- Looks. Best looking truck on the road.

- Power. Even with the V6, it gets up and goes.

- Room. Interior feels like a car -- tons of room in the Club Cab for storage. A little tight (obviously), but have trekked with five people in the cab.

- Aftermarket Options. Gobs of mods you can do to this truck. Most of the recent ones have been cosmetic (headlight/taillight covers, tinted windows, roll pan, speed grille inserts, fiberglass tonneau), but intend to add K&N Filter along with custom exhaust this spring.
- Sound. Gotta love the rumble when you hit the ignition.
- Dare to compare. Have two friends that have an S-10 (97) and a Ranger (2000) and the handling, room, and looks are unmatched.

- Gas. Knew that getting into it. Added the fiberglass tonneau and the 1-2mpg saved with just that is a huge bonus -- especially considering the highway miles this truck gets.
- Brakes could be a little better. Currently on 31000 miles and the discs are slightly warped (get a pulsing sensation when braking slow) -- not a surprise (had a close call last summer and since then the pulsing has been there).

Overall I absolutely love this truck. Since I purchased it in July 1999 I can't help but keep it show-room new. The past two springs have brought about a purging of sorts in mods to the truck, with this year surely to be the worst (big dent in the wallet coming, lol). My black beauty gets tons of looks on the road!

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Ford F-150 (97) and Ranger (2000), Chevy S-10 (97). The F-150 had nice power, but comparing apples to oranges (Dak V6 to Triton V8 -- no basis for comparison). Other trucks can't come close in its class in engine power, towing capacity, etc. Handling, interior, additional packages, etc., are unmatched.

Towing, looks, power, roomy, good comfort, very dependable....etc

It's not a Chevy

Great Truck, comfortable, tough, good size bed, and a good looking truck all around.

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Better then the average truck, best compact truck on the market though

Fastest truck out there (except the $30,000 Ford Lightning).
Perfect blend of size vs. agility.
Wicked good looks - especially when compared to ANY other truck.
Available (after-market) subwoofer enclosure from MTX lets you add two 10" subs, yet retain ALL of the rear seating.

Factory shocks are useless (unless you LIKE driving a "Buick-with-a-bed").
Top-of-the-line SLT trim package comes with cheap grey plastic lower bumpers (reminds me of the budget-minded Honda "DX").
HORRIBLE dealership attitude.
Mis-aligned bed (dealer refuses to rectify).
Mid-year "exclusions", i,e; under-hood insulation, center-console light.

This truck is the best of both worlds. Much larger inside that any of the compacts, and a good sized bed, but it handles like a compact and even the Extended Cab model fits in a small garage. The performance from the 4.7 is in a class of it's own. This engine is a great improvement over the decades-old pushrod-style motors. The multi-speed automatic transmission takes full advantage of the engine's HP/TQ curve, and the MPG is that of most V-6's, yet delivers MUCH more usable power. There's not many modifications yet available for this engine, but I've installed a Gibson cat-back exhaust and a cold-air induction, and this truck truly FLIES! It has the best handling of any truck (and many cars) that I've ever driven - with the handling package, and it has an extensive list of available luxury options. I'm looking forward to the new body style and the (rumored) 5.7L Hemi-head V-8.

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Nothing even remotely compares.

The ride, looks, power.

Have not found one. I do get tired of hearing about the gas mileage. A v8 is not going to get good mileage, if you want good gas mileage, buy a VW.

I love my truck. I have had no problems what so ever. My truck is fully loaded and rides like a caddy. The Infinity stereo and eight speakers sounds wonderful. I put a three inch cat back w/ flowmaster muffler on it. My gas mileage inproved a bit (but I do get on it more now), but the rumble and increased horsepower is what gets me going.

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Nothing compares

SOLID CONSTRUCTION, VALUE, 4.7 LITER V.8., QUIET AND COMFORTABLE, POWER

FRONT END COMPONENTS?, DEALERSHIP SERVICE ISSUES.

