Hello:

I think this may (???) have to do with homesteading, because it may involve a large purchase and I want to be as smart about it as possible.

Currently we have a 1986 car and 1993 truck (paid for). They are both Toyotas. The truck has 203,000 miles on it. The car has 167,000 miles. No major problems with either car, other than typical maintenance stuff (tune ups, tires, mufflers, etc). Miles go on fast here because we're far from everything even though we try to be careful about driving and plannning trips. We sometimes get nervous about owning two high mileage cars (even though Toyotas have a reputation for running forever).

There's a used 1997 Dodge Dakota Spirit for sale in town, I don't know much more yet other than it looks great, has a double cab. I will find out more in the next few days. My question is...do any of you have experience with this model? Do you know about the gas mileage or other issues? We've gotten pretty spoiled driving Toyotas na ddon't know if we can expect a Dodge to last as long. We can pay cash for what the dealer is asking, but it would pretty much wipe out our savings. But we also know that with two such high mileage cars, we will need to think about replacement sometime. And a truck is necessary where we live.

Any comments are welcome. Hope it's ok to post this here. thanks, Cathy

-- Cathy in MN (logholm@rangenet.com), September 03, 2001

Answers

Check out www.edmund.com They can give you info on the car, price, evaluations. comments, issues

-- Gary (gws@redbird.net), September 03, 2001.

Cathy,

I'm a truck dealer by trade. I deal primarily with domestic models. That having been said, I'll tell you I believe a Toyota truck (or car, for that matter) to be a fine, fine vehicle. If I were you and had the same positive experiences with Toyotas, I wouldn't even consider buying anything other than another Toyota. The few I have handled have been wonderful for the people who bought them. The only times I've taken them in trade have been situations where the trader simply needed a full size truck.

On the financial end if you go ahead and drain your savings and the transmission goes out on a vehicle will you be able to access funds to handle that? I'm not trying to be a doomsayer here, but rather trying to give another perspective. Whatever you decide, I wish you the best with your choice. I hope this helps.

-- Gary in Indiana (gk6854@aol.com), September 03, 2001.

Make sure you have the timing belts changed when due .That is the major cause of motor problems with them .Also use toyota filters .They have a check valve in them so the motor doesnt start up dry .

-- Patty {NY State} (fodfarms@slic.com), September 03, 2001.

HI Cathy the dodges ive heard about have lots of transmission trouble and get poor mileage. Bob se,ks.

-- Bobco (bobco@kans.com), September 03, 2001.

Have owned several 1/2, 3/4, and one ton pickup trucks over the years. All the American made, Ford, Chev, and Dodge just will not last like the Toyota or Nissan. American made I personally expect no more that 100 to 125 then expect major problems start happening. With the toyota or nissan 200 thousand is not really getting close to the point where I really think about milage, if it is maintained. Toyota is just beginnin to take over the light truck market, Nissan is coming out with a full eight ft bed next year. We are already planning to purchase either a new toyota or nissan with a full 8 ft bed next year. We have already decided the American models, (Ford doesn't even make a full size pick up anymore) are not for us. Stick with what you are having such good luck with. Skip the Dodge, if you buy it remember I told you don't.......

-- David (bluewaterfarm@mindspring.com), September 03, 2001.

Cathy:

In my job I've had a chance to drive a variety of fleet off road vehicles and to be honest with you, I haven't been overawed with any of the Dodges I ran or the ones folks working for me ran. I'm speaking of the full size line. For years they couldn't even figure out how to make a seat belt that worked properly (my pet peeve with them), we had more than what I would consider average problems with a variety of components (transmission, air intake issues, fuel leaks etc.) and I always noticed Dodge being a rougher ride, noisy, harder to handle and tended to have really slack steering with age. Perhaps they've improved. These were low bid vehicles and I also got assigned a couple different short beds over the years that rode horribly, even still, I'd never buy one. When I shopped for a personal truck I was astounded at how much more the Dodge Dakotas were new (several years ago). I will say this for Dodge though, I don't recall ever getting stuck off road in one, they are good mudders with the right tires.

-- Susan (smtroxel@socket.net), September 03, 2001.

I have a 1995 Dodge Dakota Sport that I bought in 1998 for $10,000 with 56,000 miles on it. To date I have bought 4 new tires,a brake job. It now has almost 99,000 miles on it. Its a good little truck and I would say I will probably keep it another 3 to 4 more yrs. My wife has a 1993 Caravan and it has 135,000 miles onit and runs like a top and we have done nothing to it except regular maintenance.

