'05 Dakota V-8 starts under 20K

[Buick61]

Jul 21, 2004
Dodge Announces Pricing for Redesigned 2005 Dakota Pickup

by Trevor Hofmann / American Auto Press

At $19,995 the Dakota is the Lowest-Priced V8-Powered Truck in America

With the high volume of new products coming out of Chrysler Group lately the new midsize Dakota pickup truck is almost going unnoticed. That would be a shame, as Dodge looks to have improved the popular model in every respect.

But it's not only the sharp creases of the new styling that will cause most truck buyers to sit up and take notice, nor the improved interior, but the fact that V8 power can be had for less than $20,000, or $19,995.

Full Article Here

[Buick61]

That's awfully cheap for a V-8, of course that's before destination charges (naturally). But it's not a stripper model, either if you read what it comes with. The cheapest stripped 2wd Colorado with the 5 cylinder starts at $17,330...and I don't know if that includes destination. So, there's a difference, but that price will even out with options and such, making a 5 cylinder a tough sell against a proven V-8.

[giagastormer]

Thats Dodge for ya, doesnt offer anything ground breaking in the segment so they slap a gas guzzling V8 into the Dakota for under $20,000.

[Buick61]

Originally posted by giagastormer@Jul 27 2004, 01:00 PM
Thats Dodge for ya, doesnt offer anything ground breaking in the segment so they slap a gas guzzling V8 into the Dakota for under $20,000.

You don't think the only V-8 and six speed manual in its class is groundbreaking? Maybe it isn't, but it's definitely noteworthy.

I like the Canyon/Colorado's exterior better (especially in the offroad get-up) than the Dakota's, but the Dakota has them beat in interior style/quality, size for people and cargo, and towing capacity.

I don't see the big deal for Chevy/GMC to at least offer a DoD V-8 when it comes out.

[ssfan]

Sounds great to me, now if they could just drop in their new 6.1L Hemi and make it the Dakota R/T...

As for the 5.7L Hemi, it seems kind of funny you can buy it loaded in their station wagon (the Magnum) but not as an option for their Dakota.

[monkeylizard]

Keep in mind the one of the primary purposes of the midsize truck market is to help the company meet CAFE requirements. Putting a big, gas-guzzling engine in a small truck really makes no sense, why not just get a full size. I'm sure Dodge will find some enthusiasts, but I don't think it will be high volume. I don't care enough to look it up myself, but can't you get a full-size Dodge pickup with the V8 close to that price given the incentives?

Also, GM can't package a V8 in the Colorado/Canyon. They couldn't even package a inline 6 that is why it is the I5. As much as they are being critisized right now for having the I5 in the Colorado/Canyon, they are really going to be beat up about putting it in the HUMMER 3 due out next year with only the I5 available.

[ByTheLake]

I wonder if cylinder deactivation will ever make it to the Dakota? A V8 might be more engine that most folks need in a mid-sized pickup, and those who do might simply opt for a full-sized pickup.

Even though the new Colorado/Canyon are larger than the S10/Sonoma, I don't think it overlaps too much with the Dakota market. Colorado buyers will only be occasional towers with lighter-duty requirements, using their trucks mostly for commuting.

My daughter has a 4WD Colorado on order and may tow Jet Skis maybe 3 or 4 times a year, otherwise it will be a commuter car. She'd never want to pay for the gas that a V-8 Dakota will consume.

[MelvinJ]

Originally posted by Buick61@Jul 27 2004, 12:27 PM
That's awfully cheap for a V-8, of course that's before destination charges (naturally). But it's not a stripper model, either if you read what it comes with. The cheapest stripped 2wd Colorado with the 5 cylinder starts at $17,330...and I don't know if that includes destination. So, there's a difference, but that price will even out with options and such, making a 5 cylinder a tough sell against a proven V-8.

Actually, I think it probably is a stripper model. Notice how this is worded:

The Dakota ST will also offer a tilt steering wheel, cruise control, UConnect hands-free communication (also late availability), dual rear seats, a sliding rear window, trailer tow package, 4-wheel ABS, and two-row side curtain airbags as optional equipment

The Colorado comes with ABS and air conditioning standard. I'm not sure about the A/C on the Dakota - maybe it's standard, maybe it's not - but the ABS will probably be at least $500.

If I'm reading this right, it sounds like there will no longer be a regular cab Dakota.

[GM_Guy81]

Originally posted by LakeMichigan@Jul 27 2004, 01:31 PM
it didn't move or shake when Dakota first got a V8 years ago, despite their "midsize" segment, Ford and GM handily outsold it as well as some of the imports...will it be the hemi or dare they still put an antiquated V8 in it...oops ...only GM uses those!

