Hi board. I have a lead on a 98 Durango, 72k miles, one owner. Sounds like a good deal but I don't know a lot about Durangos, so does anyone have any suggestions about what I should look for, as far as common issues or whatnot? VIN # 1B4HS28Y1WF205817 Asking price is $5000, KBB suggests that is fair. I'm in Missouri. Thanks.

 

Talk him down and watch out for bad upper ball joints. The 5.2 and 5.9 are solid engines so as long as the last guy kept up decent maintenance it won't give you problems. I'd get a good mechanic to make sure the tranny is sound since that is DC's achilles heel.

 

Well, I saw it a few minutes ago. Man it's nice! I am not too familiar with them but it is roomier and more comfortable than I thought. Has 70,2xx miles. Original owner babied it, has all service records. He was mid-50's. Unfortunately for him, he died unexpectedly and his neighbor friends are selling it for his widow. The care shows; it's immaculate. No leaking fluids, no rips, tears, or even stains in the interior. Rust bubble above the right rear wheel well, which was odd to me. Nonetheless I am going to go for it.

I have one pic so far.

 

It looks nice. I would take it for a test drive though, take it for a few W.O.T. runs, make sure the engine doesn't ping/tick when you get on it.

 

I did test drive it, it's very smooth, quiet, more so than I figured. I hope this is a real peach, it sure seems to be. Didn't seems to have one tick or tock.

 

IMHO, the mileage is great but $5k for a '98 it was a bit high. Hopefully it is the peach you were looking for! Best of luck.

IndyD

 

Well I looked at classifieds, craigslist, etc and didn't see one close to this condition for $5000. I admit right off that I'm new to these things and their actual resale values. I guess I may have been able to negotiate but maybe not. Even while I was looking at it the lady got a call on it from the c-list ad. I went with the blubooks and figured I did OK. I like the mileage and the huge bible of maintenance records she had.

 

$5,000 sounds like a good deal to me with that mileage. Trucks tend to hold their value pretty well. As long as there is nothing wrong with it.

 

Thanks DD, it doesn't have anything wrong with it other than a patch of rust above the passenger rear wheel. Breezed through inspection Saturday, I'm hoping I can get a lot of life out of this one.

 

All I have to say is maintain the trans and axles on the proper schedule. On the trans change the fluid, filter and tighten the bands every 25K. The engines are great but the trans is another story.