Thinking about buying a '99

I am thinking about purchasing a 1999 Durango SLT 4x4. Are there any issues that are common that I need to be aware of or look for? It has 73,000 miles 3rd row seating, 5.2L,4X4, rear a/c, Infinity Stereo. I am getting it for about $5500.

I've got a 2000 SLT outfitted with the 5.9. Great truck with the exception of the gas milage (horrible across the engine line for the durangos and dakotas) and the A/C. Dodge's evaporators (front) are weak and tend to develop leaks. They're also very labor intensive to change. All said, I don't regret purchasing mine.

Ball joints/tie rod ends/steering gearbox (98/99 ball joints not covered on recall even thought they are the same), speed sensors (will give abs/brake lights and no speedometer), Engine dieing (bad intake gasket which makes the oil in the pan sludgy and also makes it look like you have not been changing the oil - warranty rejection), power window switches and blown infinity speakers. If anyone has anything to add, feel free.

well i checked it over and it has 77150 miles and yup, sounds like all those speakers are blown. Sure they arent cheap to replace and I want something that sounds just as good. Not sure if I would be able to find anything aftermarket.

ok i am seriously still thinking about buying this. Is $5500 a deal for it?

CarMax shows them for about $11,000 to $14,000.
If you can do it, I'd suggest having it inspected, including reading codes, etc, by a dealer.
good luck
Dave
Westminster, MD USA

I am buying it from a friend who is a mechanic. He bought it wrecked. It has a clear title. There was no frame damage. The bumper, grill hood, and driver side fender was replaced. The hood was barely damaged but it was cheaper to replace it than do body work on it. The airbags did deploy. They are having a professional company come out and replace/test the system. Is there any specifics i need to look for. I know the ball joints are one thing. I trust my friend but I don't think he has really looked over this car. Like I said in another post it sounds like all the speakers are blown.

Ahhh, the plot thickens! You say your buddy bought it as a wreck.

That's a huge red flag to me. That tells me someone's insurance company decided the cost to fix it was higher than the cost to pay off the owner. Since the damages you describe do not add up to say, $10,000 (if you conservatively assume a value based on the CarMax prices of $11,000 to $14,000), I would assume there actually is more damage than what you described, or else something doesn't make sense. (Blown speakers are trivial, of course, and are of no consequence in the decision you have to make).

Another thing, it sounds like neither you or your buddy have any history of the car, and you haven't driven it, since you talk about the damages still being fixed. (I could be wrong on this assumption, you don't really say, and I'm just speculating).

There's a reason that a $10,000 truck is available for $5,000. I would stay away from it!

If you're determined to get this "bargain", then again I say have it OFFICIALLY inspected by an inspection station. Even that will only tell you the current status of mostly safety items like whether you need brakes, or ball joints, etc. Won't tell you whether the tranny is about shot, or the engine is about to deep six! Be prepared to spend lots of money fixing everything that other folks on this board have already described.

Just my 2 cents of worthless opinion.

Good luck
Dave
Westminster, MD USA

Well my buddy bought it from the auction. The original owner did not have insurance thus the owner did not have the damages repaired. I saw the damage and it was all cosmetic. Like i said most of it could have been repaired by body work except for the bumper, grill and headlight. But it was cheaper to bolt on new items and just have them painted. Since I am his friend he is willing to sell it to me for about 5500.
I have not driven it due to a radiator leak but the engine starts right up and sounds fine. No knocking, pinging or rattling A/C still is charged. All power options work.

I'll say go for it i bought a savaged 98 durango by mistake for 8000 dlls and still dont regret it. Looks are great and it has a beast for an engine

Hiyah, Gap.

Bought a 99 on a lease return in 2002.

So far, I've replaced :

Vehicle speed sensor

Upper ball joints went , had to replace them, (Fix them as soon as you feel a problem, mine wiped out a newer set of BF goodrich all terrain TA's)

Water pump
belt tensioner
right front hub (as it has the sealed wheel bearing in it.

Generally minor stuff, but otherwise a very reliable truck. never been on the back of a hook. Comfortable, only got the 318 (5.2L) but respectable acceleration and great road control and off roading.

These concerns started around 70,000 miles and now has 87,900.

Watch the engine oil pressure, and change that oil religiously. Haven't had the oil pressure loss happen if I change that filter no more than 3,000 miles.

Good luck

JA
Jackson, NJ