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Ryan
Dodge Dakota
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1/21/2004
07:37:11
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 Subject: Buying a new Dakota
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Hey guys,
I am in the process of buying a new dakota. Gonna happen by the end of this week. This will be my first truck. I was all set to buy a 04' quad cab sport 4x4. V6. But man do i like leather interior. I can afford the sport plus w/ leather if i only get the 4x2. How important is the 4x4? I live in Long Island, NY. Won't be doing much offroading if any. Maybe the few times a year i go skiing.
But, the reason i am getting rid of my celica and going to a truck is because i am sick and tired of being out of control when there is even an inch of snow on the ground. Is the 4x4 much better then the 4x2?
Any opinions/advice would be great.
Thanks,
Ryan
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nope
Dodge Dakota
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1/21/2004
08:05:12
|  RE: Buying a new Dakota
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Aquad cab v6 has plenty of weight, and not a lot of power, so you should be ok in the snow.
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Justi
Dodge Dakota
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1/21/2004
09:12:06
| RE: Buying a new Dakota
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Your FWD Celica should perform MUCH better on snow and slippery roads than a 4x2 Dakota, even a QC. The RWD pickup truck has no weight on it's drive axel and does not provide stellar traction with no weight in the bed. A FWD little foreign car does not have much power, nor a long wheel base to whip around, and all of it's weight is right there on top of it's drive axel.
Soo.... If you are looking to improve your bad weather handling a 4x2 is NOT the answer over your FWD jap car. If your Celica is truly performing horribly in bad weather (assuming you actually know how to drive in the stuff) then I'd say it sounds like you need new tires, not a new truck. :)
THAT SAID, I love my Dak and if you think you can tolerate being careful in the snow, etc, I'd buy the truck anyway. No way I'd keep a Celica over a brand new QC dakota! The V6 from what I've "heard" isn't quite enough engine for the weight of a QC, but then they sell them and there are some happy customers so it's probably fine..
Sorry if this isn't what you wanted to hear, but hey, it's my opinion and you know what they say about those...
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Tom
Dodge Dakota
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1/21/2004
09:12:45
| RE: Buying a new Dakota
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Im also in the process of buy my first new dak. I'm getting the sport plus but I didn't know you could get leather in it. I thought the slt was the only package that had leather as an option. All i can get in the sport plus is a leather wrapped stearing wheel. I'v done all my reaserch on Dodge's web site. Is there somting im missing? Depending on ow much it costs, leather would be nice.
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black97cc
Dodge Dakota
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1/21/2004
09:49:17
| RE: Buying a new Dakota
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I live in upstate New York and have a 2wd club cab. I have 210# of sand and fill it with snow. I have had no problem driving in some pretty bad weather. I am a firm believer in good tires and better brains is what keeps you on the road. I had a 93 4wd Dakota and it was more of a fun convenience than a necessity. Just my opinion.
-I also have had all ball joints just replaced and am working on trying to get my abs & parking brake lights to go off on my dash. No speedo problems.
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Ryan
Dodge Dakota
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1/21/2004
10:22:03
|  RE: Buying a new Dakota
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I understand what you're saying. The car does need new tires, but it also weighs like 14lbs. Never gonna be a good year round car iMO.
I'm going to end up going for the 4x4. Figure i don't really neeeeeed the leather interior.
Can i also mention that i absolutely hate car dealers?
The sport Plus does come with leather interior. I think its about $600 more from the dealer
Thanks for your quick responses
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deerridge
Dodge Dakota
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1/21/2004
10:53:14
| RE: Buying a new Dakota
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I've got 30000 on a 2003 4.7 AWD. Its great in the snow, ice, mudd or dry with nothing in the back. The handling is outstanding also. Its probably as good as your Celica on a crooked road and faster at that. I've got everything heavy duty with the handling package. I run a farm in the mountains and have to get there no matter what. Its the best vehicle I've ever owned for my purpose and I keep them forever.
2003 4.7AWD Dakota
1992 Silverado 350, 5spd, 4x4
1982 Rx7
1992 Rocky 4x4
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Breadman
Gen III
1/21/2004
13:09:39
| RE: Buying a new Dakota
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If you're buying a new one get the comsumer reports buying guide for $12. Call 1-866-350-8004.I paid 18,400 for a club cab sport plus that listed for 22,665. Factory ordered the truck and still saved 4200. Watch the dealers jaw hit the ground when you ask them to give up some of that Holdback Money they get from the manufacturer. 3% of the MSRP. $680 on mine. And don't let them talk you into something you don't need. Go to more than one dealer and if they get pushy get up and leave. I told every one the same thing, "One of you guys is going to sell me a truck, which one is going to meet my price is up to you". Got exactly what I wanted. John
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.boB
Dodge Dakota
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1/21/2004
14:55:01
| RE: Buying a new Dakota
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4x4 really isn't that important, regardles of what the marketing types would lead you to believe. The QC has a much better weight balance than most pick ups. If you have quality tires (not studded) and a little weight in the back you will do fine in moderate snow. Even on the Island of Long.
Deep/heavy snow can be a problem. But, again, not as much as you've been lead to believe. For the rest of the time, you'll be happier with a 4x2.
I lived in upstate NY for many years and never owned a 4x4. Every now and then I'd hit snow I couldn't get through, but that was rare. But I always spent money on the best snow tires I could find.
