Nothing has gone wrong with this truck.
This is the first truck I've ever bought on my own. I've had others since I was 16 (1997 Ford F150 (4.2 V6) and 1994 Chevy Caprice (4.3 V8) and I have to say that I think the Dakota out classes both vehicles hands down.
Comparing to the 1997 Ford F150 4.2L
* Areas where the Dakota is better
- Power
- Handling
- Comfort
- Audio System
- Cab Noise is MUCH less than the ford
- easier access to engine components
- Aesthetics (Appearance)
- Better Horn (still weak, but the ford is really dinky and wouldn't work on cold days)
- Better Value IMHO
* Areas where the F150 is better
- More Cab room
- Sat higher
- Bigger Mirrors.
Now for the comparison with the
94' Chevy Caprice 4.3L V8
* Areas where the Dakota is better
- Handling
- better acceleration/low end power
- Engine components are easier to get to
- Better suspension
- Sits Higher
- MUCH better looking
- Smaller Steering wheel easier to control
- Overall better Ride
* Areas where the Caprice is better
- More top end power
- Overall room (duh, 4 door car)
- slightly more comfortable
- sounded better (V8 and had Flow masters on it)
- Takes hard bumps better, but floats even with new shocks.
The Dakota beats the F150 hands down, but there isn't really much to compare between the caprice. But this should give some of you a better idea of what it's looking at.
My Favorite points about the Dakota:
- MUCH roomier than other similar trucks
- Great power without much compromise on fuel efficiency
- Handles GREAT and rides better than many cars
- Not a better looking truck on the market
- PLENTY of different packages to choose from to suite anyone's needs.
You say you had a 4.3 V8? The only problem with that statement is GM DOES NOT make a 4.3 V8. The 4.3 is a V6.
Actually, GM did make a 4.3 liter EIGHT cylinder engine and used it in the 1994-1996 Caprice.
Although I think comparing a pickup truck to a car doesn't really make any sense anyway.
4.3L is a v6, orginally it's a v8 block with Two cylinders chopped off.
Why are you comparing your dakota to the ford? They're 6 years apart! SIX years dude. Plus 97 was a bad year for the f150 due to recalls and problems with the new design while your dakota has most of the kinks worked out of it.
Don't compare a caprice to a dakota. That's not right.
Though your truck may seem nice and great now, wait till the uber awesome chrysler tranny fails and your truck goes to hell mechanically.
How can you say a small V8 gets good mpg?
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