I am thinking of buying a Dakota but I hear that they are real gas hogs.
Is this consistant with the experience of the members of this groups?
Thanks
rq
.boB - 12 Aug 2005 00:24 GMT
> I am thinking of buying a Dakota but I hear that they are real gas hogs.
> Is this consistant with the experience of the members of this groups?
>
> Thanks
>
> rq
Yes, and no. My truck gets 12 in town, and 16 on the freeway (80mph+). 18-19 on
the backroads, with speeds around 60mph.
But, it can tow 6,000#+, it's a 4x4, it's quick, stable, and comfortable. If
capability is your major concern, buy the Dakota. If fuel mileage is your primary
concer, buy a Ranger. Life's full of trade offs.

Signature
.boB
1997 HD FXDWG - Turbocharged!
2001 Dodge Dakota QC 5.9/4x4/3.92
1966 Mustang Coupe - Daily Driver
1965 FFR Cobra - Finally on the Road!
mac davis - 12 Aug 2005 16:24 GMT
>I am thinking of buying a Dakota but I hear that they are real gas hogs.
>Is this consistant with the experience of the members of this groups?
>
>Thanks
>
>rq
yes, compared to a car...
no, compared to a full sized truck...
We have a 99 ram QQ 2wd with the 360... tows well if you like 8 mpg and is
comfortable on trips if you can handle 15 mpg...
I wouldn't do any serious towing with our 01 club cab dakota with 4.7L auto &
2wd, but compared to the ram, it's a blast to drive... the 4.7 is a great engine
with a lots of power for a mid-size truck...much crisper acceleration, (I think
what the ram does is accelerate), handles like a car on winding roads, stops
very well, etc...
Averages about 12 mpg in town and 18 - 20 on trips, on crappy Calif. gas...
My brother gets 30 to 50 mpg in his Lexas hybrid SUV, so if you want to spend
$60,000 you can save some money on gas.. *g*
mac
Please remove splinters before emailing
The Reverend Natural Light - 12 Aug 2005 18:41 GMT
'02 Dakota Quad Cab, 4x4, 5.9L, Auto -- 15mpg combined. A friend has
an extended cab Dakota 4.7L 4x4 5-speed and gets around 20mpg. Mileage
went up noticeably after installing a Flowmaster "Truck and SUV style"
50 series muffler and it sounds really good.
So, not bad but not good either. You have to do the math before buying
based on gas mileage and include the non-tangible benefits as well.
For me, I wouldn't trade my truck for any other.
Twix - 13 Aug 2005 04:13 GMT
>I am thinking of buying a Dakota but I hear that they are real gas hogs.
>Is this consistant with the experience of the members of this groups?
>
>Thanks
>
>rq
Just traded up my 00 Dak QC 4.7. Loved the truck. A true trooper in
snow and mud. I got 13-14 city and 15-16 highway. It towed well and
handled quite nicly. Well worth the investment.
Jay - 13 Aug 2005 04:44 GMT
My 02 Dakota 4x4 clubcab 4.7L auto got 15mpg on the average no interstate
just two lane highway and city. Traded it off for 05 Ram 4x4 QQ Hemi with
450 miles on the clock I'm getting 11.2 now.
>>I am thinking of buying a Dakota but I hear that they are real gas hogs.
>>Is this consistant with the experience of the members of this groups?
[quoted text clipped - 6 lines]
> snow and mud. I got 13-14 city and 15-16 highway. It towed well and
> handled quite nicly. Well worth the investment.
JPH - 15 Aug 2005 04:29 GMT
My 2004 4.7 QuadCab 4x2 gets about 15 commuting on a short 5 mile one
way trip. Worst mileage was 12 towing 4700 pounds across the mountains
in TN, coming back without the trailer I got my best at 20.5, going 70
average speed.
Just took a 1000 mile trip this weekend pulling a pop-up camper, got 15
heading into a 20 knot headwind at 70 MPH, coming back got 17.5 with a
10 knot tailwind going 65.
Hope this helps.
John
> I am thinking of buying a Dakota but I hear that they are real gas hogs.
> Is this consistant with the experience of the members of this groups?
>
> Thanks
>
> rq
Martin - 22 Aug 2005 17:45 GMT
> I am thinking of buying a Dakota but I hear that they are real gas hogs.
> Is this consistant with the experience of the members of this groups?
>
> Thanks
>
> rq
Wow, after reading the responses you've received to date, I am
surprised at how bad the Dakota mileage really is. My full-size 2003
Ram with V8 Hemi is getting better mileage, both in-town and highway,
than these Dakotas. It doesn't make sense, particularly on the
highway, where profile of the smaller truck should be a big advantage.
Martin
Martin - 22 Aug 2005 17:45 GMT
> I am thinking of buying a Dakota but I hear that they are real gas hogs.
> Is this consistant with the experience of the members of this groups?
>
> Thanks
>
> rq
Wow, after reading the responses you've received to date, I am
surprised at how bad the Dakota mileage really is. My full-size 2003
Ram with V8 Hemi is getting better mileage, both in-town and highway,
than these Dakotas. It doesn't make sense, particularly on the
highway, where profile of the smaller truck should be a big advantage.
Martin
George Schussler - 23 Aug 2005 05:08 GMT
I have a 2005 Dakota quad cab 4x4 awd automatic with the 4.7lt V8. I
average about 16.5 around town and 18.5 on the open highway with the ac
running. I have about 8500 miles on the truck.
>I am thinking of buying a Dakota but I hear that they are real gas hogs. Is
>this consistant with the experience of the members of this groups?
>
> Thanks
>
> rq