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Comments
My dealer called me yesterday late afternoon and said that the truck is complete and has been sent to the shipping company to deliver it. 4.7L V8 Automatic 4x4. I haven't heard of any shipping delays. So far they were only off by 3 days on the scheduled ship date.
Shut up, Shut up, Shut up.
Glad you are getting your truck, but 3 days off on shipping - I was given a shipping date just a week after i was given the date - sounds like they aren't even going to make that.
dkloss - not sure about this engine / tranny problem, haven't read of too many Grand Cherokees dropping engines or transmissions on the road, and that is what they're using to all intents and purposes.
The options I have with the letter are attractive: free 5yr/60,000 mile service contract; $500 worth of MOPAR accessories (which I have already spent and is retroactive); REPURCHASE of the vehicle (does that include all the dealer goodies and my $795 ARE aftermarket tonneau?); assistance (whatever that is) in replacing my Dakota with another MOPAR vehicle.
What are the rest of you thinking?? What is Mercedes - strike that - "DiamlerChrysler" thinking? Seems a bit extreme to me - is someone holding a gun to their corporate head?
Maybe I should get $48,000,000 since I can't haul my 6400lb horse trailer around. I don't have it yet, and, come to think of it, I guess I don't have any horses either, but maybe I'll get some one day.......
The case stems around the fact that not all owners were offered the same deal - some people had buyback offers months ago. My guess is that DC are now making sure that everyone gets the offer now.
You want them to buy back the LSII, you funny man, real funny.
It sounds like towing isn't that big a deal to you, so probably worth taking up one of the options, maybe see if you can negotiate the assistance bit until you are ready to trade the vehicle - if you want to stick with DC of course.
I guess you could try and join the class action, but that would have to be your decision, you aren't getting any advice from me on that one - I like my butt bulletproof thank you.
I don't want to rain on anyone's parade, but as for myself, I'm looking at Toyotas. They cost too much but they don't break like most American cars. I had a Toyota years ago, drove it places I wouldn't drive a tank, and it still ran until one day when an elderly lady hit me and totaled it.
Anyways, are these tranny problems central to the automatic? Has anyone experienced any problems with the 5-speed mated with the V8?
Does anyone have any complaints/issues about the motor itself?
I have researched this on the Jeep page, as the motor is Jeep's & have seen nothing but praise for the motor. For more info, you may want to check out the Jeep page of Edmunds, as it is the same motor, same tranny (I believe) & same problems. The problems are documented much more frequently on their page.
Any cons that are an issue on the motor/5-speed would be greatly appreciated. Thanks.
The Dodge tranny problems have been centred around the automatics, and should be eased by the new jeep engine / tranny combinations. I heard some rumors about problems mating the transmission to the engine (can't remember whether it was stick or auto), but I don't put too much faith in the rumor because the combination has been used so successfully in Grand Cherokee.
Sounds like the truck you refer to is a dealer truck scheduled to hit a forecourt for the official launch of the model year. If you can get what you want on it then it sounds like a good buy, but negotiate a good deal because your dealer hasn't got to carry the cost of having the truck on his forecourt. Because of the way that dealers and DC operate your dealer will still make a profit on such a truck by selling to you at invoice.
I'm not too concerned about the 5-speed. If Dodge can screw up a 5-speed, then they won't be in business too much longer. I'm more concerned about getting a truck with a relatively new motor. Jeep put it in the 99 Grand Cherokee, but all the problems I can find are with the auto tranny, which I believe is the same as the Dodge.
As far as I can tell, the motor with a 5-speed should be a good combo - supposedly stronge than the 5.2 of old (which wasn't bad). I'm taking one on an extended test drive today in the Rockies. I've got a 2500 lb. boat to pull. I might even hook it up if I can get away with it.
I'm gonna sell mine back (99 loaded) if I'm not gonna get beat on the price. This is a load of BS.
They'll probably want to charge owners per mile on the trucks as if they were leased!
