Dodge Dakota Trucks | Vans
Dodge Dakota Trucks | Vans
[Apr 07, 2003]
ky-clay
Model Reviewed:
Dakota Sport V-6
Strength:
Room, ride, decent MPG at an average of 17 MPG. 20 MPG if you try.
Weakness:
Noisey V-6, lack of Torque, Resale Value This Dakota has been a good truck with few problems. Bought used with 50,000 miles, now has 89,000. I highly recommend anyone buying a Dakota opt for the V-8 especially if you get A/T. It has lots more power and MPG are about the same as the V-6. The 3.9 V-6 is a noisey engine and in the heavy Dakota is none too powerful. It's no wimp, but the V-8 is much better suited to this truck. I did have shift problems at 75,000 miles but changing the fluid and filter cured this. I am about to buy a new 2003 Dakota Sport Plus with the 4.7 V-8. Similar Products Used: Ranger-A good small truck. S-10-I do not recommend. |
[Apr 04, 2003]
brian
Strength:
looks good from a distance.(close up shows runs and orange peel finish
Weakness:
developed power steering leak 2nd day, replaced rack, headliner had a hole hidden by the visor,replaced after 1.5 mos(didn't have my phone #)? numerous returns for rough idle....the vehicle has stalled on several occasions (was told that the rough idle was normal and the stall could not be duplicated)various clunks,squeaks and thumps. fuel mileage is worse with this one. best I have done is 13.7 traded a 2000 dakota slt club cab 4.7 (rough idle, poor fuel mileage) for 02 graphite quad cab sport after our son was born.....figured that any bugs should be worked out Similar Products Used: 2000 dakota slt |
[Mar 30, 2003]
jeremey lussier
Model Reviewed:
dakota 4x4 reg cab short bed
Strength:
v8, standard trany, 4x4, roomy for a reg cab, very dependable, fun
Weakness:
hard to find suspension kits i bought my truck about 10 months ago. it was the best investment ever. with the 5.2 it has plenty of power and with the 5 speed it is real easy to get the power to the wheels. i have a k and n cold air intake poweraid throtle body spacer and flowmaster exhaust. then i bought super swampers 31x10.5 the whole package really gets the job bone even with the stock suspension. i hope to get a 6 inch suspension and 3 inch body lift. then comes 35's. Similar Products Used: chevy s10 jeep cheroke |
[Mar 24, 2003]
ROB
Model Reviewed:
DODGE DAKOTA CLUB CA
Strength:
GREAT LOOKS, GREAT VALUE, LOTS OF ROOM INSIDE, SOUND CONSTRUCTION, LOTS OF POWER!
Weakness:
EXTERIOR FIT AND FINISH DETAILS, GAS MILEAGE. IT HAS BEEN A GREAT TRUCK, LOTS OF POWER, SOUNDS EVEN BETTER WITH A FOWMASTER AFTERCAT EXAUST. 4.7 MOTOR RUNS GREAT. RUBBER DOOR MOLDINGS ARE A LITTLE ON THE CHEAP SIDE, FIT/FINISH NOT THE GREATEST. THESE ARE MINOR COMPAINTS, VERY HAPPY OVERALL. Similar Products Used: TOYOTA TACOMA, CHEVY S-10 |
[Mar 13, 2003]
Gary
Model Reviewed:
Dakota Quad Cab 4x4
Strength:
AWD w/4HI & 4LO, 5-speed auto, biggest factory tires I could get, rides as smooth as my 2wd did. 4.7 has plenty of power. Quad cab has lots of room. Slight but noticable improvements since 2000 like door locks you can't hit with your elbow and lock yourself out! Better cup holders, etc.
