.7 motor and power windows. Not many other options but listed at nearly 30k.... The 5.7 didn't feel as quick as I expected (or at least how it is hyped). The six speed auto was nice. Fit and finish was good. Drive was quiet and comfortable. Too much money... Not buying a Tundra either...

So I guess it's a toss between a V8 Dakota or a regular cab Ram with the 4.7 and a stick....

 

Thanks for the test-drive info. My '02 V6 Dakota is in the shop getting the ball joints replaced and I'm driving an '07 Dak with the V8 in SLT trim, which I believe is the V8 that puts out the most ponies at 260.

[:-] I think daddy needs a new truck!! MAN, DOES THIS THING HAVE POWER!! I knew I was driving a dog with the V6, but I didn't know how MUCH of a dog. Imagine my shock when I mashed the throttle from a dead stop and the rear tires broke loose as the V8 roared down the street!! Only time I can do that in the V6 is when it's wet or I get the weight to shift to the left rear, non-power wheel in a hard right turn.

I'm betting that the '07's are gonna be selling for relatively cheap when the new '08's come out. I just got done paying off my '02, tho, so I may hold onto it for a year and get an '08 in December of next year...

 

Well, I got my truck back yesterday and the new ball joints make a HUGE diffence!! Feels much more planted and stable on the ground. Just gotta go get the alignment done and I'll be set.

FYI, my truck handles WAY better than the 2007 Dakota SLT that I was driving. There's a certain part of the freeway that I ride on every day, and the '07 Dak was bobbin' up and down thru this section. One guy on these forums said it feels like a half-filled water-bed, and that is a very accurate description.

Same section this morning, my truck recovers promptly to each of the bumps that would send the '07 into the mushy, slow-recovery bobbing. The V8 engine is good, but not good enough to overcome unnecessarily crappy handling.

 

Yup, that's why Bilstien will make a killing if they'd just hurry up and release the front shocks!

 

Is that all that's needed, some better shocks? If that's the case, the '07 Dakota SLT is back on the list!!

 

I think so, the Trailmaster 2" front leveling kit stiffens up the springs some which helps. Just need some decent shock absorbers cuz the factory ones are garbage. I've already blown 3 of them (and that was before the TM install so it's not the kit that's to blame ). That's really my only complaint about the truck, that and not much space for passengers in the back but I have a club cab, if I had a quad cab it would be perfect