Well I find myself in a delimma. My current daily driver a 95 Ranger (w/170k+) is just getting old and it is time for me to move on to another truck. However, I am having trouble deciding on what I want. I need something bigger then a regular cab Ranger and was thinking about a Dodge Dakota (X-cab) seeing as I didn't want to go all the way with a full size truck. What do you guys think.

Sean

I have a 99 Dodge 4x4 extended cab with the V6 bought new, On a scale of 1 to 10 (10 = best), I give it a solid 6...gas mileage combined is 15-16 miles to the gallon or less than a full size chevy 4x4, It has 78k on it now and so far I have had the radiator, waterpump, tension pully, cat, headlight switch, and steering column radio volume switch relpaced, some on warranty, some not. Now I am going to change the upper balljoints, and a tie-rod, It's a little loose up front, (upper balljoints are a common problem on 2003 and earlier dakotas) Because the V6 is a good powerplant that should give me a few more years, I'm going to repair the front end and drive it for a while, then get a chevy 4x4 fullsize...Why not look at the new chevy Colorado, I think DJD picked one up and is quite happy with it. graemlins/thumbsup.gif Maybe he will chime in and give you his take on the Colorado...good luck...Mike smile.gif

My wife drives a '99 durango that is basically the same thing. We have had a lot of problems with it and will not be buying another Dodge product. It is currently on its third transmission, has had sensors go out about 5 times, power window motors fail regularly, the A/C blower motor needs replacement, the rear gears are getting noisy and the leather is showing a lot of wear. It has 45000 miles on it right now.

Scott.

We had a 98 durango, and had zero problems with it, luck of the draw, I guess. This years Dakota is bigger now, as is the durange. Wife has a trailblazer now, it's ok but a lil boring, basically same truck as Colorado, several here have said good things about that one. A buddy is on his third ranger, don't think he'd ever buy anything else, cause his sister owns a furd dealership

After doing my homework my choices were the Tacoma or Colorado Crew Cabs (4 doors 5' beds). The Colorado won out, pricing was the #1 deciding factor, over all styling was #2. I have owned 3 Nissans without a single complaint to register on any of them. Didn't give Nissan a second look though as the new trucks are just to Hollywood-Terminator looking for my taste...

I like the new Toyota. Looks nice and Toyota has really good build quality.