Hi all Im new to the forum and im thinking of tradeing in my 07 Dodge Larimie Quad cab pick up oh and it has a Hemi witch really loves gas. Anyways this is a real hard choice for me since I have not owned a car for five years, nothing but trucks and im afraid ill miss the utlity part of the truck. Im curenlty looking at the Avenger R/T model only and also was thinking abought the Sunburst Orange color but I have not been able to find one to see what one looks like. Oh and gas prices are killing my truck anyways not sure what to do and I really dont want to waste any more of a salesman's time.
Thanks and if you have a Orange Avenger please post a pick, thanks.....

I switched from driving truck for several years to the Avenger and I seldom regret doing it. I can make a tank of gas last two weeks and sometimes longer. Good luck on finding a Sunburst Orange it's a highly sought after color and from what I've heard there is virtually no production in that color at this time. We have been waiting for news of possibly an upgraded motor for the R/T or even the possibility of an SRT model.

Good luck with you decision and welcome to the forumz

Let me help with your decision, avenger avenger avenger avenger oh yer get a AVENGER!

Let me help with your decision, avenger avenger avenger avenger oh yer get a AVENGER!

I couldn't have said it better!

Thanks I just noticed on the inferno red r/t model from some pics that the grill is color matched and not chrome is this correct if so is that the only color that does not have chrome on the the grill ? No more chrome please, thanks....

All R/Ts have chrome grills and black headlights, regardless of body color. SXT's have chrome grills and silver headlights, and SE's have body color grills and silver headlights. You can pick up a new grill from an SE at the dealer or online for a pretty reasonable price, or some people here have painted their chrome grills with great results. Hope that helps!

And by the way, I am a hardcore truck guy. My wife has an Avenger R/T, and I am really thinking about getting another Avenger for me in the very near future. My opinion? You won't be dissapointed with the R/T.

I had a dakota quad cab. I miss having the bed but NOT the gas situation. I had to fill up every 4 or5 days at 20 to 22 galllons a shot (no Hemi).. I have the Avenger R/t AWD.. I fill up every 6 or 7 days.. plus a smaller tank. I did not want to go to a 2WD car. I like the AWD. we had some bad weather this past winter and I had no problems..

Hi and welcome! Tranza is correct, Sunburst Orange is no longer a production color. The only orange one you will be able to find is one on a dealer lot, but most dealers stopped restocking R/T's a couple months ago. If you want an R/T to your likings, you will most likely have to order one from the dealership unless you settle for what's on the lot.

AvenDanger is also correct, I don't care for the chrome grill myself so I had an SE grill painted to match the factory black paint.

As for the truck situation, I had a Dakota SLT w/ a Hemi and I will never ever ever get one ever again unless it gets 20mpg lol. It was awful on gas, 12.7mpg on average. I have already run into the inconvenience of not having the bed, but alas, that's where your friends come handy! :)

Welcome to the forum! I'm not much of a truck guy to begin with, so I'd say go for the Avenger. You'll get great gas mileage, the power you need, and the Avenger is a great looking ride. Good luck on you decision! :)

if you can afford them, why not both?

i have a 02 dakota quad cab 4x4 4.7L V8 (about 15 mpg) and a 2008 avenger r/t (marathon blue @ 22-27 mpg).

I like both, the avenger is my daily driver. Fun, sporty, comfy - love the sirius radio.

I have been using my truck a lot lately doing yard work - 2,000 lb of flat rock (towed on trailer) 30 lb mulch, many plants, 500 lbs dirt, pulling bushes out of the ground (chain and tow hook - redneck landscape style).

There's just so many things i need a truck to do that I couldn't live with just a car. Gas is expensive but a truck is the only way to go in some situations.

- Dan M

Im with DM, I say both, I have a 1/2 ton hemi, I will never sell it, but it stays in the garage until needed now that I have an avenger, I too can now go 2 weeks with out fill up.

I gave my 73 Roadrunner to my son, and now my truck is my hotrod/classic (will be soon anyway) hehe,

Just to many times I need my truck to get rid of it.

if you can afford them, why not both?

i have a 02 dakota quad cab 4x4 4.7L V8 (about 15 mpg) and a 2008 avenger r/t (marathon blue @ 22-27 mpg).

I like both, the avenger is my daily driver. Fun, sporty, comfy - love the sirius radio.

I have been using my truck a lot lately doing yard work - 2,000 lb of flat rock (towed on trailer) 30 lb mulch, many plants, 500 lbs dirt, pulling bushes out of the ground (chain and tow hook - redneck landscape style).

There's just so many things i need a truck to do that I couldn't live with just a car. Gas is expensive but a truck is the only way to go in some situations.

- Dan MThat is a very good point:smileup:

if you can afford them, why not both?

i have a 02 dakota quad cab 4x4 4.7L V8 (about 15 mpg) and a 2008 avenger r/t (marathon blue @ 22-27 mpg).

I like both, the avenger is my daily driver. Fun, sporty, comfy - love the sirius radio.

I have been using my truck a lot lately doing yard work - 2,000 lb of flat rock (towed on trailer) 30 lb mulch, many plants, 500 lbs dirt, pulling bushes out of the ground (chain and tow hook - redneck landscape style).

There's just so many things i need a truck to do that I couldn't live with just a car. Gas is expensive but a truck is the only way to go in some situations.