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Jim
Dodge Dakota
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1/21/2004
15:25:21
| Consider This?
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I like the way the 4x4 sits up higher. I don't like the way a 4x2 looks. Just my 2 cents.
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jaggy
GenIII
1/21/2004
16:05:36
| RE: Buying a new Dakota
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I talked my dealer down almost 6k from the sticker. You can set the price you are willing to pay and they will most likely meet it to make the sale.
I also added aftermarket seats later for about $500. (I am 6’4’’ and my head hit the roof!)
I see full leather kits on ebay for our trucks all the time. You could always do it later, and right, heated seats and so on.
My suggestion for you is get the truck you want in your heart, you will always regret your decision later.
P.S I drove a 2x in the snow and mud for the last 10 years and had very few issues that warranted 4x4, I now have a quad 4x4 with the 4.7 and would not trade it for the world. I run 150lb of sand in the bed and still use the 4x4 from time to time on slick roads. It's not that it grips that much better but it does change the handling characterizes.
bottom line it is your truck and you are the only one that can truely make that decision.
For god sakes get the 3:92 rearend!
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jdb
Dodge Dakota
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1/21/2004
16:25:30
| RE: Buying a new Dakota
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Get the 4x4. Anyone that owns a 4x4 knows the difference between 2wd and 4wd the second they lock it in. The difference in snow is like night and day. I also sometimes use 4wd to pull out on a busy highway in the rain.
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Scott
Dodge Dakota
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1/21/2004
21:52:50
| RE: Buying a new Dakota
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I live in Ohio by the Lake Erie (lake effect snow) and would not give up the 4x4 on the highway. Is it necessary? No, but it does give you a lot of stability. With a 4x4 you can point the truck forward and let it rip! Just be careful to remember you do not stop any faster.
Also, I ordered my Quad Cab and paid about 2% under dealer invoice. It took a few dealers to find one that would deal, but they are out there. In general new car sales are slow and inventory is high, so taking one off the lot may get you a good deal. However remember you are looking at a 4x4 at their peak demand time. I bought mine in April.
Scott
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bman42
Dodge Dakota
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1/22/2004
08:58:01
|  RE: Buying a new Dakota
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I agree with Scott. I'm in Erie, PA and see the same lake effect snow. In anything deeper than 3-4 inches, tirespin becomes a problem but put it in 4x4 and the truck is a tank.
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WS-1500
Dodge Dakota
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1/22/2004
13:12:28
|  RE: Buying a new Dakota
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Would prefer 4WD over a nice interior, IMO.
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Justi
Dodge Dakota
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1/22/2004
16:31:20
| RE: Buying a new Dakota
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Most of the Pro 2wd people are people that have them and of course say that they are adequate because to say anything else would be to slam their own truck. That said, I agree with them, most of the time it IS adequate. But once you have 4x4 you will never want another 4x2 ever. 4x4 allows you to take away some concern and have fun occasionally. If all you ever do is drive on the interstate system then other than stature you are probrably wasting your money on the 4x4. If you ever find yourself on back roads in bad weather, have a steep driveway, ever go off road for any reason (hunting, fishing, sking, etc..) then go with the 4x4. That's just MHO..
Besides, like the guy said above, the 4x4 looks cooler. :)
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T-bone
Dodge Dakota
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1/22/2004
17:17:43
| RE: Buying a new Dakota
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I have a 98 Dak 4WD 5.2. When I am in 2wd it sucks!! BIG TIME!! I can barely get up my drive way with a little bit of snow. IF YOU ARE LOOKING FOR BETTER WINTER TRACTION DO NOT BUY A 2WD YOU WILL NOT LIKE IT AT ALL. Plus I have a heavy fiberglass topper and new goodyear ATs tires. Even with that, a Celica can take me if I am in 2WD in snow or slippery conditions!!
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Ryan
Dodge Dakota
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1/23/2004
07:17:03
| RE: Buying a new Dakota
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Thanks for the imput guys.
I went with the 4x4.
Can't wait to pick it up
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i like mine
Dodge Dakota
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1/23/2004
07:53:08
| RE: Buying a new Dakota
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2wd aint so bad :( I can also drive my 2wd around in Erie,P.A. Sometimes I have a few hilly problems (cough--peach street--cough cough) but I get around ok. I will admit that sometimes I like to take a friends truck, or my dads, due to 4wd, but usually I do ok. I would never think of buying the v6, but hey....It is your truck.
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bman42
Dodge Dakota
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1/23/2004
08:35:37
| RE: Buying a new Dakota
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i agree although having a 2wd in Erie involves some skill, but, you're right it can be done. Peach street is always fun, that's true.
I live out in the county and we tend to be down on the "roads to be plowed" list so its not uncommon to have 6-12" of snow on our trail, i mean road. but it still could be done in 2wd. I have the LSD which helps too. I could be done.
but i'll always take a 4wd for the convenience.
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i like mine
Dodge Dakota
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1/23/2004
09:36:05
| RE: Buying a new Dakota
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bman42 do you drive a dak that sticks out? Just wondering if I have seen it. I argue with people all the time about the LSD, they tell me it is bad in snow, but I say "as long as you can countersteer, It is twice the traction" Thank you for agreeing with me on that.
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