My pickup is in my signature. When I was pickup shopping I didn't like the smallness of Ranger and Colorado, but didn't care for the excessive size and weight that full-size pickups have acquired in the last decade. And some of these Japanese companies call their small pickup a midsize, but they lack the real 6.5' box that was important to me. I haven't done any real work with it yet, but I can say that it hauls my motorcycle pretty well, and does a good job getting through snow drifts when you're trying to get home ahead of the blizzard. This is one of the best vehicles I've ever taken long trips with, thanks to the great seats, good suspension and the 6 CD radio w/ Sirius to stave off boredom. The 230 HP engine is peppy enough to do anything I'd want to do, but given your questions about power adders you'll probably like the 260 HP 4.7 HO better. My gas mileage is pretty variable but I seem to average about 17. I've seen about 20 in normal conditions (strict 65 mph on 2-lane roads) but as high as 23 (80+ on the interstate with a 50 mph tailwind) and as low as 12 (going the same speed but the other direction that day.)

 

Dakota Quad with 4.7 AWD. Love the truck but milage could be better. So far the best I got was 17.6 over the highway. This is with a bed lid, cat-back exhaust and K&N. Best mileage under same conditions for the 2000 Dakota Quad I traded was 16.5 mpg. Good news is that this truck feels like it has far more power than the 2000 and more than the advertised 230 HP. Quality seems just fine and the looks are way beyond anything else. This is my 3rd Dakota and so far the best.

 

'05 SLT CC 4.7 4x4 w/tow pkg here. Happy with the vehicle so far, about 9500 miles. It's a great ride on the highway, super quiet and a breeze to drive. My offroading is generally light - bumpy dirt roads, with my whitewater raft and gear in the back - and it's handled it very well so far. I also needed the long bed. It has a shade better performance than my 97 SLT 4x4, but overall a MUCH more substantial truck. I've gotten up to 19.2 on the highway, average around 16.

I've had some minor repair issues so far - a broken clock spring in the wheel disabled my cruise and switched on my airbag light. Dealer took an hour or so to fix (once he got the part), the other was a slow leak from the tranny and TC seals, both fixed under warranty. All I've added is Yoko Geolanders (265x70x16), a Penda Bedliner and caps, and Infinity Reference 6.5's to the doors (still needs a decent head unit). Designwise, I think my only complaints are so-so ground clearance and the reflection of the guages at night in the driver's side window is a little distracting. Lookswise, I never really figured out why so many people thought the new design was so ugly. I think it looks kinda sharp.

Can't really comment on track times or high end performance, that's not what I got this truck for.

 

Might want to get a 2006 Dakota. There is a possibility for a recall. Just fyi if you didn't see the previous thread about it...


-Matt-

 

I agree. Get an 06. You have more choices too not to mention that the bugs should be mostly worked out.