>>>>I want to get a used pickup in the next couple months. Want something no more than 5 years old, but don't want to spend the money on anything that just came out in the last year or two unless it is an incredible value. Looking for good gas milage, value and reliability mostly. Power and 4-wheel drive, etc isn't that big of a deal. Any recommendations?
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>>>I picked up a 1998 Dodge Dakota 4X4 ext cab v8 with everything last spring for $3500. I love it. I'm 6'2" so legroom ruled out Rangers etc. Sort of in a class by itself, not quite as big as F150, Ram etc.
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>>>If your under 6' Ranger may be a good choice - there are a lot of them out there and your selection should be large, even in Outer Mongolia.
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>>You know, I was really only looking for like 2003 and later because of perceived problems with repairs, etc., but you've got me thinking. I could take on a payment of $300/month for a later model or look at it like I will likely not have $3,600 in repairs and maintenance per year for the next couple years. I could get a better model than I was thinking about, albeit an older one. I'll have to go revise my searches...
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>I got mine to use occassionally. I work at home so I don't drive much and usually drive the STS ( only put about 6k on that last year ) so I opted for a high mileage ( 160k ) truck with a lower initial cost. If I were commuting in it every day and it were my primary vehicle I'd probably go for something with a lot less miles.
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>The Dakota is a pretty cool truck. Mike Feltman has one too. Good size. Get a bedliner and tonneau.

I will second the bedliner, but not the tonneau. It's very handy just to be able to throw stuff in the back of the truck.

I had a '92 Dakota in high school. Man the chicks loved that truck.