- pickup 120,296
- 582 below average
- 7,995 fair
- Winter Garden, FL
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- autoshopper.com
- 582 below average pickup 120,296 grey automatic
2005 dodge dakota review this car review is specific to this model, not the actual vehicle for sale. All-new, bigger, with the only optional v8 in the class. introductionthe all-new 2005 dodge dakota represents yet another bold move into the truck market for dodge. With sales of basic small trucks in steady decline, dodge has redesigned the dakota as a much larger, much edgier and more macho midsize pickup. The dakota is now the largest and by far the most powerful pickup in the segment. dakota competes against ford ranger, chevrolet colorado, gmc canyon, toyota tacoma, and nissan frontier. As with full-size pickups, competition for compact or mid-size trucks is hot. Though the ranger is dated, canyon, colorado, tacoma, and frontier are totally new pickups for either 2004 or 2005. Dakota's biggest advantage, other than its larger size, is the availability v8 engines, not one, but two of them. Its towing capacity has been expanded to 7,150 pounds, by far the most in the class. built on a new frame, the new dakota is substantially longer than the previous model with styling that complements the recently redesigned durango suv and ram pickup. Getting in is easy and the redesigned interior is comfortable and convenient with controls that are easy to reach and operate. underway, the dakota is smooth and quiet. The optional 4. 7-liter v8 burbles subtly in the background when cruising, but really scoots when the throttle is mashed. Yet its fuel economy is rated within 1 mpg of the standard v6's. The steering is light for easy maneuverability in crowded parking lots. Standard-cab pickups have faded in popularity as families are increasingly using pickups for recreation and as a transportation alternative to a car. So dodge doesn't even offer a regular cab dakota. either body style and all three trim levels come standard with a 3. 7-liter v6. A 4. 7-liter magnum v8 engine 785) is available on all models. A high-output version of the 4. 7-liter v8 is available for the slt and laramie trim levels. Both bodies are built on the same wheelbase. Club cabs now feature small doors to access the rear compartment, which the old model did not have. club cab and quad cab are available in st, slt, or lariat trim levels. The st trim level comes standard with 16-inch wheels. Slt adds 16-inch aluminum wheels, fog lamps, tilt steering, dual rear seats, and power windows, locks and mirrors. In addition, the mopar aftermarket parts side of chrysler will have dozens of appearance, performance and entertainment options that can be installed at the dealership before or after delivery. The dakota retains the look of the dodge ram and durango, though it looks crisper and the grille is laid back, not vertical. All models come with front and rear tow hooks and tie-downs in the bed. new to the dakota is an enhanced accident response system or ears, which automatically turns on interior lights and unlocks doors in the event of an air bag deployment, so that medical or response personnel can help faster and easier. interiorjust about everything on the inside of the dakota is new. There are new black-on-white gauges with chrome rings, with the central speedometer about twice as large as the other two gauges. The angular center stack houses the sound system, climate controls and vents. The rear seats are deliberately stepped up on their bases so that rear-seat occupants can see out more easily, and they are split into 40/20/40 folding sections with two rear cupholders. the driver's seat, the only one we occupied for any length of time, looked good and felt good with its upper and lower support wings and good padding where it counts. Interior room, even for a tall, gangly driver like me, was excellent. It's the best in the class with this new cab size. A center console and lots of cubbyholes provide space to stash stuff. new interior features for the 2005 dakota include standard head restraints and shoulder belts for all seat positions, taller head restraints, optional sirius satellite radio, and an optional hands-free communications system that uses bluetooth technology to make a compatible cellphone work as part of the truck. driving impressionthe test truck, which was configured for five with front bucket seats, was surprisingly quiet, smooth and civil in its behavior, more like a car than a truck inside. The glass is 20 percent thicker, mufflers are larger, and there's more sound insulation throughout the body and firewall than before. It drives bigger than it looks, with a hefty, ram-like way about it, a nicely muscular street swagger. the 4. 7-liter magnum v8 engine costs a little extra, but for us it was worth every penny, because fuel mileage barely takes a hit (epa-estimated city/highway 15/19 for the v6, 14/19 for the v8). The 3. 7-liter magnum v6 is rated 210 horsepower and 235 pound-feet of torque. The 4. 7-liter v8 generates 230 horsepower and 290 pound-feet of torque. At highway speeds it settled down into a nice background burble in overdrive fifth gear. Its strong torque means plenty of low-down grunt for pulling payloads of up to 1,800 pounds or towing up to 7,150 pounds. the transmission has perfectly spaced ratios for trucking, and worked without complaint, roughness or harshness, even in high-rpm full-throttle upshifts. With only two occupants and no load, it really scoots from the stoplight despite the nearly 4800 pound weight of the quad cab 4x4. The chunky steering wheel feels great in the hands. The truck tracks extremely well, responds quickly to inputs, and stays hunkered down during mountain road playtime. Its 265/70r16 bfgoodrich wrangler tires were both grippy in corners and very quiet at highway speeds, adding a measure of plushness to the ride quality that we really appreciated. And the dakota start. Bucket Seats✔ Power Windows✔ Anti-lock Brakes✔ Cruise Control✔ Leather Seats✔ Chrome Wheels✔ Bluetooth✔ Aluminum Wheels
7,995 Winter Garden, FLWinter Garden, FL at autoshopper.com