Well right now im 17 and have a 98 dakota 318 v8 pretty used to it and like it. I like to hunt ride atvs and have a yellow lab. I thought when I got this truck It would be big enough for me but I was wrong and find myself cramming my stuff/dog/friends in there which if you are any taller than 4 foot you do not want to sit in the back of a dakota. Found a truck that I like http://altoona.craigslist.org/ctd/1365756438.html

Wondering if I go to look at this truck or any other truck(im only going with a ram nothing else) what should I look for I know check to see if its leaking anything, shifts smooth, shifts into 4wd smooth, make sure the engine isnt making any weird noises. I dont know everything about trucks but I know my way around them and do all my own work on my dakota. What else should I check for and what kind of mpg am I going to be looking at Ive read where some people are getting 16-17 average on a stock truck and some are getting 10-12mpg average and all of them are going easy on them. I normally dont have a heavy foot unless im seeing how much ***** the guy tailgating me has or if im just in one of those go fast moods but that stuff rarely happens. Is it true that the autos in rams suck and they like to go out about every 3 years? Id much rather get a manual anyway but it doesn't matter to me.

 

It looks like it was well cared for. The first thing you should do is take it to your mechanic and have it thoroughly gone over for ANY problems what so ever. Make sure the tranny is in good condition because as you appear to know the tranny is the major weak link in these trucks followed by just about every other major component. If you are willing to put in the effort though you will enjoy it.

 

Only thing is its 90 miles from me.

My mom and step dad said the same exact thing about normalville lol

 

Hey, it's in Normalville. How can you go wrong?

Looks pretty clean and fairly low miles.

 

It's about 250 miles from me and I would still go and buy it if it was a good deal.

 

Go buy it than.

 

Well I aksed the guy if he would trade just to see what he would say and asked what I wanted for my truck its only worth 5,500 but I told him 6,000 and waiting for him to get back to me. My friend traded his 98 88,000miles dak sport 3.9 v6 5 speed manual no extra options other than the good 15in wheels and fog lights. He traded for a 01 ram 1500 5.2 v8 4x4 6 in skyjacker lift with newer 35in tires 120,000miles auto power everything sound system. only thing wrong was it would miss at times that was due to the crack in the k&n tube believe it or not he traded straight up for his dakota. If I can trade with little or no cash ill do it but dont have 6,500 at the moment to buy it(landscaper working 1 day a week due to no work)