Thats the most ignorent statement I've heard in a while. That 4.7 isnt exactly a powerhouse. Its better than that 5.9 they used until a few years ago, but still.
If by antiquated you are referreing to the engines being OHV, guess what, the Hemi is too.

[ponchoman49]

Originally posted by MelvinJ+Jul 27 2004, 09:32 AM--></div><table border='0' align='center' width='95%' cellpadding='3' cellspacing='1'><tr><td>QUOTE (MelvinJ @ Jul 27 2004, 09:32 AM)</td></tr><tr><td id='QUOTE'> <!--QuoteBegin-Buick61@Jul 27 2004, 12:27 PM
That's awfully cheap for a V-8, of course that's before destination charges (naturally).&nbsp; But it's not a stripper model, either if you read what it comes with.&nbsp; The cheapest stripped 2wd Colorado with the 5 cylinder starts at $17,330...and I don't know if that includes destination.&nbsp; &nbsp; So, there's a difference, but that price will even out with options and such, making a 5 cylinder a tough sell against a proven V-8.

Actually, I think it probably is a stripper model. Notice how this is worded:

The Dakota ST will also offer a tilt steering wheel, cruise control, UConnect hands-free communication (also late availability), dual rear seats, a sliding rear window, trailer tow package, 4-wheel ABS, and two-row side curtain airbags as optional equipment

The Colorado comes with ABS and air conditioning standard. I'm not sure about the A/C on the Dakota - maybe it's standard, maybe it's not - but the ABS will probably be at least $500.

If I'm reading this right, it sounds like there will no longer be a regular cab Dakota. [/b][/quote]
A/C is standard on the Dakota and so is rear ABS. The 4- wheel ABS is the option.
You can get a Colorado up to that price real quickly with an extended cab with the 5 cylinder.

[MCGARRETT]

Thats the most ignorent statement I've heard in a while. That 4.7 isnt exactly a powerhouse. Its better than that 5.9 they used until a few years ago, but still.
If by antiquated you are referreing to the engines being OHV, guess what, the Hemi is too.

What I guess that he is reffering to is that people cheer and rave whenever Chrysler shoves a V8 in anything, but whenever GM puts a V8 in something people rant that it's either.....OHV....or not enough HP.....or its DOHC.....or it makes too much HP.....etc...etc..

Also...that Chrysler added a V8 to the Dakota a few years ago and the small truck sales for GM, Ford and Toyota did not colapse.



The Dakota will have the 4.7 litre V8 with 230hp and 290lb-ft of torque. The Colorado/Canyon have the Vortec 3500 I5 with 220hp and 225lb-ft of torque and the 3500 is available in all Colorado/Canyon bodystyles, regular, extended and crew cab models.

But wait......Do you want a FULL SIZE truck with a 4.8 litre V8 or a 5.3 litre V8?

2004 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 with a 275hp 4800 Vortec V8-$19,724 minus a $4000 rebate = $15,724!

Do you want the 285hp 5.3 V8? That will be $20,426 minus a $4000 rebate = $16,426!

2004 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 Extended-Cab with the Vortec 4800 V8 is $25,279 minus a $4000 rebate = $21,279, and extended cab with a 5.3 V8 is $25,981 - $4000 = $21,981

Those are almost Colorado prices! The full-size trucks are such breadwinners and sell in such volume, and the manufacturers offer so many deals on them to keep them moving off the lots, that ofter the deals for the larger full size trucks are a better deal than the smaller lower priced trucks.


All of these prices are for base model Silverados, but all have A/C, 4 wheel disc brakes with ABS, Am-Fm Stereo




By the way.....how do you think that consumers can get proper information when I found this rubbish on CarsDirect.Com.

Dual overhead cam engines are very powerful and more efficient than most pushrod engines of comparable size. Dual overhead cam engines developed out of racing technology. They easily operate at higher RPM and develop more horsepower than older engine designs. Twin-cam engines are typically more responsive than single overhead cam engines.

[MelvinJ]

Don't forget to subtract the $3000 rebate from the price of a Colorado. $2000 from a crew cab. That puts a fairly good-sized gap between the Colorado and the Dakota prices.

Sounds like there are some black-and-white simpletons at CarsDirct.com.

[ibechip]

Hmmmm, if they can put a V-8 and 6 speed in a truck for 20K, could GM put at least an I6 (preferrably a small V-8) in a car? I see a Evo competitor! Yeah I know, it'll never happen (again).

[GM_Guy81]

a small block V8 would fit a whole lot better than the I-6, its the I-6's length and depth that make it hard to package. But it is a superb engine.

Oh, and with all this talk about OHC engines, they are HUGE compared to their OHV cousins. They also weight ALOT more.

[banzai79]

I wish GM would offer smaller rebates and smaller MSRP's, that's what gets most people interested in a vehicle in the first place, IMO.