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Dodge Dakota Prices Paid and Buying Experience

44 messages,  Last post on Oct 03, 2012 at 1:29 PM

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Messages Page 2 of 5

#5 of 44 2002 Leftover by usaf52

Jul 28, 2003 (7:08 pm)

May 2003, bought a 2002 leftover club cab 2WD automatic with the SXT package (alloy wheels, eagle tires, high back buckets etc.}Sliding rear window, floor mats CD, AC.3.9 V-6 flares. Original list was about 21K, but of course it had that 1+K customer package deduction. With the Farm Bureau discount I paid $14700.

#6 of 44 SUMMER SALES TRICKS by thegster

Aug 22, 2003 (10:37 am)

Researched a new Dakota and avg trade in on my WRX. Went to 3 dealers and was given a super low price on my trade,$6-7K below avg trade-in. Sure the deals on the Dakotas were great but they are trying to make it up on the trade. In fact one dealer said the truck price($1k above invoice) was valid only with a trade in.

#7 of 44 2003 club cab 4.7L by greggpats

Aug 27, 2003 (10:03 am)

Think I did good
 
Sport, LSD, slider, high bucket seats, fog lights, mats, Auto, tire & handling group
 
$17,626...including $3k cust rebate and $500 Farm Bureay rebate.
 
Came to $56 below invoice shown on Edmunds...before the extra $3,500 in rebates.

#8 of 44 Considering 99 Dakota by desertrose1

Aug 31, 2003 (6:41 am)

I am considering buying a 1999 Dakota and would appreciate some feedback. I currently own an 86 Mazda, which I bought new, so I have been out of the car buying business for some time. The Dakota is a 4X4, X-cab, 61000 miles, with pwr. windows, mirrors, locks, am/fm w/cd, alloy wheels, etc.. Plus it has a front guard and roll bar with fog lights. The body is in great shape, no dents or scratches. It rode well when test driven. I did notice a leak when checking it and had it sent to my mechanic. He noted a few things, nothing serious, but some things that could be a problem later (possible leaks in rears seals, frost plug starting to leak, etc.). My concern is that it is decked out for off-road, and the mechanic did comment that it had been "ridden hard and put away wet". My questions to those who own a 99 Dakota, knowing what you know, would you buy it again? They are asking $13900.00 for this one. Considering what I have written, what would you consider a fair price for me to counter with? I was thinking $13500.00, but not sure if that is too high or low.
Thanks, and any advice you could offer would be appreciated.

#9 of 44 Re: '99 Dakota by dustyk

Aug 31, 2003 (11:16 am)

Well, I don't own a '99 Dakota, but I have some experience with various years. I own a 2003 and my son has a '91 with 270,000 miles on it.
 
You don't state which engine you have, but the V6 and the 318 and 360 V8s all use a two-piece Viton front and rear crankshaft seal. These are premium materials. Leaks from worn or failed rear seals are not very common. I've seen many of these go into 150,000 mile range and still show no signs of leaking. However, previous owner care -- or the lack of it -- combined with heavy use may have "short-lived" the seals. Fortunately, this should not be a terribly expensive repair.
 
As to freeze plugs leaking, this is fairly rare on most engines nowadays. I suspect that the previous owner did not maintain the cooling system correctly.
 
As to specific quirks of the '99 versions, I can't help you too much there. Short-lived brake rotors was a complaint by some '99-'01 owners and this might warrant a better quality rotor at replacement time, although I suspect the factory rotors have long since been replaced. There are a number of recommendations for these in here at the Dodge forum.
 
Best of luck,
Dusty

#10 of 44 Considering 99 Dakota by iowabigguy

Aug 31, 2003 (4:47 pm)

Have you used the Edmunds used car section to check out the market value of this Dakota. I personally think the price is too high and based on the "rode hard and put away wet" comment by your mechanic would pass on this truck. Your local market might be different than here in the Mid-West but with all the rebates and discounting on new Dakotas has really depressed the used Dakota prices. I've seen new Dakota 4x4 SXT Club Cabs advertised for $17,999. Rick

#11 of 44 Desertrose1............... by dustyk

Aug 31, 2003 (5:50 pm)

Well, according to Kelley's and based on my part of the country, rated in "excellent" condition and equiped as stated, the trade-in price is $9,775. This probably equates to a $13-14 vehicle retail. But like Iowabuggy said, I think you can do better.
 
["Excellent" condition means that the vehicle looks great, is in excellent mechanical condition and needs no reconditioning. It should pass a smog inspection. The engine compartment should be clean, with no fluid leaks. The paint is glossy and the body and interior are free of any wear or visible defects. There is no rust. The tires are the proper size and match and are new or nearly new. A clean title history is assumed. This is an exceptional vehicle.]
 
Best regards,
Dusty

#12 of 44 '03 Dak Club Cab, SLT Plus model with....... by brettski1

Sep 08, 2003 (11:00 am)

V6, A-T, 8" wide rims w/255 tires, 24-H options package, heated mirrors, bed liner, 2 tone paint
$17,100 (aft $3K fac incentive).
 
(I've been in sales for 26 years....I can usually smell 'em comin') but, the dealer was a straight shooter, no BS, and I made the entire deal on the phone without even meeting face-to-face....and.....he had to pick the vehicle up from another dealer from another state.

#13 of 44 03 Dakota Sport Plus 4X4 by dakota03

Sep 11, 2003 (3:31 pm)

Back in march I bought an 03 Dakota sport plus 4x4. It has the 4.7, 5-Speed, limited slip, 3.92 gears, heavy duty service group, heated mirrors, overhead convience group, security group, 31' tires, and a sliding rear window. Sticker price was $26,270. After some dealing, a $3,000 rebate and a $500 farm bureau discount I paid otd $21,230.
 
My dealer was excellent. I ordered it and they catered to me every way they could, even when I called evey 3 days for a month to check on it.

#14 of 44 RE: considering purchase... by inte

Jan 11, 2004 (8:35 pm)

desertrose1 -
 
$13500 is over blue book, so I guess you would just have to consider the condition of the vehicle and the cost of the extras - also, it's decked out for off-road - are you going to be using it off-road? If not, no need to pay for the extras. The point your mechanic had about it's previous off-road use is well-taken - as long as your mechanic is confident that the trans & drivetrain is in good shape, I guess that's a good sign. Check the ball joints!!! There is a current investigation by the NHSTA regarding Dakota/Durango ball joints.
 
I have a '98 Dakota Club Cab SLT 4x4 with a front guard, carpeted 12-v wired shell, upgraded shocks, and upgraded XM/CD stereo/speakers that unfortunately, I'm thinking about selling. I purchased the truck new & have had no major problems - runs like a top - kids are getting bigger though & I'm considering upgrading to a Quad-Cab. Only complanint I really have is a mixed one - I got the 3.9L V6 instead of the 8 - I miss the power of the V8, but the better fuel economy is worth it.

Messages Page 2 of 5

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