Just Bought a New 2011 Dakota
Welcome!! Nice truck and a good price for a new one! Is it an SLT, Laramie, Big Horn?
thanks it does seem to be a nice truck so far we just passed 230 miles last night lol..
it is a Big/Horn edition
Once broken in, you should get ~20mpg highway. City varies depending on how you drive. I'm aggressive with my 07, I usually drive daily 10miles total and I get ~14mpg.
Only issue you will have brand new is the front struts (and arguably the rear shocks too). They tend to make the front end rather bouncy. I decided to leave mine in until the recommended 50k miles strut replacement but after doing it, I really shouldve replaced them sooner.
hmm really didn't know there was a problem with the front struts..my 04 has 150K on it and the only thing i've replaced and that was at about 149K was my tie rod ends..my 04 still has the orginal front struts and shocks.
Other than that, you don't usually see any problems with the 3rd gen dakotas. Great transmission, great engine, etc.
cool glad to hear that..i heard there was some issues with the 4.7 L motor.
Only other downside is the lack of aftermarket parts for modding..
thanks it does seem to be a nice truck so far we just passed 230 miles last night lol..
it is a Big/Horn edition
Once broken in, you should get ~20mpg highway. City varies depending on how you drive. I'm aggressive with my 07, I usually drive daily 10miles total and I get ~14mpg.
Only issue you will have brand new is the front struts (and arguably the rear shocks too). They tend to make the front end rather bouncy. I decided to leave mine in until the recommended 50k miles strut replacement but after doing it, I really shouldve replaced them sooner.
hmm really didn't know there was a problem with the front struts..my 04 has 150K on it and the only thing i've replaced and that was at about 149K was my tie rod ends..my 04 still has the orginal front struts and shocks.
Other than that, you don't usually see any problems with the 3rd gen dakotas. Great transmission, great engine, etc.
cool glad to hear that..i heard there was some issues with the 4.7 L motor.
Only other downside is the lack of aftermarket parts for modding..
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Joined: Jan 2008
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From: Sioux Falls, SD
The Ram 1500, especially 3rd gen, market is HUGE. I was considering some of them, but for the same price as a used 2006-2007 Ram 1500 I can get a 2009-2010 Dakota with less miles, and I don't really use a truck as a truck very often...
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Joined: Jan 2012
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I have have a couple water leaks so you should look out for those. Seem to show up after a heavy rain. One on the drivers side and water comes in at the upper bolt just above the "OH $H!T" handle (havent "fixed" that one yet). The other was the passenger side floor board was wet when I removed the capet to install RoadBlocker. (I have not noticed this one returning yet, I put some silcone around the windsheild rubber stops and put a bead along the inside when I had the headliner out)
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Joined: Sep 2007
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From: Toledo, OH
I think he won't have to worry about the front shocks (struts???) much because they put in better ones starting in...umm not sure, maybe 2010? I have purchased my current 2010 Dak new (and previously had a 2007 and before that a 2005 thanks to the magic of 2 year leases.) The 2010 is MUCH better going over speed bumps and such than the other ones.
Last edited by Growlor; Feb 15, 2012 at 07:17 PM.
well i have one small complaint already that seems to be an issue on all dakotas.. i hear alot of wind noise coming from the passenger side near the dash.. (my 04 does this as well no water just wind at high speed)..the 2011 is most noticeable at 70 and above.. my 04 is most 60 and above..thought they might have fixed that problem by now..guess not..
sharp truck...mines an 05 and other than the front end i havent replaced a thing...accept for the mods...btw...let them begin for you!!! and you will learn to do everything possible to increase your mileage...but then you wont notice the increase because your foot will be smashed into the pedal!!
Last edited by clud4651; Feb 17, 2012 at 09:21 PM.
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Joined: Jan 2011
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From: Sandy, UT. (SLC Suburbs)
I think the better ride quality is just because they removed the sway bars. Lets the front move more independently. I have heard the 08+ had slightly beefier front end parts though, not sure if that's true or not.