-- TomK(mich) (tjk@cac.net), September 03, 2001.

Never owned a Dodge but had a couple friends that had bad luck with them. Now a good Chevy...we have a 65, 91, & 96...very good track record with us!!

-- DW (djwallace@ctos.com), September 03, 2001.

I have heard nothing on Dakotas since they redesigned them to look like their big brothers, and I cant even remember the year they changed. Anyways the weakness in the older Dakotas was the manual transmission available with the four and six. Simply too weak of a design. Also word was get the six cylinder. Its based on the venerable 318/360 block, just minus 2 cylinders. /Very good engine. Will also add that I had good luck with old Dodges from seventies although not probably helpful to somebody looking at late model trucks.

Friend bought a 4 cyl Ford Ranger with 5 speed at auction which has served very well. He bought it with around 110k, now has 140k and has only replaced tires and replaced end on a battery cable. No other problems and it runs fine with good engine compression. Only problem I noticed when I drove it was that rear axle was geared awkwardly for the four cylinder. Likes to stall out unless you slip the clutch when starting from a standstill especially with a load. Should have an axle ratio of around 4:1 or even 4.25:1 and I bet it has ratio under 3.5:1 Way its geared, 5th gear(overdrive) gets little use.

My ex got a brand new Nissan pickup last year(2000 model year). I've always liked Datsun/Nissan pickups especially the old Datsun620 from the 1970's (one she took with her when we divorced). Anyway this new one drove better than the new Toyota (I went with her when she test drove them--new car salesmen laughed seeing me drive her up in my 1972 Courier) and was thousands cheaper than equivalent Toyota. If I were in the market for late model small pickup, this would be my favorite. Have to say though the body is made in USA, the engine in Mexico, and the transmission someplace else. Japanese success caught up with them.

-- Hermit John (hermit@hilltop_homestead.zzn.com), September 04, 2001.

tried to post this before, didn't go through, hope it doesn't repeat.

Thanks so much for all your valuable info. I learned some good things (filters, for example, had no idea about TOyota filters). Based on the responses and my gut feelings, I think we're going to stick with Toyota. I am also intrigued with the Datsun/Nissan possibility. My mom and dad both owned Datsun cars at one time and I seem to remember no problems. Even Hoot repsonded and said I might get 500,000 miles out of the Toyotas. He was probably joking but wouldn't it be neat if it were true!

thank you again! This forum is great.

-- Cathy in Mn (logholm@rangenet.com), September 04, 2001.

Hi Cathy. My partner, Jim, drove his 1990 Geo Prizm over 300,000 miles. Here's what is significant about that - it has a Toyota engine (actually is a clone of a Toyota Corolla). But cost much, much less. I'm also in the car market right now and have an obvious question:

Where can I find out which vehicles have Toyota engines but do not have the 'Toyota' name?

-- Sandy in MN (onestonefarm@hotmail.com), September 04, 2001.

203,000 miles of easy highway driving is equal to what in heavy stop and go conditions? 203,000 miles on a vehicle which is maticulously maintained is equal to what on a vehicle which has been neglected? Every vehicle has its advantages and disadvantages, strengths and weaknesses. Older vehicles do break down and perhaps get poorer gas mileage, but some older vehicles are extremely inexpensive to insure, inexpensive to purchase, cheap and easy to repair. I say keep your current truck. Any 93 which has been well maintained, and has had easy miles put on it should continue to provide service for many more years. Realize that your vehicle does have some miles on it and may require a bit more than minimal maintenance in the future. Perhaps ask your local Toyota mechanic what does fail on these vehicles, and get it replaced before it fails and when its convenient. No knowledge of Toyotas but parts such as timing belts and chains, valve seals, all hoses and belts, battery, alternator, water/fuel pumps, etc. are prime candidates for replacement.

-- Yup (Yup@nospam.com), September 04, 2001.

Toyotas will last almost forever, my brother had a one with 400,000 miles on it when he sold it, it is still going strong with it's new owner too. There is not an "American" brand of vehicle that can match a Toyota's longevity, the Japanese can sure build and design a good product!!!

I have a 1994 4 cylinder Toyota pickup, it only has 88,000 on it, still drives and looks (no rust anywhere!!!) brand new, although I have gone through 4 sets of tires with it, these gravel and dirt roads eat tires quickly!!! I believe it will outlast me.

-- Annie Miller in SE OH (annie@1st.net), September 08, 2001.