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1997 Dodge Dakota User Reviews

1997 Dodge Dakota Review Ratings

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Average Ratings from 16 reviews

  • Performance:4.1 out of 5 stars4.1 out of 5 stars4.1 out of 5 stars4.1 out of 5 stars4.1 out of 5 stars 4.1 / 5
  • Appearance:4.3 out of 5 stars4.3 out of 5 stars4.3 out of 5 stars4.3 out of 5 stars4.3 out of 5 stars 4.3 / 5
  • Build Quality:4.6 out of 5 stars4.6 out of 5 stars4.6 out of 5 stars4.6 out of 5 stars4.6 out of 5 stars 4.6 / 5
  • Overall:4.2 out of 5 stars4.2 out of 5 stars4.2 out of 5 stars4.2 out of 5 stars4.2 out of 5 stars 4.2 / 5

Review Highlights Click to filter reviews below

PROS
"power" 4 reviews
"reliable car" 3 reviews
"ride" 3 reviews
"fuel economy" 2 reviews
CONS
"fuel economy" 5 reviews

User Reviews

Displaying 1 - 10 of 16 reviews 12 Next
Dustin writes:
1997 Dodge Dakota 2 Dr SLT 4WD Extended Cab SB Review
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Pros

I love the fact that it is a mid sized truck with a 318 very powerful and it is also very comfortable in the front seats

Cons

i hate the gas mileage,the back seats are very uncomfortable not very reliable its almost to powerful for its own good it produces to much power for the stock parts and it breaks

25

Its An Ok Vehicle For A Single Guy Or A Couple That Doesnt Have Kids — I love the fact that it is a mid sized truck with a 318 very powerful and it is also very comfortable in the front seats,i hate the gas mileage,the back seats are very uncomfortable not very reliable its almost to powerful for its own good it produces to much power for the stock parts and it breaks overall this truck is not very reliable for gorcery shopping but it can haul things very well and can pull a trailer pretty good

Primary Use: Commuting to work

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Ben writes:
1997 Dodge Dakota 2 Dr Sport 4WD Extended Cab SB Review
Appearance:
Performance:
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Pros

Fast

Cons

Stock Radiator Is Too Small

35

Great Truck — Great truck if it could keep cool while off roading. Love the bullet proof 5.2L Magnum V8, quick acceleration and lots of torque for a 318. The tranny is not so hot though, I've not had any trouble but i've heard from many people that they can barely handle the stock power from the V8 let alone a modified motor.

Primary Use: Sport/fun (spirited driving, track racing, off-roading, etc.)

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Matt writes:
1997 Dodge Dakota 2 Dr SLT 4WD Extended Cab SB Review
Appearance:
Performance:
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Pros

sick sound system

Cons

old

25

3.5 Out Of 5 — All around and good reliable truck, fun to drive, sounds great. Comfortable and spacious inside, many accesories and perfect clarity for the sound system. Looks very nice and is very fun to drive. Built like a work truck and can go off roading almost anywhere

Primary Use: Sport/fun (spirited driving, track racing, off-roading, etc.)

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58benny writes:
1997 Dodge Dakota 2 Dr SLT Extended Cab SB Review
Appearance:
Performance:
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Pros

the handling and performance is outstanding.

Cons

The bumpers are very cheap and rusted thru.

58benny
40

I Will Buy Another One If I Am Able To. — I had been against Mopar products ever since I owned a 2001 Chrysler Town and Country mini van. I had a very bad experience with the quality of that vehicle. I had the opportunity to purchase the Dakota at a very reasonable price. I took it for a test drive and was very impressed. The truck had 181,000 miles on it and drove like it was new. I should have purchased one years ago.

Primary Use: Family transportation

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Joey writes:
1997 Dodge Dakota 2 Dr Sport Standard Cab SB Review
Appearance:
Performance:
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Pros

Color was black and red and it was sharp

Cons

Speed sencors went out and it shifted bad high rpms, plus crashed it

25

My First Car — I loved it. I used this car to deliver pizzas. Was a really nice car was very sharp. I got into a accident is why i no longer have it. But it was a really nice truck. :) Buy one is you have a chance.

Primary Use: Commuting to work

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Ryan writes:
1997 Dodge Dakota 2 Dr Sport 4WD Standard Cab SB Review
Appearance:
Performance:
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Pros

train horn......5.2Lv8

Cons

11mpg

35

Truck — Performance- Cat back exhaust, new pads,Tain horn Build Quality- Solid like a ram should be Apperance- Black on gray cloth, 2-10in. subs 900 watt amp Cost Of Ownership- Lot.s of gas Fun Factor- fun when wet outside and muddy out

Primary Use: Commuting to work

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Stephen writes:
1997 Dodge Dakota 2 Dr Sport Standard Cab SB Review
Appearance:
Performance:
Quality:
Overall:

Pros

its a stick

Cons

its slow

25

Not Bad For A Fisrt Vehicle Looks Great It Can Pull A Flats Boat. Id Recommend Getting One — Its fun to drive had to replace the engine and clutch gas milleage isn't great its black color fade like you wouldn't belive has a tunnel cover that looks like crap i don't want it but my dad does it'll spin the tires but its horrible to drive in the rain if you dont have new tires

Primary Use: Sport/fun (spirited driving, track racing, off-roading, etc.)

