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99 Dakota 5.2 4x4 reliability?

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Mary Curtis

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Mar 19, 1999, 3:00:00 AM3/19/99
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I've been hearing some pretty nasty tales of people having unreasonable
amounts of reliability problems with 98/99 Dakotas.

I'm considering a 99 5.2L Sport 4x4 because a full-size is just too big.

Advantages: cheaper than full-size
v8 power
maneuverability

Disadvantages: terrible fuel economy
reliability issues?
no 3rd door


I'm really not clear on the reliability issue. Has anyone else been scarred
off because of these maintenance horror stories. I'm told even Dodge
mechanics and technicians say they'd never buy one.

What gives? Is this thing gonna be a nightmare?


--tod

Rob_2000

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Mar 19, 1999, 3:00:00 AM3/19/99
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Tod:

Were you talking to Ford or GM owners? I have a 97 Dakota 4x4 and have
had very few problems, all cheerfully repaired under warranty... failed
fuel pump and a broken wire in the ABS circuit.

Why don't you pose your questions to the folks that own them, on the
Dakota Mailing List? V8 fuel economy is better than full size.

Nobody else builds a truck in this class.


Rob_2000
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Surf Usenet at home, on the road, and by email -- always at Talkway.


G Lougheed

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Mar 19, 1999, 3:00:00 AM3/19/99
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1998 Dakota SLT Clubcab 4X4(5.2 V8),only one problem.
Rad leaked, so it was cheerfully replaced under warranty.
Great Truck!!!
Easy to drive and park in City traffic.
"There's no replacement for displacement."

G Lougheed


DodgeBoy

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Mar 20, 1999, 3:00:00 AM3/20/99
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This is my third DodgeTruck, right I have a 1999 5.2L sport
He is bigger than any truck in he's category, very soft on the road... had on
gaz but that's about it...

--

Dodge Boy !

Dakota Magnum

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Mar 20, 1999, 3:00:00 AM3/20/99
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Are you from Austalia? You are typing an accent! :)
Cheers


Dakota Magnum
Magn...@hotmail.com

([ ]====v8====[ ]) (O==\X/==O)

DodgeBoy wrote in message <36F35125...@hotmail.com>...

Bob Reid

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Mar 21, 1999, 3:00:00 AM3/21/99
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Chassis/drivetrains are excellent. The cabs/bodies suck for assemblage. My 98 Dakota has an irreparable (5 attempts) water leak that the factory is leaving me no choice but to go to arbitration about. The subcontractor to the dealer who has been involved tells me that he has seen a handful of similar leaks in both the Dakotas and Rams, and I know of at least one former Ram owner who had a similar experience. Next move is Lemon Law if they don't cough up a good answer for their reprehensible customer service behavior (STILL no call from the zone rep after 3 months).

----------

Joe and Lana

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Mar 22, 1999, 3:00:00 AM3/22/99
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Tod,
I have a 99 Dakota Sport, Extended Cab, 4X4, 318 V8, Automatic, loaded
that is one of the best trucks that I have ever had. I have had S-10's,
Rangers and all of the imports. The only one of them that I would buy again
is the Ranger. That is only if the Dakota line is dropped. I have put 2500
miles on my Dakota in 3 weeks and haven't had a single problem yet. But
remember, there is always a bad apple or two on every tree. Somebody will
pick one sooner or later. That is what the warranty is for. The average
speed I drive is 75 mph on the interstate ( about 42 miles going to work and
back) and my average mpg is 15.3 on the last tank, and it is still going up
every tank! Not bad for a V-8 Automatic 4X4!


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