everything

gas mileage not the greatest for a six,(about 19-20 mpg)but this is a 4 x 4 ext cab truck so what would anyone expect? Also, I dont drive it easy so this isn,t a big deal.

bought truck new in March, 2000. This is the 4th Dakota I have owned-(had 1 stolen, traded 1 in, and still own 2) and I would have a tough time even considering buying anything else. This truck handles great, rides great and looks better. I have had no problems whatsoever with this truck and would recomend one to anybody. If you ever buy one, get the dealer to change the Goodyear tires because they arent fit to put on a wheelbarrow. The dealer I got mine from changed the tires to Michelins at no extra cost.(they found some sucker that took the Goodyears).

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89 Jeep Commanche 4 x 4, 94 Dakota 4 x 4, 95 Dakota 4 x 4,
92 Dakota 4 x 4

lots of place for people and cargo. Huge towing capacity. Good offroad performance (not the best) with 31', limited slip rear differencial and low gearing. Good handling with tire and handling group. Looks nice.

Limited slip works with clutch, bypass this option and buy a aftermarket locker... independant front suspension is good on road but poor offroad. Sucks alot of gas.

I reccomend it if you do tow big trailor, have children and alot of cargo to move. I really recommend 4x4 option if there is snow in your area, very slippery in 2x4. Only take the V8 if you NEED it... burns alot of gas. That rear opening windows is crap if you are not a smoker...

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ford explorer - the dodge is alot more powerfull, but alot bigger.
dodge durango - similar.

Outstanding handling, reliability, gas mileage and quality.

The seats in the standard cab can not be purchased with a power option. The fixed position is too low and the cushions are too hard for someone without any padding on their butt.

Color selection is very limited, both inside and out.

I bought a loaded SLT standard cab, short bed, 318 with automatic and optional handling package. This truck handles nearly as well as our Chrysler 300M, and gets decent mileage while doing it. In two years it has averaged over 18 mpg and has made over 21 on trips.

With the stock 318, it runs 15.5 in the quarter mile which means it keeps up with most stock Mustangs and Camaros, and I could probably beat most of them in a handling course!

In 32,000 miles, the truck has never been back to the dealer for anything.

I can't say enough good things about this truck. It's the only new vehicle I ever bought that has been perfect from the time I drove it off the dealer's lot. Based on previous experience with this dealer's service department, I'm glad I've not had any problems. I'm almost scared to take it in for the required transmission service and brake line recall inspection!

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Full size Dodge truck, several cars of all makes and models I've recently driven.

Styling, durablity and reliablity have left me impressed. No rattles or quality problems. After the replacement of the stock goodyears, truck has been rock solid. 43k and almost 2.5 years all is going well.

Gas mileage is abyssmal for a six. Also, the power (175 hp) out of 3.9 liters is a little week. Our car gets 200 hp out of 2.7.

Shifter is balky (manual) and requires shifting into first to get into reverse.

Overall, a good relaible package. Never had any mechnical issues with this truck outside of the damage I did to it in an accident. Always has started an run flawlessly. Wet weather traction and handling is very shaky. Absolutely no traction in snow. Stock tires (goodyears) are horrible. Shifter a bit balky (manual).

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Chevy, Ford and Toyota compact trucks

Roomy front, plenty of power, styling, color (Intense Blue), not as small as my S-10, not as big as Dad's Sierra.

What else? The gas mileage. Also, gear ratio on 5 speed seems low; maybe because of 4X. No 3rd door.

I LOVE this truck. I finally have room for my groceries, my dogs AND my old man. The only problem we've had so far is that on delivery one of the tire studs was mis-threaded; fixed immediately. I got what I wanted too, no power doors/windows (I HATE more bells and whistles to break), 5 speed, V6, skid plates, limited slip differential, rear ABS. It runs like a champ, goes like a bat out of 'the deep south' on the interstate. Big switch from my S-10, which unfortunately got 30mpg instead of this one's 15-17mpg. I also like the rack and pinion steering. I'm in luck too; after the warranty runs out my husband is a certified tech, so parts is all it costs (we work out something for the labor, wink, wink).

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1983 Nissan P/U, 1989 Nissan P/U, 1994 Chev S-10.

None

Two days after buying the truck I noticed and oil leak.
First repair: Rear main oil seal.
1 week later drive truck home. Still leaks oil.
Second repair: None. Service Dept. thought it was the old oil from the first repair so they dropped the transmission again and cleaned the oil.
Then they put a dye in the engine to check for leaks and said none could be found. They also bolted the front differential back to the frame since the forgot to do that after the first repair.
2 days later drove truck back to work, still leaking oil.
Third repair: Replaced rear cam plug.
8 days later drive truck home. Oil leak!
Fourth repair: Still pending; told that rear main bearing cap was leaking but they wanted to replace the short block or they could fix the bearing cap and then I could file for Arbitration. I have asked to speak with the Chrysler District Manager on several occasions to discuss the problems but it seems he is trying to "DODGE" me.

