Love the look and the interior layout. Great size. Plenty of power & nice comfortable ride. I tow my 21' boat and barely notice it's there. Had a minor problem with the fuel pump at about 34,000 miles, but never had it into the shop for anything else except regular maintenance. It's a tough truck!

Wish they would have had the larger V8 in 97. Buying a bigger boat and need a bit more towing capacity. Can't think of anything else that I would change.

I paid a little over $25,000 for the Club Cab 4x4 with 318 V8 and all the options. I would recommend it to anyone who wants a smaller size pickup but needs the extra power. Just don't be shocked by the gas mileage.

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Full size Chevy, GMC S-15, Jeep Commanche, Jeep Cherokee, Jeep Grand Cherokee. I used to buy a new vehicle every two years, but since I bought my Dakota, I don't expect to trade for quite a while.

Powerful engine. Looks great. Good ride. Can go on dirt-roads and rough terrain with no problem. Roomy interior. Drives like a car.

The interior is kind of cheap.
Takes up gas (what do you expect 4x4 v8 quad cab)
There isnt really anything else except that

I would recommend this. Does everything! Without the bulk of a full size truck. 4x4 is great. Test drive one for yourself and you will like it!
Ive also seen people who have had problems with their dakota's.
I think this is because of the place they bought it from.
Cause this truck is awesome.
Why I would Recommend
1. Looks Awesome
2. POWER
3. Hold 6 people. 4 people comfortably.
4. Goes on all terrain and off-roads
5. Tows with no problems
6. Inside is big
7. Test drive one to find out more info

Why I would not reccomend.
1.Eats gas
2.Seats are made out of cheap material.

Over all a very good truck!!

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ford F-250

Very solid vehicle, compared to my previous truck (95 Toyota Tacoma). The V6 has sufficient power for light-medium loads, and does well climbing hills. Seats are very comfortable. All interior controls are easily accessible. Styling is terrific, I get many compliments.

Fuel economy is not thrilling. I average only about 18mpg. My previous truck got about 25mpg, but was only a 4 cylinder. There are some minor squeeks & rattles that are annoying.

I paid approximately $19,000 for this truck. It is the Club Cab Sport, V6, Automatic transmission. It has no power door locks or windows. In terms of accessories & options, it's pretty basic.

I test-drove all the other small/mid-size trucks (Ford Ranger, Chevy S10, GMC Sonoma, Toyota Tacoma, Nissan Frontier) and found the dodge to be the most appealing overall. It has the biggest interior & payload capacity of all the small/mid-size trucks. If I wanted anything bigger, I would have gone up to a Toyota Tundra/Ford F150/Chevy 1500, at least another $5000-$6000 more.

I would definatly recommend this truck anybody in the market for something a bit larger than a Ford Ranger, without the much-larger sticker price. I've read some review that put down the Dodge Dakota, claims that their trucks have been in the shop several times for many different problems, but I think that all automakers make 'lemons'. You take a chance with any car or truck that you buy.

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1995 Toyota Tacoma Xtra Cab -- My dodge is a much better truck. The Toyota was very light, felt very cheaply make. While on the highway, even small gusts of wind would send the truck into the next lane...Not the case with the Dodge. It is very solid & secure.

Great agressive look, lots of power, handles well in tight curves. Traded a full size Chevy 4wd for the Dakota. Better acceleration. Better payment.

Anti-lock brake module pulsates like I have warped rotors...several buddies are experiencing the same. Condensation in the oil filler cap...no recall as of yet.

$19k purchase price.
I recomend the Dakota for people who are tired of the squeeks and rattles from the Chevy products out there. Believe me, I've tried 'em all. 94 Corvette, 99 SS Camaro, 94 4wd Silverado. Cheap Cheap Cheap! It was all crap.
The service dept. has been very good to me each time I stop in with a complaint. The pulsating module thing needs an appointment to adjust. But everything else has been a quick "squeeze me in and get me going again"
Since 1976 I've been buying and tryng new cars and trucks. This one is a keeper.
Keep in mind...No one makes a product for under $50k that won't require some warranty work. Before you buy, walk into the service dept and ask questions about the vehicle your looking at. Whether it's Dodge, Chevy, or god-help-you...a Ford. How they treat you will be a good idicator as to whether you want to buy there, or move on to another dealership. The Salesman is just that. The service dept employees will keep you on the road or in the shop for years to come. So TAKE YOUR TIME...DO SOME RESEARCH....ASK YOUR FRIENDS...
GOOD LUCK

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'94 Full size Chevy. '98 Toyota Tacoma
I'm Sticking with the Dodge.
I've added a Gibson dual exhaust. Airraid intake. Boosted my gas mileage a bit, although the new exhaust note makes it difficult to keep my foot on the light end of the throttle! At 41, I'd figured I had outgrown that problem, but the 4.7 is a kick to drive.

