I don't know much about trucks other than I need to buy one. I've got two trucks I am considering buying and I am looking for a little guidance.

1) 2007 Dodge Dakota Crew Cab SLT 4.8L 82,000 miles - looks good and drives great, very very minor rust spots near the wheel wells and the front base of the bed - $12,900

2)2004 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 LS Extended Cab 5.3L 20,200 miles- looks perfect, drives great - no known issues - $15,900


My budget is saying Dakota, but my gut is saying that $3000 more for a truck with 60,000 less miles is the way to go. Any good reasons why I should go with one over the other?

 

small rust on wheel wells, expands quick... ask me how i know.

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Depends on what you want out of a truck. If it were me and I were presented that choice without ever owning a Dakota, I'd (gasp) chose the chebby only because it's got 20k miles and it's almost 10 years old! Thats still new! A Dakota with that many miles, you will have front end problems (ball joints, struts, tie rods, stabilizer links). Have it checked out real good. Otherwise the Dak is a great truck. I wanted a V8 and did not want or need a full size truck. The Dakota is perfect for me and I'm glad I chose a Dakota personally.

 

silverado has a larger aftermarket and parts support and will likely hold value longer ... it also has a Higher towing and cargo capacity- That being said .. Buy my 06 quad cab dakota 4x4 https://dodgeforum.com/forum/car-tru...-carolina.html

 

Eimer123, how long did it take you to go from small bubbles under the paint to that?

 

my truck is an 05, and the cancer is spreading pretty quickly too

 

If you have bubbles, the metal is already shot. It's only one power wash away from looking like mine

 

yep, when it comes to fenders, it works from the inside out.

 

For me there would be no contest. The Chev is the way to go in this case. With so few years and that much rust on the Dakota, you'll spend all the cash difference and more replacing the whole front suspension on the Dakota, including both sets of control arms & then try to fix the rust & get a reasonable paint job for less than a couple of thousand dollars. With the Chev, you'll have hundreds of doner vehicles in salvage yards to repair almost anything you need done - including body pieces for reasonable cost. Check the brakes on whichever one you decide to go with - the Dak calipers will most likely be on their way out.

 

I love my dak but I would buy the chevy. WAY better aftermarket support if you want to modify anything. Plus for only $3k more and 60,000 less miles it's a no brainer.