Looking at used Dakotas....
Thread Starter
Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 2
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Looking at used Dakotas....
Loking for a used Dakota, probably between 2002 and 2004. I found a couple on CarMax, but I have a couple questions:
1. Are there any "gotchas" to look for when driving/checking out a used Dakota? I know some vehicles Ive looked at had their pet peeves (which I didnt find out until too late
) so I was hoping this time I might get a heads up on what to check for.
2. Sorta off-topic, but has anyone had any experiences with CarMax? I read some good and some bad on Google, Epinions, etc. Just figured Id ask around to see if anyone has some stories.
If this post belongs elsewhere, mods feel free to move.
Thanks in advance!
-Chris
1. Are there any "gotchas" to look for when driving/checking out a used Dakota? I know some vehicles Ive looked at had their pet peeves (which I didnt find out until too late
) so I was hoping this time I might get a heads up on what to check for.2. Sorta off-topic, but has anyone had any experiences with CarMax? I read some good and some bad on Google, Epinions, etc. Just figured Id ask around to see if anyone has some stories.
If this post belongs elsewhere, mods feel free to move.
Thanks in advance!
-Chris
Champion
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 2,530
Likes: 1
From: poconos, pa
RE: Looking at used Dakotas....
if you happen to come across a dakota whose owner didnt abuse it but used it to get around and basically haul some stuff... your in the clear, expect common maintenace to be required.. only one major common problem was the faulty ball joints
Joined: Oct 2006
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From:
RE: Looking at used Dakotas....
Screw Carmax! They pay wholesale black book for every car they purchase, but you are expected to pay nothing less than NADA retail value to buy. I hate all car dealers, but if have to give my money, I'll give my $2-3K to the Dodge Dealer vs. $4,5,6K to Car Max. Oh, just my opinion Have you though about looking at an '06? They are trying to clear them out big time to make room for the '07's. Nov, Dec and Jan. is the best time to get a year end sale. It about numbers at this time of year, not all profit.
Have you though about looking at an '06? They are trying to clear them out big time to make room for the '07's. Nov, Dec and Jan. is the best time to get a year end sale. It about numbers at this time of year, not all profit.
Thread Starter
Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 2
Likes: 0
RE: Looking at used Dakotas....
Thanks for the replies!
Im basically replacing a truck that got totalled recently. Its not my primary vehicle, so I wanted to spend as close as possible to what I was given for the old truck (1998 Frontier 2WD King Cab 4-banger). The Dakota Im looking at is an 04 with 29K miles, fully loaded SLT club-cab 2WD. CarMax wants $12,600.
Seeing as how its a 2WD, I figured plowing and off-roading with it were pretty much out of the question. Maybe there was towing involved, but I wont know until I see/drive it (and even then Im not sure I could find out, except maybe for an obvious tow hitch, driveline issues, etc).
Looking at Edmunds, taking into account the 4K rebate, Im still looking at 19-20K for the roughtly equivalent 2006 version of the truck (i didnt add every option thats in the used 04). Thats a little much considering the truck will just be sitting in the driveway (Id feel bad if I let a brand new truck sit outside ).
What do you guys think?
Thanks again!
-Chris
Im basically replacing a truck that got totalled recently. Its not my primary vehicle, so I wanted to spend as close as possible to what I was given for the old truck (1998 Frontier 2WD King Cab 4-banger). The Dakota Im looking at is an 04 with 29K miles, fully loaded SLT club-cab 2WD. CarMax wants $12,600.
Seeing as how its a 2WD, I figured plowing and off-roading with it were pretty much out of the question. Maybe there was towing involved, but I wont know until I see/drive it (and even then Im not sure I could find out, except maybe for an obvious tow hitch, driveline issues, etc).
Looking at Edmunds, taking into account the 4K rebate, Im still looking at 19-20K for the roughtly equivalent 2006 version of the truck (i didnt add every option thats in the used 04). Thats a little much considering the truck will just be sitting in the driveway (Id feel bad if I let a brand new truck sit outside
).What do you guys think?
Thanks again!
-Chris
Noob Assassin
Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 9,447
Likes: 0
RE: Looking at used Dakotas....
ORIGINAL: chrisexv6
Thanks for the replies!
Im basically replacing a truck that got totalled recently. Its not my primary vehicle, so I wanted to spend as close as possible to what I was given for the old truck (1998 Frontier 2WD King Cab 4-banger). The Dakota Im looking at is an 04 with 29K miles, fully loaded SLT club-cab 2WD. CarMax wants $12,600.
