The Time I Autox'd my Dodge Dakota

"Flyboy is FAA certified insane" (flyboy396) 02/24/2016 at 12:17 • Filed to: Slow car fast

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Having recently moved to Daytona Beach from PA, I was still dd’ing my v8 6-speed 4x4 quad cab Dakota. Since I was a member of my University’s car club, hilarity ensued.

At a huge stance/import car meet at Orlando Speed World, I stood out like a sore thumb. Lining up for the the AutoX, helmet in hand, I overheard several jeers and people questioning their sanity.

Turns out the big Dodge isn’t terrible. I placed middle of the pack in front of a br-z, an e36 328, and several miatas. Don’t ask me how.

I love this truck. It helped me start my life on my own and it shuffled the e30 on a trailer wherever it needed to go.

For your time, some BMW’s. A very orange m4 and a m3 swapped hatchback.

MontegoMan562 is a Capri RS Owner > Flyboy is FAA certified insane 02/24/2016 at 12:22

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I’ve been thinking about autocrossing the Milan. I think I should leave the car seat in the back for the run lol

Flyboy is FAA certified insane > MontegoMan562 is a Capri RS Owner 02/24/2016 at 12:24

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I think it would do alright for what it is.

MontegoMan562 is a Capri RS Owner > Flyboy is FAA certified insane 02/24/2016 at 12:35

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It probably would.

It’s surprisingly quick for a boring mid 00's mid-level US Sedan.

Nibbles > Flyboy is FAA certified insane 02/24/2016 at 12:38

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I’d autocross my Dakota but I’m pretty sure it would eject suspension components at every corner

Flyboy is FAA certified insane > Nibbles 02/24/2016 at 12:41

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The sad truth of an older Mopar owner.

Flyboy is FAA certified insane > MontegoMan562 is a Capri RS Owner 02/24/2016 at 12:42

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4 or 6?

MontegoMan562 is a Capri RS Owner > Flyboy is FAA certified insane 02/24/2016 at 12:43

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FWD V6

it’s fun to smack the TCS OFF button and rip the tires for about 100-200 feet.

Especially because afterwards if someone looks over they go - nah no way was that boring gray Milan responsible for that.

The 3.0 Duratec sounds pretty good too

Pixel > Flyboy is FAA certified insane 02/24/2016 at 12:44

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Stuff I have autocrossed:

1962 Mercury Comet

(the video is of a friend driving it, we each got one run before we snapped the welds on the RF hub)

2004 Scion xB

(the second photo is after racing springs were installed)

End result was I was terrible at autocrossing, but had a lot of fun.

Flyboy is FAA certified insane > MontegoMan562 is a Capri RS Owner 02/24/2016 at 12:45

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We’re they available with a 5-speed? I vaguely remember a girl in high school having one and beating my Dodge caliber in a drag race.

MontegoMan562 is a Capri RS Owner > Flyboy is FAA certified insane 02/24/2016 at 12:48

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not with a V6, you could get a 5 speed with the 4 cylinder, and at one point you could even get it with a 6 speed (2010/2011)

You can always decipher the Milan engine by the amount of exhaust tips. both sides? V6. one side? I4.

Flyboy is FAA certified insane > MontegoMan562 is a Capri RS Owner 02/24/2016 at 12:49

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She would have had the newer v6 with the 6-speed then. Thing was quick.

Flyboy is FAA certified insane > Pixel 02/24/2016 at 12:50

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#boxlyfe

MontegoMan562 is a Capri RS Owner > Flyboy is FAA certified insane 02/24/2016 at 12:51

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would’ve been an I4 with a 6 speed. Sorry if I didn’t write that clearly, V6's only came with auto’s for all years.

Gone > Nibbles 02/24/2016 at 12:55

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Nah, your 1st Gen is fine. The Gen 2 is the one where all the ball-joints self destruct every 30k miles. Or less. Preferable less...so they’re always fresh.

Flyboy is FAA certified insane > MontegoMan562 is a Capri RS Owner 02/24/2016 at 12:56

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Damn haha I mean my CVT wasn’t the pinnacle of speed but I thought that car was a lot heavier. Don’t underestimate, I guess.

MontegoMan562 is a Capri RS Owner > Flyboy is FAA certified insane 02/24/2016 at 12:57

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Hahaha

The V6 is rated at 6.9 seconds to 60, again not terrible for what it is.

I also enjoy one long banked exit ramp near my work which may or may not get taken at about 85 mph when clear lol

Nibbles > Gone 02/24/2016 at 12:59

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My 1st gen has 190k-mile original components (save ball joints and tie rod ends which I had to replace because the previous owner curbed it something fierce )

I haven’t gotten around to completing all the repairs because there’s a solid axle swap in its near future. I wouldn’t trust it in its current iteration to do anything over careful, short-distance driving

mr2gud2u > Flyboy is FAA certified insane 02/24/2016 at 14:50

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You had fun autocrossing in something that wasn't a Miata? Lies!!!

Flyboy is FAA certified insane > mr2gud2u 02/24/2016 at 15:15

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I know, right?