I HAVE LOVED THE LOOK OF THE DAKOTA SINCE IT'S REDESIGN. I TRADED A 1999 S-10 THAT I WAS HAVING A TWO YEAR PROBLEM THAT THE FACTORY COULDN'T FIX. I LOVE MY TRUCK. I HAVE HAD PROBLEMS WITH IT, BUT NOTHING MAJOR. TWO FUEL INJECTORS WENT OUT AND WERE REPLACED UNDER WARRANTY. THERE IS A LEAK AT THE REAREND AT THE PINION SEAL THAT I HAVEN'T HAD FIXED AND A COLD START STUMBLE WHEN THE TRUCK IS PARKED FOR A DAY OR TWO. I AM HAVING A PROBLEM WITH THE TIRES BEING BALANCED AFTER ROTATING THEM. THEY ARE THE GOODYEAR 16' HANDLING PKG. TIRES. THE FRONT END FEELS "LOOSE" SOMETIMES WHEN DRIVING OVER IRREGULAR PAVEMENT. OTHER THAN THESE SMALL BOTHERS, MY TRUCK IS GREAT. THIS IS THE BEST TRUCK OVERALL I HAVE EVER OWNED AND I HAVE OWNED CHEVY AND FORD BEFORE. I LOOKED AT THE FOREIGN COMPETITION BUT WAS NOT HAPPY WITH SOME OF THE COMPROMISES THEY CONTAINED. I HAVE THE 4.7 LITER V8 WITH AUTOMATIC AND 3.55 REAR END WITH TOWING PKG. IT PULLS STRONG AND GETS DECENT MILAGE FOR A TRUCK, USUALLY 16-17 COMBINED DRIVING. IT HAS ENOUGH ROOM FOR SMALL PASSENGERS IN THE BACK SEAT AND OTHER THAN THE PROBLEM WITH THE "LOOSE" FEELING STATED ABOVE DRIVES GREAT. I RECOMMEND THIS VEHICLE TO ANYONE LOOKING FOR A TRUCK. I DO HOWEVER GENERALLY AGREE THAT DODGE NEEDS TO TAKE A LOOK AT THEIR DEALERS AND THE CUSTOMER SATISFACTION ISSUE. THE SERVICE DEPARTMENT REMINDS ME OF THE OLD DAYS WHEN THE SERVICE WRITERS WERE THERE TO TELL YOU WHY YOUR PROBLEM WAS NOT REALLY A PROBLEM AND THEREFORE COULDN'T BE FIXED OR WAS YOUR FAULT AND NOT COVERED BY THE WARRANTY.

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FULL SIZE CHEV AND FORD, CHEV S-10. NO COMPARISON. EASIER TO DRIVE THAN FULL SIZE AND MORE ROOM THAN COMPACT.

Looks & Ride

My dealership is run by losers who know nothing about vehicles.

Love the truck, but have had the following replaced already;
1)Catalytic Converter
2)Rad
3)Manifold bolt
4)Right Upper Ball Joint
5)Left inner tie rod
6)Belt tensioner
7)Serpentine Belt
8)Front Pads/Rotors

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None

POWER, POWER. 4.7 NOT TO BAD. LIKE THE INDIVIDUAL COILS ON EACH SPARK PLUG, NO PLUG WIRES. THE LOOKS...WHAT CAN I SAY. HANDLES WELL.TIRE AND HANDLING PACKAGE A MUST. GET IT LOADED FOR BEST RESULTS.

LACK OF TWO TONE PAINT SCHEMES.ONLY LOWER SILVER OPTION? MANUAL TRANS OR OVERALL DIVETRAIN HAS SOME TWEEKING TO BE DONE BECAUSE OF THE SHIFT ON THE FLY.LACK OF CUP HOLDERS IN THE MANUAL CONFIG INTIERIOR. SEATS DON'T FULLY RECLINE...A SAFETY ISSUE I'M SHURE OF.LEATHER NOT AVAILABLE AND A PASSEGER POWER SEAT. IT IS IN DURANGO, WHY NOT THE TRUCK? SUISIDE OR THIRD DOOR IS LACKING, COULD BETTER COMPETE WITH THE RANGER.BLAH. SO ARE WE SAVING THIS FOR 2002?

