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LI Blackdak
Dodge Dakota
1/03/2002
17:21:06
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 Subject: consumer reports compact pickup truck re
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The Ford Explorer Sport Trac is the most well-rounded vehicle in this class. Handling, braking, and acceleration are all pretty good, and the cabin is spacious and versatile. An uncomfortable ride and noisy engine are low points. Based on similar Ford models, reliability is likely to be average.
The Dodge Dakota has a lot going for it, with its roomy, comfortable cabin; strong V8; full-time 4WD; and longer (5-foot) cargo bed. The ride and handling aren't bad for this class. But the big engine and longer, heavier body take a toll in fuel economy, which is a very low 13 mpg. In addition, the brakes are below par and reliability has been worse than average.
As a rugged work truck, the Toyota Tacoma is hard to beat. The V6 runs smoothly and strongly, fuel economy is the best of the group at 16 mpg, and the brakes are very good. Reliability has been very good, too. With its off-road package, it traversed our rutted, boulder-strewn off-road course with aplomb. However, as a passenger vehicle, the Tacoma leaves much to be desired. The seat and driving position are uncomfortable. The ride is poor and the handling unresponsive, especially with the off-road package.
The Chevrolet S-10 is an unobjectionable everyday vehicle except for its below-average reliability. The cabin is very quiet, the ride is fairly comfortable, and handling is quite acceptable. The seats are not very comfortable. Other S-10 models have had subpar crash-test results.
The Nissan Frontier rates the lowest of the group, by a substantial margin. The supercharged V6 engine is noisy, gulps a thirsty 14 mpg, and is the only engine in the group to require premium fuel. In addition, the ride is poor, the cabin is noisy and uncomfortable, handling is unresponsive, and crash-test results are not encouraging. Reliability of non-supercharged versions has been average.
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Clevite 77
Dodge Dakota
1/03/2002
18:07:22
| RE: consumer reports compact pickup truck re
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Well if that's all they have to say about the truck, is it's bad gas mileage, hell it's not like we own geo metros and it's a bigger truck it's not going to stop on a dime.
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CThomp
Dodge Dakota
1/03/2002
19:05:08
| RE: consumer reports compact pickup truck re
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Just replace the rotors and the pads and I think it does just fine. What kind of driving were they doing to get 13mpg? What model was it? I have never gotten that bad of milage. My worst ever was 14mpg.
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LI Blackdak
Dodge Dakota
1/03/2002
22:36:15
| RE: consumer reports compact pickup truck re
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they tested a QC 4.7 4x4 auto
i dont know, and my brakes are great! of course V6 CCs are lighter then 4.7 QCs. but they basically say its they best truck and then picked a different one that they said was worse. I dont get them.
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xplikt
Dodge Dakota
1/04/2002
00:27:16
| RE: consumer reports compact pickup truck re
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I've seen about the same reviews on Edmunds and CarPoint (Microshaft) saying about the exact same thing, and the Dakota being number 1!
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LI Blackdak
Dodge Dakota
1/04/2002
00:33:56
| RE: consumer reports compact pickup truck re
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last year cr rated it the highest and still gave their pick to the ranger/mazda
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Clevite 77
Dodge Dakota
1/04/2002
01:17:43
| RE: consumer reports compact pickup truck re
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My new 02 gets an average of 13 maybe 14mpg. I have a 4.7L CC 4x4 w/ 3.92's and all the heavy duty options I could buy, including the 5900# gvw oh well like I said if I wanted gas mileage I would have bought a geo.
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Demon-Xanth
Dodge Dakota
1/04/2002
01:42:42
| RE: consumer reports compact pickup truck re
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It appears that they compared cars with open air trunks, not trucks.
...just based on what they looked at :)
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CThomp
Dodge Dakota
1/04/2002
08:08:53
| RE: consumer reports compact pickup truck re
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They picked the heaviest Dakota possible to test. But I guess thats what they do though. I wonder if the 5.9L would get better gas milage in that model rather than the 4.7L because it wouldn't have to work as hard. Yeah my front brakes suck. New rotors and pads are being shipped now. Rear drums are in good shape though. I wouldn't mind upgrading the rear to discs in the future.
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Rascal
Dodge Dakota
1/04/2002
09:20:54
| RE: consumer reports compact pickup truck re
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Of course these are the idiots, (CR), that picked the diesel Rabbit as number one back in the 70s...
Rascal
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Webtiger
GenIII
1/05/2002
01:38:18
|  RE: consumer reports compact pickup truck re
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I believe the good folks at CR drink heavily and do a lot of drugs...has anyone driven the Ford Explorer? Not even close to the same class as the Dak!
BTW, I just cancelled my subscription to CR after reading that...sent them a nice note telling them they wouldn't know a truck if it ran over their desk :-)
Ken Grierson
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LI Blackdak
Dodge Dakota
1/05/2002
03:03:27
| RE: consumer reports compact pickup truck re
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lol
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