Ok, so I have been looking to buy a dakota in the last couple of weeks and am wondering what your guys opinions are between the v8 and v6 motors. I don't need a lot of power and it seems as if the MPGs are pretty equivalent along with even the horses. I won't be pulling much that is why choosing the Dakota over a 1/2 ton truck. I just really want something with a bed verse my two door Chrysler Sebring now. I will be spending about 15k and just want something that will run for a long time. I am finding that most trucks around the price have at least 50k miles on them already and I will be running the truck far past a 100k if everything turns out as planned. Anyways, what's your thoughts and common problems between these two motors? THANKS FOR YOUR TIME!

T Visk

I really wanted to find a v8 at first then I stumbled upon this. I live in SD but but my brother lives in Denver so I figured it would make a good reason to go visit him. This looks like a very clean V6...

http://denver.craigslist.org/ctd/2367940744.html

 

go v8 all the way. I love mine, but there are quite a few v6'ers on here who swear by their V6's. You should be able to get a nice quad cab with a V8

 

go for the V8. You should be able to get quite a nice quad cab V8 either SLT or Laramie for your budget. thats a really nice looking truck except for the V6 (no disrespect to the V6 guys) sorry for the dual post....dont know what happened there....

 

just get the v8. you'll be glad u did. if u dont youll be regretting it the whole time u own the truck.

 

Look man if you are going to drop 15K just get the v8.

Nothing wrong with the V6, but I would have to find it at a VERY sweet price.

 

I gotta agree, the V8 is the way to go. I would also make sure the tow package is included, it's on most of the Dakotas, I think. You can probably get a really good deal on another V8 Dakota, with people so worried about gas prices.

 

but the V6 could be just as sick

check out this v6 raider, essentially the same thing

http://www.topspeed.com/cars/mitsubi...r-ar15262.html

 

I don't need a lot of power, I want a truck that is very clean. I want to do upgrades though like dual exhaust and I want a little rumble. IDK if I can get that from a V6.. my 3.0L in my sebring sounds real good with my muffler cut out but no rumble. IDK, I'm more concerned with reliability then anything. I also want the truck to be responsive when needed. Miles on your v8s and problems you've had? I am mopar man can't can't see me going to a tacoma, ranger, s-10, or any of those other compacts. I'm pretty stuck on the 3rd gen dakota now. I've seen a ton of very clean ones on here.. It seems like most I find are very over priced though. If you don't mind how much did you guys pay for yours and what did they retail for when you bought them?

thanks for the help, hopefully within the next few weeks I will find the perfect one

there is a nice black dakota in the for sale section right now but IDK if it's clean enough. Very cheep at 11k with a lot of upgrades but 80k miles and dings and scratches on body.

 

as far as reliability goes the 4.7 seems pretty solid. its not exactly new either, its been in jeeps for years. im not sure whats up with the 3.7

 

I mean I wouldn't mind getting an SLT over a Laramie because my last two vehicles have had leather and they seem to wear faster even with care. I am only interested in the 05-07 because of the grill and I'm looking at 17-18k with 65k+ miles. and these are SLTs. Any advice on finding a clean truck with 50k or less miles for around 15k or am I dreaming?

I'm willing to travel the country for one also. My grandpa dives big rigs coast to coast so I can get about anywhere.