Bravo!!!
-Mike Brown
Pasadena, MD.
97-Dakota Club Cab,5.2L, 4X4, 7" Lift, 35"x12.50" BFG A/T.
http://www.geocities.com/mbrowwwn/index.html
-----Original Message-----
From: Norah Bleazard [mailto:nbleazard@home.com]
Sent: Friday, July 28, 2000 2:21 PM
To: dakota-truck@buffnet.net
Subject: RE: DML: RE: what is this s@#t???
Well... I sent my reply... er... novel to these two. In case anyone is
interested (it's long) it's below. If not, just use your delete key :-)
TTYL,
Norah
current: '98 Dakota Sport black 4x4 CC V8/5.2L/Auto
current: '95 Dakota Sport white 4x4 Reg Cab V6/3.9L/5spd
RIP: '95 Dakota Sport black 4x2 CC V6/3.9L/Auto
previous: '93 Dakota blue 4x2 CC V6/3.9L/Auto
Dear Paul and Anita,
I just finished reading your article on the Dakota R/T and I have to say
that I found it very offensive and full of generalizations and
unsubstantiated facts. After reading this article... I felt insulted,
especially where women are concerned.
>>> She: I'm shaking my head over the fact that there are still auto
companies trying to market products like the Dakota R/T that have absolutely
nothing to offer real people. Even worse, a silly toy truck like the Dakota
R/T is so clearly aimed at guys - specifically guys who never quite got all
that Woodward Avenue street-rod stuff out of their system - that it's bound
to turn off most women. <<<
Speaking as a WOMAN here.... I do not find the Dakota or the Dakota R/T a
turn off. In fact, it is quite the opposite. I, personally, don't know of
many women that don't like the Dakota. Even my mom (age 63) finds my truck
attractive and fun. She loves being the passenger and says she feels much
safer in my truck than in a small car. She calls it "pretty". And we're
talking about a Hungarian woman who is the furthest from "Macho" than you
could possibly know. Imagine Zsa Zsa Gabor saying those words and you can
visualize my mom perfectly.
>>> He: You can talk about the practical side of trucks all you want, but I
do understand the basic premise behind the Dakota R/T. Dodge wanted to cram
all the go-fast goodies it could into its midsize pickup, and keep the price
tag as reasonable as possible. It's really that simple. Unfortunately, what
they've come up with is a truck that is amazingly fast in a straight line on
smooth pavement. But it's not particularly comfortable, and once you get on
a rough surface, this pickup can get mighty squirrelly. Even expressway
on-ramps can feel dangerous. <<<
As an owner of 4 Dakotas, 2 current and 2 in the past, I have never
experienced these problems you describe. My two previous Dakotas were
strictly for Road and they were smooth and a joy to drive. Our current
Dakotas are one for the road and one for Off Road, and I still do not
experience these problems. In fact... I like the way it feels speeding up
on the on ramp. Reminds me of taking off in a plane. And yes... I love
flying too. :-)
Practical? I think the Dakota is perfect. We manage to take all our
camping gear without any problems (couldn't cram all that stuff into my old
Lemans). I also don't have to get large purchases delivered... I can just
throw them in the truck. Try cramming a new freezer into a little VW
beetle. :-) Oh... and guess who people call on when it's moving day? The
same people that ask me, "Why do you need a truck anyway?" My response is
usually, "now would be a good time for you to look at investing in a
so-called unnecessary truck... or pay me $50/hr to help you move." :-D
As for dangerous... after being in a wreck and having my Dakota totally
written off due to some idiot running a light, I can honestly say, that I've
never felt safer in a vehicle. I immediately ran out and bought another
Dakota after my accident. The exact same accident in a small car would have
had much more serious consequences.
>>> She: I think that, like most guys, you secretly like the idea of a
simple red truck that looks cool, doesn't cost that much and doesn't do much
more than go really fast. Sorry, but that whole concept doesn't push my
buttons. I talk to a lot of women who do like pickups, but this is one
vehicle that would not be a good choice for everyday driving. I mean, what
were they thinking with the Dakota R/T? This truck costs more than $20,000
and it still has crank windows! It looks like an economy car into which
someone stuffed a giant engine, but forgot to add even the basic amenities.
