My dad and I are in a bit of a debate

"Logansteno: Bought a VW?" (logansteno)
10/13/2014 at 15:48 • Filed to: None

So I figure I'd come here and have you guys settle it.

So there's this Dodge Dakota 5.9 R/T for sale just up the street from me. It's a single cab, short box in arrest-me-red. Nearly 150,000 miles (I think couldn't read the number after 1) Automatic transmission. It's in okay condition, but you can tell it was used as a truck was intended.

The guy wants $3,800 for it. My dad thinks that's waaay to much. I think that sounds about right.

What do you guys think?

DISCUSSION (32)

McChiken116 - Patrick H. > Logansteno: Bought a VW?
10/13/2014 at 15:50

I would say he's a tad high, but only like $300 bucks.

dogisbadob > Logansteno: Bought a VW?
10/13/2014 at 15:51

Check Edmunds :p

And of course, you can always negotiate

themanwithsauce - has as many vehicles as job titles > Logansteno: Bought a VW?
10/13/2014 at 15:51

Rusty frame? Maintenance on the truck? If everything checks out, it's not a terrible price at all for a legit R/T.....I'd say 3-3500 due to 150k miles. Maybe a bit less because it is a short cab. The no cab/no box dakotas are terrible without like 300lbs in the bed when winter comes though. My friend gave me a ride in his in high school. It was purple. We called it the gay santa's sleigh because reindeer would be much more effective when it snowed out and the V8 lit up the tires when you looked at the go pedal..

Logansteno: Bought a VW? > McChiken116 - Patrick H.
10/13/2014 at 15:52

$3,500 was about what I was thinking.

MontegoMan562 is a Capri RS Owner > Logansteno: Bought a VW?
10/13/2014 at 15:52

I'd say a realistic price is between 3 and 3500. Maybe he's leaving a little room for negotiations?

I always forget how ridiculously large of a motor they put in those.

qbeezy > Logansteno: Bought a VW?
10/13/2014 at 15:53

Little high. That tranny may be on the way out.

JGrabowMSt > Logansteno: Bought a VW?
10/13/2014 at 15:53

Magnum engines aren't bad. Pretty reliable overall, but your dad is 100% right, it's a little too much.

By how much? It depends on how much of that "arrest me red" paint is holding what's left of those rocker panels on.

Chryslers from that era are not known for withstanding harsher elements, like water and snow.

It also kind of depends on the used car market by you. $2000 is a much more fair number, still leaning in the favor of the seller. I wouldn't take a used Chrysler of that vintage from the rust belt if you handed me the keys for it.

Logansteno: Bought a VW? > themanwithsauce - has as many vehicles as job titles
10/13/2014 at 15:54

I wasn't about to crawl on the wet grass, but from what I saw there wasn't any rust on it at all. And of course no idea about maintenance.

Just throw some sand bags in the bed come winter and I'm good to go!

Logansteno: Bought a VW? > MontegoMan562 is a Capri RS Owner
10/13/2014 at 15:55

The guy may just be a bit delusional, because a year ago he put it up for like $5,500.

I has no complaints.

Logansteno: Bought a VW? > JGrabowMSt
10/13/2014 at 15:56

From what I saw at the rockers there was no rust at all. I know the guy parked it in a garage the whole time he lived in this house. Probably religiously washed it too.

MontegoMan562 is a Capri RS Owner > Logansteno: Bought a VW?
10/13/2014 at 15:56

If you could get him to 3500 think of all the hoonage that could be had with such a ridiculous motor in that lightweight truck. the R/T's were 2wd right?

Logansteno: Bought a VW? > MontegoMan562 is a Capri RS Owner
10/13/2014 at 15:57

I'd probably go through tires so fast...

I'm pretty sure all R/Ts were 2wd, unless 4wd was an option.

mcseanerson > Logansteno: Bought a VW?
10/13/2014 at 15:58

Too high. S10 + SBC = cheaper and better.

MontegoMan562 is a Capri RS Owner > Logansteno: Bought a VW?
10/13/2014 at 15:58

DO IT

yea i'm guessing 2wd.

tread is for wimps, go light em up

Logansteno: Bought a VW? > mcseanerson
10/13/2014 at 15:59

Also required tools and expertise me or my dad don't have. It's not like the damn thing is gonna bolt right into an S10.

It would probably end up costing a shit ton more anyway.

JGrabowMSt > Logansteno: Bought a VW?
10/13/2014 at 15:59

Just tap the rockers a little. It's not the sound, it's whether they're a little squishy or not. Just don't tap too hard, you don't want your hand going through it.

Something something you broke it, you bought it.

