Honestly, I would say no. I'm not ever going to buy a chrysler product again just because of this truck. I have run into problem after problem with this truck and wouldnt reccomend anyone getting one.
Buying 98 Dakota as first truck- yes or no?
I'm 16 and have saved enough money to buy a truck. My dad had a 92 dakota years back and it was very reliable. He had the v6 with a 5spd. Had 180k before he sold it. Anyway, I am looking to buy my first car and someone at my dad's work has a 98 Dakota. It has the 3.9 v6, 5 speed, extended cab and only 67,000 miles. It needs ball joints though. The guy is pretty firm at $2500 My dad said its not the greatest condition cosmetically (pretty scratched up), but the low miles are drawing me in. For 2500 it doesn't seem like a bad deal to me. I have looked up review on the web and there are alot of bad ones. Are the trucks bad or are the happy people just being quiet? I have seen alot of bad ball joints, cat converters, trannys (although they don't worry me as the one im looking at has a 5speed), and brakes. So i have some questions for you.
How is the truck in general? High operation cost? Bad Reliability?
What should i expect in mpg from this engine/tranny combo?
How hard are the ball joints to put in? How much will they run me?
Should I worry about the bad reviews?
Lastly, given the details, what are your thought? Buy it?
How is the truck in general? High operation cost? Bad Reliability?
What should i expect in mpg from this engine/tranny combo?
How hard are the ball joints to put in? How much will they run me?
Should I worry about the bad reviews?
Lastly, given the details, what are your thought? Buy it?
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for a 1st vehicle and being 16, I'd say go for it; realize that miles aint everything though. I have seen vehicles with 250K miles in better shape than others with 40K miles....
don't worry about a few scrapes if it is structurally sound.
I have owned 4 kinds of vehicles since I was 16 in 1983, and that's all i will own; Chryslers Dodges plymouths and Jeeps. I refuse to buy a front wheel drive anything. 4X4? I have 3 now (one is my son's) and will probably never be without at least 1.
I have a 78 Plymouth Fury Sport (yeah 2 door) sitting in storage waiting for road salt season to finish itself..... one many would call a "boat" but I love it. and a 2nd plymouth awaiting my new job to start, so I can resume my resto project.
I have had better luck with some of them I have owned, than others, yeah; and I prefer older models in any case. but trucks are machines>>> and machines of any kind, need MAINTENANCE, to be expected to last!
dont let the ball joints scare you; when I was an alignment guy for a living (18 years worth) I did plenty of them on all vehicles. get the best you can afford, there are many cheap brands that have popped up in the last 5 years that i would not trust farther than I can throw. Go with MOOG, TRW, or SPICER. Nobody else. I don't care about "lifetime warranty' these brands are proven/// and getting a cheap price dosen't top the aggravation of having to redo a job because you saved a few bucks. You do get what you pay for.
don't worry about a few scrapes if it is structurally sound.
I have owned 4 kinds of vehicles since I was 16 in 1983, and that's all i will own; Chryslers Dodges plymouths and Jeeps. I refuse to buy a front wheel drive anything. 4X4? I have 3 now (one is my son's) and will probably never be without at least 1.
I have a 78 Plymouth Fury Sport (yeah 2 door) sitting in storage waiting for road salt season to finish itself..... one many would call a "boat" but I love it. and a 2nd plymouth awaiting my new job to start, so I can resume my resto project.
I have had better luck with some of them I have owned, than others, yeah; and I prefer older models in any case. but trucks are machines>>> and machines of any kind, need MAINTENANCE, to be expected to last!
dont let the ball joints scare you; when I was an alignment guy for a living (18 years worth) I did plenty of them on all vehicles. get the best you can afford, there are many cheap brands that have popped up in the last 5 years that i would not trust farther than I can throw. Go with MOOG, TRW, or SPICER. Nobody else. I don't care about "lifetime warranty' these brands are proven/// and getting a cheap price dosen't top the aggravation of having to redo a job because you saved a few bucks. You do get what you pay for.
I've owned 9 dakotas in a row,and 1 ford. I never had a serious problem with any of them. My 99 ex cab,v-6,5 spd,was one of the nicest truck I ever had.Owned it for 2 years,and only put a water pump on it,at 135,000 miles. I say,BUY THE DAKOTA!!!
17.5 mpg
Ball joint do require some mechanical skill,I suggest you find someone with some experiance to tackle that job.
17.5 mpg
Ball joint do require some mechanical skill,I suggest you find someone with some experiance to tackle that job.
I've owned 3 dodges all 3 were and are trucks and 2 are Dakota's.... Presently I own an 02 Dakota... I'd say go for the truck if it's what you like and it may have a few problems but problems occur in all vehicles... Some big and some small... Just check it all out before you buy...
Go for it.
Im 17 and my I have a 1998 Dakota 3.9L V6 4x4 and I love it, but I do regret buying this specific one because I replaced the transmission in it the 2nd month I had it. But that was my fault since the ad on Craigslist said rebuilt trans... obviously it was done the wrong way. Anyway I love this truck. I get about 16 MPG with a heavy foot so you will probably get 16-22 depending on if the one your getting is 4wd. Looking to sell it now tho, planning on getting a Jeep Wrangler. Best of luck to you!
Im 17 and my I have a 1998 Dakota 3.9L V6 4x4 and I love it, but I do regret buying this specific one because I replaced the transmission in it the 2nd month I had it. But that was my fault since the ad on Craigslist said rebuilt trans... obviously it was done the wrong way. Anyway I love this truck. I get about 16 MPG with a heavy foot so you will probably get 16-22 depending on if the one your getting is 4wd. Looking to sell it now tho, planning on getting a Jeep Wrangler. Best of luck to you!
1 - 6 of 6 Posts
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