2008 Dodge Dakota V8...

[trojanone1]

Black 2008 Dodge Dakota 4.7l V8 4 door with 70xxx miles on it owned by my fiancee's grandfather who cant decide if he wants to sell it or not. Truck never had mud flaps on it so it has a few rust spots behind wheel wells and on the rocker panels from rocks hitting and chipping the paint. Living on a gravel road doesn't help either. I would get the rust spots fixed on the truck and probably give it a tune up if i bought it.

My dilemma is I'm looking at buying a truck in the near future and have been looking at 1-2 year old Ram 1500's (with 5.7 8 speeds only) or F150 supercrew with the 5.0. I would have to finance the newer Ram 1500 or F150, but could buy the Dakota outright for the right price. My question is which truck would any of you consider buying for the right price? The slight fixer upper/project or the newer truck? I think any of the newer trucks look nice so if i went shopping for a new(er) truck it would be based on price, has to have 4 doors, and the mpgs the truck gets (I know its a truck but still a big factor). I am not brand loyal.

The 4.7l V8 okay on gas mileage? Or am i better off with a newer, more modern engine in the newer offerings from Ram and Ford?

Thoughts?

[stocker]

Back around 2010, I drove a variety of rental trucks for work. One of them was a v6 version of the truck you're looking at. From what I remember, it had the worst interior of them all - the seats were so bad I would never consider buying one. I know you are looking at a v8 but the v6 was a dog and drank as much gas as the ford and chevy v8s.

It seems like 6 cylinder pickups offer little to no gas savings and are embarrassingly slow. I'd opt for a full size v8 - the newer ones will obviously have the best mileage. Or just get the new dodge diesel at 28mpgs

[chris99gtp]

My dad recently bought a 2012 f150 Lariat with the 5.0. We absolutely love the truck. I would recommend it.

[trojanone1]

Back around 2010, I drove a variety of rental trucks for work. One of them was a v6 version of the truck you're looking at. From what I remember, it had the worst interior of them all - the seats were so bad I would never consider buying one. I know you are looking at a v8 but the v6 was a dog and drank as much gas as the ford and chevy v8s.

It seems like 6 cylinder pickups offer little to no gas savings and are embarrassingly slow. I'd opt for a full size v8 - the newer ones will obviously have the best mileage. Or just get the new dodge diesel at 28mpgs

Nah the truck is going to be a daily driver and never messed with diesel engines in my life. I cant decide between a Ram 1500 or the F150. I guess test driving both will solve that.

[stocker]

Yea, nothing replaces a test drive and a first impression of a new or used vehicle.

I never drove the full size dodge but I drove the 2010 F-150. As I remember, the Ford was my favorite. Granted it was new (all the trucks were), but it just felt solid and tight, it was quick and that was before ecoBoost. The dash and instrument cluster was hideous though.

[selliott]

My dad had the 318 in his Dakota 4x4 , now it's mine it has over 300k on the original engine it's tired but still runs. My dad swore by that truck drove all over the US with it. If I remember correctly it got decent gas mileage as well. But.....he hated the 4.7 in the newer ones....for what it's worth.

[Fivefingerdeathpunch]

4.7's eat more gas than the 5.7's, more so because the newer 5.7's shut down cylinders.

Some people swear by the 4.7 but they just so outdated and engine bays on those dakota's are super crammed.

Figure you are only going to get 20-22 freeway in one of those 8 speed rams, less in the 5.0 F-150. Maybe around 17-19 from what I've seen and the avg near 14-15 or so.

Fords have a cool motor, but I hate the looks and arent fond of the interior.

I'd go newer ram or newer silverado/sierra but it all comes down to price. A decent anything 2010+ is 20-25K for a nice one.

[trojanone1]

Around here its only a few grand difference between new and a used truck with around 30k miles. Its nuts.

[selliott]

Yeah with all the incentives its almost silly to buy used

[trojanone1]

Anyone own the new colorado/canyon? A mid size truck would be a perfect fit for me since i wont be towing much but im iffy on the 3.6 V6. Same motor that's in my fiancées Impala and while i love driving her car and think it's quick i could be disappointed in the same motor in a truck.