******If anyone has info on the class action suit please post it or e-mail it to me, there should definitely be some compensation for people who waited for these trucks, or got stuck with a trailer or boat they couldn't pull, or were getting ready to purchase something they would have to tow.
P.S. - anyone looking to buy an R/T should wait, there's gonna be alot of barely used ones on the lot soon...
Going to drive the handling pkg. & limited slip diff. soon.
I haven't even really gotten to grind them down at all. They know I did my homework, as I was at the lot every day for about two weeks. Some time ago, I told the salesman that I planned on shopping around for the best deal. They've left themselves some room.
Two things: I just got a Dakota for $100 over invoice in upstate NY, with no trouble. Dealer did not even bat an eye. So, not as good as jbauer, but it shows they will negotiate.
The advertising charge is legitimate, but it is also negotiable. The charge here was about 1% of MSRP, which is considered adequate. Of course different markets have different advertising costs, so it could be a bit higher out west.
I was "amused" by the charger for gas. I guess you only get a free tank if you have the standard size, my truck has the 22-gal tank, therefor the extra charge. I was even more amused by the $20 Owner Communication Program. I understand it is to cover all the mostly junk mail that Daimler will now be sending me...
One question for everyone else on making their deals at the dealerships. Why are you offering anything over invoice for a starting point? Heck I started below invoice knowing full well what the dealer would say. Ha! "We can't sell below our cost". So knowing I couldn't go down anymore I offered invoice price. What happened after that did surprise me. They accepted the offer.
Of course big deal. I still don't have a date yet for when it's supposed to get built. Dealer said I should be finding out any day now. Boy I sure hope so. I've had my order in since 7/21.
Also I have mentioned this some time before but just incase you don't know make sure you sign up as a Farm Buerue (sp)member. For a $40.00 membership you get a $500.00 bill for your new Dakota. But you need to be a member for 30 days.
Andy, is your truck built already? Hope all works out ok for you.
Course I'm not holding my breath.
ARE LSII tonneau (he said the colour was great (Patriot Blue))
Step protectors
SS Nerf Bars
3 part bug deflector
This meant that all he had left was to paint the bug deflector and order the SS grille guard.
Then it went wrong
He phoned back 10 minutes later to say that no manufacturer had approved their SS grilles guards for 2000 models, and probably wouldn't be in a position to do so for around a month.
I think I'll just go into a dark, quiet corner and cry.
Anyone know when the 2001s are out?
This dealership is in my town. The one I really want to deal with is in a rural area with gravel lots with mostly trucks on them. I've found that these guys are about as honest as a dealer can be. That's what happens when you sell to your neighbors & acquaintences. I'm going to see him today and see what he will do. If I have to pay these advertising expenses, etc, etc, I'm not paying over invoice on the truck. I'll flat out tell this guy that.
Andy Jordan and Arussell. Have you recieved your Dakota's yet? How are they running? Any problems?
Picked up my Dakota on Monday - couldn't be happier.
4.7 V8, Standard, SLT+, 4x4, Patriot Blue club cab. I have had a Penda drop in liner and A.R.E. LSII tonneau installed along with stainless steel nerf bars. Should have had a bug deflector too, but the paint shop screwed up on the color matching so its gone back. Should have it installed in a week or so. Then just waiting for stainless steel grille guards - no manufacturer has yet approved them for installation on a 2000 model.
Only just got the truck run in (750 km), but so far everything is great, nice smooth ride, great handling and awesome power. The new 4.7 engine is incredible. The handbook advises 'brief periods of full throttle acceleration' to assist with running in. Well I just had to try that. Got to about 80kmh (50mph) in 4th and put my foot down. A few seconds later 130kmh (81mph), still in 4th, still accelerating at a great rate and the engine is purring along at 3400rpm.
God I love this truck!!!!!!
Glad to hear you like the truck and it's working out so well. Are the bed insert and tonneau cover mopar parts or are they after market parts?
I got quotes for Mopar and had a good laugh - about $4,500 Canadian for tonneau, nerf bars, liner & grille guards.
