trucks

[mraf]

I am thinking of buying a new 4 door pickup. I'd prefer one of the smaller ones not a full size. Is there anyone that has one and would you recommend it? What kind of mileage do you get? The Dodge Dakota has my interest but I read horror stories about the bad front ends on them. Have they fixed it so this doesn't happen? Plus will Chrysler weather the storm to be in business. What do you think? I am not completely sold on the Dodge any brand will due as long as it has 4 doors.

[RoadKill]

I am thinking of buying a new 4 door pickup. I'd prefer one of the smaller ones not a full size. Is there anyone that has one and would you recommend it? What kind of mileage do you get? The Dodge Dakota has my interest but I read horror stories about the bad front ends on them. Have they fixed it so this doesn't happen? Plus will Chrysler weather the storm to be in business. What do you think? I am not completely sold on the Dodge any brand will due as long as it has 4 doors.

 

It really depends what you plan on doing with it. The Toyota and Nissan smaller trucks seem nice. I personally don't like the Colorado, due to my Arthritis and its seating position right down on the floor. I went through the same process you are and ended up with a 2004 Olds Bravada AWD and a 6x12 Enclosed trailer. For me it was the right choice for various reasons. Though I reallly miss a truck. My problem was that for what I wanted it to do it just didn't make any sense not to get a full size.

 

Good luck it will be interesting following this thread.

 

Jay

[craigatcsi]

You might not want to give up on the full size trucks.

 

I have driven trucks for years and the last time I bought, I thought about the Dakota because it wasn't small like the Ranger or S10. I started asking Dakota owners what kind of mileage they got and it wasn't any better than a Full Size - plus they cost almost as much!

 

I currently drive a 2002 F150 Lariat with a 5.7 (351) and I get an average of 15mpg. My Father has a 2005 Dakota with a V-6 and he gets 16 to 17 mpg. I have more power if I need it and I really like the way mine handles / rides compared with his.

 

Just my opinion,

craigr

[MidlifeVenture]

I went through the same thing about 2 yrs ago. I ended up with the Nissan Frontier extended bed four door it gave me the most bang for the buck. I average 21 MPG. Second place was the honda Ridge line it has some neat features but looks a little funny. Ive had 2 pathfinders over the years and they lasted great do yourself a favor and at least go look at the Nissan.

Edited January 22, 2009 by MidlifeVenture

[gunboat]

hi alan

i bought a dodge dakota quad cab new in 2000, i now have over 156,000 miles on it. back in 2003 i replaced the upper and lower ball joints with moog's that had grease fittings. didn't have problems like some owners did ,but most of the front end problems were with the 4-wheel drive trucks. i have the v-6 engine and have been happy with it. so far i have not had any trouble with the engine, does not use any oil. if the engine ever goes south i'll just rebuild or replace it. since i bought my quad cab there have been more manufactures building quad cabs. if you could go to the international auto show, you could see and set in the different models. hope this helps.

best reguards

don c.

[BEER30]

I have the '08 , full-size F-150 crew cab , 4x4 with the E-85/V-8 and with the short bed . I get 21 mpg on the highway doing average speed of 70/80 mph . I've done several trips from Jacksonville , NC to Worcester , MA. or just a few days ago to Orlando, Fl. on slightly less than 2 tanks of fuel one way , 4 tanks 2-way . As I was shopping , the cost of the mid size and the full size trucks .......well wasn't that much difference. I much rather have the cargo space and cab space for just a few bucks more . Plus I needed the room for the new grand daughter and the power to pull a 22' deep V boat .

I thought I would never own a 4 door as the older models needed 40 acres to turn around and to get into a parking and fuel economy , but this one parks into parking spaces and similar mileage just like my previous smaller truck . My truck also on days gets better mpg than my wife's '07 Nissan Murano . Soon , I will put duel exhaust with 3.5" or 4" pipe and a stubby muffler . This should get me several more miles gallon as well .

Not all trucks are tanks and gas guzzlers . Take the time to shop and compare . I'm happy with my full size Ford . Yeah deep down inside I'm still a Chevy guy , but my wallet has been hating their cost in fuel economy and overall price . But then again , these cages are not built now like they were years ago when a common man could work on them .

