It is time to replace my car. It is just too expensive to keep (it is horribly unreliable, with many problems recurring). Also, I have a 2003 BMW 325i and I need more size and have decided that it is time for a truck.

My intended use is as a daily driver about 80-90% of the time. I hope to buy a condo or townhouse in about a year so it will also be used for occasional Home Depot runs. Also, in about a year I hope to buy a trailer, probably a pop-up to start with, but I may upgrade to a hybrid or lightweight travel trailer later.

If I buy a truck I intend for it to last at least 10 years. I'm also sick of having a vehicle that seems to be in the shop every other month. So, durable and reliable are musts.

I am looking at both mid-sized trucks and full-time trucks. I really like the Nissan Frontier, but, while I'm still considering the Nissan, the main mid-sized I'm considering now is the Dakota for the extra towing capacity with the V8 (the Dakota's 7000LB tow rating should be enough for what I may upgrade to, the Nissan and Toyota's 6000ish rating may be a bit tight for some options I'd consider).

So, for my questions:

-What can I expect from the V8 Dakota? The good, the bad and the ugly. Is it basically reliable?

-What kinds of problems are common? Are these expensive or relatively inexpensive? Are they problems you fix at your leisure or problems that leave you at the side of the road?

-How are they as daily drivers and for light to medium chores? Are they comfortable? If you have one, do you wish you went bigger?

-How are they for towing? While I'll start with a pop-up and I'm sure this will be fine even for most high walls, I may well upgrade later (I'm a teacher and will probably spend a good portion of the summer traveling in my camper and may want something nicer within a couple years). I'm probably going to be looking at something in the 4500-5500LB GVWR range (on paper that should leave enough leeway between the trailer weight, gear and passenger weight, a bit of a weight cushion, and the 7000LB tow rating).

-If you were in the market again, after living with your Dakota, would you buy another? Would you prefer the Nissan or Toyota at this point? Would you stay away from the mid-sized trucks altogether and go full-size?

If I go full-sized, pretty much all are on my radar. I do have preferences (so far I like the Dodge and Ford best), but all are so close that I'll probably end up buying on price. My thoughts on this are that the gas mileage is so close as to be a non-issue, the full-size's extra capability may be nice (though it may be unnecessary), but the mid-size's more manageable size may be nice (I don't like the idea of trying to get around downtown Annapolis in a full-sized truck, my little BMW is hard to squeeze into some of these parking spots and narrow 18th century streets).

 

Didn't there used to be a sticky about all of the problem areas? I could be wrong. Are you buying a new or used Dakota? I don't think I'd hesitate to buy a new one at this point, as the model is well into it's life cycle, and the bugs should be worked out by now. If you are buying an '05-'06, I think reliability can be a crap shoot. Just my opinion. I have had just about every issue you can have with these trucks....and I almost gave up on it. After a lot of frustration, I finally have all of the kinks worked out. I bought mine off-lease with 36,000 miles (just out of warranty), and I've had to replace tie-rods, shocks, sway bar links, exhaust manifold bolts, rear end TSB for vibration, passenger seat airbag sensor, and they seem to be a little more rust prone than any other vehicle I've had. Gas mileage for me is 14 with the HO motor, and there is very limited aftermarket support.

Ok that said, I have never loved a vehicle more. It could be similar to why abused women still love their husbands....I don't know. I will always have this truck, and I will continue to rub it with a diaper every day. This truck is HIGHLY CAPABLE of doing 95% of what a 1500 can do....only you can still easily park it. Do yourself a favor and listen to Ericemery. Get the V8 with the 3.92 LSD rear-end.

 

Can you wait until the 2010's come out?? More horsepower and the suspension problems of the past, (I believe) have been addressed for the '10 models.

 

If you get an 06 or 07 try to find one with an 4.7L HO. They are out there and gives you a pretty good head start on performance.

 

Daily driver here. Bought just outside corporate lease at 35,000 miles. Had 0 trouble, but only owned 3 months. Previous owner got 15.9 mileage, I average 13.9 but do nearly all city driving. Truck runs great. Towed a friends boat with plenty of power to spare, though I doubt it was any more than 2 ton. If you go with the mid size, the dakota is the way to go. Eric just seems to be cursed, but wants to please his abuser anyways.

 

my 2005 cc 4.7 is a daily driver also, has had many facelifts to the engine, tranny, axles and what not, 80000 miles and still have the same brakes, truck is still running strong, use the nitrous every other weekend at the track or around the street. only issues was the ball joint replacement. all other replacement was for my benefit

 

Go for it. Great trucks! I have the 06 V8 4X4. Had minor issues, had to replace one tie rod already, however, I do not exactly driver my truck like a grandfather. I drive it as a truck. Pot holes, speed bumps etc. Minor issues and annoying issues, but fixed or not a big deal.