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Josh writes:
1997 Dodge Dakota 2 Dr Sport Standard Cab SB Review
Appearance:
Performance:
Quality:
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Pros

reliable

Cons

4 cyl

35

Eh — point a to point b vehicle. its a 4cyl so its slow, but it gets 25 mpg's! solid truck only problem in 2 years is a busted a/c compressor. i put 215/55/16's shoes on her so now she handles like a car.she can be a little tail happy in the rain, but that just adds to the funn factor.

Primary Use: Commuting to work

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Blake writes:
1997 Dodge Dakota 2 Dr SLT 4WD Standard Cab SB Review
Appearance:
Performance:
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Pros

badass

Cons

gas mileage

25

Shes A Beaut — 2in lift, 383 v8 , dua catbackl flowmaste exhaustr, 15in custom subwoofer box, 285 wide, 35in mudders, new paint job, K&N all around, 26 highway, 10 city, faster than hell, JVC Deck newly installed, Pioneer speakers all around, 15 inch kicker subwoofer

Primary Use: Commuting to work

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Nathan writes:
1997 Dodge Dakota 2 Dr STD Standard Cab SB Review
Appearance:
Performance:
Quality:
Overall:

Pros

great fuel millage for a truck

Cons

not much power or speed

35

Great Vehicle — it is a small truck that gets great fuel milage. it is not that fast and does not have a lot of power. it has a 5 speed transmission and 2.5 L V-6 engine.it is a great vehicle to own

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Displaying 1 - 10 of 16 reviews 12 Next
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Similar Cars Compared to a 1997 Dodge Dakota

1997 Dodge Dakota 1997 Toyota Tacoma 1997 Dodge Ram Pickup 1500
1997 Dodge Dakota 2 Dr Sport 4WD Extended Cab SB, JEEP KILLER!, exterior
1997 Toyota Tacoma 2 Dr STD 4WD Extended Cab SB picture, exterior
1997 Dodge Ram Pickup 1500 2 Dr LT 4WD Standard Cab LB picture, exterior
Cost $13,235 Original MSRP $7,178 Average Instant Market Value $4,974 Average Instant Market Value
Gas Mileage (highway) 23 26 20
Horsepower 120 142 175
Crash Test Rating 4 2 5
Front Leg Room (inches) 41.9 41.7 41.0

Reviews From Other Years

2008 Dodge Dakota Reviews

Great Small To Medium Sized Truck By kirnma

Although I had sworn never to own a Chrysler product I got a good deal on this truck in 2008 with only 4K miles on it. Since then I've put over 52K trouble-free miles on it and have no complaints wha... Read More

This Is A Good Truck And I Truly Am Enjoying The Heck Out Of It. By Elkdog

This truck has 302 horsepower and rides better than most cars I have owned! I have owned a 2006 Ford Ranger, 2004 Chevy Silverado, 1999 Ford F-150, 1996 Ford F-250, 1996 Dodge Dakota, and a 1992 Dodg... Read More

Read all 8 2008 Dodge Dakota reviews

2007 Dodge Dakota Reviews

Best Truck Ever! By eells

We love this truck! We had no trouble hauling our children around, even in heavy snow. It has done everything we expected. The gas mileage wasn't pleasant, but it's a truck... what else would you e... Read More

07' Dakota By Brendon

Performance - acceleration, braking, handling Appearance - both interior and exterior styling all excellent Gas milage is low but what can one expect with a V8 truck Just an all around comfortable... Read More

Read all 6 2007 Dodge Dakota reviews

2006 Dodge Dakota Reviews

Excellent Little Chick Magnet By sunnygas

Great little fun to drive truck. Stick shift is extremely fun. Looks good, basically a chick magnet. Reliable and fair gas mileage for a truck. Not a man with a lot of words, so this will have to d... Read More

It An Okay Car But Rams Are Better By Devon

the handleing is okay but not the best. brakes are brand new on it. doesnt need repairs. nicce and quite vehicle. all interier is stock. exterier we have a cap, grill gaurd, tail light covers and side... Read More

Read all 16 2006 Dodge Dakota reviews

2005 Dodge Dakota Reviews

Power To Spare-magnum V-8 By horseygal

Big truck power-Sport truck handling-Luxury car ride. Was sister's truck and she passed on. Being a constant reminder, it needs to go to someone that needs reliable power and dependability in an Ameri... Read More

Smooth, Powerful Truck By zlane2

For the first vehicle I bought myself, it was a great truck! I play a lot of hockey and travel all around the midwest, and having all that cargo room was very efficient. The ride is super smooth and i... Read More

Read all 15 2005 Dodge Dakota reviews

2004 Dodge Dakota Reviews

All Around Great Truck To Own. By Steven

Props, it really gets up and goes for only having that little 4.7 in her. Gas mileage is terrible, but its a truck. It gives you that truck feeling with out the high placed seating from a Ford f ser... Read More

I Would Not Have Bought It, But Girlfriend Likes It. By slikocca

Fun to drive but requires 101% concentration due to the nasty blind spots. Girlfriend loves blowing away a Supra or Tundra accelerating down the on-ramp but they don't seem to like it much. We do al... Read More

Read all 17 2004 Dodge Dakota reviews
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