3rd Gen Dakota 2005 - 2011 Dodge Dakota Tech - The ultimate forum for technical help on the 3rd Gen Dakota.

New 2005 Dakota Owner

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
  #1  
Old 12-14-2010, 12:18 AM
gripnrip's Avatar
gripnrip
gripnrip is offline
Registered User
Thread Starter
Join Date: Dec 2010
Location: Vancouver, BC
Posts: 12
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Default New 2005 Dakota Owner

Hi all, I've been lurking here for the last few weeks as I was truck shopping but now that I picked up my "new to me" '05 Dakota last week I thought I would post up.

My truck is the '05 2WD V6 Club Cab ST, auto, Patriot Blue with cruise, heated seats, and all the options I wanted (except power windows, but no biggie). It's in great shape mechanically and cosmetically, 89,000 kms and I've had a blast the last week getting used to driving a truck.

It's my first truck, I've always been into small sporty Japanese cars and I've never owned American, nor a truck. But my wife and I both ride street bikes (currently she has '06 Honda VFR and I ride a '02 Yamaha R1) and wanted to get into dirt biking. Which led to looking at getting a small truck for hauling the dirtbikes. And that led to "why not get something a little bigger so we can fit the R1 and VFR in the back so we can bomb down the I5 to California in the off season?"

Originally I wanted a Ford Ranger as they are so common, easy to find one in good shape for a good price. But after driving it, a little too small in the cab for us. Taco was too pricey and I was looking for a newer model, find them ugly. I drove a V6 Frontier and really liked it, but tough to find a gently used one as they are not as common. Also looked at Canyon/Colorado's but the interiors were terrible and I didn't really want to drive a GM product, for some reason I felt like Ford and Dodge were slightly classier. Can't explain it. Plus the Canyon's I drove felt cheap and plastic-y.

Which left the Dakota, my wife's first pick (she likes big cars/trucks, and she liked the mini-Ram like styling of the 05-07's). Unfortunately only one cell phone picture when we bought it as it has been raining here in Vancouver non-stop for the last week. I keep hoping the sun will come out for even 5 minutes so I can wash and wax it to take some quick photos!

But the truck is perfect for us, not too small, not too big, not too bad on gas, still enough power for our needs, comfortable! We did a road trip to Seattle for the motorcycle show this past weekend and the truck was great, I really like the larger size, but still small enough to drive in the city.

Didn't mean to write an essay, but looking forward to learning lots here!

 
  #2  
Old 12-14-2010, 12:25 AM
Blown287's Avatar
Blown287
Blown287 is offline
Grand Champion
Join Date: Apr 2009
Location: Kekaha, HI
Posts: 5,293
Likes: 0
Received 3 Likes on 3 Posts
Default

Congrats on your new truck and welcome to DF. You will find a lot of information in past threads. Make yourself at home and enjoy.
 
  #3  
Old 12-14-2010, 12:43 AM
VConfreda's Avatar
VConfreda
VConfreda is offline
Rookie
Join Date: Nov 2010
Posts: 50
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Default

Wow, it looks just like mine before I had the bumpers painted and stuff. I bought my dakota as my first veicle that I ever actually owned and I isntantly fell in love with it.

I onily have been on DF for about a month and I can tell you that the stuff these guys do are completly amazing. You can learn everything about these trucks just by listening to these guys.
 
  #4  
Old 12-14-2010, 04:37 AM
Backwoods18's Avatar
Backwoods18
Backwoods18 is offline
Record Breaker
Join Date: Aug 2010
Location: Upstate/Central NY
Posts: 1,550
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Default

Welcome aboard the forum. With all of the great minds here there isn't problem we can't help you fix. Enjoy!
 
  #5  
Old 12-14-2010, 05:19 AM
trevorrawson's Avatar
trevorrawson
trevorrawson is offline
Rookie
Join Date: Nov 2010
Location: Visalia, Ca
Posts: 66
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Default

Congrats on the buy and welcome! I just bought my '05 a little over a week ago and I'm loving it! There is a lot of good info on here. If you need any help from one rookie to another feel free to ask. Nice looking truck!!
 
  #6  
Old 12-14-2010, 06:37 AM
WTEBOY703's Avatar
WTEBOY703
WTEBOY703 is offline
Record Breaker
Join Date: Jul 2010
Location: Fort Hood, Texas
Posts: 1,649
Likes: 0
Received 1 Like on 1 Post
Default

Welcome welcome
 
  #7  
Old 12-14-2010, 10:03 AM
dakotaff's Avatar
dakotaff
dakotaff is offline
Champion
Join Date: Aug 2009
Location: Jersey
Posts: 3,955
Received 82 Likes on 79 Posts
Default

Congrats and Welcome to DF.
 
  #9  
Old 12-14-2010, 11:22 AM
WTEBOY703's Avatar
WTEBOY703
WTEBOY703 is offline
Record Breaker
Join Date: Jul 2010
Location: Fort Hood, Texas
Posts: 1,649
Likes: 0
Received 1 Like on 1 Post
Default

Originally Posted by ericemery
Welcome to DF.

My only question is... a 2 wheel drive in canada? I'm surprised that isn't against the law! just kidding. Nice truck. Looking forward to some more pics!

just joined and already givin him crap? lol jk eric but hey if your not picked on from time to time means no one likes ya! lol
 
  #10  
Old 12-14-2010, 12:15 PM
jkeaton's Avatar
jkeaton
jkeaton is offline
DF Admin
Dodge Forum Administrator
Join Date: Apr 2010
Location: Winston Salem, NC
Posts: 27,787
Received 342 Likes on 305 Posts
Default

Great looking truck and excellent color choice!! Welcome to the forum...lots of good people and good stuff to be found on here!
 


Quick Reply: New 2005 Dakota Owner



All times are GMT -4. The time now is 03:31 PM.