Went to a local dealer who quoted less than $3,000 Canadian and his price was including tax and upgrading nerf bars / grille guards from chromed to stainless steel. He also threw in the bug deflector and some door sill protectors and gave me a break on the price for buying everything.
Anyway to come back to your question, the drop in liner is by Penda, this is virtually identical to the Mopar (Penda makes them for Dodge). The only difference is that on the front of the bed the word Dodge is replaced by the word Custom. It even has the cup holders in the tailgate portion that Mopar claim are exclusive to them.
I went A.R.E. for the tonneau because I like the look and fit - A.R.E. match the design to the hood of the truck for which it is made. I also like the fact that A.R.E. use a steel hinge in addition to the gas strut which reduces stress on the truck bed.
1) I'm considering some combo of the sport package with 2WD and the 6 cylinder engine. Given my planned use (some occasional light hauling but no real towing), this should be enough juice under the hood. Is there anyone out there who is disappointed in the 6 and wishes they had gotten the 8 instead?
2) When researching the Dakota, did anyone have any concerns regarding quality?
3) I'm considering the club cab (the extended cab, not the 4-door). It's definitely the biggest cab of the small trucks, but how is the ride in the back for the occasional adult?
4) For those that might have had some warranty work done, how has Dodge been responding to your needs?
Thanks in advance for any answers you can provide.
Let's just say that I've entertained the idea of getting a truck in the past for their utility. I'm also purchasing a house in the near future. My Legend needed tires, a couple rust spots touched up and a few odds and ends. The local dealer advertised a slightly used (9K) 99' 4x4 CC Dakota with a V8 and a 5-speed. My wife has had her Neon serviced there and they have been spectacular in dealing with her. As an ex-13.1-second Mustang 5.0 owner, I have a hankerin' for those old V8's. Don't get me wrong; I thoroughly enjoyed my Integra GS-R. The performance aftermarket for the 318 is fully matured. We stopped by, just to check it out and they appraised my Legend at about $1,000 over what I had previously determined as a fair offer. A little negotiation dropped the price of the truck. The price, not having to deal with near-future costly maintenance and the fact that my wife absolutely loved the truck sealed the deal. Which, brings me to my next question...
I told my wife that we could get the truck (I'm a car guy.) if... I get to have some fun tinkering with it. So... I've shopped around a bit and the header/cat-back exhaust combo seems to be JBA's and Gibson for the price/performance. I had JBA's for the Mustang and was very pleased; The DC fitment, I'm assuming, works just as well? Have any of you installed these mods? What about intakes and heads? Any recommendations?
Later,
Aaron
Can't say yet either about the service but the salesman that helped me was very informative and helpful. Was surprised that for a lot of the accessarries he was acutally telling of other shops to buy some of the equipment for it as apposed to the dealer mopar parts.
Yep I'm every bit of 50 myself and a little; but tonight we just got back a few good years. :-)
Now I should point out that she is on thay tall (only 5'2"), but she sat behind my wife who had her (bucket) seat nearer the back of the range than the front. My sister sid that she had no problems, and indeed she seemed comfortable. Not sure that I would fancy the trip with large guys in the back, but the bench certainly seems manageable if necessary.
We must have simular ideas for the back seat. That's where my lab will be sitting come pheasant season and anyother ocursion that I will have her tagging along with me.
I agree it's not the best for a 6' person but ok for smaller people and my dog of course probably won't complain to much however long the trip may be.
Jim
Bruce
Thanks.
Judie
Besides you can eat up 1800 lbs real quick when you load in equipment!
ladyblue
Community Leader/SUV Conference
Brian
I have a 4.7L CC 4x4 with a 5 sp. And as she is getting broke in now with a little over 400miles it does seem to be running better.
My oil presure is running on the high side also. I have just assumed for the time being that would be normal. It would be best to bring that to the attention of your dealer soon so they can at least make a note of that issue during your warrenty period.
Jim
you should refer to Edmund's for info on what price to pay for a vehicle.DON'T pay the holdback or other manufacturer's rebates/incentives.