SO I WAS LOOKIN AT AUSED CAR LOT THIS WEEKEND AND I FOUND A 1997 DAKOTA 5SPD V6(3.9) BUT IT HAS 180,000MILES ON IT IT RUNS AND STARTS FINE AND DRIVE GOOD....IS THERE ANY PROBLEMS WITH THESE MOTORS AT HIGH MILEAGE....THIS WOULD BE MY FIRST DOKOTA I AM AN S10 GUY BUT WILLING TO INVESTIGATE

 

first off what is the price, is there ne maint. records...?

 

I would look around some more. There is no need to buy anyvehicle with 180,000 miles on it. Just try lookin around. I might be selling mine after this summer or beginning of next year. I might be needing a vehicle with better gas milage orI'll buy a newer Dakota.

 

well mine doesnt have any major problems, needs a new cat, and it smokes a little, but nothing major, it still runs fine, gets better gas mileage than my dads 03 dak

 

2nd take your computer off cap lock.

 

lol.. i was about to say the same thing.


If i where you i would go with a v8 dakota, v6 and v8 get about the same mpg, and you will be happier with a v8. more power, better towing and if you like to race then well.. you can.

you can find a low milage R/T made from 98-03 sc and cc for about 8-10k stock i would say milage about 70-90k..

I got mine with 70k miles, 2000 year r/t with the v8 360 5.9 for about 10k.

 

I got mine with 15,000 miles on it 2002 year Dodge Dakota its my baby I fu*k the tail pipe every night lol j/k but Yeah man keep looking around you'll find great deals if you know people with dakotas' that are willing to sell

 

If your going to spend money for a truck make sure you know what your getting. I wouldnt pay anymore then 1000 for that truck with that kind of millage. And i certainly wouldnt put any money into it. I did have the same truck as your buying, it had 175k, and it ran great, i did drop 1000 bucks into it though. Really wish i hadnt.

 

Yeah that is high miles for sure! Definatly check down into the intake manifold through the throttlebody, if there us ANY oil residue on the bottom it's gonna need a new Plenum gasket. Also check the ball joints and see if they've been replaced. The go relatively quick on our trucks. The way you can tell is, if they've been replaced, they will be bolted in. The factory ones were riveted. Other than that, they are a sound truck and you would probably get a lot more miles out of it, but if I were you, I'd stay away.

But even if you find another dakota, no matter how many miles, check those things. Especially the plenum gasket.

 

I'll sell ya my truck cheap.... dont bother ready my other post



but ya, I would stay away from something that has that high milage unless you get it really cheap