Been driving a Neon for 6 years, recently moved, and now am looking for a smaller truck.

Here's the questions:
What is a decent price? What I'm looking for: 2005+ 70,000 and under, 4x4, extended cab(crew, quad, whatever, just not standard cab).
Gas Mileage? V6 or V8.. I did use the search.. guess I just want more opinions
Insurance price? My Neon's insurance prices are outrageous, something about them means you pay out the wazoo for insurance.
Are the 4x4's full time all wheel drive, or is it selective?
Anything else I should know?

 

I wouldnt pay over $10k for what you are looking for and thats on the high side.
The V6s and V8s are very close in mileage usually around 15mpg city and low 20s highway.
Here in PA I think my truck alone is $90/mo for full coverage, but that will vary by state and area.
The 4WD is part time. The AWDs Daks were kinda rare, but they are out there but were kinda noted as having worse fuel mileage then the 4WDs.
Ask away and we'll help as much as possible... BTW Welcome to DF and the 3rd Gen Dakota Section!

 

i used to own a neon and getting my dakota was the best thing i ever did. mine is a 2008 quad cab 4x4 with the 4.7l v8 that i got for 20k in '09 with 34k miles on it and i average out at 17.5mpg with the k&n drop in air filter. the 4x4 in mine is selective (i can choose 2wd, 4hi, or 4lo). and my insurence is around 140 a month (im 22 on the 14th so its still kinda high but its full coverage)

 

That is exactly the truck I was hunting for. An 08 or newer with 4.7L V8 and I was looking for a Q/C. If you buy a Dakota you will love it, best truck I have ever owned.

 

In Canada I pay 98/ month, v6 is a good motor. Slightly less towing capacity, but I love mine.

 

I have four Neons, and a 2010 Dakota V8. Get the '08+ V8; not much difference in mileage, but a huge difference in power. The 4.7l V8 was re-designed in '08, for much more power than earlier versions. The truck will get much worse mileage than a Neon, but will do things a Neon can't. My '02 Neon with a Magnum 2.0l engine swap and ACR suspension will corner well, get good mileage, and be easy to park. It won't tow much (although it does have a small hitch, and I have towed a 4' X 8' utility trailer, lol). I've driven cross-country with the '02 Neon, and have driven the Dakota from Florida to Ohio. I like the truck much better for freeway cruising, even with the higher fuel consumption. The 2010 truck was slightly more for insurance than the '02 Neon.

 

In WI I pay $68 for full coverage. Mileage for my full time AWD is 14 mpg's per tank w/ my 4.7L. I would look for something w/ less mileage. U can find some awesome deals.

 

Thanks for all the replies. So a 2008 v8 has significantly more power but gas mileage is comparable? I don't think I could afford much more than about 10k or $200 a month, and all the car lots around here want like 14-15 for a 2006 or 2007 with 80,000 miles.. seems like 12k is the bottom for anything 4x4 around here.

One more question, maybe kinda stupid, and should be obvious.. but do all the 3rd gens have 4 wheel disc brakes? I am just so sick of messing with god forsaken drums.

 

No the brakes in back are drum

 

12k will be around $300/ month. I bought mine for $12,500 in march. It had 54k on the odo and was in perfect condition inside and out, really like it was manufactured yesterday condition. I could tell the po took very good care of it. 10k to 15k was the going orice for 3g daks. Just have confidence in whatever you decide to buy.