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Comments
B43 South Florida - PPA/EB-PF .... $235
D43 South Florida - PPA/EB-PF .... $260
They say its some retirement fund? Any input?
What ever you do join the Farm Bureau, for this you get a $500 deduct in addition to any other rebates. You have to be a member for 30 days before you take delivery.
They say that its only like 3 - 4 week delivery on a ordered vehicle which is great.
Anyone with input on those 2 charges would be appreciated.
As to Allen Samuels. I had a 2000 all picked out, price agreed to with salesman (and I thought salesmanage). Went that night with wife and $8000 cashiers check only to handed off to someone (500lb blob) who tried to give me some sad story about not making in profit and tried to change the deal. Needless to say I walk immediately, and it would appear, have made it my life's work to warn others of my misfortunes. The saleperson I met there was very nice, just can speak well of the overall style of the dealership.
Good Luck. !! Lets all know how it turns out.
Rhys
I don't see any reason why someone would not drive their truck in O/D except for a couple circumstances. In all other cases, it should be just fine.
If you are towing, in mountains or actually anytime the transmission keeps shifting back and forth into overdrive, it will cause excessive heat in the transmission. This happens when the transmission is trying to find the best gear for a given load and speed. In that case, push the button to take it out of O/D until that particular terrain has passed.
Conversely, it won't cause any harm to NOT use O/D. Sometimes, that just works better, especially in towing circumstances.
Go for the Quad Cab. You won't be disappointed!
Be sure to check out the posts under "Owners Clubs" as there are quite a number of good posts there regarding Quad Cabs.
fat_fenders
Bookitty
Thanks for any help!
jeffp
Dodge Dakota Owners - General Topic (Topic #24)
This person has determined the RPM and SPEED limiters on his Dakota. (Yes there are 2 limiters)
He describes it as feeling like somone hit the brakes suddenly.
It has SLT Plus Decor Group, HD Service Group, 4-wheel antilocks, fog lamps and power overhead convenience group. Dealer said it will be in within 5~6 weeks. AFTER I got home, I read the brochure more closely and discovered that horsepower has DROPPED from 235 last year to 230 this year. WHAT HAPPENED?
How do I track the progress of my QC? A while back, someone wrote that there is a number or website to contact. Does anyone know anything about this?
AFTER I signed the purchase order, my wife pointed out that the HD radiator is EXPOSED in the lower part of the front bumper. Sure enough, it is. Why doesn't Dodge place some kind of grille there to deflect stones? Road debris can be deadly to radiators! Is there an after-market insert available? THANKS
I have heard the following:
1) Ball joint problems.
2) A "clunking" noise in the steering.
3) Rear axle howl.
4) Fuel gage problems.
5) Terrible mileage with the 4.7L engine. My
'91 5.7L Chev 1500 does much better. So does
my wifes '90 Cad 4.5L CoupedeVille.
6) Multispeed transmission problems.
7) Fit and finish problems.
8) Freeway "hop" or "bounce".
9) Very harsh ride, even with the 2WD version.
10) Window lift motor problems.
11) No light gray interior for 2001.
12) Very unreliable!!
13) Etc., etc., etc., and it goes on.
14) Chrysler in financial trouble?!?!?
Are these really problems and do they actually exist? I am very concerned and am now considering other alternatives.
I wonder if DC ever accesses these websites and comments??
Bookitty
A couple of your items are right-on but most of them are simply not true.
The Dakota is no more or less reliable than any other vehicle. I am convinced that it is the DEALER that makes all of the difference.
Buy what you LIKE... life is too short to sweat the little stuff.
Examples:
4) Fuel gage problems.
Never heard of this and I have been researching Dakotas for a long time. Where did you see this?
1) Ball joint problems.
The front end was COMPLETELY redesigned reciently.
RACK -n- PINION STEERING!! What year Dakota encounterd this?
2) A "clunking" noise in the steering.
Have not heard of this and see #1 above for new design.
5) Terrible mileage with the 4.7L engine.
I consider 18 to 20 MPG on a V8 is pretty good!
14) Chrysler in financial trouble?!?!?
There is NO SUCH THING as Chrysler!! I has been Daimler-Chrysler for several years now. (As you mention in your closing)
I had the rear leaf springs fixed (see TSB on this) the door molding fell off during the first wash, and three out of four bolts were loose on the driver seat. Other than that, it is fantastic!
I disagree with the harsh ride and the bumpingness (is that a word?) on the highway. If one is not used to a truck and the fact that the rear end is light, it might surprise you the first time you hit a "washboard" area on the road.
I bought the truck for the exact reason you are thinking...I needed to replace my aging Mazda and I needed a four door car. The Quad is the perfect match if this is what your needs are.
