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Show C-17 The Park Record Sat/Sun/Mon/Tues, June 18-21, 2005 T he Dakot.i has always been iis own categor>r of one, positioned somewhen: between pint-sized compact trucks and full-size rigs. As others finally get the hint and close the gap, the D;tkoi;i IN back at it again, reinventing itself to he different, and. above all, a leader. Although only a bit. bigger tiia/i be tore, it's close enough to full-size for a little overlap with the Ram. For example, you can't get a regular-cab Dakota. For that you need to get a Ram. Conversely, there's no extended-cab Ram, which, coincident!)- or not, is ihe base configuration of the Dakota. The new "Dak" rounds out a complete makeover of the Dodge truck lineup. El meets the stated goal of the brand: leadership. Dodge claims the Ram 1500 equipped with the 345horsepower 5.7-liter OHV "Hemi" is the most powerful mass-production lightduty pickup and that the Viper-powered Ram SRT-10 us fastest (the Guinness Book of World Records backs up that claim). Certainly the Ram HD with the Cummins lurbo-diesel is one of the strongest. and the new Power Wagon I ID that sports 33inch tall tires one of the most capable olT-maders out there. The Dakota follows suit. Many of the components are shared with the new-last-year Durango sport-utility vehicle. According to Dodge, the frame has eight times the torsional (twisting) rigidity and twice the bending resistance of its predecessor. Although the design is distinctive. Dennis Myles, senior design manager at the Dodge truck studios said the original sketches of the current Ram provided inspiration. "Those early drawings showed very sharp creases and were more edgy than we thought the publicwould buy into at ihe time." Lined up beside the current Ram and new Durango. the Dakota looks sharp and modern. Mimicking the Durango, the interior look is refined and feels a bit more upscale, partly due to a new instrument panel accentuated by ;ui enormous round speedometer and accompanying white-faced gauges. The center control stack isn't fancy, but it gets the job done. The Quad Cab's rear compartment will comfortably accommodate two adults, while the back of the Club Cab should be considered comfortable enough only for short runs. The rear doors of both the euended-leneih Club Cab 2005 Dodge Dakota *f.t.J-size pckup ovaiable in e cab and lew-door C!ut> Cab mock-!: and in two- Of lour-whetl drive. *N'o Hcmi, bul there's a 215-hofSt-pcwcr 3 7-iler SOHC V6 and two vt-ts-ons ol the 4.7-Uef SOHC V8 v.-ith ?3O and 250 horsepower, respoclrvc-y *Sn-tpeed 1r.3r.u2i 13 new ihe base transon lha V6 and I he base 4.7 A five-speod automate s opional on the 4.7, wh.-ie a lour-speed automatic is opional on Ihe 3 7. •The luj^-ouipul 4.7 is reserved I c IHo hrgfvjf-e.id Latam.* and SLT n-jxteis *Tbe rof.7 Datola minves some ol Ihe Durangos {SUV) lealurei and boncrM many 0! i's structural Yemenis * There's no regulv-cab modal For ihat you'd rFe^d a ftlH'ze Ram •Safety: Front a.ib.393; Sida'tags (opl), rcax ABS *MPG(city/hwy): 17/ 22 (V6J • Base price: S'9.200 By JEFF MELNYCHUK WHEELBASE COMMUNICATIONS and four-door Quad Cab models open a full 90-degrees, lessening the frustration of loading a box that "should fit", but doesn't. The 2005 Dakota has not only grown up, it has been working out in the gym. There are three engine choices, including a pair of 4.7-litcr V8s and an equal number of transmissions. And, no, this doesn't "got a Hemi." To create some distinction, the Hemi is reserved for the Ram. Even still, the 4.7-liter V8s arc class defining. There's no other midsize trucks with this many pistons under the hood. It no doubt helps the Dakota tow up to 7,150 lbs (an increase of 650). That's in full-size territory'. As well. il continues to offer