when i bought my truck the dealer also had a 3.7 ram with cruise and tilt and power windows and a bunch of other goodies and it was also a 6spd. same mileags same price. within 1 model year. same condition even. i chose the dak with the v8 because i wanted a motor with an actual timing chain and a good design and after doing research and creeping this and a few other forums i decided to get the dak. and i never looked back.

 

I searched for mine on carmax. You can find daks from all over the country. I wanted an 05-07 quad cab 4x4 with the Laramie package and a V8. Lucked out on one in Charlotte, about 2.5 hours away. They delivered it for free. it had 48k on it and I drove it home for 16k and some change. Traded in an 07 Frontier for it and never looked back (a-la cheesburger). It's not the fastest truck I've owned or the best mileage....but d@mn she's so sexy....lol...has everything I wanted with the Laramie package. Only thing I wish it had is a sunroof....

 

I've never owned a truck before that's why I am asking so many questions. I really wouldn't mind a ranger or tacoma for reliability and mpgs, but I've always owned mopar dodge stratus then chrysler sebring and I loved both cars. Now it's time for a truck and I can't see myself not getting a Dakota. I know it won't be super reliable, but I'm hoping I can put some miles on it without any major problems. Looking forward to buying one. I will check out carmax. and yes, they are very sexy, besides the 08 and up.. IDK why they did that to the grill!

 

double posted. see below

 

the only things that may go out are going to be ball joints and tie rods, and maybe a steering rack. but thats going to happen with anything. if u got a ranger its going to have the 4r44e transmission and dont even get me started on fords automatic transmissions i've got stories.... i go no beef with the tacome besides parts are sooo fricken expensive...

 

There are some on here who have had nothing but trouble( the "built on Monday" trucks) others who drive the **** out of theirs on a daily basis (cheesburger and a few others) and never have major issues. the front end on these trucks is junk from the factory so be prepared to replace sway bar links, struts, ball joints, etc. but there are aftermarket ones out there. I love mine and have had no major issues. I drove back-to-back frontiers (04 & 07) and drove them both to 50k+ and only had to put tires on them, so there are "more reliable" small trucks out there, but thats just it, they are small. I did not want a full size, but wanted something bigger than the "sample trucks" offered by ford, chevy, taco, and I wanted a V8. Dakota is the only thing out there like that. I was willing to take the risk. If your going to get a v6, then look at the other brands because then you can compare things like dependability, mileage, etc. but if you want a V8, there is nothing that compares. To me, the V8 is what sets the Dakota apart.

dang double post again....wtf???

 

If your not going to be towing, go with the v6. Gas prices are never going to level out. It will continue to go up. If you have to tow a boat or somthin then 4.7 is a must.

 

I have a 4.7 and a 3.7. Both have 120,000 miles on em. The 4.7 has a blown head gasket and the 3.7 is still kickin.

 

My defense for getting the Dodge 4.7l - Why get the 3.7l when its gas mileage is the same as the 4.7l? Don't believe me, ask the 3.7l owners what they pull for mileage ..... its pretty sad for a V6.

 

This...ive ot an 06 and a 2010 ranger both have had transmission problems.