Ordered my Quad Cab SLT Plus 4.7 5-Speed Patriot Blue last Sat. of January. Order ended up restricted like everyone elses. First week in Feb. it was Lifted. Contacted the dealership later in the week I'm D-1 status with a Feb. 25th completion date. They say I should have it by middle March; end of March worse case. I'm am so exited. My wife is tired of talking to me because all I talk about is that DAMN truck and how bad I beat the dealership up to get it.
Oh! I haven't told you guys the great deal I got!..........invoice plus $89.00 admin fee....no advertising, plus I can send in for the $500.00 F.B. rebate.
I share your excitement. However, I have to wait until June before I can order my, but my wife wishes that I could get it right now so I would shut up about that "DAMN truck" If you could please answer me one question? I talked to a dealer today that has offered me 1% over invoice but then he started talking about "PPA" fees. Did you have this on your invoice and if so did you have to pay it?
tpmiller bought a truck in Shamokin, and I think he got a decent deal. Also, there are several pretty aggressive dealers in MD, that you might try. Look back in previous posting in this topic as well as other Dakota topics. I believe the MD dealer was in Aberdeen but I could be mistaken. I paid $125.00 over dealer invoice, plus the advertising curtailment. Then there is a $500.00 discount certificate from the PA Farm Bureau.
Alot will depend on the Dealership. If you can, Put 2 Dealerships head to head on the specs you want. Don't be too earnest to settle and yet don't come off as a hard [non-permissible content removed] "I did my internet homework........" Putting the 2 or 3 dealerships head to head is like putting two cats together over a clothesline. Only one will win. Don't share information between dealerships, it will give the salesman an opportunity to close and ask for the order and you may not be ready to close. Get everything in WRITING. When possible deal with the Sales Manager. The salesman generally does not do his own deal. Sales Managers work off of salary, they are concerned about units sold. When they sell a unit at "invoice" there is generally no commission paid.
If you go in there with your specs, tell them they will get one shot, one shot only, no dickering, no horse tradin', just one price. And if they ask let them know your "gonna shopem hard!"
No I did not pay any ppa fees. Part of the advantage to the dealership to order your truck as apposed to buying off the lot. They do not lose money in maint. keeping it on the lot "ready" They do not have to floorplan and pay interest fees on your special order. It is a turnkey sale.
One more thing. Before you try your new found buying skills out. Do some research on something you have no intentions of buying and try them out on them. What a great way to goof on a Sat. These things will work. I help my friends buy cars if they buy lunch...........I eat lunch out alot!
Although I really "do" like the Dakotas and have actually ordered a Quad SLT at E-town Dodge, I do get a discount from invoice on Dodge or Chrysler products but only on a very limited basis.
Prior to settling on the Dakota, I did travel down Paxton St. looking at Toyota, Nissan, GMC, Dodge, Chevy, and Ford trucks. Again, the Dakota had what I wanted and I couldn't beat my price but I was concerned about delays.
Next I compared the Harrisburg, Hershey, Middletown and E-town dealers for the number of trucks they had on the lots and how they were moving. E-town Dodge seems to be getting more shipments and I've dealt there before - so.
Might be showing my age but I bought a house ('76) for a few thousand dollars more than this Quad is costing me and the house has appreciated 600%. I'm almost talking myself out of ... Think, Think --- Cool Truck --- Yes ... Yes ...
Got my VON today and maybe a VIN next week. Waiting...
Picked up my QC today from the dealer. It came in exactly as ordered, no mix ups. This is one great looking truck (Amber Fire Pearl Coat).
Could anyone point me in the right direction to research a possible problem with the light switch? The salesman tells me that if the headlights and fog lights are both turned on, the switch WILL eventually fail, but cannot say how soon. Said they are replacing switches on a regular basis, but DC has not upgraded or found a cure, so they are replacing them with the same exact type switch. cyoungstrom
Just ordered my 2000 Dakota Qc,4.7l 5Spd, lsd, SLT package. My dealer tells me 8-10 weeks but what really are the restrictions? autos? or tire/wheel packages? or LSD? does anyone really know for sure? Have a big vacation planned for last week of April (10th week) and would like to have for this trip. oh yea bye the way, Coolest truck I have ever driven!!!!! As an owner and until now, lover of Toyota. (94 Std cab 4x4), 98 T100 SR5 4x4 v6 (FOR SALE.!! ) I never thought I would like a DODGE, that used to be a 5 letter word, but man I LOOOOVEEEE this truck. Thanks to everyone for all the great info its been good reading and the drama oh the drama!!
I placed my order either the last week in Jan or the first week in Feb. 2000 Dak QC SLT Driftwood 4.7L Auto 4X4, Limited Slip, Tire and Handeling Pack, every other option except the towing package,high end stereo, bucket seats, and power seat. Order is currently on D-1 Status with a approx shipdate of 9 March. Anybody know approx time ittakes the truck to move through the assembly line??
