97 Dodge Dakota

[GeekDrew]

I am in desperate need of a vehicle... I am tired of driving mom's Buick. I know that it gets on her nerves anyway.

I found a 97 Dodge Dakota on sale for $5000 at a local dealer. What's everyone's opinion about that line of trucks? So far I haven't heard much negative, but I thought that I would check with the board to make sure.

ST

 

[Ulfwald]

I have owned 2 Dakota's a 95 and a 98. both were very dependable, well built, and never lacked for power. Comfortable seats, good viewing area in terms of blindspots. Roomy.


The truck gets a 2 thumbs up from me. I now have to go to a bigger truck because my family is growing as well. So I move up to a Ram in about 2 years.

 

[zCypher]

One of my best friends is getting a 99 Dakota w/the 5.2L V8 and jacked up suspension. Gonna run him $29k cdn. Where are you getting a 97 for $5k ($7780 cdn)?

 

[amdskip]

Good deal but is must be high mileage or something.

 

[amnesiac]

drove one a couple times while my GMC was in the shop. I liked it a lot. Build quality somewhat lacking and lots of road noise, but still a pretty good truck!

 

[GeekDrew]

Yes - it has extremely high mileage - around 120,000.

See more details:
AutoTrader

BTW - if I do wind up getting it, I want to rip out the stereo, and install a good sound system and remote/alarm system in it. What do you think about: Magnadyne M10 Alarm and a stereo/computer setup similar to this?

ST

 

[CraigRT]

Good truck as long as it's a V8. not too sure about those 3.9's or whatever the V6 is.. but I haven't heard much bad about them I guess.

They're nice looking too..

 

[PhaZe]

My friend has a 97 dakota with the v8 engine. its 230hp and his gas doesn't last at all. the fuel economy sucks, but it's mostly his fault because at every hault he floors it until he reaches the speed limit.
its annoying.

but I like the truck itself, roomy and it looks better than a ranger =)

 

[Paulson]

Originally posted by: shrinertech
Yes - it has extremely high mileage - around 120,000

That isn't extremely high milage, hell my dad's got a buick park avenue with 211,000 miles on it... (v6 3800)

Anyways, a good v8 will last you till 200,000 miles at least, and even if the transmission goes out on it, that'd be about the only MAJOR replacement that might have to occur... other than that keep it... hell my truck has 149,000 on it and it drives like it's almost brand new...

 

[StevenYoo]

you should get an altezza

 

[CraigRT]

haha, that's a funny image.

 

[IGBT]

Have a 92 Dakota 4x4 and have beat the crap out of it on the ranch..stays in 4wd all the time and runs like the energizer rabbit. Out lived 2 Ford f150's so far.

 

[Eli]

Originally posted by: IGBT
Have a 92 Dakota 4x4 and have beat the crap out of it on the ranch..stays in 4wd all the time and runs like the energizer rabbit. Out lived 2 Ford f150's so far.

Well, that's good to know. There's a domestic manufacturer better than Ford.

 

[tm37]

I have a 97 w/the 6 and I love it. I have a 4X4 and I get about 15MPG Highway. I have had no major problem in the year I have owned it.

 

[kherman]

<--- Jerk

What do you need a truck for?

 

[GeekDrew]

I need a truck because my brothers own a construction company, and it is convenient to be able to haul things around in the bed. In addition, the church I attend regularly hauls things w/ a small trailer, and my brother is the only one that has a truck w/ a hitch on it. I'd like to help him out sometimes. Finally, many of my relatives own farms, and sometimes I need to help them out (requiring a truck to move things around).

Need I continue? A car would work, but a truck would be great.

ST

 

[erikistired]

i had a truck identical to that but 5 spd, not auto. there's not much room for a stereo. i squeezed a 10" sub behind the seat but it was in a tiny box and didn't sound too great. other than that, it's a nice truck.

 

[alm99]

its only a 2 wheel drive, not 4x4

 

[Toxic]

I used to own a 97 Dakota. Great truck.

Had a lady make a left hand turn from the right lane on a one way street in front of me. It marred my bumper, took the front end of her car off. (They are after all, built Ram tough ). Had an idiot rear end it at a stop light. Messed up the back bumper, but not much else. yep, his car was dead. My dodge was undefeated in auto accidents (2-0).

I had 150,000 plus miles on it when I got rid of it.

 

[CurtCold]

Originally posted by: shrinertech
I am in desperate need of a vehicle... I am tired of driving mom's Buick. I know that it gets on her nerves anyway.

I found a 97 Dodge Dakota on sale for $5000 at a local dealer. What's everyone's opinion about that line of trucks? So far I haven't heard much negative, but I thought that I would check with the board to make sure.

ST

One thought....Insurance? Find out how much that's going to run ya.

 

[Evadman]

Originally posted by: CurtCold

Originally posted by: shrinertech
I am in desperate need of a vehicle... I am tired of driving mom's Buick. I know that it gets on her nerves anyway.

I found a 97 Dodge Dakota on sale for $5000 at a local dealer. What's everyone's opinion about that line of trucks? So far I haven't heard much negative, but I thought that I would check with the board to make sure.

ST

One thought....Insurance? Find out how much that's going to run ya.

my 2500 was cheap as hell to insure because it is considered a "work truck" Ya right Anyway, Curt is correct. The insurance may be a killer. check it out before you buy.

 

[GeekDrew]

I got an insurance estimate from American Family, and it will be around $100/month... considering I'm 17, male, that doesn't surprise me.

ST

 

[JeffreyLebowski]

$100 a month, damn, is that full coverage?
I'm 24 and paying $140 on a car.

 

[GeekDrew]

No, not full coverage. It's liability and uninsured motorists only.

ST