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Spacinjason
Dodge Dakota
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3/19/2006
08:27:41

Subject: Good bye
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Hey all- Traded in the Dak the other day on something that is better to commute 70 miles a day.
I want to thank everyone on this site for being so helpful for so many years! This is a great site, and I will miss visiting it everyday! Take care!
Spacinjason




nvs008
Dodge Dakota
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3/19/2006
10:43:28

RE: Good bye
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see you later spacinjason, hope you have fun with your new car/truck.



jpkomm
Dodge Dakota
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3/19/2006
13:45:27

RE: Good bye
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*cries* Oh no! Forced to downgrade to a crackerbox because of your commute! What is this world coming to?! Well, I really hope you will have a chance to get another Dak, Spacinjason. We'll miss your hanging around these boards. Good luck!



koke
Dodge Dakota
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3/19/2006
16:01:16

RE: Good bye
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traded for what.



Spacinjason
Dodge Dakota
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3/19/2006
22:00:46

RE: Good bye
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At the risk of being 'flamed', I got an '06 Subuaru Baja Turbo 5 sp.. I really didn't utilize the Dak to it's full potential (towing, hauling etc.) mainly used to drive to work, haul kids, and to play in the snow. I loved it (~cries~), but I think the new rig will better fit my families needs. Plus the turbo is really fast! 210 h.p. and it weighs quite a bit less then the QC I had. Pretty exhilarating in my opinion.
Again, You all are a bunch of great people, and this site is awesome. I only hope to find a Baja forum that is as good as this forum. I will probably lurk for a while as it is habit for me to go straight here when I go online! Creature of habit I guess! Take care and have fun with your Dakota's!
Spacinjason



novaDAK
Dodge Dakota
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3/19/2006
22:48:58

RE: Good bye
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Since it's a turbo doesn't it require premium gas???



Spacinjason
Dodge Dakota
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3/20/2006
00:11:30

RE: Good bye
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Yes it does require preimum.
Spacinjason



novaDAK
Dodge Dakota
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3/20/2006
00:39:42

RE: Good bye
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At least you should be getting better gas mileage now!
Enjoy the subaru. I have a friend with a WRX and he says it's a blast to drive.



jpkomm
Dodge Dakota
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3/20/2006
07:39:01

RE: Good bye
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I don't think the turbos get all that great gas mileage if I remember correctly. The WRX I looked at about 5 years ago was 23-25mpg hwy. From the tech sheet I just looked at for the Baja, that hasn't changed at all. Personally, that is not enough of a difference to warrant getting rid of a Dak. That mileage stacked with the price of Premium gas... ouch. The math adds up to being roughly the same to what you would of been paying with your Dak.

I figured you were talking about trading it in for something like a Honda Accord or Toyota Camry that got 30-35mpg. LOL The WRX and Bajas are really nice cars, but I'm spoiled with my Dak being I am 6'1". I think the new WRX STI models pull roughly 300 horses of cheek-peeling goodness. I'm not flaming you Spacinjason, but the math just doesn't add up to where I could see a swapover to a Baja turbo would be more beneficial to the pocketbook than your Dak. ;) Maybe you just wanted to be closer to the ground so you can really feel the speed! :D



Spacinjason
Dodge Dakota
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3/20/2006
10:40:08

RE: Good bye
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I only got like 14 or 15 mpg average in my Dak, and always ran 'plus' or 'special' fuel in it (or it would ping or have some valve clatter under acceleration). I think I will still save some $$$ with the Baja (even using premeium).
Did I mention it's pretty quick? LOL! My dad drove it last night, and he said it's quicker then his late 80's Vette and I tend to agree as I have driven the Vette a few times. He was grinning from ear to ear when he nailed the accelerator! It's only got 20 less HP then my Dak and wieghs about 1400 pounds less! I honestly test drove it just for sh!ts and giggles, but fell in love with the way it drove. It's strange to start up and not have that awesome V8 rumble I'm so accustomed to. I will keep my eyes out for a Dak 4x4 to buy for when I want to go 'wheelin. I just love the way the Gen III Daks look and love the way the V8 sounds. Plus that way I can still come visit all you Dak guys!
I have no misconceptions about the Baja being a 'truck'. It is an Outback with the back cut off. My Dak was a TRUCK! I just rarely used it as a truck. I still like Dodge, and would buy one again in a heartbeat.
Maybe this is a midlife crisis vehicle? LOL! Can you have a midlife crisis at age 37?
Jpkomm- I didn't think you were flaming me and appreciate your input. It's funny you mentioned a Camry as I actually have a '98 that's my wife's daily driver. We get about 28mpg average in it. I just filled up the Baja yesterday, so I will figure out what my actual mileage is soon. I was looking at those WRX STI's when I was at the dealership. Pretty cool, but I was told you only get about 15K out of the tires on them as they are so soft! Didn't look cheap to replace either. A Subaru may be a little tight for you if you are 6'1". I'm only 5'10" and it's a little snug for me, but not too bad. I can stay comfortable.
Thanks again all! You rock and this is without a doubt the best forum I've been to.
Spacinjason



ObieWonDakota
Dodge Dakota
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3/20/2006
11:16:56

RE: Good bye
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Jason ~ If you can stay off the accelerator with that Subaru, your gas mileage may be good. My guess...if it's that quick, you won't be able to keep the foot on the accelerator "lightly." LOL!