Minutes!, but shipping date only indicates that it is ready for shipment. Then, arrangements are made for transportation and loads are assigned to represent the best freight advantages for the dealer destination. If shipped by rail, it must be offloaded and trucked to final destination.
cyoungstrom, I have not heard about light switch failure, but its possible. I don't see driving around with the fog lights on all the time anyway. No point. It just blinds other drivers and does not aid in visibility. Some people think it looks cool to drive around with fog lights on all the time, but personally I think its annoying and just shows that they don't understand what they are really for.
I did notice when I drove a 2000 quad cab that they changed the design of the light switch to one of those pain in the [non-permissible content removed] rotating switches rather than the nice "old fashioned" pull-straight-out knobs which was actually easy to use with thick gloves/mittens on like in my 98. One more small strike against the new design. Overall still worth it, but its a minor thing that they should not have changed.
Another is the removal of the "turn off the passenger airbag" option for the quad. If someone has cargo in the back seat area and that cargo can not be split up so part of it can be put in the front seat to make room in the back seat for the child seat and that child seat is the rear facing kind, I guess they are out of luck. Either the cargo can't go with, the child can't go with, or the driver has to take a chance and put the rear facing child seat in the front seat and hope they don't get in an accident that discharges the airbag.
Why redesign a dash and wiring to take away an option that would sure be handy if you had a large item in the back seat area and could not put the child seat there?! I guess they were just thinking "liability" and not practical use again. Whether they believe it or not, people do know the back seat is the best place for a carseat, but there absolutely will be times where that is not possible and they took away the only way that that situation could be approached safely.
Does anyone know what the actual size of the front and rear speakers are in the Dakota 2000 Quad Cab. While mine is being built I'm looking at getting some of my Hi-Fi shopping done.
I tell ya- I am a home and car stereo buff, and the Infinity speaker option from the factory is damn good. On my 98 club cab Dakota (with the upgraded sound system) I added a 10" sub woofer and that thing rocked. I expect to do the same with my Quad when I get it (one of these years).
I want to put some side bars on my Quad cab, but not sure what brands are good. I found http://www.smittybilt.com. They offer chrome and even stainless bars. Are they worth a darn?
I have Smittybilt nerf bars on my Expedition, and they are great. I am a big person as are several of the guys with whom I work. I have the textured (looks like sandblasted) finish, and I will get them for my Quad when it arrives. Great product. I ordered my Expedition without the molded running boards, as they act like skis in deep snow, riding the vehicle up to plane and losing tractive effort. You will be happy. sorry that I have no personal experience with other products as I keep going back to Smittybilt.
Talked to Ernie today. He says that he likes getting calls from "us" rather than someone screaming about problems. Should have asked him how often that is.
Although he says he is not the final word, his information leads him to believe that your order had to be in last week to get a 2000. He was quick to point out that restrictions do get lifted and "new" capacity is found for more trucks. But it is getting late in the game for trucks to be ordered. 2001's would start arriving in August-September 2000.
Mine went in on Feb 16th and is in the queue to be one of the last 2000's. Hope I don't find any champagne bottles under the seat.
here's a link to mark roberts motors in bartlesville ok. he has some 4x4 quads in stock at invoice price. you might find the one you want in his inventory. the price sound right, if mine hadn't left the factory yesterday i would be calling him myself. let me know what you think if you give him a call. http://www.autoinvoice.com/
I have the dealer-injstalled steps on my dakota which are color-Coordinated with the body. They bolt to the FRAME of the truck and are sturdy steel encased by special plastic and inlayed-rubber 'tread'. On the 4WD, they also serve as door bumpers which protect the body from other cars with 'runaway doors'.
There is a picture of them in the Dakota brochure and can also be seen at the dealers in the 'accessories' book. Fully warranted with the rest of the truck too.
The upgraded infinity package is nice and is more than sufficient for some. On the otherside of the coin almost $600.00 is a lot of money for an "upgraded" system. For head units I have favored Kenwood and Alpine.
I just bought a Kenwood KDC 7011 head unit. 40 watts by 4 peak, am/fm-CD, 2-sets pre-outs MASK Face security, ABRDS-lots of of other great features too........$237.00 list $400.00
Infinity 5 1/4" 2-way speakers $69.00 pair....
I am of the opinion, you can get better features for less money as opposed to factory upgrades. And besides, we all can use the extra money since gas is so high and mileage is so low. LOL
Ernie may be right. I e-mailed a dodge marketing person who responded that '01's would be initiated end of June early July. That gives them 4 months plus to complete '00 builds and switchover. Can't speculate on when bookitty's '02 will arrive...
