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Joe black
Dodge Dakota
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8/26/2003
00:54:03

Subject: Looking for Dodge Help
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Hello All,

First time post, and potential first time Dodge owner. I'm looking at the possibility of buying a used 2000 4x4 Quad Cab Sport Dakota with the Magnum V8. The truck has 59K for miles and looks to be in pretty good shape. I drove the truck today for about 20 miles and my first impression was good. The truck was responsive, solid and the V8 was eager to go. My concern, besides not buying used cars often, is I've never owned a Dodge, and I've heard the stories of reliability from one end of the spectrum to the next. I believe this was the first year with the new 4.7, and I was just curious of any known problems with the engine that seem to be fairly common with the above truck. I haven't been able to dig up any reliability articles for this particular year/model....... So, besides the fact that I'm asking for Dodge enthusiast's opinions, I would really appreciate any feedback or tips. BTW, I'm not closed to buying a prior year or newer model if reliability and overall customer satisfaction are better. Thanks.

Joe



pete
Dodge Dakota
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8/26/2003
01:41:02

RE: Looking for Dodge Help
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this is just MY rule of thumb... others will dissagree, but..
i will never buy a vehicle that something has been changed for the new model year that it is... things always seem to go wrong the first year, then they work the bugs out for the 2nd and third. but HA.. my tired azz 360's been around since the middle ages and its still a POS. sometimes ya just cant win. lol
pete



Jim Blue
Dodge Dakota
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8/26/2003
10:53:17

RE: Looking for Dodge Help
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Get real Joe. If reliability is your concern, you shouldn't by a Dodge of any year. Buy it cause it looks cool and cause you can't get a V8 in any other compact truck, but don't worry about reliability. You won't get it.



Kowalski
Dodge Dakota
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8/26/2003
18:01:04

RE: Looking for Dodge Help
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I'm very happy with my 2000 4.7 but you first called yours a magnum - I think they refer to all the 8s as magnums now. With a quad cab that might be a 5.9. The throttle body on the 5.9 points upwards; the 4.7 has aluminum heads and a forward facing TB. Nice engine either way.



checkitout
Dodge Dakota
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8/26/2003
18:03:06

RE: Looking for Dodge Help
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alldata.com



checkitout
Dodge Dakota
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8/26/2003
18:06:45

RE: Looking for Dodge Help
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Its scarey out there



hotplymouth
DakotaEnthusiast
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8/26/2003
19:46:35

RE: Looking for Dodge Help
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I have 45,000 on my 2002 I drag race it occationally 4.7 4x4 Quad all stock we drive in the mountains a lot and love it, no problems at all good luck with your purchase.



Black Sheep
Dodge Dakota
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8/26/2003
19:59:15

RE: Looking for Dodge Help
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I have a 97 RC and an 01 RC. I have 130,000 miles on the 97, have had little to no problems. The 01 has the 4.7 but only 7000 miles. I follow a very good maintenance program with all my cars and trucks. Maybe I have just been lucky. I have been Mopar all my life. Wife and son also drives Dodge's with little to no problems.

Just my $.02



Joe Young
Dodge Dakota
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8/26/2003
20:09:46

RE: Looking for Dodge Help
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My truck has been very good to me. I have a
95 ram with a 318 and 283,000 miles most
of which pulling a 33 ft jayco travel trailer. I
have had no problems except for 2 catyaltic
converters. Truck still runs and pulls very well.
Although I'm considering a swapping in a
new 318. (No problems, It would just make
me feel better.)



jeremiah2360
Dodge Dakota
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8/26/2003
22:53:21

RE: Looking for Dodge Help
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Is the truck on a lot or private party?

Guy at work has a 2000 qc 4.7 auto with the same milage. No drivetrain problems, 4.7 is a solid motor and dodges transmissions seem to be improved. He got away with his rotors not warping, as a lot of them have.(03`s improved to bigger 4-wheel disks) His ball joints went at 37k, common event for dakotas.(no zerks,still!) And his passenger side floorboard is a lake, Dodge can`t seem to make a dakota that doesn`t take on water, bad bilge pumps. Really it`s very common that the drain tube for the AC will leak back into cab. He has sqeaky bushings, another common problem.

So if it`s a private party ask if any of these issues have come up and repaired. Check the passenger side floor yourself.(look UNDER the carpet) If its on a lot your more or less on your own.

03 qc 4.7 auto 16.8k

water on floorboard(AC), bad intermediate shaft(steering), leak in 3.55 open diff(pinion,throwing oil on to right rear of gas tank) Love it because it`s mine;)



nakonap
Dodge Dakota
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8/26/2003
23:23:59

RE: Looking for Dodge Help
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I have a 99 dak 4x4 extented cab with a 318 it has almost 100k miles i love it i dont know about the 4.7 but the only problems i have had a catalitic conveter and fuel pump and pcm but they were all covered under my warrenty. the truck still has plenty of power gets good gas milage and will pull a trailer up mt ashland at 80 mph and the gravevine yah i pull up that hill at 65 mph and that was 6000 lbs with the bad CAT!

my opionion dodge has done alot to step power and reliabilty this was the first new vehical i have owned and i will buy another dodge when and if the time comes. by the way i keep my truck maintained regularly. that seems to be the key for any vehical with the few execption of a couple of bad apple's that all vehical company's have come out with



Kip
Dodge Dakota
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8/26/2003
23:32:37

RE: Looking for Dodge Help
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Yeah, you'll probably get a good one. I've had some big powertrain problems with mine (all factory defects.) But I think it was just my bad luck. I'm at 35.5K on the odometer, so I'm looking to get rid of it as the warranty goes, but I may give Dodge another shot. I haven't decided.

2001 4.7 Auto



nakonap
Dodge Dakota
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8/26/2003
23:49:12

RE: Looking for Dodge Help
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now that u said that when the truck was new and it being my first truck i was always hot rodding it around then the powertrain was acting up the dealer told me knock it off that new vehicals have brake in miles. specifically brake stands and light up the tires. well i stopped till i have about 6k and the problems went away and havent come back

nakonap



Jayfitzy
Dodge Dakota
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8/27/2003
12:44:56

RE: Looking for Dodge Help
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I have a 2001 dodge motorsport dak. with the 4.7. It has 34000 miles and the only problem I have had is the ball joint went (upper). Have that checked before you buy it.



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