Swept under the carpet by as many of the car mags as possible, the Dodge Dakota is one of the most reliable trucks made alongside the Ford Ranger. It pains them greatly to admit this since the POS Tacomas are apparently the greatest truck ever built.

Transmission is your only worry, look for a 5 speed and the real deal 318 Magnum. The tbi anythings and v6's are all crap. The 46re's are okay, but look for a low-mile one or something without a trailer hitch and abusive owner. Faithful trans oil changes at 60 thou or less is a plus.

The IFS, transfer case, rear-end, and V8's are all trouble-free. So much is written about the Magnums that issues are usually cap, rotor, plugs, throttle-position sensor, intake air temp sensor, water pump and sometimes the intake plenum.

That's it. You have no worries, it's a Dodge truck: that's why they are still on the road today.

How about a pic of your Cobra?