My 16 yr old just got his first car, and he said "I hope it'll be as good as the Dakota. I've been riding in that thing almost everyday since I was 5 and it never broke down." He wanted to go with a Chrysler product, but it didn't work out - the ones in good shape were out of the price range. Anyway, maybe he'll get one next go around.

 

I'm on my fifth Dakota and they've all been extremely reliable. The first one had the 5.2, all the rest were 4.7 models.

Have never been left stranded by any of them. The last two went 250k+ miles each with minimal maintenance. One needed a radiator and condenser from road debris damage. Another needed a power steering pressure switch and trans speed sensor. Cheap and easy parts to replace.

My current Dakota has had two water pumps before 100 k miles which is a little unusual but the dealer did the first under warranty. I did the second one a few weeks ago. It was such a cheap part and so easy to do it was almost trivial to replace.

 

That is good service! Sometimes I look around here and think I'm just lucky. As much as I'm a fan, I know Chrysler has some to avoid. While looking at cars, saw a good deal on a Sebring Convertible - unfortunately it had the 2.7 v6. That engine has the water pump inside the engine driven by the timing chain, and if it fails it can take out the engine. WTH was the engine designer thinking? Ferrari could get away with this, but not Chrysler. I pity the uneducated buyer that snaps up that beautiful car at such a low price.