 

 

BEER30

[star4772]

I am thinking of buying a new 4 door pickup. I'd prefer one of the smaller ones not a full size. Is there anyone that has one and would you recommend it? What kind of mileage do you get? The Dodge Dakota has my interest but I read horror stories about the bad front ends on them. Have they fixed it so this doesn't happen? Plus will Chrysler weather the storm to be in business. What do you think? I am not completely sold on the Dodge any brand will due as long as it has 4 doors.

 

Well Mraf if I were you there are many great deals out there. I bought a 2006 fully loaded 4 dr F150 4X4 stickered at $40,000 with 16,000 miles and still under warranty and got a 5yr 100,000 mile warranty for $19,995 plus tax and title. Also look for the rebates now on brand new if you want new. Right now with the way things are the deals are out there if you can afford it.

 

Joe

[Ndiaz]

I owned a Dodge Dakota, bought new in 1995. Six cylinder 3.9 engine, 5-speed manual transmission, club cab, rear wheel drive only.

 

It had 200,000 miles, mostly trouble free, when I gave it to my son 6 months ago. No problem with front end. Had to replace radiator, water pump, and other items, but the engine wasn't touched.

 

Reason I gave it away: It needed a new clutch -- not bad for 200K miles on the original. Didn't want to spend the money, so son can fix it up himself.

 

In return, he brings me a load of firewood once in a while.

 

I liked the Dakota. Nice truck. Good for daily transportation too.

[waterbug]

I have a GMC sonoma 4dr and I hate it! it gets crapy gas milage and there is always something I have to do to it. unless you need 4x4 I wouldnt get it it takes to much fuel milage from the trk. I had a 2 wheel drive suburban I drove all over and got 21 on the highway with it and not to bad in town. I will say that gm trks that I have had do better on gas than the others I have had (ford and a chrysler). Good luck

[Sailor]

I tried the Dakota but I could not fit in it. My head was against the roof and my sholder up against the window. I wound up with an 02 Ram 1500 with the small 8 (4.7 liter) and a standard 5 speed. It is a 4X4. I am very happy with it and 4 of us recently drove from Saltspring to Thane Wyoming in it with no problems. We averaged 22 MPG but that is mostly highway driving but we did cross the north Cascades.

[BuddyRich]

I have the 05 Dakota extended cab. No problems with the front end. It has around 50k on it now. I do have a problem with it pressurising the tank though. ODO keeps saying GASCAP. Tried a new gascap and that didn't fix it. Should have gotten the 4 door. It has the 3.7 and I get 17 in town and about 20 on the hiway. It pulls my boat OK and it weighs around 4200. The difference in gas mileage is not so great so you may want to consider the Ram 1500 4 door. They are really pushing the 08's down here wilh like 14k off.

If you get the Dakota go ahead and get the V8. On a steep hill with the boat the 3.7 has to drop to second and tops out around 45.

[FROG MAN]

About 75% of my client base mostly oil field related drive GM full size. I had my local Ford rep in my office last week crying over lost sales to GM.My company drives only Fords since 1970 and recently bought two GM models and are considering switching brands. My new 2005 Ford F150 has been towed three times for mechanical breakdowns on the highway. My personal truck is a 2004 Chevy ext cab with no problems other then a wheel bearing failure at 50K. The Toyota,Nissan are very good trucks but make sure your comfort is not compromised. I would rather lose 2mpg in fuel economy then 1 inch of comfort. My 2004 chevy gets 16.5 daily in the country and 18+ on the highway. The wifes 2005 Colorado is a reg cab 4x4 and runs like a scalded dog with that 5 cyl engine.It's to small for my likeing but fits her like a glove.I'm not much of a dodge fan probably because very few people I know have one.Most that do run the cummins diesel models.The important thing about owning a truck is that you are happy with it.

[Skid]

but then its a diesel.....

[BigBoyinMS]

I currently drive an '04 Ram 1-ton diesel but I've worked in Nissan parts dept's for 20+ years so I can tell you the Nissan's are a great truck.

[slick97spirit]

I have an 07 Toyota Tacoma 4door that I really like, alot! It has the 6 cylinder engine and is the PreRunner which means it is 2wd but set up like a 4wd. The rear differential locks when needed and comes in handy. It also has a built in generator and a 110 receptacle in the bed which is really handy too. BUT, don't buy this truck for gas mileage. I only get 18 mpg due to the towing package on it. I really like the truck and it handles a trailer and bike really well.

