This is from a dealer in Nova Scotia, it has 108,000 Kms on it (67,000 miles). Their sticker price is $12,995 Canadian. It's in really good shape, seems to run slightly hot, may have some engine ping but that's typical.

We talked about price a bit and their current offer to me is $10,300 + tax (%15). which still seems overpriced. I looked up some blue book values on the web:

http://autos.yahoo.com/2003_dodge_tr..._quad_cab_4x4/
http://autos.msn.com/research/vip/ov...e&model=Dakota
cars.com KBB

So in most instances there the max price is in the 8,000 range. Prices may be a bit higher here but there's an awefull lot of trucks for sale these days. I told them I have a $10,000 budget, that's when they came back with 10,3 plus tax. I'm going to call them in a bit and tell them I'll go no higher than $11,000 total which is about $9,500 plus tax. What do you think? Is that still too much?

Thanks for your input.

 

its pretty hard to say. I honestly will never buy from a stealership until I can afford payments on a brand new car. You can honestly find just as good of a truck through local listings on craigslist by owner.
I think that is quite a bit over priced!

 

I don't know how much that is U.S, but I wouldn't pay more then 8 to 8500 plus tax. I don't understand where dealers get off thinking it is worth so much money just because it is at a dealer. If an independent seller was selling it people would laugh at him asking for 13k, but because it's a dealer they think its ok.

Offer them 8 plus tax and if they don't take it, it is not meant to be. Keep looking. There are deals out there. Make them come to you.

 

low mileage but that dosent necessarily mean good. but 10 grand is too much. just low ball them with like an offer of 6k

 

A couple of months ago I bought a 2003 Dakota with the V6 SXT (extended cab) 4x4 with 73K miles - $6.1K and put $1K in to it for new brakes and exhaust - I insist on good brakes.

In general I love the truck, but the 3.9 V6 is way underpowered for my taste, look for the V8.

 

What engine does it have & WHY DOES IT RUN HOT?? I bought one in August & took it back the next day because the engine was blown! It ran fine until the temp came up. Then the oil pressure would dump & the 4.7 would over heat.

Be careful of a 4.7 that over heats - they don't like to run hot & are easily damaged I've been told.

 

Thanks for all the replies guys. I'm still negotiating with them but they're not moving much (any) more on the price. I guess I'll move on but I need a ride ASAP. I wasn't even considering a dodge before I saw this truck BTW but now I really like the dakotas.

 

Not too sure about your area, but here the 2003 dakotas, same options as yours, sell for 9-13ish. Even saw the same truck as mine, 5.2 1998 V8 with 240k kms going for 7k (lucked out and got mine with 190k km for a lot less, but it was almost a few months of watching craigslist off and on). If i cross the border down to Seattle, I can find the same truck for 1-4k less. 9500 is reasonable, not the best, not the worst; if you can talk him down even more its just a bonus.

 

Thanks, the market here does seem much higher.

 

I'm not sure about Canadia - but the cash for clunkers program here has wiped out many of the good used cars & trucks that would have been on the market. Prices for those that are left have skyrocketed this past year & are still going up.

When I was looking in August one of the dealers told me he sold a 1999 chevy truck ex cab, 4x4 with 305k miles for $3500 US. He said a year ago that was a $900 truck.

I also had never even considered a dodge, but when I started looking I was really impressed with the quad cab & the 4.7 V8. I can haul the entire family + all my junk, + not get stuck in the snow + get that cool rumbly V8 sound I like + get better gas mileage than my 4cyl jeep.

I'm a believer - even with 150k miles my truck is still relatively tight & runs like a top.

When I finally decided what I had to have - I found there were very few QC's with V8 & 4x4 for sale in my area - I had to drive 2 hrs to the dealer who had the one I bought & he was the closest - there was another 3 hrs away & one 4 hrs away. I'm just glad I managed to get this one - my wife wouldn't have been up for 2 more road trips!