1997 Dodge Dakota Club Cab

Best Truck Ever!

By Jett (MN) on Tuesday, May 21, 2013

I own this car - My approximate mileage is 158,000

Pros: "Great gas mileage, very roomy fun to drive"

Cons: "No cons"

Likely to recommend this car? (1-10): 10

"I have owned my 1997 Dodge Dakota Sport 4X4 for about a year and half 2 years now. I love this truck. It is very reliable. No problems with it what so ever. Very easy to fix. I've done all the repairs on this truck myself. I recommend this truck to anyone that wants a great reliable truck that they can fix them selves as need be. This truck also gets great gas milage!!"

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Amazing gas mileage

By Ippi (RI) on Monday, May 20, 2013

I own this car - My approximate mileage is 130,000

Pros: "Everything!"

Cons: "Nothing!"

Likely to recommend this car? (1-10): 10

"My Dakota with the 4.7L engine gets 16 mpg with just normal driving. I have never loved a vehicle as much as I love this truck. Awesome sound system and great stock radio. A ton of power for a mid size truck and being so light weight you can get a lot of speed if you need it; yet you can also tow just as much as the big boys. This is by no means a small truck but nor is it enormous and too big to be practical, it is the perfect size. I can seat six people comfortably in my ext. cab (granted we are slim). Amazingly comfortable and stylish interior, I can drive for hours without any back pain or discomfort. A lot of inside storage under seats and in compartments. You can flip up the middle console to turn it into a nice bench seat if you are used to that style of truck or need to fit an extra person. Awesome lighting system inside and out, fog lights are a nice touch. Performs perfectly in dirt, mud, water, sand dunes and dense wooded areas. The Dakotas seem to last forever and do not have the front end problems that the regular full size dodge trucks are known for. You cannot possibly regret driving this truck unless you are the kind of person who drives a smartcar."

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reliable

By jw (AZ) on Sunday, May 05, 2013

I own this car - My approximate mileage is 120,000

Pros: "plenty of room inside for long trips."

Cons: "the paint faded on the hood and roof"

Likely to recommend this car? (1-10): 10

"fast, with plenty of power hauls a load of wood without squatting the truck or making the front end come up gets good gas mileage if I keep my foot out of it. only had to replace the water pump, battery, and tires otherwise very good."

2 people out of 2 found this review helpful

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best vehicle i ever had.

By phyllis (TX) on Monday, April 29, 2013

I own this car - My approximate mileage is 174,000

Likely to recommend this car? (1-10): 10

"ilove this truck. perfect size for me and everything i do. would get another but found out they dont make them anymore. that upset me tremendously. a little more headroom would have been nice for my hubby but thats all."

1 person out of 1 found this review helpful

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Size is just right; Quality Lacking

By LaxDave (MD) on Sunday, April 28, 2013

I own this car - My approximate mileage is 65,125

Pros: "Perfect size for my needs, nice body design"

Cons: "Quality of parts, high maintenance costs, low MPG"

Likely to recommend this car? (1-10): 3

"The up side (and why I hang on to it): The size of the vehicle is just right for my needs, and not found in any other brand. Like the looks, both inside and out. Only thing I would have changed is to make the shift lever shorter so that it doesn't block access to the radio and climate controls. The down side: Gas mileage (V8 4.7L AT 4wd, conservative driver) 14 mpg around town, 17 highway (I keep very detailed records, the best I ever got was 20 mpg on a long trip at steady 60 mph speed when it was fairly new). Quality of parts: 2006: Ball joints recall 2007: Replaced starter (have 1997 Ford Ranger with 100K miles, original starter) 2009: Front shocks replaced, leaking (have 1997 Ford Ranger with 100K miles, original shocks) 2009: Check engine light, leaking vacum hose 2010: Cheapo chrome caps on lug nuts start coming loose, falling off (outrageous dealer price ($9.39 each) to replace 2011: Check engine light, leaking vacum hose 2011: Check engine light again, leaking vacum hose 2011: Rear stabilizer bar replaced 2011: Rear shocks replaced (have 1997 Ford Ranger with 100K miles, original shocks) 2011: Front frame rubber bumpers replaced 2012: Intermediate steering shaft joint worn, replaced 2012: Check engine light again 2012: Parking brake pads come loose from brake shoe, wedge inside parking brake drum, have to replace rear brakes, very expensive for cheap part failure. 2013: Rust on tail gate lower edge 2013: Tail pipe hanger rusted through (have 1997 Ford Ranger with 100K miles, original muffler, tailpipe) Spent well over $6,000 in all scheduled maintenance and repairs in 10 years of ownership, and 65,000 miles of conservative driving, no off-road or otherwise strenuous conditions. Little things, like vacumn hose leaks and lug nut caps coming loose that are--comparatively--very expensive to fix or replace. Failure of parking brake pads resulting in premature replacement of rear brakes (rotors, etc) and wearing of steering shaft."

1 person out of 1 found this review helpful

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Great for the right person.

By Alex (TN) on Wednesday, April 24, 2013

I own this car - My approximate mileage is 114,000

Pros: "Fun to drive, Looks great, Powerful, Quick, Comfy"

Cons: "Slightly cramped, Clear coat is low quality"

Likely to recommend this car? (1-10): 8

"I got this truck as my first personal vehicle and have loved it since. I drove many trucks big and small before I owned one of my own and I have to say I am happy with my purchase. I love how quick the 3.9L is while still being pretty efficient on gas for a truck its size. I usually get 18-22 mpg while shifting at 1800 and light on the pedal. Having a lead foot however will give you about 14-16 mpg. The interior is great as is the stereo. I love the convenience of the middle console and both cup holders. My only quarrel with the interior is the lack of room. This truck would be ideal for a young man or older man who simply uses it for getting from point a to point b. Even giving a ride for a friend or family member has the truck feeling cramped for a 2-seater. The power behind the V6 has let me haul a 26-foot pontoon boat with ease as well as long trips hauling off-road toys on a medium trailer. Gas mileage is hardly even effected."

3 people out of 4 found this review helpful

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