Alright I am looking at trucks round two: Need to decide!

First truck:
I went to see this truck two weeks ago and was dissapointed in it (mostly due to the 4wd engagement and the floating to the right, even though he just had an alignment on it 7k miles ago???!?!) Could pulling to the right even after an alignment mean a fatal issue? Did somebody dukes of hazzard - jump this thing maybe? . Even though it had new tires/brakes/alignment two years ago (7k miles ago) the brakes were pretty mushy (I think even MORE so than is typical for dakotas), the tires were only 50% (they are mud terrains so started with thick tread...and are at 50% in 7k miles? Makes me wonder about burnouts) And to top it off, when the 4x4 was engaged it made a horrible screaching sound.

He was originally asking 5900 but said he would take 4700. The truck is in overal c+ condition...spray in bed liner is faded (its silver line-x, turning almost greenish?). Has a few dings/scrapes which dosnt bother me. No major body rust, but the underside is pretty rusty (exhaust is fully rusted out, but I would replace that anyway.)

* He called me a few days ago to say he took it in for the 4x4 problem and it had bad bearings/driveshaft on the transfer case, so he had all replaced to the tune of about 350 and it engages fine now.

The stats: Silver 2001 dakota 4x4 4.7 extended cab with 123,000 on the body. Motor locked up awhile back and a 40k mile 4.7 was put in 10k miles ago (so motor has 50k on it). I assume he is still looking for 4700, but seems like he is willing to deal. I plan to set up an appointment at the local dodge dealership to have them do an inspection. I think it needs an alignment and some brake work...but will let the dealership tell me EVERYTHING it needs and an estimate on the work. Whatever they say it needs, I will deduct that from the 4700 asking price and offer him that. I think that is fair. If this truck was cherry I would be thanking him for the 4700 deal, but it is a little rough around the edges. The engine/tranny seemed solid when I drove it so I feel pretty confident in them. Even if the dealership says it just needs an alignment, and the brakes are normal (were almost to the floor...I think thats a little beyond typical dakota brakes!). I would still offer a few hundred under (say 4300) to cover new tires, an alignment and maybe some brake work if needed.
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NUMERO DOS:

a 2004 Dodge dakota SXT 4x4 extended cab, red, with the new 3.7 v6. I had ruled out the 3.9 v6 after hearing it dosnt have much get up and go, and also shows about the same MPG as the 4.7. I did kind of have my heart set on the 4.7 v8, but the power output on the 3.7 is pretty close to the older 4.7 output. The truck does have 102,000 on it....which is relatively high for a 2004, but one could assume its mostly highway miles to put on 20k+ miles a year. The asking price (from a dealership) is 4,995. I called them and they said it has been lowered 1,000 to move it (said they have 4-5 other dakotas on the lot). They said they are moving it for what they paid for it at auction. Now this could be a sign that people have test driven it and it runs like crap...or maybe its really beat up - who knows.

Because its from a dealership tax is involved, so on 5k its like 400 bucks. So this truck would be 5,400. (I assume if I brought in 5,300 cash they would take it though).

So...what do you guys think? Truck 1, or truck 2? I am going home to look at these trucks this weekend. I am going to look at truck 2 on friday. If its nice and I really like it, im going to bring my dad in on saturday to buy it (we are splitting the price/ownership).

If truck 2 has issues, or seems sketchy.. I will take truck 1 to the dealership saturday morning for the estimate on the work. This way I get a shot at both trucks in one weekend (assuming both are still available then).

Any help is greatly appreciated!

Also...how does the 3.7 v6 run? Pretty good get up and go? Gas mileage?

Thanks guys!

 

my vote is for #2. after repairs and everything i think you will wind up on top. if your in the performance market, then stay away from either, but both seem to be reliable.

 

Number 2 being the 3.7 v6 at the dealership?

Number 1 is the one possibly needing repairs (brakes/alignment).

I know they dont put out awesome numbers, as the dakota isnt a lighweight truck. But I really want the truck for the 4x4 so the R/T is out lol.

Or were you referring to something else when saying neither for a performance standpoint?

 

truck 2 sounds more reliable than 1. The first one seems kinda sketchy and the 3.7 is a lot better than the 3.9. I would vote for truck 2.

 

def truck number two that first one sounded like it was super beat

 

Ya i kept thinking..ok the dings/dents on the 2001 are normal...but im thinking this guys son offroaded it on a regular basis. Dont get me wrong I plan to offroad in mine... but who knows if he just beat the HELL out of it while doing so.

Then again the motor is newer and a lot of the parts have been replaced, so that gives a little peace of mind...
He said it has (within the last two years)
Ball joints
Shocks
Brakes (full front, just shoes in the rear)
Power steering flush
radiator flush
Tires
alignment
And now the replaced driveshafts/bearings on the transfer case.

I guess I will just go check out the 2004 3.7 v6 4x4 and if its too good to be true, I will pass and take truck number 1, the 2001 4.7, into the dealer to see what they think needs to be replaced.

 

never take his word for it, request to see repair orders. the 3.7 is a decent engine for what it is. still prefer the 3.9. hell of a lot more aftermarket support. just the ab sic minor mods actually wakes up the 3.9 a bit.

 

I would def go truck 2 like I said it just sounds a lot better. The first one sounds like it could totally die on you in a year if the guy screws you. 102k isn't that bad for the 3.7 style motor. I just bought a 4.7 with 97k and shes mint. I think the 3.7 should last you a long time and if it is all highway it could be a very good truck. Plus its RED!

If im not mistakin the 3.7 is to the 4.7 as the 3.9 was to the 5.2 correct? Mean its an ohc? basically same thing except 6 cyl.

 

I have seen all the receipts for the work so I know hes not bull****ting with me.

On top of the receipts for what I listed, he has the paperwork for the motor he put in, which was like 3800 bucks all said and done (I think 2500 for motor and 1300 for labor...give or take).

I guess I will have to see what condition the 2004 is in... if its cherry it will be really hard to pass up for 5k...!

 

i would never buy a vehicle that already has almost 100k miles for over a thousand dollars, keep in mind you dont have to buy either one of them. you could keep looking. my best friend got an 02 4.7 sport with 60k miles in near perfect condition, no mechanical problems at all for only 7k.
or you could be like me and get an 88 dakota in bad shape but never quits with over 250 thousand miles on it for 400$ just to play around in. seriously though, once a vehicle gets over like 60k miles, the value goes down dramatically. over 100k and you may as well forget about having a maintenance free vehicle, its going to nickle and dime you, i dont care what it is.