- Dan M

I also had the same problem. My last vehicle was a truck, and I was worried about losing the versatility of hauling home stuff.
It came to a matter of usage. I only used the bed portion of my truck 4 or 5 times a year, and driving about 50 miles to work every day. A truck just was not logical for me to buy.
Have I missed the truck, sure. But I justify my choice by higher fuel costs. The one time so far since owning my Avenger I needed a truck, I just paid the $35.00 delivery charge. If it comes up again I can borrow a friend's truck or pay for delivery. The added expense is more than swallowed up every time I go to the pump.

I guess it comes down to how often you need that bed and what kind of material you are hauling. A Sport Utility is also a good compromise if you find yourself needed extra storage space on a regular basis, but still want decent fuel economy, depending on the size. Of course, you can't put that load of rock in the back of your SUV, but a new flat screen T.V. might fit just fine.

Kinda sounds like a broken record, but I too switched from commuting in a 05 Hemi quad cab. I use it too often so we traded the wifes Grand Cherokee in. SUV values are dropping faster than the real estate in California! Anyway she doesn't have to drive far, so the truck is fine for her. I really like the Avenger even with the 2.4.

Zeeman: A Hemi Dakota???? I've never heard of such a thing; must be pretty rare. You should've held onto it.

Keep both! I have driven Dodge trucks my whole life and would never be without one. Power Wagons, Rams, Hemi's, Palomino etc... I bought the Avenger R/T for my wife but we use the truck when it makes sense, such as situations where a 4x4 is needed, hauling is required, seating for 6 is necessary, or I just need to feel the Hemi power!

Have a look at the two of them sharing my garage:
981

Zeeman: A Hemi Dakota???? I've never heard of such a thing; must be pretty rare. You should've held onto it.

it wasn't factory. the hemi was never available in the dakota as far as i know (may be some special edition or something. Until the re-release of the hemi, the rams used the same magnum v8s as the dakotas. the old .. 3.9L V6 and 5.2 or 5.9 V8. Those were replaced by the 3.7L V6 and 4.7L V8. The new 08 dakotas have a redesigned 4.7L V8 upping HP from 235 to 302 and torque from 295 to 329. The magnum engines are hemi lites.. they have a semi hemispherical shape. In fact, the new 4.7L for the 08 dakotas has 2 spark plugs per cylinder just like the hemi does.

some of the jeep lines use the magnum engines.

- Dan M

Thanks I just noticed on the inferno red r/t model from some pics that the grill is color matched and not chrome is this correct if so is that the only color that does not have chrome on the the grill ? No more chrome please, thanks....


http://www.avengerforumz.com/showthread.php?t=13397

:nutkick:

Zeeman: A Hemi Dakota???? I've never heard of such a thing; must be pretty rare. You should've held onto it.

it wasn't factory. the hemi was never available in the dakota as far as i know (may be some special edition or something. Until the re-release of the hemi, the rams used the same magnum v8s as the dakotas. the old .. 3.9L V6 and 5.2 or 5.9 V8. Those were replaced by the 3.7L V6 and 4.7L V8. The new 08 dakotas have a redesigned 4.7L V8 upping HP from 235 to 302 and torque from 295 to 329. The magnum engines are hemi lites.. they have a semi hemispherical shape. In fact, the new 4.7L for the 08 dakotas has 2 spark plugs per cylinder just like the hemi does.

some of the jeep lines use the magnum engines.

- Dan M

Not sure - this was a truck from my buddy, it had the 5.7L Hemi in it and was a 2005, maybe it was a special order?

Not sure - this was a truck from my buddy, it had the 5.7L Hemi in it and was a 2005, maybe it was a special order?

dodge has stated the hemi is too big to fit in the dakota. I'm curious now.

- Dan M

No such animal folks. At least not from the factory.

I traded in my 2004 F150 Supercrew for my Avenger. I really like the gas mileage with the Avenger but I do miss having the pickup. When I want to haul something I have to borrow a friends truck which isn't a big deal but it is a hassle. With gas going to $4 or $5 though I am glad I did it.

I have owned two Dodge Dakota trucks in the past, both 3.8 v-6. I had to have a truck because I was moving a lot of small rocks, 30-50 lb. size, to my backyard to support a river banking at the back of my lot. After this was done, I traded my last truck in for a Dodge Caravan so I could transport grand kids around. Because I found the truck so useful to carry loads at times, I had to buy a good size utility trailer for the van as life goes on just the same. The van does give better mileage and is a lot easier in driving and parking.

I traded in my 2004 F150 Supercrew for my Avenger. I really like the gas mileage with the Avenger but I do miss having the pickup. When I want to haul something I have to borrow a friends truck which isn't a big deal but it is a hassle. With gas going to $4 or $5 though I am glad I did it.

Exactly. Having a truck for the few times it's needed isn't worth it with today's gas prices.
Most of us could probably even go with a two seater on most days :)

Exactly. Having a truck for the few times it's needed isn't worth it with today's gas prices.
Most of us could probably even go with a two seater on most days :)


I could any day of the year but most are to expensive for me.

Not sure - this was a truck from my buddy, it had the 5.7L Hemi in it and was a 2005, maybe it was a special order?

I highly doubt it was a Hemi Dakota. At best it might have been a 5.9L Dakota but even that isn't close to the 5.7 L Hemi.

No such animal folks. At least not from the factory.
And I really doubt it was done aftermarket. Too big to fit.