You might even be able to find an '08 for that money, wouldn't be fully loaded but the extra power on the '08+ 4.7 never hurts.

 

I didn't mention that one because of the Budget. The've been out three years now so who knows. 305hp is alot better starting point than 235.

 

My Dak has the 4.7 V8, but for the amount of money you want to spend I would get a tacoma or frontier they both have more HP better mpg, better ride quality, and much nicer interior and are much faster. heck the colorado with the 5cly will smoke our v8s. that is why I am saying he should get a tacomoa or frontier because he is willing to spend 15-17k

 

I looked at the tacomoa and frontier and dakotas and could not justify the price difference for a comparable model of same year, options and miles. Most 2005 4x4 quad cab Tacomas he would be able to find at the top of his 17k price range will have close to 100k miles on them and not be in the best condition cosmetically. I personally would not pay 17k for a 5 year old car with 100k miles on it. I bought a low mile, nicely optioned, cosmetically perfect dakota and pocketed the difference in price and used some of the savings to make the dakota the way I wanted it. For me lower miles, excellent cosmetic condition and lower price trumped spending 5 or 6 k more for a comparable tacoma. Plus I felt cramped in the tacoma whether I was in the front or the back.

 

Thanks for all the info, my search is on, but I'm not a very patient person. I'm sticking with the Dakota tho, I just like the looks of it better than the Tacoma. Doesn't that 4.7 High Output engine require the high octane gas? Not crazy about that if so. Tracka96

 

Hmmmm - I just read this thread --- Getting Tired of Problems with my DAK --- and am getting a little concerned. Tracka96

 

I have the H.O. 4.7 and i run it on regular gas and it runs fine. However I heard that if you run reg gas it will only perform like a regular 4.7. But to me it still feels stronger then the regular 4.7's even with regular gas. I agree with you about the looks of the dakota being better then the tacoma as well.

As far as that thread that is concerning you, go to any vehicle forum and you will find posts like that about any vehicle. For that matter If you go to any forum about any product (xbox 360, ps3, lcd tv's, washers, dryers lol etc...) you will find people that have problems or complaints with the product. I think the majority of the dakota owners here are very happy with their truck. I know I am

 

Tracka - How's that 96 tracker work for you? I used to be a member of ZOA (zuks of AZ) but never had an opportunity to go out with them. I had a 2001 2dr tracker that I had in college in Flagstaff.

I've been contemplating selling my Dak due to financial changes in my life. I was hoping to get about 16-17 out of it, but based off of KBB and Edmunds it seems that the truck is worth about 14,900(edmunds)-16,300(kbb) depending on the website.

If you're interested, I would sell it for the Edmunds value of $14,900 (only because you are on DF). Heck, I might even throw in that camper top I was trying to sell on here.

My truck fits the description you are looking for. Loaded, leather, 4x4, quad cab, 4.7HO V8, etc.

It does have the leveling kit on it and 1.5" blocks in the rear. Tires have good tread on them.

It has just over 70,000 (it's 70,xxx right now) on it. *If it's transferable* I bought it as a certified used vehicle with 48k on it and there was a 7yr/80k powertrain warranty on it. That would leave you with about 10k more in case anything happened to the powertrain (which hasn't given me a hitch of a problem)

Here are the values I printscreened from the two websites...

truckkbb.jpg
truckedmunds.jpg

 

Oh yeah, I'm in the Gilbert area in the valley so you could obviously test drive the thing. It's not paid off, so we would have to do that as well (I've never done that before private party).

 

I picked up my truck a couple of months ago for $14,500. Had 40,245 miles on it, 4 new tires. there wasn't a scratch, nick or ding anywhere on the truck? the guy had a complete service record of everything done to the truck. All the service was done at the dealership. He was asking$17,000 for it and when i made him the offer and he excepted it i was like show me where to sign before you change your mind. lol