best friends dad has a 97 dakota (8cyl) put 265k on it then put a new engine in it and works great......used as a commute truck, so i don't know about them as a non commute vehicle....

most vehicles are not the best if you don't use them but once in a while...

get a jeep and tarp....plenty of room in back to put the deer...get 20mpg...excellent 4x4 vehicle...can't beat them (could probably pick up a 6cyl grand cherokee around 94-97 for around $3500-5000) just my opinion