The truck I'm looking at is a 98 Dakota with 37k miles, 4cyl engine, manual transmission, asking price is $5500, which seems fair. I'd like to hear from anyone with a similar truck and find out your opinion of it. Also, what kind of problems are common to these trucks that I should look for before I buy it? What is the life expectancy of the clutch? What kind of mileage can I expect (I'm looking at the 4 cyl/man tranny because I'm hoping to get the best mileage I can for a truck)?

 

Hope you don't do much interstate driving. I live about an hour from Indianapolis Indiana, I drove one once (I work at a dealership) and thought I'd be all the way to Indianapolis before the truck hit 65mph.......A/C makes it even worse!

 

I'm not one for a 4 cyl. in a truck that size either. You're probably talking about a mile or so difference between a four and six. I had one four cyl in my lifetime and that was enough for me. Good Luck in your decision!

 

Hold out and get the V6 i think u will be happier in the long run but its ur call.

 

I had a v6 98 from 98-00 and the fuel milage sucked. The 4cylinder should get you MUCH better milage if you ask me, but AVOID THE FREEWAY!!! You'd be better off flintstone style!!!

 

Two things...

1. The 4-cyl is hardly sufficient to propel that vehicle. If you were in a gen I Dakota, it might be ok, but a gen II is much too heavy. Find a low milage 3.9L with 5 speed. Their milage is pretty good, and they can be quite potent when you put you foot down.

2. $5,500 is WAY too much for that truck. I don't care what KBB or NADA says it's worth. I wouldn't pay $2,000 for that truck ($1,500 maybe), but definately not $5,500 for a 4-cyl '98.

 

My next door neighbour has a 99 Intense Blue Dakota Reg cad 4x4 with the V6. His only regret so far is that he didn't get the extended cab. Other than that he loves his truck. He got really jealous though when I brought home my new Black Dodge Ram 1500 QC 4x4 Laramie with the Hemi.