I used to own a 1996 ram 2wd (short bed, short cab) 5.2. It was a great truck back when gas was 1.50 a gallon! (12 mpg...).

The time has come I could use another truck (parents are about to move, so for that), winter is coming (I have snows on my FWD car, but its still not a 4x4) and I have an ATV I need to be able to haul around.

The vehicle would probably get 5,000 mi a year...maybe less depending on who decides to drive it.

I think a dakota is a good option..smaller than the ram and hopefully better MPG (which is why im aiming for the v6). I am a power freak, but I dont have the money for 12mpg right now!

I have found in the next town over from me, a 2003 Dodge Dakota (they said no trim...just standard dakota) extended cab, 130k miles, 4x4, v6 automatic. It does have a nice looking big camper shell, but I would ditch that as I need to haul my quad. The deal is, its a government vehicle so its on a mandatory replacement schedule. The miles are SUPER high, but the starting "bid" is low (3950). I blue booked it, and it shows 6600 for the value for "good" condition, and 6100 for "fair".

I am going to look at the truck this friday and at that point I have to make my "bid" (put a number on a piece of paper in a sealed envelope) This comign wednesday they open/read the bids and take the highest.

What should I bid? Originally I was only going to pick up a beater truck, for around 2,000. I then realized I would rather have a more reliable truck I can depend on for the winter, and a bit of offroad fun (without leaving me stranded). My dad had suggested 4800. I have been watching auctions end on dakotas (ebay) and they seem to be selling for a fair amount. A 1997 identical truck to this 2003 (mileage, engine and all) sold for 4,500.

Oddly enough the dakotas seem to have a better resale than the rams. I was considering a 4x4 1500 (either 5.2 or 5.9) and can get a 1997-2001 with 100k-150k on the odo for 3k-5500 bucks.

Any help or ideas/opinions are very helpful!

PS...how long do either the v6 or the v8 typically last? I assume with good maintenance 200k miles...

PSS...anything I should look for on my inspection friday? The guy said the battery died and they are buying a new one. He said i can bring jumper cables and jump it to see/hear it run if I wish.

Thanks guys!!!

 

if you're power hungry and want a powerful dakota, dont bother with the v6. the v8s also get jsut as good fuel mileage as the v6 or with the 4.7s, better. but if you can get the best bang for your buck and the the v6 is priced at an offer you cant afford to pass up, then go with that. you can do most mods done to the 5.9 v8 to the 3.9 v6. it's just as reliable as the 318/360. same black and engine design, just 2 cylinders short. they will last you a long time as long as preventive maintenance is kept up with and once a problem beings, repair it before catastrophe occurs. that goes with any vehicle though. otherwise i cant complain about the v6 or any other part about the dakotas except the ball joints and weak transmissions. ever chrysler/dodge/jeep has transmission issues though.

 

Thanks for the input.

Damn you for making me yearn for the v8 though! lol. I do miss the v8 grumble of my 5.2...

Do all year dakotas have the v8 as an option? I thought yes...but MSN's info must be off ,as they only list the v6 for every year (now that i think of it...dont think RT was even listed ,so obviously its missing info).

Do some years have the 5.2 and the rest the 5.7? I would really like the 5.7 if I can squeeze maybe 15 city/22highway from it? Really city is the one im worried about...as long as im @ 20 or so highway I will be fine. I Just cant afford that damn 10-12mpg like ih ad with the 5.2 ram!

So hmm maybe i should keep hunting for a v8 unless I can ****** this truck for like 4800? What would you offer on it (assuming you didnt mind the v6) ?

Thanks!!! I have loved dakotas since I was 15...and dreamt of owning a pair of em (an RT and a 9 inch lifted 4x4 with 35's on it !) Hopefully i can live up to that 4x4 dream just yet

 

Only you can really decide if this is the truck for you, but I would say if the maintenance has been performed on the truck and it should have, being a govt. vehicle, it should be good to 175,000-200,000. If you can buy this truck for less then 5000, you would be getting a good buy in my opinion.

On the fuel mileage, I have an 3.9 V6 02 quad cab 2wd with a 5 speed stick and I always get 17/18 in town and 21/22 on the highway. I don't think the
V8 guys are getting that, but then again, I can't race them either. My truck is not underpowered by any means, but it doesn't have the V8 power. I like the V6, no issues, burns no oil, runs great, 119,000 miles. Good luck on your decision.

 

it'd be the 4.7 not 5.7 and yes its an option for all years...I'm getting 20-22 HW with my 4.7 5 speed

 

Ya i meant to type 4.7...kept thinking about the 5.9 in the ram.

What milage do you get in the city playmaker?

Is there a noticable difference between manual/auto on the dakota (either v6 or v8) Sadly I need an automatic so my girflriend and parents can drive it as needed (they drive stick..but barely...).

I think I will bid 4500 or so on that v6, and if I dont get it I will keep an eye out for an extended cab 4x4 with the 4.7 (probably again, an auto).

What year did they switch from 5.2 to 4.7? It was 00/01?

 

i've only seen below 16 a handful of times the whole year and a half i've had it. its usually between 16-18. i'd say a 4.7 auto could get 19-21 hw at least depending on your speed and no worse than 14 city probably more like 15-17

 

I can tell you this, I just FINALLY sold my 02 Sport 4X4, V8 (4.7) Auto, ex cab, metal
bed cover, 46k for $8,250.00 and was VERY glad for that.

Trucks around here (NW Ohio) and not selling at all. The one you're looking at with 130k
with a starting bid of $3950.00 isn't too bad as long as it was taken care of.

I really liked my 02 but didn't need a V8 any longer. I bought it new to haul my
26' travel trailor but got out of big style camping thanks to the oil slugs.

If and when I ever buy another truck of any name brand it WILL be stick
shift for sure... I hated the way the trucks computer desides when to take you
out of over drive at ANY slight incline you come to.

Good luck on your buy...

 

I had a 3.9 v6 and it was a dog. I just got myself a 4.7L 5spd and its a blast! It gets better gas milage as well. I had a lot of problems w/ my v6. It was probably a lemon, but none the less had a lot of problems.

 

yeah my 4.7 5 speed is awesome. i love it, great power and even though i don't drive "nicely" i still have never gotten under 15 in the city and up to about 20 on the highway. that is also with colorado gas and at elevations from 5000-7500 feet. you, if you are close to sea level should get much better.