RE: Comments on Dodge Durango?

[cruiserpop]

 
Considering a used dodge durango for long distance trovel/towing larger popup. Criteria were 1 able to seat 7 (with the stuff out of the back) and drivability. Test drove the explorer, the tahoe and durango .durango won on that count. Comments would be greatly appreciated.

[MesaMadness]

 cruiserpop
Consider the Chevy Trailblazer EXT or GMC Envoy XL.  Both are great vehicles.  V8 is an option but the I-6 does a good job.
 
 Also bear in mind that Chryslers have a history of reliabliity problems do to poor quality control.  I have not had any warranty service since we got it in September.
 
 The only thing that I (Joe) do not like are the bucket seats.  They are comfortable but would like real captains chairs.  Also power seat backs do not go up and down along with the seat bottom.

[tlhdoc]

 cruiserpop
I have an Explorer with the V8, it has the 7 passenger seating and tows very nicely.

[RamblingWreck]

 cruiserpop
Most the tradesmen who come to our home to service furnace, washing machine, the roofer, the carpet installer, etc all drive Dodge vans or trucks.  They typically put very high mileage on their vehicles and like the seviceability they get from the Dodge engines and drive train.  
 
 Down side on the engines is that they usually get poorer gas mileage than comparable GM or Ford.  The tradesmen prefer to visit the gas pump a little more often rather than be inconvenienced by having their work vehicle in the shop.
 
 Their biggest gripe tends to be with the suspension system.  They buy new vehicles and immediately have the suspension beefed up.  But they carry a lot of stuff every day.
 
 I grew up in Dodge trucks and like them.  I drive a GMC pickup because we have a GM Mastercard and had accrued about $3,500 toward purchase of a new vehicle.  What can I say, I admit it, my allegance can be bought.

[Sltrawick]

 cruiserpop
We have a Dodge Durango that we pull our Dutchmen popup with.  It pulls like a dream and we forget that the popup is behind us.
 
 It s got the 3rd seat that folds down to add extra storage and we have the rear A/C.  We don t really use that feature that much though.

[wynot]

 cruiserpop

Test drove the explorer, the tahoe and durango .durango won on that count. Comments would be greatly appreciated.

 You test drove all those and the Dodge won?  Test drive in the real world for a couple of days like we did, and the Chevy won hands down.  We actually measured the fuel consumption just in day to day driving.
 
 Look at pure dimensions, the Explorer and Durango are midsize, the Tahoe is fullsize.  I haven t met anyone yet that gets good or even decent fuel economy out of the Durango/Dakotas, and you have to put up with a smaller vehicle to boot.
 
 I like the looks of the Durango, but why would I want to give up space to have one?  Suspension is archaic, and they just drink gas.  Dodge managed to get the same horrible fuel economy in a smaller truck.
 
 I know a lot of people who like their Dodge vans, and supposedly they get some of the best fuel economy and durability out of them, but I don t know that that has crossed to the Durango.

[Trlrboy]

 cruiserpop
A set of golf clubs will fit longways behind the second seat in the Durango but not in my Explorer.  Both pull a camper equally well but you get more room in the Durango.

[bikolee]

 cruiserpop
Well, I don t have a Durango, but I do have a Dakota. Here s my .02 worth.
 
 Gas mileage - horrible,    a full size 4x4 Silverado gets better
 Brakes - double horrible,   a long time Chrysler product problem
 Transimission - once again horrible,   another long time Chryler problem
 
 Would I buy another? NO.  In fact, AFTER I get my Silverado, and the time comes for DW to replace her  99 Grand Cherokee Limited, it won t be with another Chrysler product. I m done with all of them. It s pretty sad when you have to fork out $400 plus on brakes on a vehicle that has 13K miles on it. She doesn t do a lot of driving and so her 3 years ran out before the mileage.

[CampNfan]

 cruiserpop
OK! Here is my take on it. I bought a " 99"  Durango 5.0 4X4 (NEW) after having and towing with an Explorer. I just was not happy with the way the explorer towed. Our Bayside is not small. I tow it and forget it is even back there sometimes with the Durango. After I hit 30K I started using Mobil one, and it made a big difference went from 13 miles to gallon to 17. But I bought it for towing and with that in mind I was not as concerned about gas mileage at the time. I have had NO! Problems and just reached 50K. I keep the oil changed every 5K to 8K and flushed out the trans at 30K. Maintenance is everything in my book I don t think it makes a difference FORD, CHEVY, CRYSLER, DODGE......who takes care of it and how they take care of it is what really makes the difference to me.  JMO!

[whippetwrun]

 cruiserpop
I agree with Rick!  I have a 2000 Dakota Quadcab and am thrilled with it.  I make sure it stays well maintained.   It has 43000 miles on it.  None of the problems mentioned before have shown up.  It is like one of my kiddos to me. []
 
 It tows nicely and gas mileage isn t all that bad. We didn t need the extra seating as in the Durango, but with the dogs and gear, we really enjoy having the bed with a cap.  For the past 25 years, my family has always had Dodge trucks/vans and been very happy with them.  But like the popup brands, everyone has their favorites and their preferences![]

[bikolee]

 cruiserpop
I hope you two aren t inferring that I don t keep my vehicles maintained. I do.
 
 I will say that the engine (5.2) has not given me one bit of trouble and I have 144K miles on this truck.  All I was saying is that if you start researching the Dakota or Durango, or Grand Cherokee for that matter, you will uncover a mulitude of well known problems. I have had brake problems with this truck pretty much since day one. It s been to a half dozen different shops/dealers and NO ONE can find the problem. It has also been logged with Chrysler s Customer service to no avail.

[CampNfan]

 cruiserpop
bikolee !
 

I hope you two aren t inferring that I don t keep my vehicles maintained. I do.

I believe I can speak for both of us here!
 NO WAY! NO SHAPE! NO FORM! Are we saying that!
 I will add there are good and bad in all makes models as well. That goes for every vehicle out there.
 Be careful though it is like saying, " There is proof, that the majority of wrecks are caused by " red"  cars" . So therefore, DON T BUY A RED CAR! Then leaving it at that. Well that maybe....considering that 50% of the cars out there are red, 10% Blue 10% Green 10% Yellow 10% White and 10% Black.
 P.S. I am just messing with you.........