Here something to keep you all thinking. For the past 6 years, Dodge as
had no competition in the "Mid-Sized" truck category. That is not the
case any more. Chevy is coming out with the Colorado. This is a
mid-sized truck with an available V8. Chevy has seen the potential in
this market, and is poised to one-up Dodge. Don't be surprised to see
Dodge's loss of market share in the category prompt them to pull the
line entirely. Have you noticed that the Dakota is NEVER featured (or
even shown for that matter) in any of the Dodge commercials?
.....Could this be the end?
Tony
99 CC SLT 5.2L
-----Original Message-----
From: owner-dakota-truck@bent.twistedbits.net
[mailto:owner-dakota-truck@bent.twistedbits.net] On Behalf Of Ken
Allgood
Sent: Friday, August 08, 2003 5:27 PM
To: dakota-truck@dakota-truck.net
Subject: Re: DML: 2004 Dakota update!!!
Oh yeah, I drive mine 6-7 days a week. Course, I average only 16.5 mpg
:( But hey, works for me. I just love driving through the mountains
towing
a load in my trailer and bed loaded down. Lanes open up, and some cars
try
to get around, and I just punch it leaving them behind.. muahahahaha.
Have to say, I gotta give Ford props on the Lightning (I know I know,
it's
ugly, and it's a Ford.. but..).. It's faster then any stock Dakota
easily,
and can tow more then a dakota (I think it's rated at 8000lbs??)..
Well, it
can tow more based on the rating.... Still prefer my Dakota to one,
would
never trade my Dakota for a Lightning
Ken Allgood
97 CC SLT 5.2L
----- Original Message -----
From: "Bill Pitz" <dakota@billpitz.com>
To: <dakota-truck-moderator@bent.twistedbits.net>
Sent: Friday, August 08, 2003 8:15 PM
Subject: Re: DML: 2004 Dakota update!!!
>
> On Fri, 08 Aug 2003 19:56:48 -0400, kenallgood@cox.net ("Ken Allgood")
> wrote:
> >If memory serves me correctly, the dakota DID start out being
marketed as
a
> >"mid-size" pickup. It wasn't selling a whole lot (compared to S10's,
> >rangers, etc), so they started marketing it as a compact.
Personally, I
use
> >mine to tow a load with a 10' open trailer when moving people, or
mulch,
you
> >name it. I've also taken it to the track where I run mid-upper 15's
with
> >the 5.2L. I've made numerous mod's to it (bolt-ons), but kept the
towing
in
> >mind while doing that. I did occasionally have pinging wihle towing
with
> >the Hypertech PCM, but I think with the addition of the headers and
M1
> >intake, that no longer happens. I can go WOT with a load, and have
no
> >problem with spark knock. It's a fine line I have to walk in doing
mods,
> >but in the end, I get the best of both worlds. I've had to scratch
any
> >thoughts about lowering it, etc due to needing to tow heavy loads at
times,
> >and occasionally using the full 1 ton capacity payload. I'm still
working
> >on getting it into the 14's, keeping it NA, and not taking away from
it's
> >towing capabilities either. I think Dakotas do very well as a
mid-size
> >pickup that you can drive as a sport truck, or use it to do heavy
hauling.
>
> Amen to that.
>
> I had a very hard time even considering the "alternatives" from Ford,
> GM, Toyota, and Nissan because all of their Dak-sized trucks really
> are compact trucks... and no V8 option on any of them!
>
> For the most part, my truck is my daily driver. I do, however,
> frequently use it to tow a 21' boat up a fairly steep windy road to
> the lake. And that's when I remember how much I love my truck. :-)
>
> -Bill
>
This archive was generated by hypermail 2b29 : Fri Feb 06 2004 - 11:46:46 EST