Nothing. This is the most unreliable vehicle I have ever owned. You name it it has been in the shop for it. DO NOT BUY A DODGE!

Rear end went out complertely at 500 miles while towing a boat on a family vacation. Can you say fun!. 30000 miles heads cracked. Work truck down for a week. Can you say employed. 30000 to 42000 miles front end rebuilt 4 times for a clunk they can not seem to find. 45000 miles..going in for time #5 on the front end. 40000 miles trans hunting for gear on upshift (auto), dealer looking to rebuild soon. 40000 miles transfer case leaks like a seive, dealer replaces all seals. 46000 miles. Dead on my driveway. check engine light flashing again, abs and brakes lights on and now will not stay running after starting. What a piece of crap. Thank GOD, I bought the exended waranntee

I would not recommend any dodge product to any one. Peter

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1999 subaru legacy, 48000 miles. only oil changes.

After accumulating almost 14,000 miles in seven months, these are my thoughts:
-AWESOME looking truck in dark metallic green. I get compliments all the time from everyone from my dad to my bank clerk. Mine has the fatter 15x8 inch rims, 255-width tires, and body-colored grille/bumbers, which really gives the truck an agressive attitude. Recently built a custom ebony-stained and varnished wood bedcover, which makes the truck look so good that cops have pulled me over to ask about it (email me if you want details). Stock trucks don't get any better looking than this. It will look even better lowered a couple inches with some nice rims.
-Nice powertrain. The 4.7l V-8 is sweet and smooth (and now on Ward's 10Best Engines list) and pulls well, great midrange power. Passing power is illegally fun; it's too easy to go from 60 to 90 without realizing it. The engine pairs very nicely with the "multispeed" auto (it's a 4-speed but with 2 second-gear ratios). The drivetrain is way overbuilt too; if you want to be impressed, crawl under a new Dakota and admire the 5-inch harmonically damped aluminum Nascar-style driveshaft. Recently I towed a roughly 3800lb U-haul with the cruise set at 80 on a 430 mile treck, and it did it easily and got almost 15mpg.
-Very well-designed interior. Plenty of space, function before form, everything is in a logical, intuitive place and easy to use. I also recently installed a monster stereo and was impressed at how easily the interior came apart and went back together.
-Very nice handling and traction. The steering is great; very precise and nicely weighted, though a bit "numb". It corners nice and flat, has a pleasantly firm suspension, and brakes very well. I have ABS on the rear only, but the fronts are easy to modulate and give lots of warning before locking up. This truck handles way better than any truck I have ever driven, and I've driven most of them. It's about as close to a sports car as it can get.
-Easy maintainence. I do it all myself, and checking/changing all the fluids it easy. The oil filter is easy to get to.
-Easy to modify. I've put on an exhast and plans for headers, intake, etc. are in the works. There's lots of room under the hood so mods are fairly easy.

Keep in mind, these are quibbles:
-I thought mileage would be better. The sticker says something like 22mpg on the highway, but I've never gone over 19, and that's lightfooting it too. I drove a 2000 Chevy I with the 4.8l and it got 22 mpg on a 500 mile road trip even though I was beating on it. My worst mileage is while towing (suprise) and I usually average 17-18 in mixed driving.
-Realatively high cruise RPM. My truck and the previously-mentioned Chevy both have 3.55 rear ratios, but mine cruises at 2500rpm at 75, while it does 2000rpm. This leads to more engine noise and worse mileage. I think it needs a higher overdrive ratio.
-Slight occasional cold-start hesitation. It's done this since new, and dissapears in about 10 seconds. I haven't had it looked at but Dodge engine-management software has the reputation of being a bit cruder than Chevy or Ford. Just a slight imperfection.
-More road and wind noise than it should have. It's not bad by any means, but if Dodge had spent an extra $10 on more insulation they could have quieted it down alot. My friend's 95 Chevy 1/2 ton is quieter.
-The seats are kinda small. Okay, I'm 6'3", but the seat could be a few inches longer.
-It sorta worries me that the ball joints, etc are maintainence-free. That's nice, but how long will they last?

