Help! Should I Buy?
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Help! Should I Buy?
I am looking to buy a 2004 Dodge Durango Limited - Hemi. It has just shy of 175,000 miles on it. Sale price is $5000. The price, I believe, is a great deal. I am, however, worried about the high mileage. If I were to buy it, what should I expect in the next couple of years, cost wise? Will my engine or transmission die? I am in desperate need of advice before I make a decision. Thanks in advance!
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Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 8,374
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From: Sioux Falls, SD
+1. Most reputable shops offer a "pre-purchase inspection" service or similar, where they go over all the basics and make sure there are no tell-tale signs of major future issues.
Thats what I had done before purchasing the wife's 2006, and thats how we discovered leaking transmission cooler lines at the base of the cooler (I guess its half-way common with the 2nd gens). Relatively simple thing to fix, but if we hadn't had it looked at, could have turned into an expensive transmission problem.
Thats what I had done before purchasing the wife's 2006, and thats how we discovered leaking transmission cooler lines at the base of the cooler (I guess its half-way common with the 2nd gens). Relatively simple thing to fix, but if we hadn't had it looked at, could have turned into an expensive transmission problem.
Professional
Joined: Aug 2010
Posts: 105
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From: Woodland Park, CO
There are a number of earlly (2004 mainly, some 2005) HEMI failures, most happening around the 100k mark and quite a few less. If it's made it to 175k, it sounds like it's a strong one. There are also not many tranny failures, so I think that should last if you maintain it properlly. Check to see if yours had the dashboard recalled and if that was done.....probably was otherwise there would be some electrical issues.
I just did a quick search on denver.craigslist.org and the only Durangos for $5,000 are 2000 Gen1's 4x4 with 150-175k miles. Since yours is a Gen2, better engine, and Limited, I would say that's a good deal....but I would try to get it for $4k
I just did a quick search on denver.craigslist.org and the only Durangos for $5,000 are 2000 Gen1's 4x4 with 150-175k miles. Since yours is a Gen2, better engine, and Limited, I would say that's a good deal....but I would try to get it for $4k
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Joined: May 2010
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Welcome to the forum.
+2 Have a pre-purchase inspection done by a mechanic you trust.
I currently own an '04 SLT 5.7L 4x4 with 175K on it. I have used it for an extensive amount of towing and as a daily driver. I have a tendency however to over maintenance my vehicles and use only synthetic fluids, so they will last as long as possible. My engine, transmission, transfer case, and differentials are rock solid.
The only issue that I've had with mine is inner tie rods (just dealt with this problem). I have a mid production (manufacture date 02/04) with 16mm threaded inner tie rods to the rack and pinion. This particular rack and pinion and inner tie rods are not serviceable. You have to replace the entire rack and pinion which comes with the inner tie rods in order to put new inner tie rods on it. Now don't get me wrong, I have gone 175k miles on the original tie rods. So in all I did well, but the total cost to replace the rack and pinion was about $700 bones. (Please note that my rack and pinion was not bad. Just the inner tie rods.)
I have a few other posts within the last week or so regarding the inner tie rod problem that I had on my '04, you may want to check those out if you haven't already.
$5000 seems like a great price, but as in buying anything that you can negotiate the price with, do. Good luck.
+2 Have a pre-purchase inspection done by a mechanic you trust.
I currently own an '04 SLT 5.7L 4x4 with 175K on it. I have used it for an extensive amount of towing and as a daily driver. I have a tendency however to over maintenance my vehicles and use only synthetic fluids, so they will last as long as possible. My engine, transmission, transfer case, and differentials are rock solid.
The only issue that I've had with mine is inner tie rods (just dealt with this problem). I have a mid production (manufacture date 02/04) with 16mm threaded inner tie rods to the rack and pinion. This particular rack and pinion and inner tie rods are not serviceable. You have to replace the entire rack and pinion which comes with the inner tie rods in order to put new inner tie rods on it. Now don't get me wrong, I have gone 175k miles on the original tie rods. So in all I did well, but the total cost to replace the rack and pinion was about $700 bones. (Please note that my rack and pinion was not bad. Just the inner tie rods.)
I have a few other posts within the last week or so regarding the inner tie rod problem that I had on my '04, you may want to check those out if you haven't already.
$5000 seems like a great price, but as in buying anything that you can negotiate the price with, do. Good luck.
Record Breaker
Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 1,222
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From: Ohio
Brit:
Yes to all the good info presented above. 175k on a well maintained D is just getting broken in. You also might consider a Carfax to see what its history is unless the rig is one owner.
Good luck with the quest, and let us know how things work out.
Don
Yes to all the good info presented above. 175k on a well maintained D is just getting broken in. You also might consider a Carfax to see what its history is unless the rig is one owner.
Good luck with the quest, and let us know how things work out.
Don