You like that? <<<
It may not push your button Anita, but it does for most of the women I know
and have spoken to. As for everyday driving... that is exactly what we use
them for. I drive mine everyday, and my husband drives the off road one to
work, on the highway, 45 minutes each way in rush hour traffic -- EVERY
DAY!!! Handles like a charm. As for the windows.... I had a hard time
finding a Dakota ***WITH*** crank windows. I specifically had to order no
power windows as *I* didn't want them in my truck at the time. Our next one
will have them though. You obviously got an R/T with absolutely no options.
What basic amenities are required in a vehicle? Personally... all I need is
a seat, steering wheel, windows, door, gas pedal, brakes, etc. When I
drive, I make sure that I take care of all personal hygiene and necessities
before I get in to the vehicle. My purpose behind the wheel is to get to
where I am going and enjoy the ride. Women should do their make-up and hair
before leaving and men should shave and handle business matters from the
home and/or office. As far as I'm concerned... cell phone use while driving
is an accident waiting to happen. I still don't understand what amenities
you would be looking for in a vehicle.
>>> He: C'mon, give Chrysler some credit. They did beef up the Dakota a bit
to take the bigger engine - a 5.9-liter pushrod V-8 that churns out 250
horsepower and a whopping 345 pounds-feet of torque, and sounds like a real
hot rod coming out of the big-bore, free-flow exhaust. Of course, it's
offered only as a two-wheel-drive with a four-speed automatic transmission
and a limited-slip rear axle. The engineers lowered the chassis by an inch,
retuned the suspension and fitted some fat 17-inch tires. <<<
Sounds beautiful to me if that's what a person is looking for, and many ARE.
Otherwise, why would it be such a good seller?
>>> She: Maybe I'm getting spoiled by all the fancy four-door pickups and
expensive utility vehicles we've been driving. But didn't the regular-cab
Dakota seem awfully confined? And who thought up that dreadful all-black
cabin? Even for macho guys, didn't that monochrome look go out about 20
years ago? And those heavy-duty shocks always left my teeth chattering by
the time I drove to the end of the block. <<<
Have you ever sat in a Corvette or any other 2-seater vehicle? That is
confined, but I love the Corvette too. Always wished I could have one as
well. Regular cab pickups have been around for a very long time, so why
would there be a problem with them now? One of our trucks is a RC (regular
cab) and the other is a CC (club cab) soon to be traded in for a QC (quad
cab) for my occasional passengers that can't fit in the back.
As for the all-black cabin.... it's gray, not black. It is a very practical
color, as it doesn't show dirt or pet hair the way other colors would. This
was a very smart move, in my opinion. Anyway... I love black... my truck is
black, the other is white, and my previous Dakota was also black. It's
tasteful and elegant (speaking as an artist of course), which is why black
is referred to as "classic".
And the heavy-duty shocks.... I specifically ordered those as well. It's a
truck, not a Lincoln or a Caddy. If people want a smooth ride... don't get
a pickup truck... that's not what they were designed for. They are designed
to haul, crawl, tow, speed, and fun. They don't all come with the
heavy-duty package but are ordered that way. Also... when you have stuff in
the bed, the ride is much smoother. Every passenger I've had has commented
on the smooth ride.
Do you have actual statistics on what women like or want? Has there been a
legitimate blind study done on this? If so, I would like to know the
results. I would only consider it valid if it was done in all regions of
North America and not just with the so-called "soccer moms" or "business
executives" in a large American city. I guess I can't consider myself most
women according to your comments and so I must be very special and unique,
along with all the other women and men I know that drive Dakotas and other
pickup trucks.
I am educated, an ex-professional computer analyst, now with my own business
in the arts, love the outdoors, and live in a large (over 4 million people)
North American metropolis. I am also a member of the Dodge Dakota Mailing
List with over 800 other Dakota enthusiasts, many of whom share my feelings
on this. There is also the Dakota R/T Mailing List, the Dakota-USA club,
the Dakota Quad Cab Mailing List, and the DTOA (Dakota Truck Owners
Association) who will beg to differ with your opinions. In fact, on our
small street in the suburbs, there are 3 Dakota's along with Ram's,
Cherokees, and vans alike.
Sincerely,
Norah Bleazard
current: '98 Dakota Sport black 4x4 Club Cab V8/5.2L/Auto
current: '95 Dakota Sport white 4x4 Reg Cab V6/3.9L/5spd
RIP: '95 Dakota Sport black 4x2 CC V6/3.9L/Auto
previous: '93 Dakota blue 4x2 CC V6/3.9L/Auto
previous: '81 Lemans white, 2-door automatic
previous: '75 Camaro red, automatic
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