I agree with exception to the speed limiter that stopped me after 97MPH
beating up the Tacoma V-6. I laughed because it took him sometime to catch
up then pass me.
I drove different truck and Nissan faired the worst truck, Ford ranger was
OK but was under powered, Chevy S-10 the same problem, and Toyota-well
overpriced for what it is worth. I wanted a QC 4x2 but was sold out and
drove the CC and found that power band was exciting (along with the sound of
the pedal to metal) to drive. But when I talked to other non-Dak owners,
the excuse of being beaten is that the Dak is not a small truck but a
mid-range truck.
-----------------------------------------------------------------
Steven St.Laurent
Test Engineer
Test Branch, GSD,MCTSSA
MARCORSYSCOM, US Marine Corps
mailto:stlaurents@mctssa.usmc.mil (work)
mailto:Saint1958@home.com (home)
Office: (760) 725-2296
-----Original Message-----
From: Tim J Koth [mailto:Tim.J.Koth@aexp.com]
Sent: Friday, March 17, 2000 9:11 AM
To: dakota-truck%buffnet.net
Subject: DML: Re: New to List/Dakota rec.
I don't know what the story is with Consumer Reports, but they only like
Toyota products. I'm sick of reading their vehicle reviews. Before I bought
my
2000 Dak in early December, I did extensive research and test driving of 3
different small trucks. And that included looking into the Consumer Reports
stuff. It was quite interesting. I was also considering the Toyota Tecoma
4x4
and when I looked at the CR writeup, they actually said that the ride was
'not
up to par' but predicted reliability was 'better than average'. Then I went
to the back of the magazine where reliability data as reported by their
readers. The Dak numbers weren't all that great for a few years leading up
to
99. The Toyota numbers were pretty good leading up. Well for 99 the Dak
numbers were BETTER than the Toy numbers. Dodge was clearly improving while
the Toy numbers were falling. They never even drew from their own data for
the
article in the same damn publication! So I drove 'em both again, Dak and
Tacoma, and bought the Dak. I drove 5 Daks and 5 Tacomas.There was something
wrong with all but one of the Toyotas. (imballanced tires, pulls to the
left,
etc..) The only thing wrong with any of the Daks was one of them stalled
right
after startup but re-stated right away and did the 15 minute test drive
flawlessly. The Dak is the best riding small or midrange 4x4 on the road. No
comparison as far as I'm concerned. And I still get Ford, Chevy and Toyota
bigots that are amazed when they take a ride in my Dak. (cuz they were too
narrow minded to even test drive or consider one when they bought their
trucks)
Sorry for the rant.... I'm ok now.... I'm alright.....
--------- previous post ---------
Date: Fri, 17 Mar 2000 01:35:44 -0800
From: "Cal Hyer" <clhyer@hom.net>
Subject: DML: Re: New to List/Dakota rec.
- snip -
With the exception of the mini-vans, Consumer Reports has never liked
anything Chrysler & I think it galls them that they haven't been able to
recommend a different mini. Haven't they also recently bitched about the
Durangos? If I am not mistaken Motor Trend just tested the Durango vs
Explorer and came down solidly for the Durango...
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