New here, but have been looking for a truck, specificlly a Dakota for a few months now. My budget is a lil low, about $4,000. I've been finding a lot in the 105-120K mile range. At that point is it time to start some major maitinance? This is going to be a daily driver, so should I take mod money from my Stealth and put it towards my truck fund or will a 110K mile truck be pretty reliable? Thanks for any help.

 

Dakotas will hold out, but with any automobile, you're going to start seeing problems around 80k. After that point, stuff is going to wear out and you're going to need to start replacing things.

Its all relative though, to how rough the previous owner drived it, how many miles were highway, if its been offroading, etc.

Just do your research before you buy the truck, and dont be afraid to ask questions like that. www.carfax.com is great, too.

 

i payed $3300 for mine with 73,000 miles on it......but its a 4cyl so you get what you pay for

 

Well all cars hit a standard "high milage" at 75,000. I'd recomend start using oil designed for motors with that many miles unless synthetic was used prior.

 

Pretty good trucks all around. The 3.9L and 5.2L have shown to be really great motors. The 4.7L seems to be pretty good too.
200,000 miles easily, as long as you just do basic maintenance.

 

Yea I want the 3.9L with an automatic. Any advice when I go look at a truck? Anything special to look for? Also have heard trannys on these cars are a little weak, true?

 

If you abuse them, they will break. If you don't go crazy, their pretty good. Theres people with 150-200,000+ with the original tranny.
Definitly have them provide you maintenance records. Tranny service, differential service (transfer case as well if 4WD), ya know, the norm.
Poke around in the hood to check for fluid leaks. Check all the fluids, make sure their at the proper level and look pretty clean. (Note: transmission fluid level is checked with the engine running and at operating temperature and the transmission in neutral).
Ask for maintenace records.
Drive it around and make note of any noises. Make sure you get a few miles on it too.
Ask for maintenance records.
Take a look at the tires. Take note of abnormal wear patterns. Could point to the need for an alignment or worn out front-end parts.
Ask for maintenance records (see a theme?)

The 3.9L isn't anything impressive, the 5.2L is pretty good (about the same fuel efficency with more power), but, I like mine .
Oh yea, and when ya get your truck, you have to post pics. It's a requirement .

 

Should I ask for maintenance records? Just joking.

Thanks for your help, and does the V8 really get similar MPG to the V6? I would def love to have an 8, but thought the mileage would be a lot worse. I would like to find one that needs body work and paint. I can do all that myself and save myself some nice money.

Looking at a V8 right now that needs a new bed.

And Ill post some pics when I get one, dont worry.

 

i bought my 94 dak 5.2l 4x4 for $4500 at 95k in april, its now at 103k and i still have yet to have had a problem even after i did a 5k drive to NY and back with a 500lb load in the bed all the way to NY

 

I have a 98 Dakota with a 5.2L 4x4 and it has 135000 miles on her. She runs great and I haven't had alot of trouble. Like others said thing to go up and break but thats life.