I'm getting one of these two trucks, soon. Help me out with the pro's and con's, people. I'll definitely be buying used, only a few years old. I've heard that Toyota's are really durable, but I think that it would be easier to get a Dodge serviced. Thanks for the advice.
All things being equal, anyone who would recommend the Dakota over the Tacoma loses any credibility they ever had on Hornfans. They're not even comparable. I would choose a Toyota with 200,000 more miles and 10 more years on the road before I would choose the Dakota.
Thanks for the advice. I'm leaning toward the Tacoma. No offense to Dodge drivers, but there's something about the trucks that seem, I don't know, soft? Toyotas just seem like workhorses to me, while it seems like a Dodge would have more problems. Anybody out there drive either of these? Could use some testimonials. I'm going to compare the two on Consumer Reports.com and see what they say, but I'm definitely thinking Tacoma. Thanks everybody.
To my surprise, Consumer Reports has the Dakota ranked higher on their web site. From CR: The Tacoma is not a very well-rounded vehicle. Strengths include a responsive optional 3.4-liter V6, a smooth-shifting automatic transmission, user-friendly displays, and typically-beyond-reproach Toyota reliability. Handling, however, is clumsy, and the ride is very stiff and choppy. The front seats are low and uncomfortable and the rear seats in the extended-cab models are uncomfortable. We tested a four-wheel-drive crew-cab version that acquitted itself extremely well in our demanding off-road courses. Stability control is available for 2004. A tip-up in NHTSA's rollover tests is cause for concern, therefore, we no longer recommend it. Expect a 2005 redesign. The midsized Dakota offers the towing and load-hauling versatility of a full-sized pickup in a smaller, more maneuverable package. The 3.7-liter V6 is a significant upgrade over the old V6. The optional 4.7-liter V8 provides quick acceleration. The automatic transmission shifts smoothly though not always promptly. The Dakota's ride is jittery and unsettled. Handling is vague but secure. Our 2001 Quad Cab (crew-cab) had a roomy, relatively hushed cabin and a tolerable ride. Braking performance was marginal. Reliability is average, but poor offset-crash-test results prevent us from recommending it. A redesigned 2005 model was recently announced.
wit that said that the Dakota will still probably breaks down quicker and more often than the Tacoma. At this point solicit more respnse from people who own both models.
Toyata Tacoma reviews (select your model and find the consumer reviews)The Link Dakota reviews.....The Link
Get a Toyota...you'd be a moron to buy a Dakota. You'll take a 5,000 depreciation hit just driving it off the lot.
I would still pick a Tacoma over a Dakota but be aware that the Tacoma is getting a redesign later this year. If you buy an 04, you're buying the very tail end of the current design. Also, Toyota in general pisses me off with their packages and pricing of options and their goofy distribution structure (where you get some crap put on at the port by Gulf States Toyota before the cars get to the dealership), and that alone has kept me from purchasing Toyota's in the past. Still, I'd pick a Tacoma over a Dakota if those were my choices.
Thanks for all the advice. From what I've read the Dakota costs a little less, has more amenities standard, and might be easier to get serviced. But, the Tacoma just seems way more reliable, which unfortunately makes it more expensive. But I think it's worth it. And I think that I would rather have the more compactness of the Tacoma than the wideness of the Dakota.
Ooops, glossed over the fact that you were buying used. In that case, it's a no-brainer -Tacoma Tacoma Tacoma.
I have to agree - you can spend extra money now to have the Toyota or you can spend more later on repairs- also Toyotas hold resale values better than Dodge trucks.
Toyota. Get your truck from someone who kept the maintenance records. Avoid buying from anyone who looks like he raced it/tricked it out. If he has bling bling dangling from his neck and is an Icy Hot Stunta, run.
Has anyone had any experience with the Tacoma vs the Tundra? I really don't need to do any pulling other maybe occasionally a utility trailor. I generally just need it to haul ****. However, I have an hour plus commute to work every day and this is going to be my primary vehicle. The gas mileage looks to be about 4 mpg difference. I have test driven both but need someone with ownership experience of either or both. Whichever I get will have 4 doors, not just the extended cab or the 'suicide' doors.
If you get the Toyota, try to make sure that it was built in Japan and not the USA. A friend of mine works on advertising for Nissan and he told me that their Initial Quality took a hit because so many of their models are now built in the USA. But he said that most of the Infinitys are still built in Japan and that they are still built well and their I.Q. is still rated much higher. Sad to say, but our UAW employs a large number of slackers. My uncle and cousin are two union members, but I don't know if they are slackers. I do know that they work for FORD in the Kansas City plant, so you don't have to worry about them touching your truck.
Stay away from the 4cyl tacomas. Actually, while I doubt dodge even makes a 4cyl stay away from that also. 4cyl suck on trucks.
