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DAN
Dodge Dakota
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1/24/2003
14:08:50
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 Subject: what to look for when buying used dakota
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I've owned three pontiacs, all used... Bonneville grand am, grand prix (awsome car), But need a truck now. Probably going to sell the prix and buy a extended cab 4x4 3.9 or larger 5 speed. I've had my share of problems not researching problem areas especially with the grand am. So long story short what kind of problems should i be looking for in a dakota with 50-70k. I'm going to use it as a daily driver, so another question is will how many miles are these trucks good for. I take good car of my cars and do all my own mechanical work so i'm used to a few repairs here and there, just looking for major things. I know GM better than dodge, but definately not pleased with GM's integrity. Any information or help would be appreciated. Thanks
Dan
On a side note...if anyone is looking for a GP i have one for sale. Pretty well loaded. Heads up display, power everything, 82K k easy miles meticuliously maintained. (that is if i still feel ok about buying a dakota, if not its back to square one till the colorado makes it to the used market)
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scott
Dodge Dakota
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1/24/2003
16:55:24
|  RE: what to look for when buying used dakota
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DON`T get the 3.9...get a V8. The V6 gets the same crappy gas milage as the V8s do , but with the extra 2 cyl. , at least you have a pretty good performing truck...esp. with a 5-spd.
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Chris
Dodge Dakota
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4/11/2003
12:52:58
|  RE: what to look for when buying used dakota
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What do you mean? there is a big difference between a 6 and an 8. with an 8 u will be lucking if you get 14 or 15. i don't know which year you were looking at, but the newer ones don't get that great mileage compared to older engines.
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farout
Dodge Dakota
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4/19/2003
00:42:01
|  RE: what to look for when buying used dakota
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Chris, I would agree that the old 318 was a gas hog. But my 02 quad cab 4x4 4,7 is pretty darn good. I have gotten as high as 20.3 and in 4xe I gat 15.5. That's as good as some PT Crusers! It's a bunck more that my old 99 push rod 318. I was lucky to get 13mpg! Better check a new one out with what they calla 5 speed auto. I couldn't be more pleased!
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yogi
Dodge Dakota
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11/07/2003
18:21:46
|  RE: what to look for when buying used dakota
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I bought my 99' 4x4 sport, (318ci 5 speed)in 2001 with 25,000 mi. on it. Since then I have broken off the shifter lever in the tranny, (I was street racing a 2002 Z-28 off the line. I had him in first but it broke power shifting into second.)and have had to have the Cat replaced. (NOTE: fed. law requires the manufacturer to warranty the Cat for 8 Years/80k miles.)All other mods are perfomance options. I Love This Truck.
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DSW
Dodge Dakota
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11/08/2003
06:41:57
| RE: what to look for when buying used dakota
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Front Brakes and Ball Joints from my experience, these are common problems with the Dak's. Search this board for the details.
I bought my 00 CC Dak with 60K and the brakes and shocks were shot, got a better deal because of this. But what I didn't know (didn't look close enough) was that the upper ball joints were shot too. Wasn't hard to fix the problems and it's been a great truck ever since, have 108K on it now.
I get aroung 18 MPG, mostly highway driving 75+. If your not pushing the truck at 75 and higher all the time, the mileage is better, like farout's 20.3MPG. Glad I got the V8, towing the boat to the lake would suck with the V6.
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bettermilage
Dodge Dakota
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11/09/2003
10:46:59
| RE: what to look for when buying used dakota
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my 3.9 gets 24 highway 19.5 city much better then ANY 8
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realworld
Dodge Dakota
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11/10/2003
04:46:44
| RE: what to look for when buying used dakota
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in the real world it's more like 20 hwy and 15 city. The V6 is an absolute gas pig.
Don't go by the EPA numbers claimed by the manufactureres...they're almost completely meaningless.
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DSW
Dodge Dakota
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11/11/2003
03:01:08
| RE: what to look for when buying used dakota
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Try pulling a 3000# boat up through the hills with a V6 and you'll be wishing you had opted for a V8. Well, that's unless your truck is demoted to a grocery getter.
My wife's V6 car gets 28/22, but you wouldn't see me pulling a boat with the thing.
The 3.9 probably has enough power to get the truck and passangers around O.K., but put a load on thing and watch the mileage and performance go out the window.
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Yea Man
Dodge Dakota
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11/21/2003
21:02:19
| RE: what to look for when buying used dakota
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Justin
Dodge Dakota
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12/08/2003
13:47:13
| RE: what to look for when buying used dakota
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Couldn't agree with you more.
I picked up a fairly big lawn tractor from my Grandfather's house in kentucky. That was the pussiest 3 hours of my life. Granted that thing filled up the entire bed and just bairly left room to close the tailgate but my v6 is good for driving me and girlfriend around.
