Hey everyone. Ive been looking at smaller trucks and was set on a ford ranger. That is, until I found the Dakota. I got an offer on a 2001 v6 2wd Dakota xe. The truck has almost 120k on it. How do the trucks hold up?

I'm a college guy, so I don't have the time or money to be dumping into repairs...do these rucks hold their own among the rangers and tacomas?

Anything I should look for when checking out the truck? It's a 5 speed

Thanks guys!

 

Pretty sure it's the 4.9l v6

 

With most of these trucks, you'd be better off getting the 4.7L V8 over the 3.9L V6 as the gas mileage is about the same I think. If you look around you can get a V8 with a 5 speed too. Others will chime in on this and I may get e-ssaulted by saying the MPGs are similar too.

 

I'm all set with the v6. I have no need for the v8. I have an offer on my car for trading for a '01 Dakota. It's the 3.9l. Has 117k on it. Ive heard that the engine is reliable, but Im just wondering what to look for with the truck. Anything to look for with that year? Are they generally as reliable as a ranger?

Also, I prefer that regular cab. I'm use to small cars as I drive an eclipse convertible and a Honda prelude before that.

 

Most will say well I have no need for a v8. The future will come when you wish you had the v8. Plus you can get a 100 extra hp and keep pretty much the same mpg. Overall the trucks are way better than any other brand out there. I myself put my truck through the paces and havent had a problem untill my auto tranny went out. Coarse any dodge auto pretty much sucks.

 

The Chrysler 45RFE and 545RFE is probably one of the best transmissions to date. Very strong piece of hardware. You can get this transmission by getting the 4.7L. the 5.2L and 5.9L both had their own transmissions as well, 46RH for the 5.2L and 46RE for the 5.9L I believe.

 

Here is some info:

I have the 3.9L V6 and my girlfriend's uncle has the 4.7L V8 and I get 15.6 MPG, he gets 15.2.

He has an extra 70 horsepower over me.

Both are automatics. I would love to have his truck, but I can't complain about mine - it only has 45k and I got a bulletproof deal on it. We haven't raced, but I'd give him the win off hand.

Bottom line: If you can get the V8 go for it. The V6 hasn't failed me and I love my truck so if the right price comes up for you, go with that.

Good luck.

 

I've heard of some problems but its just like my 44re some people have them and not a single problem with them. Its all in what you do to your truck.

 

It's fine if you're all set on the 3.9, it's reliable and all, but as a 3.9 owner (I do love my truck) I would get a 4.7 or 5.2 if I could do it over again... The very small mpg gain is not worth the power sacrifice. I've done some stuff to get a little more power out of it, but I definitely wish I would've gotten either one of the V8's. Though maybe a 3.9 with a manual wouldn't be too bad, mine's auto.

 

Thanks guys. Only reason for the v6 is that I got an offer for a trade for my eclipse. Pretty solid offer too. At over 100k miles, what should i expect. It hasn't been beat on, but I just want to be sure that I'm not going to be getting a truck that'll fall apart on me.

What kind of highway mileage can expect from the regular cab, v6 with a tonneau cover and a cold air intake? Im used to keeping my cars at under 2k rpm...