Thanks
I ordered by 2001 QC SLT+ on Sat. (09/31). At the time, my dealer rushed me to get my order in "by the end of the month", so the vehicle will be here in next shipment. I asked dealer about rebates, incentives, ect. He said none - except on remaining 2000's in stock. Paid $500 deposit.
On Tues., (10/03), I saw a TV ad stating $1,000 cash incentives on 2001 QC's; expires 01/08/01.
Called my dealer, & he said incentive program started on Mon (10/02). He said I do NOT qualify since I ordered BEFORE the incentives started! Any advice?
Have been scouting some available 2000 models, hoping for a great deal. Found 2 that are very close to what I think I want. Still have questions though.
The first relates to towing. I've read this forum and the owners forum and saw quark99's post in owners that described towing capabilities of different engine / transmission combos. I'm most interested in the V6 with auto, as my test drives tell me it's fine for my day to day needs. My towing needs would be occasional waverunner towing and 1 or 2 times a year would need to tow a 19' bowrider (about 2800 lbs), and the trip is about 110 miles. Since I'll do that so infrequently, I'm hoping the V6 can handle it.
Can the V6 / auto combo handle that towing ok ? Is there a risk of damaging the engine or transmission ?
Other questions relate to options / pricing. I know that there is a $2000 rebate on 2000's and have seen the references to the FB discount. Would love some input on "negotiating". I'm thinking of offering several hundred below invoice before the rebate, given that the 2001's are at dealers now. Any comments or advice ?
Last question. One of the trucks I like the best has been "tricked up" by the dealer. They added the roof rack, bed extender, and a "two part" tonneau cover that has a large rear lid and 2 side lifting lids toward the cab. They don't detail any prices for these things, but say that together they cost $2374. I'm trying to better understand what their cost is for those to aid in negotiating.
Thanks in advance for any advice or comments !
It gets better MPG than the 1960's-based V6 and is more suited for towing. It is the SMOOTHEST engine you have ever driven.... (unless you own a V10 or V12)
Over in the OWNERS CLUBS area ther are Dakota owners that have the towed extensivly with the Dak... Try asking there.
Bookitty
Gull wing tonneau cover ..... $920
Roof rack.................... 200
Bed extender................. no price yet
(shoulded be more than $500)
All of these are without labor to install, but I can't imagine it would be $700 labor. Ask for an itemized breakdown!
Thanks again for the help and comments....
Does anyone know the site to check on where your vehicle is to track the delivery?
2500 miles and still running perfect. gevergreen add thermostats to your list.
Evan
I had a fuel gauge stop working on my 98 Dakota extended cab. It was parked for 5 days this summer with a little over 1/4 tank. Normally if I was going to park it for more than a few days, I keep the tank full, but I didn't know it would sit that long. I started driving it again and the guage had stuck so I ran out of gas. Once I refilled it, the guage seemed to act OK, though a little less accurate. A month later, it had stuck again and I ran out again. Now it is very messed up. I run the odometer about 270 miles and refill. The guage never goes below 1/2 tank. It moves from full to 1/2 very slowly in the same amount of time that it would normally go from full to empty (as compared to it going from full to 1/2 at normal speed and then sticking at 1/2 for the remainder of the tank). I haven't taken it in yet to have it checked/repaired. I just got a recall on the rear breakline, so I'll have them look at it at that time.
I also have developed a rearend popping noise. The truck is a part time 4x4 with limited slip rear and 31x10.5 tires with about 55,000 miles. I park in a parking garage that has the tight right handed cordscrew entry and exit ramps. Now the rearend has developed a pop when I make left hand turns (only left hand turns). It pops as I start to come out of the turn and straighten out. It doesn't matter how slowly or quickly I turn. It is not the suspension. I can creep slowly with absolutely no body roll and it still pops. Am I trashig my rearend forcing it up and down these ramps in the parking garage? The concrete has good traction and I will only hear or feel the tires give if there happens to be some sand or grit on the ramp. Otherwise, the tires seem to be forced to turn at the same rate. A friend who used to park there said his truck went through a lot of tires because his limited slip slid one tire. My tires aren't wearing any different so I'm worried the "limited" slip is getting chewed. thoughts?
I have been convinced since last year that I'm trading it in on a Quad cab, but just haven't done it yet. Mine has the 5.2 and I really have liked the 4.7 trucks that I've driven, but does anyone know more about the new V6's yet? When will they be available? If they get close to 200hp and improved mileage significantly over the 4.7, they might be worth looking into and perhaps waiting for.
Thanks,
Chad
I'm considering the hard, folding tonneau cover. I have two questions: 1. Is it easily/quickly removed when you have to actually haul something?; and 2. How sturdy is it?
I'm counting the weeks 'til my QC gets here. I'm like a kid waiting on Christmas!
