Used 1997 Dodge Dakota Regular Cab Consumer Reviews
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Handy to have around
Phil Briddell, 01/12/2008
1997 Dodge Dakota Sport 2dr Regular Cab LB (2.5L 4cyl naturally aspired 5M)
5 of 5 people found this review helpful
I bought this for my daughter who always wanted a pickup. It has a teal color. It worked very well for her. She has moved to the city and a pickup is unnecessary, so I inherited it. I'm having trouble giving it up as it is handy to have around. Drives like a truck and gets the same kind of low mileage but that is what it is.
Just bought a '97 in 2013
sstevek, 07/30/2013
updated 02/05/2018
1997 Dodge Dakota SLT 2dr Regular Cab SB (3.9L 6cyl naturally aspired 5M)
3 of 4 people found this review helpful
My model is actually a Sport 2WD 3.9 5 speed manual that I bought with about 102,500 miles. I get plenty of snow in my area, but the truck is for occasional use. I wanted a truck with a V6 and a manual transmission, something not easy to find. I think the V6 with the manual is a great combination - and a rare find. The regular cab is a little tight for me - but that's ok. I do enjoy driving the truck. It rides well, and the interior is solid. With the windows up it's quiet - there's not one rattle in the truck. My first fuel calculation, highway and around town was 18.8 mpg. Very satisfied with that. I feel good about this truck. I was asked to update my review. I no longer have the Dakota, mainly because my son was living in an off campus area where the roads were steep. He had a AWD car, but it was getting up there in miles and if he needed repairs I wanted him to borrow something suited for snow, so I bought a 4WD truck with an automatic transmission. I will say, the interior of the Dakota was solid, not one rattle. I can't say the same about the 2001 GM truck that replaced it. I'd still recommend a used Dodge Dakota. I know someone who had about 230k miles on the 3.9V6 and it was still running fine. I was again asked to update my review. All I can add is the friend's Dakota mentioned above with 230k miles was sold with 320k. Last he heard it was running with 329k.
- Performance
- Interior
- Comfort
- Reliability
1997 Dodge Dakota for sale near you
Showing 2 of 2 listings
- BaseMSRP: $6,999474 mi away
- Base Extended CabMSRP: $4,900617 mi away
Believe it or not
TODD, 08/01/2002
1997 Dodge Dakota Sport 2dr Regular Cab 4WD SB (3.9L 6cyl naturally aspired 5M)
1 of 1 people found this review helpful
Handling is similiar to a Dodge car, can stay tight on curves and has very good performance over all. I have achieved 15.75 miles to the gallon while running the a/c. This is a mixture of highway and city driving.
My truck
Jo_jo69699, 07/15/2008
1997 Dodge Dakota Sport 2dr Regular Cab 4WD SB (3.9L 6cyl naturally aspired 5M)
1 of 2 people found this review helpful
I liked this truck before I even bought it. I would borrow it from my aunt all the time, it is spacious, very dependable, has a lot of power, fast, and has a lot of torque. I have taken this truck off road without any problems. Even the gas mileage is good, I average about 20-25 mpg, it has a v6 magnum in it, so I thought it was gonna be a gas hog. The only problem, I have had with the truck is the ac system, I can get it recharged and three days later it would need recharged again. This truck has never let me down and I have had it for 4 years.
