What a shame. The best locally-made midsize. Yes it needs a refresh, but unibody? Forget it. Looks like Fiat isn't doing the Dodge brand any favors whatsoever. That's what you get when a company takes over an American iconic brand, that has never sold any cars in America - with the exception of Ferrari?

Bummer!! That is what I was afraid of. They're going to kill the Dakota and *might* replace it with something lesser. I love my 2001 Dakota, and was planning on buying a new one next year. If the whole Dodge re-direction wasn't enough to make me stop and think, this certainly does!

Another reason to keep buying Toyota pickups and Tacoma's!

Word is the next generation 4-Runner will still be body on frame which is a solid indication of the next Tacoma that follows suit shortly thereafter!

A unibody Dakota? a Ridgeline clone?? a VW Amorok clone??
doesn't sound like a good move to me!

When you price a midsize truck higher than their own fullsize truck,you are going to lose sales.Fleets (delivery businesses....etc) dont buy Dakotas.They buy Rangers or Tacomas,why? Price! Even GM killed their golden goose fleet truck (S10) when they went to the higher priced Colorado.
Dont they get it? Jack up pricing higher than the competition and they will leave you!

I always liked the Dakota for its smaller size but big truck capability. Dodge needs to keep it truck based, just increase the efficiancy, maybe a direct injection V6.

The shelflife of the dakota has reached its expiration date. I cant remember the last time I seen a current model around town. Its time put this old horse down and bring in the new. I should note that I am a previous owner of a dakota and so I have experience with the product.

I'm getting a tacoma...

I absolutely LOVED my 2000 Dakota, best truck I've ever had really (for what I need). Owned the Durango too when they were both based on the same platform. Thing is, the new Dakota bodystyle looks TERRIBLE, and there still isn't a HEMI.

Here's how I see it: if any of this was about the money, then the 4.7L would be dead, and all the V6's would be dead too, we would only have HEMI until they can create better V6's. Really, go look at the fuel ratings, the 4.7L is exactly the same as the HEMI in most trucks, the V6's are like 1 mpg better than the HEMI, so why make either of those inferior engines? They've said for years the HEMI is cheaper to make than the 4.7L anyway, and the HEMI is about the same physical dimensions as the 4.7L, so no fitment problems. Wouldn't that be a savings of who knows how many millions to put toward working an V6's that actually DO get better gas mileage!?

My 87 Jeep Commanche was a unibody truck and one of the best vehicles I ever owned. It handled loads far beyond the stated capacity and more easily than my friends' toyota and Chev S10.
A properly engineered unibody designed as a truck and not a platofrm share with a passenger vehicle could do well.

They killed the Dakota with the last redesign. I had a 2003, and it was rock solid, and looked good too. From 2005 onward, the Dakota has been a shadow of its former self.

The Jeep Comanche was a unibody?! Well you learn something new everyday! It looks so much like a truck...When I think of unibody I think of something with the characteristics of a passenger car, like the Honda Ridgeline. Then they should make the next Dakota something like the Comanche (but with regular, extended and crew cabs of course).

I currently own a customized 02 Dakota with over 100 K on the odometer. It has been very reliable and I feel its rounder lines look better than the squarer current model. I was disappointed to find out an SLT was not available in Canada after 08. I was planning to buy one but they became unavailable, unless you plan to pay thousands in accessory prices on top of an SXT model. Something less truck like would I'm sure turn more people away from the Dakota. Maybe Dodge needs to look at what people bought in the past. What I still see on the streets is usually 00 to 04 R/T models and Stampede model trucks. If it is clear the current pricing, styling and basic truck look isn't working than try something that has. Let me know when a rounder, sleeker SRT with a Hemi engine and a nice spoiler kit comes out.

I have had many dakotas and loved every one. My first one at age 16. Saved up for 2 years to get it . I've owned a 1987 se ,1990 le 1991 le 4x4, 1993 slt x-cab v6, 1994 slt x-cab v8,and a 2002 slt x-cab v6. I still own 4 of them and they all out preform my wife's 2005 1500 ram hemi. funnny thing is dodge is wanting to change a good truck and co-produce a vichile that looks like a attachment for cleaning sewer tubes. That is a shame! IT is time for me to choose a new ride and I was looking at another dakota . If dodge changes the dakota , my wife and I may stop buying any more dodge vichiles at all. you want to sell more dakotas? customize the body , hemi motor , lots of spoilers and scoops. build a hotrod sport truck people can be proud to drive and own, don't kill the dakota . save it! customize it! price it a $1,000 less than the other car companys!

My 07 Dak TRX4 is solid but cheaply made. Last Dodge for me.
Chrysler is done! They can't afford coffee for the office. They are a shadow of a once great brand. I hate the thought of a foreign vehicle in our driveway but I never cared for Ford and Government Motors leaves a real bad taste in my mouth. I guess a Tacoma or Tundra will have to do.

Still driving a 98 Dakota Sport 4x4 with the 5.2 V-8. Just over 175,000 miles and the engine is very strong. Uses no oil but gets 12 MPG downhill. I really like the truck and wanted to replace it with an 08 or newer. Now that I hear they are stopping the Dakota, I doubt I will buy another one. Resale will disappear once they quit making it. Too bad, it's been a great truck and I still enjoy driving it.

My 1998 Dakota was a beautiful loser...left me stranded time and again. Then they made the thing UGLY. I sold it, bought a F-150 beater to do farm work, and swore off the Dakota.

Shame, too: with the V6 it did all the work I needed and got decent highway mileage.

I've owned 3 Dakota, presently driving a 2001 Dakota 4x4, V8 with 215000km. doesn't burn any oil and engine still runs like a charm. Had to change most of the front end but that what happens when you beat up the truck in the bush. I live in northern canada and went to Columbus Ohio to the Mopar fest because i was such a fan of there product. I'll be looking at replacing my beast this spring and Dodge isn't even on my wish list.
P.S. Is there any Toyota fest because you now have a new fan.

They shouldn't get rid of the Dakota. It's an awesome truck. THE ORIGINAL midsize truck. They just need a new fresh design. Just don't make it so boxy, give it some style, like the '97 thru '04's. And they should release some special edition models here and there similar to the Shelby Dakota and the Dakota convertable. They should also come out with a new R/T model with a Hemi.