Yes, I'm a lawyer. But, don't tell my mother. She thinks I play piano in a bordello. Actually, in my "other" life, I was a bartender at a beach resort in Ft. Walton Beach - a man for all seasides!
Be sure to do all of the "pre-flight" checks when your Dakota QC arrives. However, after you take delivery you can't send it back to the factory. If any problems develop, it will be up to a dealer to fix them.
I did a lot of research before I bought my 2001 QC. The only real competition was the Ford F-150 SuperCrew. But, the Dakota won out. The Ford had plenty of interior space; but, it was just too long. PLUS, it needs the 5.4 V-8 to adequately push all that weight. Unless you need a truck for the construction business, the Dakota QC is the best.
Hey! Does anyone have any experience with the hard, folding tonneau cover? I've almost come to the conclusion that it is a good thing. But, I would like some feedback from "real-world" owners.
1987 Caravan SE. You may find there are ALL KINDS of 'bad' reports available on ALL vehicles. Did you factor in the human tendancy to only report BAD things that happen to their cars? This HAS to be factord in when you are researching forums like "edmunds"... we are ALL humans out here.
Each source of data MUST be tempered with the understanding of WHO is reporting it and where their paychecks come from. (Many so-called "news" and "vehicle-testing" web sites are purley propaganda spreaders ... watch out! )
Perhaps others would like to see this too. Here is the URL to that article about DC's financial problem that you referenced.
http://www.detnews.com/2000/autos/0009/27/b01-125690.htm
Rocket
My first truck and i absolutely love it
my advice to anyone shopping is to know the truck inside and out and the invoice price for all the options you should not pay more than $300 over the dealer invoice price and with the $1000 rebate now offered that puts you at least $700 under invoice i got most of my invoice prices from carsdirect.com go to the site and add all options you want it will give you 3 prices
carsdirect, MSRP(a joke), and invoice
Carsdirect may be less than invoice but now with the $1000 offered you may be better off going to the dealer
I have also looked for a good Dodge web site to ask questions and technical advice, opinions, etc. The best site I have found is www.moparchat.com This site is clearly the best in quality, with over 60,000 posts! Good luck either way Trevor!
Rocket,I couldn't find a bulletin or TSB area on any of the chrysler or dodge sites. Do you have a specific website or area of a website?
I checked:
http://www.daimlerchrysler.com
http://www.chrysler.com/
http://www.4adodge.com/
Are these bulletins you mentioned on one of these sites or some other site?
Thanks,
Chad
came out on the 2nd!!!!! I then called the dealer
last week and he said he was sorry but he didn't know anything about the rebates!! You mean to tell me the dealer doesn't know about any rebates until after they start???
They chose instead to refrain from informing you (legal, but not nice). Store that one in your memory bank.
Bookitty
From a 'rado owner
with a solid front axle which gives it much more
heavy duty suspension than the Dakotas
independently suspended front wheels. (IFS)
The obvious drawback of a solid front axle is
poorer ride quality. I have read some hard-core
4-wheelers asking for a solid front axle on the
Dakota... Reading into your append... it appears
that you would wish the Ram be changed to IFS.
The Ram and Dakota are different trucks for
different uses. The designers made decisions based
on the intended uses of the different trucks. I
know of people that swear by their dual-wheeled rams with the Cummins turbo diesel engine.... These are WORK trucks that the Dakota just would not be able to keep up with.
(BTW... I know a guy that TRIED the Ford full-size trucks with the IFS and the front suspension was nothing but troubles for heavy duty work. Had to replace parts constantly and the alignment was imposable to keep set up)
My Dakota has the "tire and handling" package which includes antisway bars... perhaps yours does too?
My Dak is GREAT truck... absolutely the best choice available when the overall package is considerd.
I have taken LONG (16 hour) trips during hot weather and it is comfy for all passengers.
I have traveled 80 miles in a driving snowstorm with over a foot of snow on the roads. The snowplows could not even keep up! (And this is VERMONT!!) No "normal" cars were even moving that day but my family made it home from the farm. (And I had a BLAST driving in the white stuff... it was FUN FUN FUN)
Perhaps you would have more 'luck' with your question in the CLUBS area where there are several DODGE DAKOTA discussions. (This forum is in the PICKUPS area and is little used since the DODGE DAKOTA CLUBS were established.)
Before you ask how to get there...
1)In the yellow area on the left, find the dropdown box labelled Conferences:
2) Select OWNERS CLUBS and enter that area.
3) use your browsers FIND function to locate all confrences with DAKOTA in the title and put a CHECK next to each of these. (Then click on UPDATE PLACEMARKS button to add them to your MY PLACEMARKS page)
4) Now your MY PLACEMARKS will contain the additional confrences you just added