I LOVE THIS TRUCK
JOSH CORBIT, 04/24/2002
1997 Dodge Dakota Sport 2dr Regular Cab 4WD SB (3.9L 6cyl naturally aspired 5M)
0 of 0 people found this review helpful
I LOVE THIS TRUCK
ok truck
allez, 10/14/2003
1997 Dodge Dakota SLT 2dr Regular Cab SB (3.9L 6cyl naturally aspired 5M)
0 of 0 people found this review helpful
i'd like the eng. 5.2 v8, but it fuel economy its horroble , also i had tho replace the water pump twice already, its a good, fun truck to have
think before you buy regular cab
ems, 05/02/2004
1997 Dodge Dakota SLT 2dr Regular Cab 4WD SB (3.9L 6cyl naturally aspired 5M)
0 of 0 people found this review helpful
it's been a good truck for the 6 months I've owned it. Beware of ball-joint issues in the 97-02 models... the 00-02 seem to be the worst, but mine needed all four ball joints before 100k... they aren't cheap either, total bill was $1500. The truck has plenty of power with the 318 (5.2) and the transmission has been smooth shifting... but the engine does have idle issues, make sure you start the truck COLD as that's when they tend to show up. Would I buy it again? Probably, but I'd get the club or quad cab!
Probelms, problems, problems
scott, 12/10/2004
1997 Dodge Dakota SLT 2dr Regular Cab 4WD SB (3.9L 6cyl naturally aspired 5M)
0 of 0 people found this review helpful
When I purchased this vehicle I really thought that it would be a winner. In the last year I have had one problem after another and have given up on it and traded it in. At the time I traded it in it has the following problems. No heat, no air conditioning, lifters knocking, transmission slipping, brakes. I will say I always changed oil every 3000 miles and had all other fluids changed every 20000 - 25000 miles. I figured that to make it correct it would cost well over $5000. I realize that brakes are an item that need reolacing from time to time but to only have 80000 miles on the vihicle and have so many expensive problems tells me that these vehicles have serious reliability issues.
Great truck!
BobG, 02/09/2005
1997 Dodge Dakota SLT 2dr Regular Cab LB (3.9L 6cyl naturally aspired 5M)
0 of 0 people found this review helpful
This has been the best truck I've owned of three. The performance is wonderful, but at the price of gas, mileage isn't great (15 mpg). It rides like a car, and is both quiet and comfortable. I love this truck and I'll probably drive it till the wheels fall off!
Great truck!
BobG, 02/09/2005
1997 Dodge Dakota SLT 2dr Regular Cab LB (3.9L 6cyl naturally aspired 5M)
0 of 0 people found this review helpful
This has been the best truck I've owned of three. The performance is wonderful, but at the price of gas mileage (15 mpg) is not so hot. It rides like a car and is both quiet and comfortable. I love this truck and I'll probably drive it till the wheels fall off!
Best little truck
Leonard McCarty, 11/16/2005
1997 Dodge Dakota SLT 2dr Regular Cab LB (3.9L 6cyl naturally aspired 5M)
0 of 0 people found this review helpful
I got my Dakota when it had 27,000 miles. It now has 127,000 miles and, except for a few minor replacements, has run great. It handles smooth and corners solid. The doors still close with a "thud" and the ashtray light still comes on when you drop it down! I've always admired people who drove a Dakota, and now I know why. I have the 5 speed manual transmission and the clutch is still tight after all these miles. My friend has a Ranger, same year, and he's replaced his clutch twice now!
Loving it!
Scott, 12/02/2005
1997 Dodge Dakota Sport 2dr Regular Cab SB (2.5L 4cyl naturally aspired 5M)
0 of 0 people found this review helpful
I have only owned the Dakota for a few months but those few have been awesome! The truck has not given me any problems and is a blast to drive. The V6 has given me plenty of power and the truck holds the road great. The only thing I would want to change is the gas mil1age... 11.5mpg for a V6 is horrible.
All around good to go
danny, 04/03/2006
1997 Dodge Dakota Sport 2dr Regular Cab SB (2.5L 4cyl naturally aspired 5M)
0 of 0 people found this review helpful
I am very happy with my truck. As long as I take care of it, it seems to take care of me. The V-6 has the all the power I need and the size is perfect for just around the house needs. It is fun to drive and comfortable to drive. I have only had to do the best maintance work to it. It is the base model so it doesn't have all the features, but that's what the base model is. (basic) It is a great buy and I would buy again