a two-speed, full-time fourwheel-drive transfer case in addition to the base part-time system. Although the '05 Dakota adds size, capability and content. Dodge seems to have held the line on price. You can spec out a base ST model with a V8 for less than S20,000. However, you can also open up your wallet and spend up to $12,000 more for a line-lopping 4x4 leather-lined Laramie. Driving the new Dakota reveals new attention to reducing noise, vibration and harshness. According to Dodge, the side glass is 20-per-thicker and with a bigger muffler the package is less r u mb 1y . Extensive attention to aerodynamics and insulation has helped, loo. Based on its size, the Dakota has always been a leader. For 2005, this class of one widens the gap with distinctive style and features that pull the rug out from under wouldbe competitors. Does the Dakota measure up as a leader? Mission accomplished. JOHN MECHAM DODGE CHRYSLER JEEP in PARK CITY CERTIFICATE $500 K1 igibIc.Date June I£i-|vmc23, 20U5 / New 'CM & W IUIH 151X1 i / New '05 GmncI CheniLec ; / New '05 PT CmiMrr : S New 'i>S PT Cruiser flunveroble • $500 Cotflacl muil be llr.«nc«f through! CfsyiJw Fln*r>v!*J June 16-23 • NO payments until 2006 • $500 Mopar aaessories coupon 2005 DODGE DURANGO SLT 12 at this ptke! SO to thoose from! JUST (FOR 38 FOR ONLY 'MONTHS #251084 2005 DODGE DAKOTA QUADCAB YEAH, IT'S GOT A to choose from NOW JUST f UNDER INVOICE L£V 14667 2005 DODGE 15OO QUADCAB #251109, 2005 RAM 2 5 0 0 SLT #251089 YEAH, IT'S GOT A O R LEASE FOR ONLY FOR 23 MONTHS SU model, Automatic, Loaded! #251002 NOW JUST YOU $ SAVE MSRPs $27,130 Mechom Dtscouit: * 3 1 6 0 Consumer Cosh: $ 2 5 0 0 Trade Cash: $ 1 O O O YourPRrCL;20/47D Includes REAR DVD! LEV 2 0 2 4 8 "All require Irode-in loyally, Durango requires commercial tebote, rebqire ore included in soles priie. Prkes and poymenls ore plus tax and license. Leases require leose loyalty awl 3000 cosh or trade farm ond include 12K yearly mitage. Price match limited lo local market oreo. We reserve the right to order comparable vehicles. OAC 99 Dodge Grand Caravan Child seats, spotless: $ 6 9 9 5 02 Dodge Dakota QuadCab 04 Dodge Dakota QuadCabs 05 Dodge Durangos V8, right miles, custom shell: $ 1 7 / 7 5 O Only 2 left starting at... $ 2 1 , 9 9 5 Three to choose from, starting at... $ 2 3 , 9 9 5 07 Bukk LeSabre Custom Right miles, clean, one owner: $ 1 0 / 6 5 0 04 Mazda 3 Low miles, super clean: $ 1 7 , 9 9 5 04 & OS Chrysler AWD Patifkas 4 left (some with Nav. ond DVD} starting at... $ 2 1 , 9 9 5 04 Subaru Outback VDC Wagon Automatic: $ 2 4 ^ 9 9 5 02 Kia Sportage 03 Mazda Tribute BS Loaded, leather: $ 1 8 , 9 9 5 Only 34K miles, high mpg commuter: $ 1 0 , 9 9 5 04 Chrysler Sebrings Low miles, 4 to choose from starting at... $ 1 1 , 9 9 5 00 to 04 Jeep Grand Cherokees Special Editions, Umiteds, Laredos, 5 in stock starting at... $ 1 3 , 9 9 5 OS Honda Civit IX Four door, only 7,000 miles: $ 1 5 , 9 9 5 OS Chrysler PT Cruiser Convertible Low miles: $ 1 9 , 6 5 0 Turbo 02 Chrysler Town & Country limited All-wheel drive, extra low miles: $ 1 9 , 9 9 5 03 Chevrolet 1S00 Extended Cab Great shape, right price: $ 2 1 , 9 5 0 02 Volkswagen Evrovan CIS 0 4 Toyota 4Runners New tires, very low miles, vacation-ready: $21,995 Low miles, right price: $ 2 4 * 9 9 5 OS Chrysler Sebring Convertible Limited Two to choose from at $ 2 3 , 9 5 0 Short bed, Power Stroke, low miles, really clean: $26,850 05 Toyota Sienna IE AWD Vans 02 tnfiniti QX4 Pearl white, rear video, low miles: $23,995 01 Ford F3S0 SvperCab Only two left, low miles: $ 2 8 * 9 9 5 04 Land Rover Distovery SE Leather, dual moonroofs, right color: $ 2 9 , 6 5 0 See our entire inventory online at www.johmeihamauto.tom Wl 11 y «9_g« MECHAMi 2700 MSMUSSEN ROAD, PARK CITY • 866 531-6685 • johnmechamauto.com |