4muddyfeet - bare knuckle with an EZ30 > Logansteno: Bought a VW?
10/13/2014 at 16:09

-Come on to Oppo

-Settle a debate

Choose one

deekster_caddy > Logansteno: Bought a VW?
10/13/2014 at 16:13

What year? Rust belt or southern?

Logansteno: Bought a VW? > deekster_caddy
10/13/2014 at 16:14

I wanna say it said '03.

Wherever Missouri falls.

VetteLT193 > Logansteno: Bought a VW?
10/13/2014 at 16:42

I had a dakota with the 318. It was 10 pounds of crap stuffed into a 5 pound bag. I'd stay away with those miles. Basic maintenance items were a nightmare. Try changing the water pump one time and you will want to die before it's done. Dodge also has crazy setups many times. The water pump is half a pump, the other half is the engine block. The brake rotors are rotor / hub combos so you have to swap bearings when you swap rotors. Maintenance hell regardless of the price.

Manwich - now Keto-Friendly > Logansteno: Bought a VW?
10/13/2014 at 16:43

I'm thinking $3000 assuming everything works and there is no rust problem. Expect this thing to guzzle gas as well.

If it was me, I would spend a little more on a newer model with the 4.7L OHC engine which makes almost as much power and gets 10-15% better fuel economy:

http://www.autotrader.com/cars-for-sale/…

shop-teacher > Logansteno: Bought a VW?
10/13/2014 at 17:08

You're right, 2wd only. $3500 sounds about right. Budget at least a grand a year for rear tires though. Also, the front ends on them are crap (yes, worse than the GM S-series platform that your van is on), so be prepared to rebuild that.

Andrew P. Collins > Logansteno: Bought a VW?
10/13/2014 at 17:15

That sounds like a sweet truck. I'll give you the most annoying and true answer to your question bc I haven't seen it here yet: Uncommon vehicles (even not necessarily "rare") are worth whatever you want to pay for them, no more no less.

Andrew Pickle > Logansteno: Bought a VW?
10/13/2014 at 17:45

Has the transmission been replaced? If not, that's a lot of miles for a dodge automatic of that vintage.

deekster_caddy > Logansteno: Bought a VW?
10/13/2014 at 17:58

Hmmm. Missouri isn't far north or south... You are right on the edge of the 'rust belt' when it comes to cars. Depends how much salt you see on the roads in the winter.

Anyway, if it's been mostly garaged, and not driven much in salt, it's probably worth what he's asking. The question is whether anyone will buy it at that price. There's a pretty big glut of cool used cars these days, most go for much less than they are worth, some go for much more. Something like this, it's a pretty cool item, I think his price is fair. I wouldn't buy it because it doesn't do it for me, but I think it's worth $3800.

avens > Logansteno: Bought a VW?
10/13/2014 at 18:07

Rule of thumb in any large transaction: You always negotiate, unless the very weird case in which the price is as a steal to begin with.

avens > avens
10/13/2014 at 18:13

Kinja just doesn't allow me to edit posts. Anyway, was going to add that every seller asks for a higher initial price, as it's practically customary for buyers to intend negotiating a bit.

So, is it a steal to begin with? Nope, so negotiate. Welcome to adult's world, lol.

jkm7680 > Logansteno: Bought a VW?
10/13/2014 at 19:25

$3,000-$3,500 sounds about fair.

Jordan and the Slowrunner, Boomer Intensifies > Logansteno: Bought a VW?
10/13/2014 at 21:30

First time engine swaps almost always cost 3x more than you plan. But that, if the condition is okay, isn't an insane price, but I'd try to talk him down.

coqui70 > Logansteno: Bought a VW?
10/13/2014 at 22:05

The heater core goes out on these and you have to take apart the whole dash to get to it. OEM parts are crap made in Mexico or China. Radiators are crap too, and get plugged which leads to water pump failures. ECU modules go bonkers as soon as they get any humidity inside. the engine itself is pretty stout if fuel thirsty - and performance parts are plentiful. Handling is actually quite good thanks to the torsion-bar suspension up front. Only worth about $2,000 to be honest, offer that and spend the other $1,500 on fixing it up.

PetarVN, GLI Guy, now with stupid power > Logansteno: Bought a VW?
10/13/2014 at 23:43

GODDAMIT LOGAN, THIS IS THE THIRD BITCHIN' TRUCK YOU'VE SHOWN ME TODAY!!! I'M GONNA FLY DOWN THERE AND BUY ONE NOW HNNNNNNGGGGG

Logansteno: Bought a VW? > PetarVN, GLI Guy, now with stupid power
10/13/2014 at 23:53

DO IT.