2008+ Dodge Dakota owners?

[Hokiefyd]

These didn't seem to be terribly popular, but I might consider getting back into a pickup truck, and the '08+ Dakota appeals to me. It came optional with the 300 hp V-8 (which is the only engine I would get) and proven 545RFE transmission. I would have no worries about the reliability or durability of the powertrain, but am pretty ignorant about the rest of the vehicle. Things like body control modules, A/C durability, interior quality, etc. The interior materials look to be mostly hard plastic, as they are in the 2008 Ram at work, but they're probably durable.

Any thoughts on these? I had a '97 Dakota that I enjoyed (and probably should have kept). But I don't know a whole heckuva lot about the '08+ models. I'd be trading the CR-V on it, which has been pretty much problem-free for us, so I'd hate to trade something known for something with a higher likelihood of having problems. We had a lot of issues with a Chrysler minivan, but I know the Dakotas are a whole 'nuther ball o' wax altogether.

 

[Spazdog]

It seems like the 2008+ refreshed style Dakotas are a lot better than their 2005-2007 predecessors.

WIN modules, BCMs.....the electrical systems were pretty fragile on those. I can't recall any problems with 2008+ Dakotas. Maybe they just haven't been in service long enough.

 

[Jimzz]

I have a 2007 Quad cab V8 Dakota with the 545RFE. I have a little over 80k on mine. No major problems have shown up, I did replace my struts/shocks with a firmer KYB one as the factory ones were to soft IMO.

The previous owner had the trans replaced under warranty but there was a TSB about reprogramming it to fix the shudder they felt. So guess the dealer did not look into it and just replaced it.

 

[01rangerxl]

Stick to the Dakota...no Raiders. Crash parts for the Raider can get pretty expensive if they are not identical to a Dakota part.

For example, if you wanted to replace a damaged or fogged up headlamp, list is over $420...each.

 

[mrsilv04]

Responded to wrong thread, and for some incredibly stupid reason, I can't delete this. Sorry.

 

[rjundi]

If reliability is a concern stick with your CRV. However obviously your needs have changed since you changing vehicles quite drastically in form and function.

 

[Hokiefyd]

Originally Posted By: rjundi
If reliability is a concern stick with your CRV. However obviously your needs have changed since you changing vehicles quite drastically in form and function.


It's as much wants as needs. The CR-V handles extremely well for a small SUV, but there's a ride quality penalty for that. As I mature in age (but not necessarily personality!), I find myself coveting a slightly smoother ride over super quick transitional handling. No, the CR-V is no Mazdaspeed 3 in terms of cornering Gs, but its short wheelbase and light weight gives it nimbleness that I don't really utilize on a daily basis. I wouldn't mind to trade some of the handling for some more ride quality.

And a small part of me might want a RWD vehicle again.

My wife and I both liked the size and fit of the '97 Dakota we had. It was a stripper Sport model, which a previous owner converted to power windows and locks (but the locks didn't work). It had an extended cab, but did fit our car seats at the time and just wasn't good enough as a family vehicle. It ended up being an extra vehicle that I eventually sold.

The Honda Ridgeline is also a possibility...but I might just want to have something RWD. Maybe I miss the rumble of a V-8. The 2008 Ram we have at work has the same powertrain (300 hp 4.7L V-8) and that engine is high-winding enough for me to enjoy. The 5.2L V-8 in my Dakota really didn't care for much over about 3,000 rpm. The 4.7L in the Ram at work loves to wind up and run out.

I dunno...just thinking out loud, really.

 

[cptbarkey]

go hemi or go home i say.

 

[LoneRanger]

Originally Posted By: cptbarkey
go hemi or go home i say.


Dodges are complete junk, okay that was harsh. Let me re-phrase: The police package PentaStar V6 Chargers are junk. Our local PD bought into that farce the past few years but for their next fleet purchase they are switching to the Ford Taurus Interceptor. The Chargers are said to be very maintenance intensive and they have 5 yr old Crown Vic's that are less to keep up. The Dodges might be okay for highway patrol... cruising the slab and steady speeds or sitting still running radar a lot, but municipal work with spirited stop and go like clearing intersections on emergency runs, the Chargers aren't holding up. At least not fleet of them. We have a mixed fleet with about 30 Chargers and as many or more Crowns. And I don't know what it means but the Captain who has the fleet ops under her said the "front ends are falling" apart on the Chargers. They do get better fuel economy than the Crown Vics, though.

 

[OVERKILL]

I've heard the same things on the front-ends of the Chargers as a buddy of mine services the local PD ones out east and of course I deal regularly with our local Chrysler dealer.

They replaced a lot of heads on the Pentastar when that issue was happening.

I've got some front-end noise on ours that started a few weeks ago, haven't had it in to investigate what the cause is yet however.

 

[hummdrumm]

Chargers are known to have frequent tie rod end replacements.

 

[hummdrumm]

I should say LX platforms but I still want a Magnum.

 

[supton]

I dunno. Trade a vehicle you like? Sounds like you kinda regret the last time you did that.

 

[01rangerxl]

Originally Posted By: supton
I dunno. Trade a vehicle you like? Sounds like you kinda regret the last time you did that.


On this point, maybe look at a Dakota like your old one? You could get a decent one for say $3K, and have a 3rd vehicle you could do a little wrenching on without it being your daily driver. Would a newer 4.7 Dakota auto every day be as much fun as a 1995 rust free beater with a 3.9 or 5.2 and a manual on the weekends and sometimes during the week?

 

[cptbarkey]

Originally Posted By: LoneRanger
Originally Posted By: cptbarkey
go hemi or go home i say.


Dodges are complete junk, okay that was harsh. Let me re-phrase:


No, here is the part where you use the backspace key instead of sounding like an internet tough guy.

 

[Hokiefyd]

Originally Posted By: supton
I dunno. Trade a vehicle you like? Sounds like you kinda regret the last time you did that.


Yeah...I think I've talked myself out of it. I did the 100k mile service on our CR-V this weekend. It's just a really tight vehicle still. We've owned it for 55k miles now and I think it'd be foolish to trade it off for an unknown quantity.

I'm very much a "follow your gut" kind of thinker, and the more I thought about it, the more I felt that trading the Honda would be a mistake. So I probably won't. It would be a poor move, financially...this car has at least another 100k miles in it.

I did air the tires down to the recommended 30 psi also. They had crept up to about 35 psi with the warm weather. It seems this vehicle is fairly sensitive to tire pressure, and the new Destination LE2s ride quite nice at 30 psi.