Hey guys. Looking to get rid of my 2001 Grand Am and get a truck. I found a 2000 Dodge Dakota SLT 4x4 at a local car dealer in town. Its black, extended cab, 4.7 V8, 51,000 miles, spray in bedliner, topper, etc. They want $13,988 on sale right now. Is it worth it? I'm upgrading from a car to a truck because I now own my own graphic design business. I make signs, stickers, logos, etc. and I need a truck to hall stuff around. Just wanting to know what you guys think? Also, I heard about that recall on the 2000-2003's? If I buy this truck (not from a dodge dealer) will I still be able to get the recall done at no cost? Thanks!

hooby aka Greg

 

Anyone care to shed some insight???????

 

Yes, it'll be well worth it. I just bought an '02 quad cab 4x4 4.7 with 37k, and it runs great. And as for the recall, yes you should still be able to get it done. I didnt buy mine at a Dodge or Chrysler dealership, I bought it at a Chevy dealership that sells used cars, and I had no probs getting it into have the recall done. Just call your local Dodge or Chrysler dealer to schedule an appt.

 

thanks spear.. and over the past few days I found an even better dakota..
2000 Dodge Dakota Sport 4x4 Ext. Cab
41,000 Miles
New tires
towing package
4.7 V8
red
power windows and locks
cd player
power seat

even better than the last.. same year, less miles and actually cheaper!

hooby

 

COuple of things, first run a car fax on it. Take it to a reputable shop or the dealer and have it inspected first. If they won't allow you to have it inspected don't buy it.

I haev a '00 Dakota Q-cab, 4x4, 5.9 with 66K miles on it. 4 cross country trips, off-roaded regularly with a whole list of mods. My last appraisal was $15,600. My Dad has two Dak's, '00 and an '02 both similar to what you are looking at. He uses them for work trucks and really enjoys them. I have found that the 4.7 is harder to do your maintainance on though.

 

Actually, most of your reputable dealerships already run the CarFax on their used vehicles; mine did.

 

Also when you buy it, purchase the extra 3 year warranty; its well worth it. Before you sign the title, make sure you read who the previous owner was, and how long they've had it and also to make sure that they were the only owner of the vehicle. This is better and cheaper than using carfax.

 

hey guys.. bought the truck today. One owner. A couple. They bought it brand new and only put 41,000 miles on it. They traded it in for a chevy trailblazer because they had a baby and needed something a little bigger. Absolutely beautiful truck! Bought it for $12,000 and she checked blue book and it came out at $16,000. It was stickered at $12,995 though. Once I get it, time to do mods!

hooby

 

So it must've been a local trade? Thats great; I'm glad you got a good deal. If they were smart; they could've traded for a new Dakota Quad Cab, or a Durango, but trade a superior vehicle like a Dakota for a Chevy Trailblazer...Well no one said everyone in the world was as smart as us!!!!
P.S. Did you buy it at a reputible dealership (New Car/Used Car dealership), and if so Dodge, Chevy, or Ford?

 

bought from a very reputible used car dealer. Not from a certain brand. A place called L&L Motors. Believe me when I say this, in the city that I live in we have endless amounts of used car dealers and everyone that i've talked to has said only two of the approx 20 dealers (that I know of) are very reputible and this was one of the two. A lady owns it and is probably the nicest person, she kept it all real. Her husband actually is a manage at a dealership in a city about 20 miles away call Courtsey Motors (Dodge, Nissan dealer) and I believe they wanted to start their own small dealership in addition to him still working at Courtsey. I'm more than excited. I've been jumping arond all day! I'm picking it up tomorrow.

I wouldn't "bash" GM. lol before this I had a 2001 Pontiac Grand Am and loved it. I just needed a truck for my small business. I also had a 1995 Dodge Avenger before the 2001 Pontiac, and had only one problem when I had it, just an 02 sensor went out! No biggie, and sold that with 105,000 miles on it!

Thanks again.. now.. what mods do I do first? Should I get euros or a tonneau cover (hard or soft?)

hooby