A First Nations tribe, the Dakotas take their identify from the phrase “good friend” of their language. Right this moment’s Good Value or No Cube Dodge Dakota seems to be good sufficient to name a good friend, however is it a really pleasant deal?
Within the historic constructs of social standing, a marquis slots above barons and counts (sorry, Rely Chocula) and under dukes and princes. In automotive parlance, a Grand Marquis was the highest canine in Mercury’s lineup, and we had an particularly fancy-pants 2002 Grand Marquis Montigua version come our manner yesterday. That automotive had low miles, a clear presentation, and a $9,995 price ticket. A lot of you discovered that worth a noble gesture, giving the Grand Marquis a grand 62 % Good Value win.
Whereas these United States have given us each North and South Dakotas, the native folks for which these states have been named have been typically divided into jap and western enclaves. In 1987, Dodge launched a brand new mid-sized pickup truck, calling it the Dakota after the folks, the states, and even perhaps the New York residence constructing the place John and Yoko as soon as lived.
A parts-bin construct, the Dakota was initially powered by a selection of a weak-kneed four-cylinder or extra muscular V6 engine and may very well be had in six or eight-foot mattress configurations. The mannequin proved common sufficient for Dodge (and later Ram) to proceed manufacturing—gaining further bodystyles and a V8 engine—over two extra generations for a complete 25-year mannequin run.
This 1994 Dodge Dakota SLT is a kind of V8-powered editions, rocking a 230-horsepower 5.2 Magnum beneath its hood. That’s mated to a four-speed computerized and drives the rear wheels solely.
Like yesterday’s Mercury, this Dakota seems in nice situation and appears remarkably clear for its age and 99,000 miles. It is a top-o-the-heap SLT mannequin, so it’s fairly well-kitted too. That implies that energy home windows and locks, A/C, and cruise management are all on board. Being an prolonged cab means there’s loads of room for all that, though the again bench is fairly cramped for anybody aside from the kidney beans.
On the surface, there’s some fancy two-tone paint with accent stripes and, glory of glories, brand-new white-wall tires on the manufacturing facility six-lug alloys. It is a California truck, so the undercarriage is simply as clear as above and suffers from virtually no floor corrosion in any respect. Additionally, not like John and Yoko’s New York Metropolis residence, this Dakota has by no means been smoked in. It has an accident-free historical past, comes with a clear title, and has the vendor’s boast that it “Runs and drives like new!” The asking worth is $8,500.
We should now determine this Dakota’s destiny at that $8,500 asking worth. What do you say? Is {that a} affordable sufficient quantity to ask for an previous truck that also seems to be new? Or does that worth put this Dakota on the down and out?
You determine!
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