And my mileage isn't that great really. I don't speed a lot but you can sometimes squeeze out 330 miles and then you have to gas it up. And if you figure it out on a calc i'm gettin 15 miles.
My '93 Chevy Astro (god bless her sole :( ) could get around 19 and thats a mini van...
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Chad
Dodge Dakota
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12/17/2003
23:51:14
| RE: what to look for when buying used dakota
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I am looking at a 97 slt ex cab with the 318 in it also 4x4. 100K on it and they want $9000 good deal or not? had electric break set up in it..said the guy towed a small camper. What other things to look for in this truck? seems to be in mint condition!!!
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Dave Mitchell
Dodge Dakota
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12/23/2003
16:42:12
| RE: what to look for when buying used dakota
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Make sure it doesn't come with 4 cement blocks to prop it up when the ball joints fail.
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DJener8
Dodge Dakota
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1/08/2004
20:34:08
| RE: what to look for when buying used dakota
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Chad, sounds kind of high $$$$. I bought my 99 sport 318, 4x4, auto - last Feb 14 (present from my wife that I get to pay for....:-)) paid 10,800 for it then....oh, and 51k on it with a color matched shell. no pwr locks or windows, but I am adding those as I go...
I love my truck, got used to the gas mileage, but love the V8...gotta learn to ease on the gas from a stop.....
-DJener8
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nic
Dodge Dakota
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1/09/2004
20:08:05
| RE: what to look for when buying used dakota
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just got my 97 dak 2wd 5.2 5 spd I have gotten really acceptable milage around 15.7 with a king size bed a couch and a big screen tv in the bed and a motorcycle trailer with 2 honda 400 ex s and a kitchen table n chairs stuffed by the 4 wheelers and that truck didnt even know I was hauling anything she just wanted to GO! Alot better than my 89 ford p/u w/ 302 5 spd 2wd that thing did great as long as the tail gate was down I wasnt hauling anything or anyone the second I even had 3 people in the cab boom down to 7 mpg dodge rocks this is the finest built truck I have ever owned ! as far as the 318 I love it ! heck I should of married this truck rather than my redheaded wife :)
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NICK
Dodge Dakota
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1/12/2004
00:50:55
|  RE: what to look for when buying used dakota
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I TRADED MY WIFE FOR A DAKOTA THE TRUCK WAS SMALLER AND DID NOT COMPLAIN AS MUCH.
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Rose
Dodge Dakota
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1/20/2004
11:42:02
|  RE: what to look for when buying used dakota
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I love the Dodge's looks it is sleek and powerful looking but for the engine and other parts they have poor workmanship. I had boughten a 1996 Dodge Dakota and within a year owning it it needed a whole new engine. I got the engine and then the brakes and the thousand dollars I put into repairing it only to fall back on a payment and wouldn't you believe it they came and repossessed it only being 10 days late. So why in the world did I buy another Dodge? This time it's a 1997 Dodge Dakota Ext cab 4x4. An awesome looking truck. Well I have owned it for a year now and the engine has died. I did recent oil changes at home and cannot find the receipts now my extended warranty I had purchased will not cover replacing the engine. I come to conclusion I am not putting all my money into a vehicle that creates me so much financial burden. I've decided for one not to purchase used and to keep my maintenance records in a safe and known place. I like the body but not the engine. I will not purchase anymore dodge's.
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Dodgerules
Dodge Dakota
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1/22/2004
14:16:12
| RE: what to look for when buying used dakota
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A good shrink! Buy something thats going to last and has a good resale. STUPID
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Chris
Dodge Dakota
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1/22/2004
21:33:32
| RE: what to look for when buying used dakota
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well, how many miles did it have on it when you bought it? A little research goes a long way when it comes to buying used cars. Use some common sense, if it has problems when you test drive it, don't buy it. Also, its not the manufacturers fault that an engine dies, maybe you should have considered who owned it before you did not change the oil or something else.
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Chuck
Dodge Dakota
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6/11/2004
14:01:28
| Gas Mileage
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What should I expect to get with a 1998 Dakota 4WD with 3.9 V6 / Automatic? I can't seem to get over 14-15 highway if I baby it. Average is around 13, 10 if loaded or towing. Any suggestions?
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Chris
Dodge Dakota
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6/11/2004
16:53:04
| RE: what to look for when buying used dakota
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i really don't understand why everyone here is getting such horrible gas mileage. I am averaging 20.4 or so every fill up now, and thats including an extra 150 pounds for a 15 inch sub, box and 2400 watt amp. Even when i first bought it i was getting 18. thats with almost 200k on it too. must be newer models get worse mileage.
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