FIRST OF ALL ITS NEW SO EXPECT SOME BUGS. IF YOU THINK YOU WILL GET OFF SCOTT FREE WITH NOTHING AMISS, YOU EITHER DON'T HAVE AN EAR OR AN EYE FOR ANYTHING MECHANICAL.
YEAH YOU MIGHT CALL ME CRITICAL BUT LETS BE SOMEWHAT REALISTIC. YOU PAY GOOD BUCKS FOR THIS TRUCK AND IF DODGE WANTS TO BE PATRIOTIC AND KEEP THE MONEY IN THE STATES THEY BETTER WORK ON THE QUALITY OF THEIR PRODUCTS.
I MADE THE CHOICE FOR A CLUB CAB SLT SPECIAL ORDERD FROM THE FACTORY AND DID A LOT OF RESEARCH AS TO WHY. I DON'T COMPLAIN ABOUT WHAT I HAVE DONE, I AM ONLY HERE TO GIVE AN OPINION OF MY EXPIERENCE TO DATE. I WANTED THIS TRUCK BAD SO I DIDN'T REALLY GIVE A HOOT WHAT WAS WRONG IF ANYTHING WITH IT WHEN IT CAME TO TOWN. THE DEALERSHIP WAS A BIT PUSHY TO GET US OUT THE DOOR AND YES I DID THE BAD THING OF TAKING DELIVERY WITHOUT TAKING IT FOR A DRIVE FIRST. PROBABLY A MISTAKE, BUT AGAIN WHEN YOU WAIT 3 MONTHS TO GET YOUR HANDS ON IT YOU REALLY DON'T CARE. WELL NOW COMES THE LIST OF BUGS ALONG WITH MY OPNION OF HOW TO DEAL WITH DODGE AND WARRENTY ISSUES. FIRST THINGS FIRST. THE HOOD INSULATION WAS MISSING SO GET IT. IT SHOULD BE THERE. THIS IS A MANUAL TRANS. MOST ARE SOLD AS AUTO. I TEST DROVE AN AUTO TRANS AND IT SHIFTED WITH NO PROBLEMS.DON'T FORGET YOU CAN ALSO GET IT IN AN ALL WHEEL DRIVE VERSION.ANYWAY, RIGHT OFF THE LOT I COULD HEAR THAT THE DRIVE TRAIN HAD A LOT OF BACK LASH WHEN I SHIFTED IN THE LOWER GEARS AT SLOW SPEED. ALL OVER, BACK TO FRONT. THIS WAS JUST NOT RIGHT. I TOOK IT BACK TO THE ORIGINAL DEALER TO EXPRESS THE CONCERN ABOUT IT AND ASKED IF A TECH COULD COME ALONG FOR A QUICK LISTEN. I WAS TOLD BY THE PERSON AT THE SERVICE COUNTER THAT IT WOULD BE A WASTE OF THE TECHS TIME AND THAT I WOULD HAVE TO COME BACK A WEEK LATER TO HAVE SOMEONE LOOK AT IT. (I HAD TO DRIVE 40 MILES TO GET TO THIS DEALER)AND I'M INSANE,ANYWAY. I RELUCTENTLY AGREED AND THEY SHOWED ME THE DOOR. A WEEK LATER AFTER HAVING DRIVEN IT FOR A WHILE,I ALSO NOTICED THAT THE TRUCK PULLED TO THE RIGHT AT AROUND 60 MPH. WHEN I GOT TO THE DEALER A WEEK LATER, I EXPLAINED AGAIN MY CONCERN ABOUT THE BACKLASH FROM THE REAREND AND IN THE TRANSFERCASE FROM THE FRONTEND. THEN A TECH TAKES A VERY GINGER RIDE WITH ME WHILE THAT PERSON DRIVES...YEAH LIKE MY GRANDMOTHER, WHATEVER. THIS IS WHERE I GET DE-VIRGINIZED WITH SERVICE. I WATCH CLOSELY AS THEY CROSS ROTATE THE FRONT TIRES AND WHILE ON THE RACK MOVE THE REAR TIRES BACK AND FORTH AND BRING IT TO THE FLOOR. THEY PRINT THE WARRENTY INVOICE UP AND TELL ME ITS READY TO GO. I ALREADY KNEW THIS WAS A BUNCH OF BS SO I LEAVE WITHOUT INCIDENT, NOT EVEN A MENTION OF HOW LAME THEY WERE. AS IM SITTING IN THE TRUCK, CELL PHONE IN HAND, I DIAL FRANTICALLY TO TWO OTHER DEALERS IN THE 50 MILE RADIUS TO SEE IF A TECH COULD CHECK THIS PROBLEM OUT FOR ME. YEAH ,I'M IN LUCK. THE REP SAYS COME RIGHT OVER AND WE'LL CHECK IT OUT.I GET THERE AND THE TECH IS READY WITIN JUST A MINUTE. WE DRIVE 30 FEET AND DETERMINE ITS "BACKLASH". THEY OFFER SERVICE IN 4 DAYS BUT I HAVE TO WAIT. I SCHEDULE FOR THE FOLLOWING WEEK, SAME DAY.
I GET THERE A WEEK LATER, SO ME THE TECH TAKE ONE MORE CRUZE TO AGREE WHAT IS WRONG. TECH SAYS IT WILL TAKE ABOUT AN HOUR AND A HALF TO FIX BECAUSE THIS REAR END IS AJUSTIBLE WITHOUT HAVING TO SHIM IT. I ASK IF I CAN TAKE A PEEK INTO THE GUTS OF IT,CURIOSITY GETS ME EVER TIME. I SEE WHAT I WANT TO SEE AND THE TECH SAYS THAT ON A SCALE FROM 1 TO 10, 10 BEING THE WORST, THIS ADJUSTMENT WAS A 10. FOR YOU REAL TECHIES IT ORIGINALY WAS SET AT .O11 AND THE TECH SET IT BACK AT .006 OH MAN, IT MAY NOT BE MUCH BUT IF YOU KNOW WHAT TO LISTEN FOR WHAT A DIFFERENCE. STILL ALL IS NOT WELL THOUGH. I ASK IF I CAN GET THE ALIGNMENT CHECKED. THEY SAY NO PROBLEM. I SCHEDULE AGAIN WITH THIS DEALER FOR A WEEK FROM THAT DAY. ONE WEEK LATER, I'M THERE. IT TAKES ABOUT AN HOUR. I ASK THE TECH, WAS I INSANE OR WHAT?
THE TECH SAYS, NO BLUFF, WHOW WAS IT EVER OFF. CAMBER, CASTER, TOE, ALL HAD TO BE DIALED BACK IN.
SO ONLY ONE MORE TWEEK TO GO. ADVICE HERE... GO TO ANOTHER DEALER.DON'T WEAR OUT YOUR WELCOME. I'M GOING TO ANOTHER DEALER FOR MY LAST TWEEK. AFTER ALL THIS, THE FRONT DIFFERENTIAL STILL BANGS IN THE TRANFER CASE. HAD ANOTHER TECH CHECK IT OUT. WITH NO ARGUMENT, THEY SAY THAT THEY WILL TIGHTEN UP THE FRONT BUT IT HAS TO BE SHIMED. THEY ORDER THE PARTS AND THIS WEEK WE WILL SEE IF I GET THIS BABY TIGHT LIKE IT SHOULD BE. TODAY IS JUNE 22 01. I GO IN THIS MONDAY HOPE I CAN UPDATE YOU. TALK SOON IF WE CAN.