Seeing as how its a 2WD, I figured plowing and off-roading with it were pretty much out of the question. Maybe there was towing involved, but I wont know until I see/drive it (and even then Im not sure I could find out, except maybe for an obvious tow hitch, driveline issues, etc).
Looking at Edmunds, taking into account the 4K rebate, Im still looking at 19-20K for the roughtly equivalent 2006 version of the truck (i didnt add every option thats in the used 04). Thats a little much considering the truck will just be sitting in the driveway (Id feel bad if I let a brand new truck sit outside ).
What do you guys think?
Thanks again!
-Chris
Thanks for the replies!
Im basically replacing a truck that got totalled recently. Its not my primary vehicle, so I wanted to spend as close as possible to what I was given for the old truck (1998 Frontier 2WD King Cab 4-banger). The Dakota Im looking at is an 04 with 29K miles, fully loaded SLT club-cab 2WD. CarMax wants $12,600.
Seeing as how its a 2WD, I figured plowing and off-roading with it were pretty much out of the question. Maybe there was towing involved, but I wont know until I see/drive it (and even then Im not sure I could find out, except maybe for an obvious tow hitch, driveline issues, etc).
Looking at Edmunds, taking into account the 4K rebate, Im still looking at 19-20K for the roughtly equivalent 2006 version of the truck (i didnt add every option thats in the used 04). Thats a little much considering the truck will just be sitting in the driveway (Id feel bad if I let a brand new truck sit outside
).What do you guys think?
Thanks again!
-Chris
Record Breaker
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 1,056
Likes: 1
From: North Dakota
RE: Looking at used Dakotas....
ORIGINAL: DevilsReject
Paying cash for something ALWAYS changes the way a dealer haggles....so keep that in mind....you got a lot more leverage in price then they do. That 12,600 number seems a bit high for a used 2wd Dakota.....even if its fully loaded. It's not a bad price, just seems a bit high considering its 3 yrs old and its a 2wd. I'd offer 11k in cash....you probably could get it for that price.....
ORIGINAL: chrisexv6
Thanks for the replies!
Im basically replacing a truck that got totalled recently. Its not my primary vehicle, so I wanted to spend as close as possible to what I was given for the old truck (1998 Frontier 2WD King Cab 4-banger). The Dakota Im looking at is an 04 with 29K miles, fully loaded SLT club-cab 2WD. CarMax wants $12,600.
Seeing as how its a 2WD, I figured plowing and off-roading with it were pretty much out of the question. Maybe there was towing involved, but I wont know until I see/drive it (and even then Im not sure I could find out, except maybe for an obvious tow hitch, driveline issues, etc).
Looking at Edmunds, taking into account the 4K rebate, Im still looking at 19-20K for the roughtly equivalent 2006 version of the truck (i didnt add every option thats in the used 04). Thats a little much considering the truck will just be sitting in the driveway (Id feel bad if I let a brand new truck sit outside ).
What do you guys think?
Thanks again!
-Chris
Thanks for the replies!
Im basically replacing a truck that got totalled recently. Its not my primary vehicle, so I wanted to spend as close as possible to what I was given for the old truck (1998 Frontier 2WD King Cab 4-banger). The Dakota Im looking at is an 04 with 29K miles, fully loaded SLT club-cab 2WD. CarMax wants $12,600.
Seeing as how its a 2WD, I figured plowing and off-roading with it were pretty much out of the question. Maybe there was towing involved, but I wont know until I see/drive it (and even then Im not sure I could find out, except maybe for an obvious tow hitch, driveline issues, etc).
Looking at Edmunds, taking into account the 4K rebate, Im still looking at 19-20K for the roughtly equivalent 2006 version of the truck (i didnt add every option thats in the used 04). Thats a little much considering the truck will just be sitting in the driveway (Id feel bad if I let a brand new truck sit outside
).What do you guys think?
Thanks again!
-Chris
I agree, if you give them a lower offer with cash, they'll usually go for it. Also its not a bad price, but its not a good deal either....
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Record Breaker
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 1,056
Likes: 1
From: North Dakota
RE: Looking at used Dakotas....
ORIGINAL: Night_Runner
thats a good way of putting it, nicely done
Also its not a bad price, but its not a good deal either....
Captain
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 639
Likes: 0
From: Orangevale, CA
RE: Looking at used Dakotas....
Stick with getting a Gen2 2002-2004 so many issues you will read about with the Gen3's and don't settle for anything less than the V8, most everyone on here that got a V6 ask over and over how to get more power and why they get worse gas milage than the V8's