I did almost the exact same thing. I put the same head unit in my quad and went with boston acoustics for speakers. The head unit was $245 (no tax,military exchg) the speakers were $140. So for $385 it sounds great. That mask feature is way cool, everyone loves it. Did you notice during the install how the whole truck dash face pushes in. I really like how dodge put all those "velvet" stickers around the push points. Thats the first time I have ever seen that especially on a truck. Now i know why the truck seems so nice and quiet and has a pretty squeak free interior.
Ordered dak quad 4x2 on 1/31/00. DC recorded it on 2/2/00. As of today it is still in BX status. With no restrictions, can anyone tell me how long it takes to come off BX status??? Also when this does get built does anyone know how to trace the vehicle thru CSX or Norfolk Southern? I've gone onto both web sites and have had no luck trying to get to a "tracing screen" attempting to input rail car numbers obtained from a local passing freight. Just trying to feel out the web sites before the "real" rail car number is given by DC. Thanks Allen
Allen, I order my truck on 1/17 and supposdly they complete building yesterday and the truck is going to QA today. They had told me my truck would be shipped on Norfolk Southern and to call back next week to get the rail car #. I did the same thing as you and went to NS and tried to see what I had to track the progress. I found out there is a place on the home page for tracking but you have to register and it looks like you need a sponser and they may be a charge for the tracking. I tried to register and got a message back that registration was not approved because I am not in their database. Once I get a rail car # I will give them a buzz and see what I need to do to track. Will let you know what I find out. Carl
Norm, tell Ernie that you need to stop driving that gas hog Expedition, and you need to get in your 4.7 w/3.55. Remember as demand drops, the price of gas should drop. I hope. Gas hit $1.57 (87) in W.Michigan yesterday. I'm glad I'm getting the 5spd w/3.55lsd.
carl when you get the rail car number just call the 800 number on the bottom of the netredi tracking page and they will set you up for free so you can track. register as daimler/chrysler company and yourself as a third party and pick a id and password and they will set you up to track your shipment. mine left detroit on the 24 and has been in southern indiana for the last 24 hours. hope this helps
Agonized for weeks before ordering a Quad. Wife says "it's only a truck". I am going to show her the above posts. Grown kids trackin' Santa's sleigh. Maybe she'll begin to understand...
I just got my 4x4 Quad( love it so far) only 125 miles.I already want to accessorize,if you can believe it.Dodge seemes very expensive.I want to put box tube rails,bed liner,front brush guard,and thats for now.Is there any other places (sites) I can go to.Any help would be great. Thanks-
Comments
Patriot Blue last Sat. of January. Order
ended up restricted like everyone elses.
First week in Feb. it was Lifted. Contacted
the dealership later in the week I'm D-1
status with a Feb. 25th completion date.
They say I should have it by middle March;
end of March worse case. I'm am so exited.
My wife is tired of talking to me because
all I talk about is that DAMN truck and
how bad I beat the dealership up to get it.
Oh! I haven't told you guys the great deal
I got!..........invoice plus $89.00 admin
fee....no advertising, plus I can send in
for the $500.00 F.B. rebate.
Bookitty
can, Put 2 Dealerships head to head on the
specs you want. Don't be too earnest to settle
and yet don't come off as a hard [non-permissible content removed] "I did my
internet homework........" Putting the 2 or 3
dealerships head to head is like putting two cats
together over a clothesline. Only one will win.
Don't share information between dealerships, it
will give the salesman an opportunity to close
and ask for the order and you may not be ready
to close. Get everything in WRITING. When possible
deal with the Sales Manager. The salesman generally does not do his own deal. Sales Managers
work off of salary, they are concerned about units
sold. When they sell a unit at "invoice" there is
generally no commission paid.
If you go in there with your specs, tell them they
will get one shot, one shot only, no dickering,
no horse tradin', just one price. And if they ask
let them know your "gonna shopem hard!"
No I did not pay any ppa fees. Part of the advantage to the dealership to order your truck
as apposed to buying off the lot. They do not
lose money in maint. keeping it on the lot "ready"
They do not have to floorplan and pay interest
fees on your special order. It is a turnkey sale.
One more thing. Before you try your new found
buying skills out. Do some research on something
you have no intentions of buying and try them out
on them. What a great way to goof on a Sat. These
things will work. I help my friends buy cars if
they buy lunch...........I eat lunch out alot!
Good Luck! Hope I Helped Someone!
renegade69
Prior to settling on the Dakota, I did travel down Paxton St. looking at Toyota, Nissan, GMC, Dodge, Chevy, and Ford trucks. Again, the Dakota had what I wanted and I couldn't beat my price but I was concerned about delays.
