Also, they are again not taking into account that the Dakota is a
heavier truck, and the V6 is not it's top engine. (BTW, I have the
wimpy 3.21 gears in my 6er, and she'll do the 1/4 considerable faster
than 18.5. 17.8 is my best, but I think if I were a better driver I
could knock a couple more tenths off.)
Flip
---- Begin Original Message ----
From: GSWillhite <GSWillhite@ualr.edu>
Sent: Wed, 11 Oct 2000 13:48:42 -0500
To: dakota-truck@buffnet.net
Subject: DML: Re:Fwd: Dodge Dakota Report
ATTENTION V6'ERS! That report dosen't mean squat
unless all rearend ratios are close OR the same.
Has anyone inquired about gearing on the test
Dakota/vehicles???
GS -
Forwarded Message:
> To: <bernd@texas.net>
> From: "webmail" <webmail@customerrelations.consumer.org>
> Subject: Dodge Dakota
> Date: Wed, 11 Oct 2000 12:11:14 -0400
> -----
> Dear Mr. Ratsch,
>
> Thanks for your recent e-mail expressing your thoughts and concerns
> with our report on the Dodge Dakota pickup in our Used Car
Yearbook. We
> also appreciate your taking the time to share your personal
experiences
> with
> this truck. While I was sorry to read that you disagree with our
report
> on
> the Dodge Dakota, I am happy that you took the time out of your day
to
> write
> us.
>
> As stated in our November 1995 review of the Dodge Dakota V6, we
> found that its "3.9 liter V6 accelerates sluggishly." And compared
to
> the
> other pickups we tested at that same time, the Dodge Dakota V6
scored
> the
> lowest in our Acceleration tests. Here are the specifics:
>
> 0-30 mph, in seconds
> 3.2 - Ford Ranger XLT
> 3.3 - GMC Sonoma SLE
> 3.3 - Toyota Tacoma LX
> 3.9 - Dodge Dakota SLT
>
> 0-60 mph, in seconds
> 8.8 - Toyota Tacoma LX
> 9.2 - GMC Sonoma SLE
> 9.9 - Ford Ranger XLT
> 11.2 - Dodge Dakota SLT
>
> Quarter mile, in seconds
> 16.7 - Toyota Tacoma LX
> 17.2 - GMC Sonoma SLE
> 17.6 - Ford Ranger XLT
> 18.3 - Dodge Dakota SLT
>
> 45-65 mph, in seconds
> 5.6 - Toyota Tacoma LX
> 6.0 - GMC Sonoma SLE
> 6.6 - Ford Ranger XLT
> 7.1 - Dodge Dakota SLT
>
> When we tested the Dodge Dakota V6 in July 1997 (the year it was
> redesigned), we stated in our report that "the new, much-improved
Dakota
> is
> now our top-rated compact pickup." However, we went on to state
that
> its
> "3.9 liter V6 accelerates just adequately." Below is the
acceleration
> data
> for the 1997 Dodge Dakota. If you compare our data below with the
data
> above for the older Dodge Dakota model, you can see that it didn't
> improve
> in the Acceleration category:
>
> 1997 Dodge Dakota
> 0-30 mph, in seconds = 3.9
> 0-60 mph, in seconds = 11.2
> 45-65 mph, in seconds = 7.4
> Quarter mile, in seconds = 18.5
>
> While I am happy to learn that you are very satisfied with the
> performance of your Dodge Dakota, as our comparison tests show, its
> acceleration is on the slow side compared with similar trucks.
Comparing
> products - and reporting the results of those comparisons as
accurately
> as
> possible - is what we do. These are the basis of our judgments, and
the
> numbers speak for themselves.
>
> In any event, please be assured that I have personally forwarded
> your e-mail to our Auto Test and Editorial staff for their review.
> Because
> reader feedback is an integral part of the work we do, I am sure
that
> they,
> too, will find your e-mail to be of value.
>
> Thanks again for taking the time to write.
>
> Sincerely,
>
> Consumer Reports
>
---- End Original Message ----
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