I used to own a Piper Dakota., I wish I had never sold it. It was the most reliable and easy to fly airplane that I have ever owned. I now have a Turbo Dakota that does much better in the mountains. However, they are both great airplanes. The airframes are bullet proof. The Turbo engine is slightly more demanding, but not too bad.
Both are good airplanes. Make sure that the engines are in good shape. Our Lycoming engined Dakota were absolutely reliable.
Tom Milam
milam@inglesrud.com