Next I compared the Harrisburg, Hershey, Middletown and E-town dealers for the number of trucks they had on the lots and how they were moving. E-town Dodge seems to be getting more shipments and I've dealt there before - so.
Might be showing my age but I bought a house ('76) for a few thousand dollars more than this Quad is costing me and the house has appreciated 600%. I'm almost talking myself out of ... Think, Think --- Cool Truck --- Yes ... Yes ...
Got my VON today and maybe a VIN next week. Waiting...
Could anyone point me in the right direction to research a possible problem with the light switch? The salesman tells me that if the headlights and fog lights are both turned on, the switch WILL eventually fail, but cannot say how soon. Said they are replacing switches on a regular basis, but DC has not upgraded or found a cure, so they are replacing them with the same exact type switch.
cyoungstrom
the first week in Feb. 2000 Dak QC SLT Driftwood
4.7L Auto 4X4, Limited Slip, Tire and Handeling
Pack, every other option except the towing package,high end stereo, bucket seats, and power seat. Order is currently on D-1 Status with a approx shipdate of 9 March. Anybody know approx time ittakes the truck to move through the assembly line??
Thanks
Bookitty
I did notice when I drove a 2000 quad cab that they changed the design of the light switch to one of those pain in the [non-permissible content removed] rotating switches rather than the nice "old fashioned" pull-straight-out knobs which was actually easy to use with thick gloves/mittens on like in my 98. One more small strike against the new design. Overall still worth it, but its a minor thing that they should not have changed.
Another is the removal of the "turn off the passenger airbag" option for the quad. If someone has cargo in the back seat area and that cargo can not be split up so part of it can be put in the front seat to make room in the back seat for the child seat and that child seat is the rear facing kind, I guess they are out of luck. Either the cargo can't go with, the child can't go with, or the driver has to take a chance and put the rear facing child seat in the front seat and hope they don't get in an accident that discharges the airbag.
Why redesign a dash and wiring to take away an option that would sure be handy if you had a large item in the back seat area and could not put the child seat there?! I guess they were just thinking "liability" and not practical use again. Whether they believe it or not, people do know the back seat is the best place for a carseat, but there absolutely will be times where that is not possible and they took away the only way that that situation could be approached safely.
Chad
the front and rear speakers are in the
Dakota 2000 Quad Cab. While mine is being
built I'm looking at getting some of my
Hi-Fi shopping done.
Thanks!
Renegade
-=windskin=-
Sorry for the bogus post, but can anyone help me?
-=windskin=-
Bookitty
Although he says he is not the final word, his information leads him to believe that your order had to be in last week to get a 2000. He was quick to point out that restrictions do get lifted and "new" capacity is found for more trucks. But it is getting late in the game for trucks to be ordered. 2001's would start arriving in August-September 2000.
Mine went in on Feb 16th and is in the queue to be one of the last 2000's. Hope I don't find any champagne bottles under the seat.
http://www.autoinvoice.com/
They bolt to the FRAME of the truck and are sturdy steel encased by special plastic and inlayed-rubber 'tread'. On the 4WD, they also serve as door bumpers which protect the body from other cars with 'runaway doors'.
There is a picture of them in the Dakota brochure and can also be seen at the dealers in the 'accessories' book. Fully warranted with the rest of the truck too.
more than sufficient for some. On the otherside
of the coin almost $600.00 is a lot of money
for an "upgraded" system. For head units I have
favored Kenwood and Alpine.
I just bought a Kenwood KDC 7011 head unit.
40 watts by 4 peak, am/fm-CD, 2-sets pre-outs
MASK Face security, ABRDS-lots of of other
great features too........$237.00 list $400.00
Infinity 5 1/4" 2-way speakers $69.00 pair....
I am of the opinion, you can get better features
for less money as opposed to factory upgrades.
And besides, we all can use the extra money since
gas is so high and mileage is so low. LOL
Renegade
Bookitty
attempting to input rail car numbers obtained from a local passing freight. Just trying to feel out the web sites before the "real" rail car number is given by DC.
Thanks Allen
Carl
Gas hit $1.57 (87) in W.Michigan yesterday. I'm glad I'm getting the 5spd w/3.55lsd.
when you get the rail car number just call the 800
number on the bottom of the netredi tracking page and they will set you up for free so you can track.
register as daimler/chrysler company and yourself as a third party and pick a id and password and they will set you up to track your shipment. mine left detroit on the 24 and has been in southern indiana for the last 24 hours. hope this helps
Carl
truck was in trim on friday. I'm so looking
forward to it's arrival. SOON!!!!
Did you add any extra power amps or eq's?
If so where did you mount them.
Renegade
this topic is being "frozen." Please continue these discussions in Topic 1635 Any news on Dodge Dakota Crew Cabs in 2000 - II.
Front Porch Philosopher
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