[REDRIDER52]

got 08 chevy 4 door last fall 4x4 diesel 3/4 ton average 15-16 mpg. with trailer 12-14 mpg. has all the power needed don't evan know trailer is behind it (camper 30 ft )

[FozzyUSN]

I picked up a 98 Ford Ranger extended cab that also has 4X4 and came with a matching cap on the back. The only thing I don't like about it is, it's a two-door. To get the four-door, you have to go up to a 2001 or higher.

Interstate mileage is 20-21 and in town is 15-16. I love mine and when it comes time, I will simply move up to a newer model. A few of my students (past & present) have had a Dodge pickup and they did nothing but grumble about one thing or another going bad on it. How well they took care of it or what year their's were, I don't know.

[usnmustang]

Like was mentioned before, don't give up on the full size... I have an '05 Chevy Avalanche that I absolutely love. This truck is amazing. The ride can't be rivaled in any truck, I tested them all, you would think you were in a Caddy, not a truck. Very verisitile, you can fit 6 people with seats up in back, and folded down, it will fit a full size sheet of ply wood and still close the tail gate. Comes with the covers so you can lock up what is in the bed. V-8, plenty of power, tows great. I am averaging 16.9 MPG after 44K miles. Never had a problem with it and if this truck ever dies and I were going to get another one, Avalanche is where I would look first.

[RoadKill]

Like was mentioned before, don't give up on the full size... I have an '05 Chevy Avalanche that I absolutely love. This truck is amazing. The ride can't be rivaled in any truck, I tested them all, you would think you were in a Caddy, not a truck. Very verisitile, you can fit 6 people with seats up in back, and folded down, it will fit a full size sheet of ply wood and still close the tail gate. Comes with the covers so you can lock up what is in the bed. V-8, plenty of power, tows great. I am averaging 16.9 MPG after 44K miles. Never had a problem with it and if this truck ever dies and I were going to get another one, Avalanche is where I would look first.

 

What you getting on the highway?

[usnmustang]

What you getting on the highway?

 

To be honest, I am not sure. I try to not to reset the computer average any more than I have too. Right now I have a 16 mile commute with a split of highway and surface. I think the last long trip I took it was around 19-20 if I remember right, but that included some surface streets. The computer doesn't have an 'instant' milage on it, only avg. I can reset it next time I am heading up the interstate and see what it does before getting off. I will let you know.

[YamaDuck]

I've got a 2002 Dakota 4x4 with a 4.7l V8. I love it. Before this one I had a 2000 Dakota 2 wheel drive with the same engine. I loved it. Before that I had a 96 Ram. I loved it. I have never had the front end touched on any of them. I got rid of the Ram because I want 4 doors and the Ram was to big. I got the 2000 Dakota 4 door as soon as it came out. I got rid of it because I wanted a 4x4. The 4x4 gets 15 city and 18 highway. The 2000 got 16 city and 20 highway. If your looking for mileage don't buy a truck.

 

 

Harry:325:

[BigBoyinMS]

To be honest, I am not sure. I try to not to reset the computer average any more than I have too. Right now I have a 16 mile commute with a split of highway and surface. I think the last long trip I took it was around 19-20 if I remember right, but that included some surface streets. The computer doesn't have an 'instant' milage on it, only avg. I can reset it next time I am heading up the interstate and see what it does before getting off. I will let you know.

 

I think you would be unhappily surprised if you ever figured "actual" mileage. I've never seen a trip computer that was correct. My Dodge shows an average of 22.5 mpg but figuring it by hand (miles driven divided by gallons) it's 16.5.

FYI, I like the way the Avalanche rides and drives too. I'm waiting till they make a 3/4 ton with the Duramax, tho!

[usnmustang]

I think you would be unhappily surprised if you ever figured "actual" mileage. I've never seen a trip computer that was correct.

 

I was worried about that at the beginning, but I tested it after the first 1K and then again in the second year and figured actual milage. The computer was within 1 MPG of my math (lord only knows how screwed up that was...) both times so I figure it's pretty close. Maybe I got lucky with my computer.

[Oldseadog]

I agree with Scott2007. I also like the Nissan Frontier. When compared to ther Dakota, You get more for your money. It has a longer box, and a greater towing capacity.

[YamaDuck]

I have the Dakota and when the Frontier was upgraded a few years ago the Frontier with a 6 had more horsepower than the Dakota with the V8. I don't know how it is now but I have to assume it is still that way. I am not sure about gas mileage but I would be willing to bet the Frontier gets better gas mileage also. It's not quite as roomy as the Dakota but the bed is longer.