I'm looking to purchase a truck in the next month or so. I've come down to a decision on a Midsize truck and I like the towing capacity and the v-8 the Dakota offers.

I have found one in my area, however I'm not sure if I should even bother with the miles that are on it.

Its a 2003 with 141K on it. 4.7L v-8, auto, 4x4, Quad Cab, with towing package. They are asking $8650 for it.

From the pictures the truck looks really clean, however we all know how pics can lie.

Heres a link to the craigslist ad.

Thanks for any input you guys can give me.

 

Whoaaaaa $8650 for 141k miles? I payed $7000 for basically the same truck but a club cab and 97k miles, 2 years ago. That price is wayyy high. The kbb value is $7100...

 

Yea used stealerships will usually try to rape you for every penny. That is a rip!

 

DAMN!!! Ill sell you mine 98 club cab 5.2 v8 auto 87,000miles,4x4 mangaflow exhaust,tinted windows,cd player,new brakes,water pump,HIDS ,fuel pump frame is all painted ready for winter needs tires for winter. Trailer hitch,new brake lines,has a few blemishes in paint but its a 98 ill sell For 5,000. lol But even with that Im only getting offers for 3 grand guess ill have to keep it and make it my beater.

 

I knew it was high on the price, however I was more wondering about the miles. Would you guys shy away from buying a dakota with this many miles on it? I've got some others in my area like a 2006 v8 quadcab 2wd on 20's. Its got 117000 on it and they are asking 10800 for it.

 

thats rediculous. BUt honestly the mileage does count for a portion of the quality but the minor things is what set the trucks apart. The specifics of "running condition" count more.

a.k.a. Oil Pressure fluctuations, color of the oil, general maintenance, tire tread.

I have found trucks that have 180k on them and run and drive great, and have found trucks that with -100k that run like complete crap. Just test em out and look for the specifics.

The dakota i bought had 150k miles on it when i got it. It was very well maintained and 20k miles later ive had 0 problems with it. Ive had some minor things but those were my fault because of playing around in the mud haha!

 

I just bought mine - 2004 quad cab, 4.7 v8 4x4 with 145k miles - I paid $6500 at a dealership but mine needed some maintenance. They were asking $8k. I just convinced them no one in their right mind would buy that truck. No rust or anything - 1 owner.

The mileage isn't a big deal for the 4.7 as long as it has been maintained. If these engines over heat they will burn the cam bearings in nothing flat & the engine will need to be rebuilt.

Trust me - I had pruchased a different one with much fewer miles, but the engine was trash.

Here is how to can tell if you have a solid engine or not - because it may run fine - When you test drive the truck make sure the engine temp comes up to operating temp. Then stop at a stop light or just stop the truck somewhere leaving it in drive.

The oil pressure should not change at all - any dip & the engine is showing excessive wear. The first one I tried to buy - at the stop light the oil p. would dump & the engine would overheat.

But - all that said - if the truck has received basic maintenance - it will last for at least another 100k.

I'm not just blowing my dodge whistle either - this is the first dodge I've ever owned - & I've owned a ton of trucks. So far I'm really happy with it.

 

I'm thinking I may try to go look at the 06, but man thats 30,000 miles a year.... and its got 20's blech.. Think that would affect the towing abilities any? I may have need to pull a 14-16 foot enclosed trailer loaded with some tools and a couple of atvs in the future. shouldn't weigh in at over 5K.

Link to 06

 

yea that would prolly effect towing, u could def sellem and pic up some stockers and tires for what u got outa the rims

 

I still almost puke every time I see a 3rd gen and wonder what on EARTH was Dodge thinking...

but just as Spencer said, it's not the miles that count but how those miles were taken. 150k highway miles and very well maintained is better than a truck with 75k miles that was never taken care of and beatin around the neighborhood everyday.