Trying to be a good american........

[chumbucket]

So Ferm, If I felt the same way as you, what would you have bought instead of a Tacoma or Frontier? Please don't tell me you would buy the GM Canyon/Colorado. Please. Is there anything uglier than the Dodge Dakota? Please.

[THEFERMANATOR]

Originally Posted by chumbucket

So Ferm, If I felt the same way as you, what would you have bought instead of a Tacoma or Frontier? Please don't tell me you would buy the GM Canyon/Colorado. Please. Is there anything uglier than the Dodge Dakota? Please.

I wouldn't have bought a mid sized in a new truck myself. I don't like the CANYON/COLORADO myself as I despise teh gutless wonder of a 5 cylinder engien they put in them. I like the DAKOTA before 05 as I had a 00 model with 4.7L in it. I'm just not a fan of the imports as they haven't proven themselves to be trouble free like everybody says from what I have seen.

[chumbucket]

OK, but with the miles I put on, I needed new. So I guess we can just agree to disagree, because for me and a lot of the guys I work with, the imports have without a doubt proven themselves.

[Destroyer]

I work for a real estate development company. We build very large warehouses and data centers. (We just finished a 400,000 sq ft data center for the NY stock exchange as an example). The boss buys nothing but GMC trucks for the foremen. (10 trucks, various years) All 3500HD's Since they are always in dirt and dust we have a fairly agressive maintenance program for them. But in the 8 years I've been with the company I haven't seen a single one of them break down. I've seen several of the workers dodge trucks need major repairs, and some of the Toyota and Nissan trucks as well. I drive a 2007 Ford Ranger and it's been super nice. Fast, sporty, takes a beating and keeps looking for more.. I guess my point is there are good and bad in every brand.

[cfelton]

Yep, when I swamp logged for a living I drove a Chevrolet 3500 4x4 crew cab that was really tough. Only trouble I had was I had to replace a small solenoid in the transmission about every 25000 miles. I've had my Toyota Tacoma for 14 years and never replaced anything but normal stuff like brake pads and filters. I change the motor oil and rotate the tires every 3000 miles. Its now got 286000 miles on it and runs as good as the day I bought it. Dosen't burn or leak a drop of oil and still has plenty of power for a v6. The Toyota trucks are really tough. Id love ta have a new Tundra but hate truck payments.

[ssiredfish]

Hey CB - JOIN THE CLUB!!!!!

I would have rather set fire to my Dodge than wholesale'd it!!!!!

3 - Radiators

1 - Tranny

1 - Upper/Lower Ball Joint replacement

I finally ditched it when I need a whole new steering assembly. This truck would even turn off if you hit the breaks to hard!!!! I can still today shift to neutral, restart and put back into gear in 1.7secs.....I had LOTS of practice....

Something tells me you had one that was a 96'-98'???????

[chumbucket]

Mine was a '95. I didn't have to replace the radiator, but I did have the other problems you stated along with rear axle seals, vacuum lines to the transfer case, and way too many sets of brakes. Oh and the dreaded violent wobble at random speeds that wasn't related to front end alignment, wheel balancing, U joints or anything normal. Just periodical whole vehicle shaking. Come to a stop and re-start and would go away.
When I got rid of it on paper it was worth probably $5000. I sold it for $1500 because of all the problems. I told the guy buying why the price was low. He was okay with it when he bought it. Some time after he bought it, I bumped into him. He drove the truck for about a month, parked it in his yard and there it still sits rotting away.