Weakness:
Very few. Gas mileage is about the same as my 2wd w/V6 and towing package. Traded in 2000 SLT Plus club cab 2wd (great truck, no problems) for two extra doors, full-time 4wd, 4.7 V8, heavy duty everything, four wheel disc brakes, and I couldn't be happier. I love my truck. Similar Products Used: 2000 Dakota |
[Mar 09, 2003]
Sarah
Model Reviewed:
dakota
Strength:
Nothing
Weakness:
Too much to list but heres a few: 2 catalytic converters front rotors an brakes idles rough and then stalls check engine light is on and off weekly chooses when it feels like starting new tires a 12,000 gasket leaks manifold studs broken 2 crankcase sensor new starter and flywheel and on and on...... This truck is a joke. I bought it with 3 miles on it and it started having problems in the first 6 months. The best part is that no Dodge dealership is able to fix the problem. I have a stacked of papers on things that have been fixed and it still runs like crap!!! As we speak it is in the shop. I paid $1,200.00 dollars to get it fixed drive to home depot and when i tryed to start it the air chamber blew into a hundred pieces. Now the dealership is trying to say it needs another converter and another $600 to get it fixed. BE WARNED you don't need these headaches. I've made excuses for my truck for years but know I'm a believer that Dodge and thier service SUCKS! Similar Products Used: nothing compares to this heap |
[Mar 02, 2003]
Jason
Model Reviewed:
/Dakota
Strength:
Motor, sweetest sounding motor ever.
Weakness:
Stiff springs need some weight for good cross country ride, flimsy clips on air cleaner cover. Factory oil filter tightened by Pro Wrestler with 6 foot cheater bar. I ordered an '03 Dakota Short Box 2x4 with a 4.7, locking diff, five speed, and Sport Plus package. I've had it three months, have put on over 6,500 miles, and it has restored my opinion of new automobiles. With the heavy springs, the thing will haul 300lbs of sand, 500lbs of motorcycle and still peel out like crazy with two people on board laughing hysterically. During the first three hundred miles, it used oil and got 15mpg. After that, it dried up--uses NO oil, and has never gotten less than 17mpg. On the highway it gets 19. 20 with the gate off driving 56. Similar Products Used: S10, D50 |
[Mar 02, 2003]
Christopher
Model Reviewed:
Dodge Dakota 3.9 V6
Strength:
Looks good, stereo.
Weakness:
No dependability with motors blowing up at 1,700 miles and then again at 6,000 miles on the odometer. The third motor has problems also. This truck has been nothing short of garbage since the day I bought it. I bought it as a new truck with only 20 miles on the odometer. With less than 10,000 miles on it, the motor has already been replaced TWICE, once for a bad rod, and another for a cracked head. The motor that is in it now(the third one) still is not right and knocks at start up in the morning. I am waiting for this one to give out at any time. I now have 12,000 miles on the truck and can't beleive I am making a new car payment for something that is as undependable as this. Similar Products Used: Previous vehicle was a 1993 Cheverolet S-10 also bought new with absolutely no problems until 172,000 miles were on it. |
[Mar 01, 2003]
bajastyles
Model Reviewed:
Dodge Dakota Quad Cab
Strength:
The truck is quick and has alot of power, not too small or too big for someone who wants both worlds of the truck. The design and space is very good..........
Weakness:
really no weakness except for gas milage which the company could improve on greatly......which they could..... Bought my dakota on october of 2000 and since then had no problems with my truck. Have a v8 4.7 which has alot of power. Didnt go with the 5.9liter since only about 10 horsepower differance and dont need to waste any more gas than need to. I getting about 16-18 miles to the gallon. The truck is 4x4 sport fully loaded and quad cab, has hard top tonneau cover and tube side steps....... |
[Feb 25, 2003]
Ray Lee
Model Reviewed:
Dakota Ext Cab 4x4
Strength:
Pulls my bass boat real easy. Looks sharp.
Weakness:
Trans is a little sluggish when starting out. Gas mileage is typical V8. I bought the truck a year ago from the orig owner. It had 130,000 miles on it. It's loaded with a 5.2 v8. It drives good and has plenty of power. The back seat is not real roomy but will work for the short trips. Similar Products Used: S10 truck |