If you are considering buying a Dodge, or any Chrysler product consider their track history and ask anyone who has had a problem how bad their customer service sucks!
Most people complain about the gas milage but I can not make a comparison to that because the first month I've had the truck, it has been in the service dept. for about 3 weeks and counting, but it was getting about a quart of oil for every 3 gallons of gas. I am giving it a one star rating in both cases because I have to, but I would prefer to give it a negative 10 stars.

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Traded in a perfectly good 1998 Toyota Tacoma for this "gem" of a truck.
(Yea, I know, go ahead and call me a moron!)

Good Power, Lots of fun to drive and it makes people look twice, Handles smoothly and quickly, quiet, exhaust really rumbles

Of course the gas milage. It really SHOULD be faster with the engine size, but you have to remember that it still is a truck, and the MOPAR guys put a really economy based ECU in it.

If you want a sweet truck for good money, here it is, but remember that 15mpg isn't much when gas costs 1.55/gallon. I can still beat lots of sports cars of the line while hauling 2 semi truck tires in the back, what other vehicles are there that will do that?

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Dodge Ram 5.9 4x4- can't compare

Looks, power, tight accurate steering, perfect size for me, very comfortable rear seats for 12 and 8 year olds.

What kind of milage do you expect from a 4.7 liter? I'm satisfied with the 12.5/19 I'm getting. A few defects as delivered, hope they don't snowball.

1000 miles on 2000 Dakota Quad Cab 4x4, 4.7 liter engine.

As much as I had grown to detest Chrysler products after my Cherokee ownership experience, why would you think I would go out and buy another one? The answer is a number. Can you say point 9? That's the interest rate I got for buying a 1 year old new truck. I figure I saved about $5000-6000. I only had one to pick from, and I didn't get the power windows and locks I would have liked, but for that savings I'll add the locks later. If anyone is considering purchasing one of these, hunt for the 2000 models that may still be around and grab that interest rate. Now for the review.

The truck drives like a dream... very tight and accurate steering and quiet, comfortable ride for a truck. Not as nice as the Tundra, but Toyota doesn't make a truck this size with that much room in the back seats. My kids feel like they upgraded to a luxury sedan when they ride in the back compared that piece of Jeep junk I owned before. They may be able to hack the 4 hour drives to the Outer Banks or West Virginia mountains.

I don't think there is a nicer looking truck made, but looks aren't everything. There were some defects worth mentioning. First on two occasions the transmission clearly indicated reverse when actually it was in neutral. Today it wouldn't go in reverse, and when I checked the dash, it indicated no gear at all. Since this isn't an option I guess I'd better have that checked out. Something is wrong with the ventilation system, as the heat is clearly blowing all through the dashboard, but none of it gets to my feet. The steering wheel column cover was seperated and not able to be snapped back together and the steering wheel makes a horrible clicking sound when cold. Still with all the problems I really like this vehicle. It is well designed, runs great (in forward!), has nice sized tires (31*10.5), and is generally fun to drive. I'd recommend it to anyone who needs at least a 5 foot pickup bed, and still has to haul around kids, sometimes hours at a time. Even more I'd recommend a service contract to go along with it. Most problems are likely to be worked out before the warranty expires, but my experience with Chrysler doesn't give me any great confidence.

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1992 Ford F-150 Extra-cab, 1988 Nissan Pathfinder, 1997 Jeep Cherokee

Great looking truck. Solid to drive even at high speed- very stable.

Underpowered for a 3.9 V6. ABS doesn't work, windshield leaks bad, rear axle about to give up- wasn't even bolted to the truck on right side from factory. Rear axle grinds. Gas guzzler big time. Transmission doesn't shift correctly. Local dealers (3) suck. No parts are available. Dealers unable to hire qualified mechanics because the two weeks they have had mine, nothing has been fixed. Maintenance is incredible. You are on your own when you buy one of these- Chrysler could care less about the purchaser.

See weakness- thats enough to convince an idiot.

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Lincoln LSC, Ford Bronco Eddie Bauer, Mercury Cougar, old F-100.

Good power for a V6, but nothing that will blow you away. Decent handling. Very fun to drive off road, and better ground clearance than many other trucks. Very reliable (135,00 miles and no major problems).

6 1/2 foot bed seems just a bit short. Transmission has been giving me a few problems- not wanting to shift all the time. On real cold mornings, it needs plenty of time to warm up, or else it'll stall.

Good truck for most needs- even though it's not a huge V8, I have yet to come across a task it can't perform. The mileage is acceptable. I can't think of anything but reliability... 135,000 miles and no significant problems... what more can you ask for?

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1981 Chevy truck- of course, the Dakota is better