Well, spent all day looking at most of the below. All I can say is that
people beat the crap out of their cars. The purple 98 was sold, the
green one was terrible - someone had drilled holes in the side of the
truck for some cheesy spring-loaded tie downs, the push guard had to be
pulled on to open the hood which rubbed against the push guard, and the
push guard was attached to the bumper with self tapping screws. The
front end had been pushed in and the bumper cap was just... hanging.
The black 1999 had 90% of the clear code flaked off, the "brake" light
was on constantly, the ABS light was on, and the brakes were so touchy
that if you tapped them they'd lock up. The OBD2 scanner we had
wouldn't even connect to the ECU, the tires were bald, oh, and the
passenger window would roll down, but not back up and the ashtray was
held in by friction alone.
The 1992 was the only decent one in the bunch... but even it had
problems, the A/C is broken and it needs a new pitman arm/tie rods and
possibly a steering box. Driving it was an exercise in constant
steering correction. I don't much like the idea of paying $3500 for a
truck that needs $350 in steering parts plus $$$ for an alignment and
A/C troubleshooting. The owner was firm on the price too.
Anyone seen any nice Dakotas under 4k for sale within 200 miles of
Spokane, WA? :(
>>> Date: Thu, 19 Mar 2009 16:42:02 -0700
>>> From: Matt Beazer <teseract@moparhowto.com>
>>> Subject: DML: It's Dakota Buying Weekend (long post)
>>>
>>> Well, I'm finally in a situation with enough money on hand to go looking
>>> for a Dakota this weekend. I thought I'd run my current options by you
>>> folks and see if you have any suggestions on what to look for/weaknesses
>>> of that model I should know about/general opinions. I'm looking for a
>>> 1992-2000 4wd V8 extended cab with either manual or automatic
>>> transmissions, $3500-4000 range. Here's the ones I have marked for
>>> perusal this weekend (one on Tuesday):
>>>
>>> 1995 Dodge Dakota Sport Club Cab 4X4 - $3995
>>> VIN 1B7GG23Y9SW954124
>>> "318 V8, 4X4, Tilt A/C Cruise Auto Trans Alum. Wheels"
>>> Comments: Dealership, thus the high price, though cash talks. 133k when
>>> sold at auction per Carfax.
>>> Pictures:
>>> http://www.moparhowto.com/pictures/1995cda-3995-01.jpg
>>> http://www.moparhowto.com/pictures/1995cda-3995-02.jpg
>>> http://www.moparhowto.com/pictures/1995cda-3995-03.jpg
>>> http://www.moparhowto.com/pictures/1995cda-3995-04.jpg
>>>
>>> - ----
>>>
>>> 1998 dodge Dakota 4x4 - $3795
>>> "v8 auto a/c 4x4 sport edition pw pl extra cab short box"
>>> Comments: Purple? Not sure on that one, it's the same color as my
>>> wife's van!
>>> Pictures:
>>> http://www.moparhowto.com/pictures/1998-sv-purple-01.jpg
>>>
>>> - ---
>>>
>>> 92 Dodge Dakota 4X4 - $3500
>>> "4X4 Clubcab Automatic, V8, PW,PL, tilt, cruise, air, reads only 83000
>>> miles"
>>> Comments: Private seller, low miles, but I'm wondering how long it sat
>>> unused in storage.
>>> Pictures:
>>> http://www.moparhowto.com/pictures/otisorchards-1992.jpg
>>>
>>> - ---
>>>
>>> 1999 dodge Dakota excab 4x4 - $3988
>>> "4x4 v8 auto all power"
>>> Comments: Like the color at least.
>>> Pictures:
>>> http://www.moparhowto.com/pictures/1999-black-01.jpg
>>>
>>> - ---
>>>
>>> 1999 DODGE DAKOTA - $3,850.00
>>> "V8, auto, runs great. Financing available."
>>> Comments: Needs a bath. Like the brush guard.
>>> Pictures:
>>> http://www.moparhowto.com/pictures/1999-green-01.jpg
>>>
>>> - ---
>>>
>>> 2000 Dodge Dakota - $3000
>>> "v8 4x4, automatic, SLT package, new waterpump, new headlights, hit by
>>> deer on driver side door, aftermarket stereo w/sub"
>>> Comments: Private (female) seller, has a dent in the door from where a
>>> deer ran into the side of it (not unusual in these parts, my Dad had
>>> this happen to him twice in 2 months. Reaaally dumb deer around here).
>>> I have a friend with every auto body tool you can think of, so the dent
>>> is very low on my list of "problems". The price is appealing, though
>>> the mileage is not - 212k, supposedly mostly highway and she's said
>>> she's "babied it" and always changed the oil on or before time, though
>>> never believe the word of someone selling something. :)
>>> Pictures:
>>> http://www.moparhowto.com/pictures/2000-red-01.jpg
>>> http://www.moparhowto.com/pictures/2000-red-02.jpg
>>> http://www.moparhowto.com/pictures/2000-red-03.jpg
>>> http://www.moparhowto.com/pictures/2000-red-04.jpg
>>> http://www.moparhowto.com/pictures/2000-red-05.jpg
>>> http://www.moparhowto.com/pictures/2000-red-06.jpg
>>>
>>>
>>> Thanks for your input,
>>>
>>> Matt Beazer
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>
>>
>>
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This archive was generated by hypermail 2b29 : Wed Apr 01 2009 - 01:46:39 EDT
