Hi there. I'm relatively new here, but have been a lurker for a while. What a helpful site as I love to research. I currently have a 2005 Dakota Quad Cab V8 that due to family needs, is on the market. I have been quite interested in replacing the Dakota with a Gen III (3.8) as best I can tell, meets my needs both in capability/livability and price. I'm definitely wanting to buy something that will last me for years and I understand, most Montys for sale are going to be 100K miles plus. So let me tell you about a few that I've been looking at and I'd love to get your reaction as to what you might pay for these and where the value is. Keep in mind, I haven't seen any in person yet; that adventure starts this weekend. I would be paying cash so what is my leverage?
1. 2004 Limited, 1 owner, 130K miles, Private sale. $6,495 I am going to see this one on Saturday and best I can tell by talking to the owner, it's been maintained well at the dealership. I believe the timing belt was done (she didn't know about the water pump, tensioners etc.) but my assumption is that if this was dealer maintained, that would be part of it. I also get the sense the wear and tear suspension parts have been taken care of but I'll know more when I see it. Body looks pretty clean by pics, some wear on the leather and it is being detailed today.
2. 2004 Limited, 3 owner, 117K miles, Used Car Dealer. $5,995. I'll see this one next weekend but the CarFax I have seen shows 3 owners, and it's been through two auctions. It looks clean, some wear on leather. No service records that would give me any confidence so there would be some off the bat maintenance probably. But it does have a nice set of TerraGrapplers on it.
3. Intriguing but expensive. 2005 Limited, 1 owner, 41K miles, Mitsubishi Dealer. $13,900. This would be a fly and drive if I were to pursue this. It is being resold by the dealership that originally sold it (trade-in) and maintained it. Pictures show that it looks near flawless and extremely well cared for. I bit more than I was looking to spend but could if I needed to. But man, probably won't ever find one again in this condition/mileage. Sooo, what is it really worth?
Thanks for your time
Austin
1. 2004 Limited, 1 owner, 130K miles, Private sale. $6,495 I am going to see this one on Saturday and best I can tell by talking to the owner, it's been maintained well at the dealership. I believe the timing belt was done (she didn't know about the water pump, tensioners etc.) but my assumption is that if this was dealer maintained, that would be part of it. I also get the sense the wear and tear suspension parts have been taken care of but I'll know more when I see it. Body looks pretty clean by pics, some wear on the leather and it is being detailed today.
2. 2004 Limited, 3 owner, 117K miles, Used Car Dealer. $5,995. I'll see this one next weekend but the CarFax I have seen shows 3 owners, and it's been through two auctions. It looks clean, some wear on leather. No service records that would give me any confidence so there would be some off the bat maintenance probably. But it does have a nice set of TerraGrapplers on it.
3. Intriguing but expensive. 2005 Limited, 1 owner, 41K miles, Mitsubishi Dealer. $13,900. This would be a fly and drive if I were to pursue this. It is being resold by the dealership that originally sold it (trade-in) and maintained it. Pictures show that it looks near flawless and extremely well cared for. I bit more than I was looking to spend but could if I needed to. But man, probably won't ever find one again in this condition/mileage. Sooo, what is it really worth?
Thanks for your time
Austin