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TOYOTA TACOMA.TUNDRA ONLY COMPARES BUT OVERPRICED

Looks, power, stereo, comfort, ride, handling.

None so far!! Minor cosmetic problems that were taken care of by the dealer with no problems! Service has been great so far. One thing I would change, floor pan is higher near the seats than at the pedals. This makes it uncomfortable with the cruise control on as you have no place to really put your feet if you are tall. Lower the back of the floor pan and it would be no problem.

Great truck. Runs like you wouldn't believe, handles great, very nice quality features for a truck. Stereo sounds great, everything in the truck is nice and tight.

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Chevy S-10, Dodge Ram Quad Cab, numerous full size Chevy Trucks.

Looks and size in the cab.

HA HA HA........let's not go there...

ummm....At first, loved it. Still love it for the looks, but far to many problems to list to include a head on collision with me doing 45 and the other car doing abut 20 or 25 and my airbags didn't work. Gonna get rid of it as soon as I can. Would buy another Dodge product though, this is my fourth Chrysler product and the other three have been great. This one is just a Lemon like most of the other 97 Dakota's were.

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92 Ranger Club cab...Much nicer inside, although the Ranger got better gas mileage...

Price,Room,TOWING Capacity,Styling

None!

This is one GREAT Truck. O to 60 in less then 7 seconds! Tons of room.Able to tow my boat !no Problems even on those steep grades.The air cond. gets 10 degrees colder then my 1995 toyota club cab. toyota max 56 degrees ,dodge max 46 degrees when its over 100 degrees outside.I LOVE my Dodge!!!!!!!!!!

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Also own a 1995 toyota club cab,had a 1999 Ranger,1988 Ranger,1991 Ranger,1971 toyota Hilux,1968 Toyota Landcruiser,1977Big Ranger,