dodge dakota advice

[island guy]

I'm looking at a 96 dakota 4WD with the V6 magnum motor. Other than poor MPG which I really don't care about as it will be a second vehicle that won't get driven much, anybody with any experience or thoughts on this truck?

[The Grebe]

Probably shouldn't be to bad as trucks go? I have an 06 Dakota 4x4 with the 6 cyl. and it gets about 14-15 mpg in the winter and 15-16 in the summer.

My second truck is 01 Ram with the 316 in it and that doesn't do much less for milage then the six. My third truck is an 03 Ram with a 6 popper and that gets about the same...give or take a mile or so on each?

My forth truck is a 99 extended cab Ranger 4x4 with the 3.0 six and this truck seems to get the same milage all the time, about 14 mpg. I use these trucks for business purposes and they get to see alot of city driving.

[muddpuppy]

I had a 98 dakota V8 great truck the only issues I had were front end Wheel bearings and ball joints. Also had the tranny replaced at 120.000 miles but back then I beat the you know what out of the micro machine. I also had slightly oversized tires. so All the problems I had were most likly self induced.

Good luck

[SkunkedAgain]

I've always liked the Dodge products from afar, but everytime I talk to owners of them I was steered wide and clear. I probably just had the bad luck of knowing people with multiple transmission and engine issues.

[motley man]

Brother has 98 Dakota 2 wheel drive and had trans put in 4 years ago. Gets 18-22 MPG, only problems are normal other than tranny. I think it's a nice ride. I have 93 Ford Ranger with 3.0 4 cyl. and 2001 Ranger with 4.0 6 cyl. and both get about 15 to 18 MPG. Go figure! Tell me the auto companies don't work with gas companies.