Sweet! Highly reccommended! The list prices are awefully high though, but the dealers are willing to deal alot more than on full-sized trucks. Compact truck are laughable next to this thing. It's a keeper. Do yourself a favor, go test-drive one!

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2000 Chevy 1/2 ton (driven several thousand miles)
Heavily modified 82 Chevy 1/2 ton street truck (own)
2000 Dodge 1/2 ton (driven about 600 miles)
1999 Ford 1/2 ton (driven about 50 miles)
1995-1999 Rangers ( taken lots of rides in a few of them)

No Comparison! I'm a Chevy man, so it's a bit of a shock to have bought a Dodge, but it drives so nice, looks so good, and was way cheaper (I got a killer deal, $15,000 even for mine brand new) than a new Chevy. It's alot more like driving a car than a truck; you can really thow it around. No can do with the other trucks (except my old Chevy, but it's a long way from stock).

Great looking truck
Affordable
Powerful engine
Good Ground Clearance

I've had to take the truck in for service twice to have the battery replaced. Alternator had to be replaced at only 25k miles. At 15k miles, had to have it in for service because the truck was surging on the highway and going up hills. TSB issued for that problem. All four Goodyear tires that came with it had to be replaced at 25k miles.

paid $23,000, completely loaded. Great truck if you can put up with the above mentioned problems. Service Dept. is really good at getting it back quickly when it is in for service. I'd buy another one in a heart beat.
Don't buy this truck if you have kids. The extended cab is a little tight for kids. This truck is very comfortable on long trips.

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None

Excellent power from the 4.7L
Great gas mileage (20 mpg city)
Room for 4 (very spacey)
Still has an adequate sized box
Looks nice
4 wheel drive for those Canadian winters
Rides like a car

Nothing yet

Wow, a truck that rides like a car. I never thought I'd ever have the pleasure of driving one. The interior is pleasant with easy-to-control stereo and heater functions, nice guages, and very comfy seats. Plenty of leg room in the back, room for 4 adults in this truck. It sits low, rides firm but smooth, and corners like the big trucks could only dream of. Brakes are positive (as are many new cars), ABS can be fun on the ice however. The engine is a masterpiece. It is responsive, incredibly smooth, quiet, and goes like snot when you mash the loud pedal. Last tank (engine now has 8000 miles on it) we managed to pull 20 mpg around-town driving, MUCH better than the 13 mpg the 318 in the Ram 1500 used to get. Very nice trucks, I'd recommend them to anyone, especially with the 4.7L SOHC motor in it.

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'96 Dodge Ram 1500

love the design,lots of room, and also a nice ride

bad gas milage and numerous problems with the exaust

All of the above were better than the dakota yes even the S-10. I paid way to much with all the problems that I have had. I would not recomend this truck to any one chrysler sucks this not only my opinion but that of my friends who all own these rolling money pits. The 4 cyl is weak and has a very poor exuast system along with chipping paint. Please spend a litte more and get anything besides a dodge.

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94 jeep 95 thunderbird 92 s10 78 monte carlo

Strong V6 motor. Comfortable ride. Lots of options. Beautiful styling.

Mine is an SLT model with the chrome grille and bumpers, and I don't care for chrome. Other than that, I love it.

Anyone who needs a medium duty small truck should consider this one. It's very well put together and has a feel of quality and sturdiness I didn't experience with other small trucks. I test drove a Ranger with the 3L V6 and it shuddered and had no power. My Dakota Club Cab SLT has a good combination of power and fuel economy, averaging 16mpg when it was mostly city, but lately I have been doing more highway and it's close to 18. That's not bad for a 3,800 pound truck with no tonneau cover (yet) to help wind resistance. Overall, I love the truck and I think anyone should drive one before deciding on something else.

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Test drove a Ford Ranger. There's no comparison. My truck is just the best.