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Marcus
Dodge Dakota
8/24/2001
04:13:03
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 Subject: Austrian Dodge Fan needs help
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Message:
Hello friends!
I want to buy a Dakota 3,9V6/4wd Quad Cab or a Ram 2500/4wd 5,9 Cummins diesel, as you know Dodge´s aren´t sold in Europe, and so i have no information from other owners about fuel economy of this vehicles, i know the official EPA information but i read so many postings of bad mileage especially about the V6.
And gas prices are really high here in Europe
So which mileage can I expect from the 3,9 V6 and the diesel?
Is the 4,7 V8 the better choice for the Dakota?
Can I expect a mileage about 16mpg/City and 20mpg/higway with the auto transm.?
I am riding about 50 percent in City and 50 percent on highways.
Is the Ram more reliable and longer lasting than dakota?
I want to use the dodge for next ten yaers, or more.
Many thanks to all of you for your help
Marcus
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Manuel
Dodge Dakota
8/24/2001
09:09:29
|  RE: Austrian Dodge Fan needs help
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Message:
Actually, from all the posts I've read, you would be better off with the v8. Gas mileage isn't any different between the two. The diesel will get you the best mileage. My dad used to have a 97 2500 cummins turbo diesel ext cab 4x4. On the highway he got over 20 mpg and towing didn't seem to affect it much, if at all. If its gas mileage you want, the diesel is the best choice. The Dakota is a lot more fun to drive.
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Demon-Xanth
Dodge Dakota
8/24/2001
09:40:12
| RE: Austrian Dodge Fan needs help
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Message:
Regarding the gas milage on the diesel. My dad's '99 6 speed gets about 17MPG, partially due to the brick in the wind campershell (contractor style, 500Lbs of steel w/ lumber rack) and corrected for the 10% oversize tires. Most of the driving is done on hilly roads but the milage doesn't drop under load.
But the V6 Dak and diesel Ram are two completely different beasts.
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Mar
Dodge Dakota
8/24/2001
09:55:55
| RE: Austrian Dodge Fan needs help
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Message:
Go with the 4.7 dakota. The ram with desil is hugh with the worst ride ever. Even though i like the ram with 6 speed i would have to advise you to get the dakota. It will be more fun to drive with more speed and power. Plus it make a awsome american V8 Rumble that i guess isnt heard that much in austria.
About the truck lasting 10 years. Its hard to say it all depends on the milage and service of the truck. I live in canada and most of the driving is highway and highway driving seems to be the best for a truck. But i do stretches of 500 km on the weekends. I would say a more realistic answer would be to last 6 years and anything more is a bonus.
But before you buy i would find a mechanic that would be able to service your truck and be able to get parts if a problem ever occured. I have two dodge trucks one with 5.9 and 4.7 and both of them have been flawless 5.9 at over 200000miles 4.7 is at 67000 miles but also flawless. So i would expect you will enjoy the truck for a long time.
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J. C. Brandon
Dodge Dakota
8/24/2001
12:38:25
| RE: Austrian Dodge Fan needs help
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Message:
With the cost difference between gasoline and diesel in Europe the Ram with the Cummins will probably offer a significant fuel cost savings over the life of the vehicle. The diesel might last a lot longer, too.
If you buy the Ram, you'll feel like you're driving a big lorry. It's not the kind of thing you want to just hop in for a quick run to the store. The Dakota is much more practical as a daily driver.
What are you planning to haul? The Ram diesel has a 3,000 pound payload. The Dakota payload is 1800 pounds.
When are you planning to buy? Remember that Dodge is now part of DaimlerChrysler which also owns Detroit Diesel Corporation. Expect a lot of diesel development from the company. Truck Trend magazine reports in the September/October issue that Dodge is currently testing a four liter, V-6, 210 horsepower diesel in a Durango.
The 4.7 liter V8 Dakota is a fantastic truck, but it would be expensive to operate in Europe. I get about 13 mpg around town and about 18 mpg on the highway in my 2000 with full-time four wheel drive. The full time transfer case is a great system and especially useful in winter conditions. The Ram doesn't offer a full-time system.
Good luck,
-J.
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Demon-Xanth
Dodge Dakota
8/24/2001
13:07:33
| RE: Austrian Dodge Fan needs help
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Message:
To clarify my post a bit:
If you want a muscle car with a bed: get a Dakota
If you want a heavy duty truck: get the Ram
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Mar
Dodge Dakota
8/24/2001
17:13:22
| RE: Austrian Dodge Fan needs help
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Message:
Marcus:
Get the 4.7 5 speed with 3.92 rear end 4x4 part time.
This truck is awsome and ultra fast. The 5 speed makes this truck fast as well as get you better milage and will give you less problems down the road. (NO LEAKS). I would love to have one of these trucks in a place where no one else has one. You will be making one hell of a statment.
What made you deside to go with dodge living in austria. Anyway its a good choice its the best thing on this side of the lake.
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bobs5
Dodge Dakota
8/24/2001
18:39:08
| RE: Austrian Dodge Fan needs help
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Message:
Marcus,
I have a 2001 Dodge Dakota Quad Cab 4x4 with 4.7L V8, 5 spd manual tranny, 3.55 gears, T&H Group, Tow package, etc. Usually post at www.edmunds.com townhall area. Check out the various dakota forums, especially the owners club area. Lots of info there.
Typically get 16.5-17 mpg in all around driving. worst was 14, best was 18.5.
I visit a lot of different forums and the general concensus is that the 3.9L v6 will get the same or less mpg as the 4.7L V8, with similar vehicle configurations, usually less. The V8 will have a bit more power. With a truck with this weight, I feel the V6 would be underpowered. I believe a new V6 will be available soon, it is currently availabe on the Jeep Liberty.
I would question your choice for a Dodge, if there are no Dodge dealers where you are. What happens if you need parts, repair, etc? I would imagine there would be a hugh expense for shipping overseas. With expensive gasoline where you are, would a 4x4 make sense? A 4x2 would get better mileage, unless you really need a 4x4.
I am curious as to what similar vehicles are readily available in your area.
I really like my truck alot and wish you the best of luck with whatever choice you make.
Good luck,
Bob
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Christophe
Dodge Dakota
8/27/2001
04:27:51
| RE: Austrian Dodge Fan needs help
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Message:
Hey Marcus,
I'am from switzerland and own a dodge
dakota quad cab 2001 V8 4.7L 4x4 w/ full-time
transfert case. From my opinion if you're not
planning of towing and hauling much, the
dakota will be a better choice, 'cause it's size
is more appropriate to our european roads
and towns. The ride of the dakota is smooth. I
was on vacation in southern France, a 2200
km round trip with wife and 12 monthes
daughter and all the stuff. It was very
comfortable and the V8 power make sense on
those long higway trips cruising at 130 - 150
km/h (80-90 mph)
I choose the Full-time option 'cause for me it's
worth the money (and fuel) here in our snowy
alpine roads.
I purchased my truck by a dealer importing
directely us cars from canada, he is selling
dodge trucks since some years now. And i
have the 3 years bumper to bumper warranty.
After 4300 km my average mileage is about
14.2 MPG (16 lt/100 km) but this was with
about 2000 km at high speed, full-time 4wd
and i have not a light right foot :)
Remember the 4.7L V8 is the same as the
one on the Jeep Grand Cherokee built in your
country.
Chrisophe
2001 dakota QC black, 4.7, 4x4, Full-time
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bobs5
Dodge Dakota
9/17/2001
23:43:07
| RE: Austrian Dodge Fan needs help
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Message:
Marcus,
Have you made a choice yet? If so, what have you decided to go with?
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