Thanks for all the info. so far, seems like a great forum. I know all trucks have problems but knowing what you do about 2nd generation dakota's, would you buy yours if you had it to do all over again and/or would you buy another one?

 

Even though the '98 dakota that I had before this had more than it's share of problems, I decided to buy another one. This truck has been far more reliable aside from the main problem with these trucks, the trannys. the first one had problems, and this one slips while shifting into OD. Even with that though, I would buy another one, because I love the looks, you can get a V8, and I've just always been loyal to mopar , even though I'm in the minority by saying that . I just really wish that they would have put some more money into the design of the trannys.

 

if i had the same amount of money when i bought this (~7k) w/o a doubt i would by another one, but if i had money i would get a cummins
now i wouldn't buy this exact one, id prolly get a qc, still with the 4.7 and get 4x4

 

i looked at alot of dakotas before i got mine and im still happy w/ mine.
i could have got a 3rd gen for the same price but 30K+ miles.
i think mine was a grocery getter cause 10 years and only 70k.

i was having transmission issues (1-2nd gear?) and the shop wanted to rebuild it.
did some reading and alot of the times its a solenoid for like $60.
had the shop put it in, mistake because they did't fill it enough.
but after i topped it off it, it ran like new. pulls very smooth.

 

Eh, this is a tough one. I wanted a Tacoma Prerunner or some other small truck. My mom and I went around test driving them and a 1998 5.2L Dakota QC was traded in. I hopped in it and drove it around and really liked it. But it was a big truck. I ended up buying another Dak from a guy locally and a have really liked it. That moved me up from a small pickup truck to midsize, but the Dak is as big as a Ram (length).

Looking back on it, I would rather have bought a Ram with the 5.7 in it, or a manual 4x4 QC Dak.

So yes, I would buy another one.

 

I'm really happy with my 2001 QC, but if I had it to do over again, I'd invest in one with 4WD. Winter this year was lousy in Iowa. We got about a thousand feet of snow, and it stuck around for 3 months. Living in town, I thought that I didn't really need it, but it sure would have been handy on more than one occasion. No other complaints. Well, the gas mileage isn't great (anyone surprised?), but it's the first V8 I've had in 20 years, and I can't help but drive it like I'm 18 again - mid life crisis, I guess. My last car was a freakin' Ford Aspire. Yeah, aspiring to be a car...

 

Sadly to say if I had the money I would have to buy a ram instead. I love my truck and everything and its been pretty good to me but I need a bigger truck with more room so I would prob have a 2nd gen ram with a cummins or at least a v10.

 

This is my 2nd Dak and my mother bought hers new in 2000 and still running great. Yes, I'd own another one and my wife actualy wants one of her own so I can have mine back. I am not a specific mopar guy and have owned a lot of trucks over the years But I would definately have another dakota. On the other hand, I won't even consider a V-6 (my mothers is a 3.9). Not because of any problems or anything, they are just way too weak for me. Oh, and if I ever buy another one with an auto I would definately be swaping transmissions really quick. I hate automatics.

 

my dakota is my second truck, I drove a 97 Ford f-250 diesil extended cab 4x4 with the 7.3 with the low gears or w/e(forgot the ratio) for about a year and I honestly miss that truck, truckin around town in that big bad boy was awesome. The purr of that diesil was just something I loved. It was straight piped with no cat(i didnt have to smog it in cali) and that sucker was a mean sounding truck. The whistle of the turbo just tickled me!

The dakota is fun to drive around and stuff but I feel like something is missing in my right hand. If I were to change anything about my truck I would change it to a 5 speed, but I think I would get another dakota if the opportunity presented itself.


edit: my diesil got better gas mileage too lol!

 

You sold that with your truck...wtf man