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Detailing Dude - 07 Jun 2007 12:56 GMT

Have a chance to get a 2003 Dakota SLT 4 door pickup. Are there any things I
should look for. Will go this weekend for a test drive.

Cecil

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LarryD - 07 Jun 2007 14:09 GMT

> Have a chance to get a 2003 Dakota SLT 4 door pickup. Are there any things I
> should look for. Will go this weekend for a test drive.
>
> Cecil

I bought a new 2004 Dakota QuadCab SLT Plus with 287 V8 and 5 speed
manual trans. Here are the things that have gone wrong so far (after
2.5 years and 11,000 miles):
- One spark plug coil
- One cracked emergency brake outer sheath. Rearmost drivers side.
The replacement was obviously redesigned.
- Two broken big hose radiator clamps. Note - If you have the
factory warranty, do not add water in order to drive it to the
dealer. Make them come and get it. DC will NOT reimburse you for
anything you added or a coolant flush at the dealer.
- Secondary steering shaft replaced. There was a clunking in the
front end, driver's side.
- B-Pillar trim replaced on both sides. It kept slipping down,
leaving a gap a the top.

I haven't had the problem with ball joints, but I don't have many
miles on mine. I have read in this forum that this is fairly
common. Don't get the idea that I am complaining. I really like my
Dakota and it serves my needs perfectly. It is also one of the few
light trucks that you can get a V8 with a manual trans. Plus it
really looks great, being red and silver. Our local dealer treats me
like royalty when I bring it in, and I really like the vehicle. I did
buy the extended warranty though.
Larry

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Detailing Dude - 07 Jun 2007 14:37 GMT

Thank You. The price seems low for a dealer. That's why I'm curious. In
photos it looks really nice and clean. They're asking 10.500 for 11000
miles.
What do you think?

Cecil

> > Have a chance to get a 2003 Dakota SLT 4 door pickup. Are there any things I
> > should look for. Will go this weekend for a test drive.
[quoted text clipped - 25 lines]
> buy the extended warranty though.
> Larry

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LarryD - 07 Jun 2007 15:12 GMT

> Thank You. The price seems low for a dealer. That's why I'm curious. In
> photos it looks really nice and clean. They're asking 10.500 for 11000
> miles.
> What do you think?
>
> Cecil

I would go to the Edmunds site and plug in all the details on the
truck. I think they give pretty reasonable estimates. You need to
state all the equipment on the vehicle before you can get an
estimate. V6 or V8? Auto or Manual? Air, pw, pl, ps, cruise, sliding
rear window, two tone paint, cap, etc. etc. etc....
Larry

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The Reverend Natural Light - 07 Jun 2007 19:21 GMT

> Have a chance to get a 2003 Dakota SLT 4 door pickup. Are there any things I
> should look for. Will go this weekend for a test drive.

I had an '02 for a couple of years. Only problems were warped/cracked
front brake rotors - which seems to be normal for any Chrysler (Jeep/
Dodge) product. Great truck other than the absolutely unacceptable
gas mileage.

> The price seems low for a dealer. That's why I'm curious. In
> photos it looks really nice and clean. They're asking 10.500 for 11000
> miles.

That's high for a V6 2-wheel-drive quad cab and low for a V8 4x4 quad
cab. Remember though, at $3+/gal for fuel, it's tough to give away a
vehicle that gets 12 miles per gallon. Look up the book value. They
paid a couple grand under trade-in. Don't pay more than "private
party" value. Despite what they say, it is not in "Excellent"
condition.

-rev

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