I'm going to sell my Dak as well. Like you, don't want to but I need better MPG. Like I said in this forum before, I used to own a Neon and will probably get another. I can pick up a used one (2005 model) with less than 30K for about $8500. I will save about $1300+ per year in fuel costs, plus I can finance that for 3 years and my payments will be less than what I'm paying on my Dak now. Don't want to do it, but HAVE to do it. Midlife crisis at 37??? LOL! I'm 45 and I'm still waiting for one. Maybe buying the Dak was it and I just missed it. THAT also happens with age.



jpkomm
Dodge Dakota
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3/20/2006
12:01:20

RE: Good bye
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Obie, I think he is using the mileage as an excuse.. his foot is going to be buried in the accelerator for quite some time. ;) You're addicted to speeeeed! :D

Well, Spacinjason, do what makes ya happy. You can always get a used higher-mileage Reg cab Gen III V8 later on to play around in. I didn't realize you got such a low mpg average on your Dak. That would really make a difference. I get 19-21 on flat highway. Gets pretty low driving in the hills though (I *really* need a 4.10 posi!).

I've actually been considering getting a crackerbox Corolla for commuting. My mom has a 2001 that I bought her a couple years ago. Little sucker gets somewhere between 32 and 38mpg highway. Granted, it is a tight fit for me (6'1", 195lbs), but they are peppy little cars and hold up pretty well. I feel spoiled getting into my Dak after driving her car though. *grin*

37 is a bit soon for a mid-life I think.. Maybe it is a primer? ;)



Kowalski
GenIII
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3/20/2006
17:31:02

RE: Good bye
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Enjoy your turbo Baja - definitely cheaper on gas, even running the premium. That's what we got for my wife last year; only mod so far is the Valentine radar detector - nice to know what direction that signal's coming from. Sweet machine - cruising 85 on the highway feels like 60 and you're already in the boost - its ready to jump from there. Mopar has neglected to offer a vehicle with this kind of power, economy, and 4wd capability. Can't plow or tow like my truck, but makes a great rig if you don't need that.

Lead, follow, or get out of the way

Spacinjason
Dodge Dakota
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3/20/2006
18:10:08

RE: Good bye
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Thanks Kowalski. The Baja will sh!t and get in a hurry! It's hard to keep your foot out of it as it is so fun! If Dodge offered something similar, I would have bought another Dodge. Closes thing would be a PT Cruiser Turbo, but I wanted an open bed (even if it is only 3.5 ft.!).
Have you liked your Baja that you bought for your wife? Any problems or issues I should know about? What year is yours? Do you have a MT or AT? I thought about the AT for this vehicle(you can get an AT with a seperate gate for manual type shifts)but decided to get the MT with my first Turbo. I would always be whining later that I didn't get the MT! Not to mention that I have not bought a vehicle with AT for my daily driver for over 20 years. Wifes Camry is AT.
Nice thing about the Dak was that I always knew I had the towing/hauling ability if needed. I just rarely utilized it to it's full potential. I have a 13" travel trailer to tow and it is within the Baja's towing specifications.
Thanks in advance for any replies! Peace!
Spacinjason



Kowalski
GenIII
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3/21/2006
16:05:13

RE: Good bye
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'05 MT - much peppier than the AT we test drove, no problems. Open bed is nice, but we wouldn't consider anything less than 4WD with her hilly, twisty winter commute - that left the PT out, though she liked the styling. She's done well with Subaru, had an '87 Brat (last year made) for 10 years that was pretty much trouble free. Was driving a '03 Forrester we compromised on ( I didn't want to shell out for the Baja at the time) when they sent us a good offer to trade 'cause they were in high demand. With both our rigs paid off and me wanting to keep the Dak for a good while yet, I told her she could have the Baja if she got the turbo. She's been thrilled ever since, must have told me how much she liked it every day for months...

My only advice for anyone considering a Baja is get the turbo, the base motor is the same as the lighter Forrester; and it was a dog in that as soon as you added the weight of a passenger.

Lead, follow, or get out of the way

2003flrt
R/T
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3/21/2006
17:50:02

RE: Good bye
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had an 05 baja rental when i was in TN last year.it was loaded to the max and was a std /no turbo. i was quite impressed with it.

2003 R/T Superchips,cai,tps mod,map mod,iat relocate,Sirius sattelite radio,autolite 3923's

KJS
*GenIII*
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3/21/2006
20:35:17

RE: Good bye
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Just because you got rid of the dak, doesn't mean you still can't come on here and chat with us, you still owned one and know all about it

The path of the righteous man is beset on all sides with the iniquities of the selfish and the tyranny of evil men. Blessed is he who in the name of charity and good will shepherds the weak through the valley of darkness, for he is truly his brother's keeper and the finder of lost children. And I will strike down upon those with great vengeance and with furious anger those who attempt to poison and destroy my brothers. And you will know that my name is the Lord when I lay my vengeance upon thee

Spacinjason
Dodge Dakota
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3/22/2006
06:50:18

RE: Good bye
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Thanks KJS, I may still have something to offer the group now and then after owning a Dak for over five years.
Spacinjason



Spacinjason
Dodge Dakota
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3/24/2006
11:30:21

RE: Good bye
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Thanks for the response Kowalski! My nieghbor has an '03 Baja with the non turbo MT, and I drove it and it does seem a little underpowered. I'm glad I got the Turbo!
Spacinjason



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