I've been watching your Youtube channel on and off for a while now and you seem to really know what you're talking about and I appreciate that you're straightforward and honest.
So here goes -
I'm currently in the market for a different vehicle, My 97 f150 4x4 is nearing the end of its life and the problems it has are more expensive to fix than the vehicle is worth. Unfortunately, all 3 options that come closest to fitting my needs and are within my budget are Dodge and I've seen your videos on how you feel about Dodge. With how slim and overpriced the used car market is I just don't have much to work with. The classic "stuck between a rock and a hard place" situation.
My budget is about $4500 cash and I am comfortable financing about $2000 if needed.
Things I am looking for in a vehicle other than the typical things like reasonable dependability and low repair cost.
Higher ride height - I live in an area that gets a fair amount of flooding/standing water so I don't want to be hindered by something low to the ground.
Large cargo area - Although I don't haul much I really like being prepared for a situation where I might need the space.
At least 6 cylinders - I know 4 cylinder engines have come a long way since the '90s but they still feel underpowered to me when I drive them.
4 wheel drive, all-wheel drive, or front-wheel drive - I don't get a LOT of snow but enough for me to want to avoid exclusively rear-wheel-drive vehicles. Again, I really like being prepared for as much as possible.
My three options are as follows:
[1] [Used car dealer] 2010 Dodge Grand Caravan with the 3.3L V6 and around 169k miles for $6000 out the door. VIN - 2D4RN4DE9AR394372I have had a chance to look at this one and it looks good enough but I wasn't able to drive it, they were waiting on a transmission control module to be put in.
[2] [Used car dealer] Another 2010 Dodge Grand Caravan 3.3L V6 but with only about 101k miles listed at $7000 but I can probably get it for $6500 out the door. VIN - 2D4RN4DE8AR192008. I have not gotten a chance to look at this one at all, it just got listed recently.
[3] [private party] 1999 Dodge Dakota 4x4 3.9L V6 4x4 and around 173k miles for $2000. No VIN is listed. This one just got listed too so I haven't gotten a chance to look at it other than the pictures provided by the seller.
I've looked at owner reviews on all of these and I keep running into the same thing, it's a big mixed bag. Some people have had a great experience and love them, others say they are garbage to avoid.
As far as I can tell both vans have had the recall issue with the ignition already taken care of.
I've always bought cheap used vehicles under $2000 ran them until the salty ocean air rusted them away and made me need a different vehicle so I'm leaning towards the vans because they are newer and hopefully have more life left in them.
Thanks in advance if you are able to get back to me on this.
If not, I totally understand, you are a busy guy, thanks for the great Youtube videos.
Well I'll tell you I wouldn't buy any of those vehicles but I mean never get a Dodge caravan those things are terrible. So out of those you stop at the Dakota but I really wouldn't buy one not in that price range is there a giant we falling apart by then
Thanks for your input. I'll stay away from all of those as long as circumstances allow. There's a 2000 Ford Ranger 3.0 with 151k miles that I had previously ignored but will be taking a closer look at after finding out that you and others have said they can be reasonably good small trucks.
I would definitely get the Dakota out of those 3. Have an uncle, has a 2013 caravan and hates it, had awful brakes and has had tranny problems up the wazoo. My dads boss used to have a 99 Dakota and it was alright. Had to do a fuel injection job but besides that it was a decent vehicle. If I were you though, I would look for a Chevy 4x4 pickup, 1988-2006, Those would meet your criteria for price, reliability, 4x4, 6 cylinder, etc. you can get those for good price in good condition as those 88 and up they didn’t rust out like the SquareBodys did. That’s just my recommendation. Good Luck!
