Good points. I hadn't thought of 'size', only 'capability'. A Ram 2500 2wd
standard cab might barely fit in the garage, but I'd have to come out the
window. I know that new Rams are expensive with the $4000-$5000 Cummins
option, and used CTD Rams hold value exceptionally well. I wonder what a
diesel option would cost for a Dakota-specific app. I can't believe that it
would be a good thing economically for DC to make too many different engine
options available. They are expensive to develop aren't they? I think DC
would have to re-structure it's marketing of Rams to accommodate a new
heavy-duty-but-small truck, not to mention the pansy-a$$ NVH requirements.
I would assume that the marketing folks at DC would want people to buy the
Ram 1500 with the biggest engine available if one wanted to tow seriously in
the 1/2 ton class. If fuel economy becomes a serious driving force in the
marketing of consumer-level light-duty trucks, I think that DC may have to
look at this diesel idea as a viable option in Daks. I'd buy one. I guess my
Big Question is this: Do you think that a diesel Dak might be slicing the
market segments a bit thin at this time?
Tim
>
>>
>>> If Daks came with a small 4-cylinder Cummins and a manual trans, I'd be
on
>>> that like an alto on a twinkie. I'd bet that the capabilities and price
>>> of
>>> such a Dak would be close to that of some of the Rams, and thus cut into
>>> sales of those, however.
>>
>>I don't totally agree. A Dak with a 4.7 or 5.9 does have a different
>>market. I didn't chose my Dak over a Ram because of price, it was because
>>of size. I didn't want to drive a full size pickup every day. (I'm down
>>in Houston, TX BTW) Just cuz there's a diesel in the Dak doesn't mean
>>they have to make it any more than the 1/2 Ton truck it already is. They
>>would probably offer the smaller engine in the 1/2 & maybe 3/4 Ton Rams at
>>the same time so as to not steer people after the diesel away from the
>>Ram.
>
>I agree -- I bought my Dakota because it was the ONLY "mid-sized"
>(read: compact) pickup that had a V8 option and thus a higher towing
>capacity.
>
>Almost all of my driving is around town, to/from school and work, so
>it's nice to have a smaller truck that's easier to squeeze into
>parking spaces, parallel park, etc., but still has enough power to
>tackle the weekend jobs.
>
>I like to drool over the prospect of a new diesel Ram, but I'd only
>actually buy one if I had a car to drive when I needed the extra
>maneuverability. In reality, a Cummins Dakota would be the best of
>both worlds for me, and a vehicle that I would really buy.
>
>At this point in the game, I think Dodge needs to do everything they
>can to keep marketshare and having a diesel option would bring huge
>torque into the compact market which (to me, anyway) seems like a very
>positive thing.
>
>- -Bill
This archive was generated by hypermail 2b29 : Sat May 01 2004 - 12:00:17 EDT