So I recently bought a foreclosed home which is going to require some sweat equity. I find myself going back and forth from Lowes and the Home Depot a lot, and the Audi is not going to cut it for some of the bigger projects (i.e. fence repairs).

Because of that, I've been looking into pickup trucks. My criteria were as follows:

1. Still be under warranty since I'll be keeping it long term.
2. Can tow 4000lbs+ for work or play
3. Have 4 wheel drive
4. Nothing bigger than a V6 (don't want to spend too much on gas)
5. Under $16k

Anyhow, I found this truck which seems to meet all the criteria









The dealer has this 2008 Dakota at $15,995 with only 51 miles on the clock and it's being sold as a certified pre-owned. KBB and Edmunds has the value listed at anywhere from $17k to $20k.

In any case, I actually like the looks and the entire package. Despite the cheap interior, it meets the criteria. The only thing I'm unsure about is the reliability of Dodge trucks. Anyone have much experience with them or own one? What are some things I should be aware of or look for?

 

My neighbor has a Dakota about 2 yrs old. No problems so far.

 

ehh dodge, enough said

 

"ehh" what?

 

let us know when it breaks

 

Why? You've got personal experience or just heresay?

 

just real bad trans issues, worse than the acuras and was shittier warranty, buty I think they've stepped up in that department. Also really bad paint fading problems...

...the rest is hearsay

 

not this generation dakota, but the previous ones were pieces of shit. I know one guy that had his re wired 3 times and it was still fucked. My old landlord had one and went through 2 rear ends in as many years, and he's in his late 60's so I doubt he was layin' strips. I'd stay away from them like the plague.

Get a Ford or a Chevy.

 

wait til this generation ages beyond a year or 2

 

Is 2008 the latest generation? As in first model year? I noticed the look changed from 2007 to 2008 with a completely different front.

 

Just buy a cheap beater for under $5000 and call it a day... If you're not going to use it as a daily driver, who cares if it's new...

You mean if Dodge is even around a year or two from now... Out of the big 3, they are at the biggest risk to fail...

 

how about a used nissan frontier? 05's are in your price range and you cant beat the VQ

 

big just get something that runs, after all it's only going to be a glorified grocery getter anyways. Personally I'd want something that I don't give 2 shits about, something that I can beat the side with a 2x4 and not care.

 

But I care about any car/truck I drive even if it is a beater.

Anyhow, I know there are a lot of cheaper beater trucks out there, but of course they're mostly high mileage and over 5 years old. I'm just as leery about high mileage vehicles as I am with this Dodge, which is why I want something still in warranty. Although it wouldn't be a daily driver, I still need a truck that would get my bikes and gear to and from track days reliably. In addition to groceries and Lowes.

 

If this is just a project hauler so cheap.

Look on craigslist and get an old beat up workhorse truck for $1-2000 and go nuts.

Look at old hardbody Nissan Frontiers and Toyota T100s. Something that will get the hauling done and not leave you stranded.

 

Thanks, I totally forgot about the old T100s. I'll have to check on those...

 

My dad had the previous generation and hasn't had one problem.

 

Toyota/Nissan pickup w/150,000 miles > Dodge Dakota w/52 miles.

Plus aren't Dodge trucks major gas guzzlers? Get yourself a nice Frontier/Tacoma with a V6, low miles for less money and less headaches.