by "bwp240" (bwp240)
Published 02/16/2017 at 12:32
by "bwp240" (bwp240)
Published 02/16/2017 at 12:32
Tags: Craigslist
; Dodge Dakota Convertible
; Irrational Wants
STARS: 0
As some may know, I have an irrational want for a Dodge Dakota Convertible. It’s manual, 4WD, drop top capabilities make it ideal and terrible for every single season.
While doing my bi-weekly Dodge Dakota Convertible search, I found one close by that has almost everything I want .
Now, whenever I find things I irrationally want on Craigslist, I need to ask a few questions...
Is this a stupid idea? Yes
Do you have any practical reason for this purchase? No
Will family/friends be dissapointed in your decions? Most likely.
Will people question your morals and sensibilities? Yes
Are you sure you know what you are doing? Do I ever?
Is this an improvement of your overall methods of transport? Absolutely not.
Should you really even think about spending money on this? Probably not.
What will most likely be the outcome of this scenario? I will have a play toy that I am constantly worrying about getting towed. It will also probably leak all over the parking lot.
Next is to lay out the pros and cons of the vehicle in question.
Pros
Manual
4WD
Close by
Looks like it is in 1 piece
Runs
Cons
No place to put it (complex went all lame and only allows 1 car per resident)
Asking price is a significant portion of my net worth
repeat 1 and 2
Not red
Extra registration, taxes, and insurance costs
unknowns
Looking at the pictures, a cosmetic restoration doesn’t look all that difficult. The RF fender needs a repaint, the bench needs to be sewn up, and the door panels need some work on the sun fade.
The biggest concern I have from the pictures is rust. Those bumpers look particularly bad for some reason, especially the plate lights and hitch. It makes me suspicious of what the frame looks like.
The description says that they bought it to restore it, but didn’t have time. That makes me think there is something more to this. I hope there isn’t, but all that cosmetic stuff looked, well cosmetic. Other than money, I don’t see why it couldn’t be done.
$3500 for a 185000 mile Dakota convertible is high, but not completely unreasonable (there are some wackadoo prices out there), it is a good start. Can that be brought down a bit?
The want is strong with this one...
"Meatcoma" (mastapoof)
02/16/2017 at 12:44, STARS: 0
I avoid every vehicle that someone bought as a project and just do not have the time for.
Usually it means they ran into a problem they either could not fix or could not pay to have fixed.
Sometimes they just run out of money, but I’m not taking the chance.
"Die-Trying" (die-trying)
02/16/2017 at 12:54, STARS: 0
$3500, is giving it away. all the ones i have seen were going for real money, and half as nice. i actually saw one of these, same color, moving under its own power next to where “trail of blown headgaskets” lives. just so you are aware, dodge fanboys are THE most fanatical guys when it comes to their numbers matching, original model specific cars, AND they price them accordingly. dodge guys are NUTS........
"bwp240" (bwp240)
02/16/2017 at 12:55, STARS: 0
Yeah, that is the part I do not understand about this one. There is something that caused them to stop, it is just a matter of what. Could be anything from, my wife hates it to it is going to explode.
"Demon-Xanth knows how to operate a street." (demon-xanth)
02/16/2017 at 12:55, STARS: 0
What state is this Lawrence place in? Just curious...
If it’s just cosmetic, it’s great. If it needs other work, maybe.
"Future next gen S2000 owner" (future-next-gen-s2000-owner)
02/16/2017 at 12:56, STARS: 0
I hereby endorse your bad decision. It will be worth it.
"bwp240" (bwp240)
02/16/2017 at 12:58, STARS: 1
Yeah, I have seen my fair share of these asking for astronomical numbers. But I have seen those same listings repeated for months
"bwp240" (bwp240)
02/16/2017 at 13:01, STARS: 0
Kansas, about 30-40 mins west of KC. The question is where did this come from beforehand. I doubt it spent its whole life here.
"Die-Trying" (die-trying)
02/16/2017 at 13:03, STARS: 0
most importantly. it is a REAL dakota convertible 4x4 truck. spend the money and dont look back. just check that the title isnt some kind of branded.
or if youre like the rest of us, and dont care about resale value, and are more concerned with getting to drive your favorite unicorn, pick it up.
theyre not exactly falling out of trees anymore.........
"PatBateman" (PatBateman)
02/16/2017 at 13:05, STARS: 0
My first vehicle was a 1993 Dodge Dakota Sport. So, when I tell you this, please understand that I’m coming from a place of experience:
You don’t need it.
"Demon-Xanth knows how to operate a street." (demon-xanth)
02/16/2017 at 13:13, STARS: 0
Damn, not close to me...
I miss my Dakota.
"Textured Soy Protein" (texturedsoyprotein)
02/16/2017 at 13:16, STARS: 0
Mmmm, that sweet, sweet structural rigidity.
"Pickup_man" (zekeh)
02/16/2017 at 13:31, STARS: 0
You answered your questions all wrong, let me help.
Is this a stupid idea? Absolutely not.
Do you have any practical reason for this purchase? Do you really need one?
Will family/friends be disappointed in your decisions? If they are then they’re not very fun friends. Your family is supposed to love you unconditionally, so who cares if they’re disappointed?
Will people question your morals and sensibilities? Not when they see how bitchin you are with the top down.
Are you sure you know what you are doing? Of course you do, you’re a responsible child adult person.
Is this an improvement of your overall methods of transport? It’s a manual V8 convertible pickup, how can it not be an improvement?
Should you really even think about spending money on this? No thinking, just doing.
What will most likely be the outcome of this scenario? You will have the most bitchin ride of all your friends, members of both sexes will break necks trying to catch a glimpse of your awesomeness, and will throw themselves at you wanting a ride. With the bed you can haul nearly as many people as you want, and the police will be so in shock at the greatness in front of them that they wont bother to pull you over, except maybe to ask for a ride.
"Tazio, Count Fouroff" (tazio0625)
02/16/2017 at 13:43, STARS: 0
Whenever a car person says “I don’t need it” —
they need it.
Actually the question is, “Can I scrape together the money (or credit)?” Lol
Best wishes!
"area man" (hurrburgring)
02/16/2017 at 14:03, STARS: 0
Just stay out of the rain... I believe Bob Lutz called it the leakiest convertible ever made.
"bwp240" (bwp240)
02/16/2017 at 15:27, STARS: 0
He did. That would be an issue as I don’t have a garage.
"bwp240" (bwp240)
02/16/2017 at 15:29, STARS: 0
I have no arguments to any of those.
Except the convertibles were all V6's.
"Pickup_man" (zekeh)
02/16/2017 at 15:30, STARS: 0
Well damn, didn’t know that, still awesome, and you could always swap it.