To answer the original post, this should suffice.

 

I bought my Dakota last year from a friend of mine. He did what was necessary to keep the truck on the road and all work that was performed was completed at a shop. Although the truck was in good shape, it still needed a little work to get it to my satisfaction. I trusted my friend and the truck is in good shape but it still needs minor repairs to keep it roadworthy.

At 120,000 these are the things I'd be concentrating on to get it roadworthy:
-Front suspension but more specifically the balljoints.
-Shocks on all four corners.
-Tires.
-Brake system. I'd flush the system, check the lines and the pads and shoes.
-Heater core and cooling system - Do a complete flush of the cooling system and check and see if the heater core is leaking or plugged. If it is, then you would need to replace it. The part is around $35 and if you intend on changing it yourself, you're looking at 8 to 12 hours of labor. If you intend on taking it to a shop, look at paying $900 to $1200.
-Complete fluid change (Engine oil, trans fluid, rear diff fluid).
-How is the clutch? 120,000 on a midsize manual trans. truck is hard on the clutch. Cost of parts about $200 to $300. Labor maybe $600 or so.
-Window motors - Junkyard part $30 each or so.
-Steering issues - If its the pump then you're looking at the price of the part. If its the steering rack, then the cost goes up ($200-$600 or so) for the part and add $200 to $600 to install if you have someone do it for you.

I paid $2000 for my Dakota and so far I put just over $1000 in repairs (new tires, shocks, flushed out heater core, new headlight switch, new swaybar links, balljoints, control arm bushings, swaybar bushings, fluid changes) for the parts. I do all of my work (except for the tires).

Do I think it is a good price to pay? No, I don't given what you have just described about your mechanical abilities and the fact that it was in an accident and has sat for a year. The most I would pay would be $500 given that it needs all of the work that you have described (and that is being generous). If it was $1000 and the given issues you described were corrected, then I'd be a little more willing to part with a $1000. I understand that its a person you can trust and I don't think he would con you but you have to look at the other side too. There might be another truck for $1000 that is in much better shape than what you are getting yourself into.

In the end it is your money, your time and your decision. Personally I'd stay away unless they paid me to take it away. In the very least I can see you dumping another $1000 (up front or over the next 6 months to a year) just to keep it running.

Good Luck,
Dennis

 

sorry for the misunderstanding but he has driven it almost daily for the past year

 

Yeah, you're diving into way deeper waters then you expect. Anything that comes with problems will only have more and more. Don't come on here asking for our opinion and the second we give you one and it's not what you would to hear, you talk to us like we're 10 year old kids. You're the kid here and have a lot to learn.

Stay away, stay away, stay away. I can't make it any more clear. If you haven't had experience working on cars before, you won't be able to do the repairs on your own. If you think you are going to buy it anyway, go ahead, but don't come back bitching when it fails apart on your way to work.

These trucks suspension are pretty beat at 130k and need a lot of things. Ball joints, sway bar bushings, shocks...

Like the above post said, it may end up needing a clutch soon... but it may last longer, all depends on if the previous owner/s know how to drive a manual properly.

 

All I can say to you guys is you were all once kids and I bet there was something that caught your eye and you couldnt just pass it up no matter how much we were told not to get it. Im only 18 and im that way now and prob always will be lol and we all have to start somewhere and learn from it. Who knows maybe it will be nothing but a money pit or maybe it will run forever. Only thing I urge to the poster is really consider your options and if you think it will work out then go for it we cant stop you. We all do stuff that we think is right even when we are told no ha I came home with a 200.00 beater jeep after I was told no but hey cant let it go to waste lol

 

I know what you're say ramguy, thats for sure. But when someone asks for your opinion and as soon as you tell it, they say you're wrong, thats kinda ****ed up.

Sounds to me like he already has his mind set, so what good does it to ask people what to do...

 

This is not meant to be offensive.
It sounds like he came here, to a Dodge Dakota Forum, with this truck, hoping that since it is a Dakota we would support it no matter what problems it has.
That is what it sounds like to me.

 

sorry, got you and the dude who said it was a 3.9 mixed up, all your dodge trucks in ur signatures look alike

LOL, if he wouldve been helping me you better believe i wouldnt of said what i said. he did not answer my question, i asked if the truck was a good buy or no, NOT if i should buy a car. christ sake you kids have the worst reading comprehension i have ever seen in my life.


anyway, thanks to all people who actually helped, but my 'friend' all of the sudden wants $1500 and cash.. i laughed.. blessing? probably. oh well, i really needed the transportation.

 

That should have answered your question right away then.

 

yeah, if you forget the fact that a. he didn't read/comprehend my post(thought it was a 3.9 when i clearly stated it was a 4cyl.. dur?) and b. offered no explanation whatsoever, then yeah it answered my question.