Hello all you Dodge fans. As being a GM fan over my brief lifetime of driving vehicles (Only 19) I am a bit skeptical on buying a Dodge.

So lets get to business.

The one I am looking at is:
http://ebrandon.ca/ItemView.aspx?item_id=219299

5.2L engine
131K KM's.
Its a nice light colour.

I am looking for some advice on if its worth it to put my hard earned money into such a vehicle?

What are some potential problems I may see in the future?

The reason I am looking for such a vehicle is I live in the oh so great south western Manitoba climate with random snowstorms, lots of rain, and I live about 25KMs outside the city and travel back and fourth on all gravel roads.

I also need a reliable truck / suv that will get me to school on time every day (As my 1989 buick lesabre did not haha).

So to sum it up, is this a worth investment for me? I appreciate your time in giving me some advice!

 

Amazed how many problems eh? Nice trolling statement on your first post ever.

/unsub

BTW, nice D picked out there, over priced however.

IndyD

 

Haha, as I expected you wouldn't expect me to be genuine, as I said in my forum PM to you I apologize for sounding like such a jerk but I am just looking for some solid advice as this will be the largest purchase of my life so far (outside of tuition.)

I also went back and edited my initial post to sound less like a troll.

 

Rellix,

No harm done. You standing your ground shows you are not a troll. The rewording on the OP helps too! LOL.

I will help you.

Let's see, again I think $5500 US is too much for a 1999. Canadian, that comes in a little cheaper but still too much. '99s are solid, HOWEVER... I would move up to a 2000 at least. Why?

- You get better steering
- You get a reworked rear washer fluid that is a dual pump up front, not a separate once in the rear that only the 98/99s had
- You get a AUX cooling fan for over heating, idle and AC running
- You get a more reliable PCM (computer)
- You get better rust protection in the bumper and under the window sills verses the 98/99s
- 98/99s were not included in the recall for bad BJs even though they had the same units in them

With that said, if the funds permit, in 2001 they updated the interior from the 2001-2003s. If funds still permit, the 2003 R/T is the 5.9L and has 4 wheel disk brakes. The 2003 R/T is the top of the line Gen1 available.

As with any car, the maintenance the car has had up until this point is the key. Be prepared to dump $500-$1500 in it. Your new '99 purchase checklist of things to do right away at your local wrench (NOT the dealer) include:

- Drop trans pan, adjust bands, replace MOPAR filter, refill. Do not flush trans ever
- While in for trans R&R, service front and rear diff with 75W90
- Fresh oil change, air filter change
- Check shocks, replace if worn (use Bilsteins), lube sway bar suspension points front and rear... especially front
- Flush coolant, replace upper and lower hose, replace stat with 180 degree stat
- Check BJs and TREs
- Adjust steering for wear
- Treat leather seats with a good leather oil and cleaner. The leather seats are easy to maintain and easy to trash if allowed to dry out.

Done!

Happy to help you my new friend.

IndyDurango

 

Thanks for the information. I unfortunately won't be the one going to check out the actual durango in person due to school and work tieing me up, but I will be sending my father to go look at it give the guy a deposit (if it looks alright.)

What are some thinks to look into when he takes it for a test drive? The one main thing I will be telling my dad to ask is if it had any stalling while driving.

I have looked at a few '00's, but they are all way out of my price range with really low KM's, which if I had the cash to do so id upgrade, but for what the guy is asking for this one it seems fairly reasonable to what else is on the market.

In your own personal opinion is a 99' a worth while vehicle to last me atleast 2 years with (hopefully) minimal extra funds for fixes?

The old buick I had wasn't looked very well after and it showed, so I will be taking care of my new truck so owner neglect won't be the cause of any problems.

Also kind of completely useless question, but what is the factory infinity speaker system? Is it just an option that was put on the vehicle for a nicer sound system?

I also have very little vehicle knowledge so that checklist you gave me is pretty much over my head. If I was to print that off and take it to a good mechanic would he know what I was talking about lol?

 

It won't stall when running so that isn't something to use as a check list.

See if it starts quickly (should be almost instant with little cranking), see if it drives straight and if the steering is good over a few bumps, see if it is clicking or ticking (bad), see if it has any rust in the following areas: corners of the front bumper, corners of the lower doors from the inside, up under the hatch lip in the rear.

Yes, any mechanic will understand that list. I personally wouldn't buy it without having it looked at by a mechanic anyways. As a 1999, you could EASILY have a $1000 bill on day one with bad BJs and TREs.

Again, hold out for a 2000+ IMHO

Any used auto NEEDS to be R&Rd to make sure it will last. Otherwise you will end up with a POS that just gets ****tier. IMHO, the check list above is fairly mandatory. Do so and your D will EASILY last you 2 years.

Ever see my 2000 Durango? 214,000+ miles, strong as an Ox, but it is not much to look at though.

Treat it right and it will treat you right. Good luck.

IndyDurango