Thinking about buying a dakota..
Record Breaker
Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 1,513
Likes: 2
Mine has been pretty good. V6 with a 6-spd manual. It is a dog though. Very slow. I also have larger then factory tires that don't help with that situation.
I have had a few repairs; new power steering rack, intermidiate shaft. Seems like I had some steering issues.
The only thing that would stop me from buying this truck again is that now, 4 years into this 3rd generation dakota, I STILL can't go into any auto parts stores for replacement parts. NOTHING besides regular maintainance stuff. I had to rebuild a sway bar endlink that broke because of a hard time getting a replacement.
I have had a few repairs; new power steering rack, intermidiate shaft. Seems like I had some steering issues.
The only thing that would stop me from buying this truck again is that now, 4 years into this 3rd generation dakota, I STILL can't go into any auto parts stores for replacement parts. NOTHING besides regular maintainance stuff. I had to rebuild a sway bar endlink that broke because of a hard time getting a replacement.
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Registered User
Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 21
Likes: 0
hmmm
On the new auto ones, yes, you will get about the same mileage v6 or v8. Of course the manual trans will get better mileage, but the new ones can't be bought with v8 and manual (sure wish I was wrong) How heavy of a trailer? How hilly or flat is it in your neck of the woods? How fast would it be going normally? While my 3.92 gears will get me up the steep hill just fine, once you put the shifter in TOW HAUL, that keeps it out of 5th gear, meaning it's 4th gear with about a 2.94 gear ratio, not low enough for heavy use without alot of shifting from 4th to 3rd and back, without even a steep hill. But that's the 545 in the V8. What tow haul does with a 45 rfe V6 is what I'd want to know-does it put it in third gear, or 4th? I'd get a manual trans myself, avoid the whole hassle and be in control yourself
I figured a 04 slt for somewhere around 10,000 is what can be gotten..
thanks
Registered User
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 38
Likes: 0
Go get a new one, life is too short. I got an'08 Laramie thats l o a d e d and its the best truck i have ever had. You will spend alot of dough but for a mid-size truck its the best one out there. The V-8 has some good power and fuel economy is good enough. Have your dealer do a search and they can find exactly what is out there. Most internet searches cannot find everything thats available.
Banned
Joined: Sep 2008
Posts: 150
Likes: 0
From: Michigan.
I LOVE my Dakota. I have an 07 Laramie, it's got the leather interior, I love it. It's perfect for all-season driving, especially for the winter, the 4WD is AWESOME! I have the towing package too. It's a GREAT truck, I'd definitely look into getting one. It's also a V6. 4x4. I love it. It's an all around great truck. It's the perfect size and everything!
The Total Package
Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 3,599
Likes: 0
From: Kansas
You're the exception, and how can you be sure? Did you buy the truck used or has it been in your family since new?