Dodge Durangos?
Senior User
Joined: Feb 2003
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From: Cincinnati
Dodge Durangos?
I drove one last week. I really liked it. It had the V8 4x4 with the best package you could buy. Had the thrd row seating. Had lots of power even when pulling 6 fat drunks around at 2am. sense this is a Ford site they will say things like the trannys are junk and the body will not hold up and on and on. Just remember this is all being said by a FORD person. take is with a grain of salt and drive them for your self. You never know if YOU like it by what others say.
Elder User
Joined: Mar 2003
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Dodge Durangos?
Decided to look at a Durango about 5 months ago. We test drove it, and I agree, i liked the way it ran and rode, The big turnoff for me though came when I looked at the dash and Interior, It really didnt seem very nice, well the seats were, but the dash, radio, etc,, just seemed cheap, way to cheap.. And I dont know about where your at, but down here they cost only about a grand less than an expedition. All and All I Like the look of them and the performance, but wish the interior a bit nicer.
Ron
99 XLT expedition
Ron
99 XLT expedition
Freshman User
Joined: May 2003
Posts: 35
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From: MIAMI, FL
Dodge Durangos?
Check Out WWW.CONSUMERAFFAIRS.COM about the major problems they're having with the engines in these SUV's. What do you expect from a company that the US Government (we taxpayers) bailed out some years ago.. Only to sell out to a German company..
Edited for all cap's
Edited for all cap's
Last edited by Carlene; Jun 5, 2003 at 07:59 AM.
Elder User
Joined: Mar 2003
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Dodge Durangos?
Well I agree, but I have Previously posted about CONSUMER AFFAIRS .com and believe me, If you read their reports on EXPEDITIONS and the severe problems and absolute lack of ANY support from ford, then I dont think ANYONE would buy a Ford product. BUT, the fact remains, that if you keep thinking about POTENTIAL problems, then you will drive yourself nuts. I was doing this With My Expedition After reading the Report, and I actually had 2 major problems with it, that I feel for a vehicle in this price range and with so few miles to have is Ridiculous, but It seems to be all straightened out now.. So I now Rely on MY reporting For MY expedition.. I suppose durango owners should do the same.
Ron
99 Expedition XLT
Ron
99 Expedition XLT
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Lead Driver
Joined: Feb 2003
Posts: 8,140
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From: Oak Harbor, OH
Dodge Durangos?
I want to know how many complaints the owner of that website logs b4 he states it as MAJOR problem. From a brief once over of the site looks when he gets one thats right ONE (1) he logs it as a MAJOR problem, more reading on my part may show differently but that is what I have seen so far. Okay, I have looked again, the one guy complains of engine failure at ONLY 209,000 miles! Doesn't whether it was gas or diesel, this is a very generic site and I don't trust it. I also can't see that it's been updated since 10/2002.............. So use the info cautiously... The number one thing to do is drive all the manufactureres products, go to a GOOD local mechanic (not the dealer.) and ask about potential problems, if the mechanic is trustworthy and reliable he will tell you what to expect as far reliabilty issues are concerned.
Last edited by pfogle; Jun 5, 2003 at 07:40 AM.
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Dodge Durangos?
Originally posted by WXboy
Why not buy a Grand Cherokee instead? Same V8 engine as Durango...but the looks and build quality are 100% better.
Why not buy a Grand Cherokee instead? Same V8 engine as Durango...but the looks and build quality are 100% better.
Anyway, the Durango my friends have...
1st one - only problem he's had with it was when towing an older 28' bunkhouse camper loaded for a 10 day trip, w/ 8 people in the truck.. The tranny didn't exactly like it, but it did survive. Never will he do it again, but, hey, it worked.
2nd truck - Never had a prob with it. matter of fact, he just got T-boned recently, and they are going to be able to fix it, (not a real bad hit), and he can't wait to get it back.
Both have told me that they want to trade em in as soon as the Hemi becomes available after the Durango's pending redesign (rumors only at this point, no pics..)
So, they're a good truck. Have you shopped around at all?
Logistics Pro
Joined: Sep 2002
Posts: 4,410
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From: Central KY
Dodge Durangos?
The 360 is available with the R/T package...a special option. The standard V8 you get with the Durango is the 4.7L. The V8 option for the Jeep is the same 4.7L. Actually, you can get the 4.7L H.O. with the Jeep which from what I hear is a BAD little motor.
And if you look through forums like dodgedakotas.com you will see that the dakota / durango has quite a few very common problems. Some of which are transmission, rear differential, front driveshaft, ball joint, and engine PCM problems. From what those guys over there are saying...these problems are very common. I am considering a Dakota myself...but since I read through some of the stuff over on those forums I'm thinking twice about it.
And if you look through forums like dodgedakotas.com you will see that the dakota / durango has quite a few very common problems. Some of which are transmission, rear differential, front driveshaft, ball joint, and engine PCM problems. From what those guys over there are saying...these problems are very common. I am considering a Dakota myself...but since I read through some of the stuff over on those forums I'm thinking twice about it.
Freshman User
Joined: Jun 2003
Posts: 35
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From: Mississippi, USA
Dodge Durangos?
I had a 2001 Dakota quad cab, 4.7L with the new 45RFE tranny, 3.55 gear. Not a single problem - just a little too small inside for the family. Traded up to a 2002 Ram QC, 4.7L, 45RFE trans with a 3.92 axle - was an excellent vehicle. Towed a 26' camper with it through the Appalachians, and it did great.
I also frequented DodgeDakotas.com, and am here to say that the grerat majority of the problems noted in previous posts were in regards to the old drivetrain (318 and 4 spd auto).
I've got nothing but good to say about the newer Dodge products. Only reason I went to an 03 Expy is for interior somfort and space on long camping trips.
The Expy is great, btw!
I also frequented DodgeDakotas.com, and am here to say that the grerat majority of the problems noted in previous posts were in regards to the old drivetrain (318 and 4 spd auto).
I've got nothing but good to say about the newer Dodge products. Only reason I went to an 03 Expy is for interior somfort and space on long camping trips.
The Expy is great, btw!
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New User
Joined: Jun 2003
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Dodge Durangos?
Thanks for the info guys, I always know I can trust these forums for good info and for the most part unbiased information. I can't decide on an SUV to buy, that is why I inquired about the Durango. I am heading off to college soon, and on weekends will travel back home and go snowboarding (need to hold a good amount of friends for that). I would like decent gas mileage, and the top two on my list are currently the Ford Explorer and the Toyota 4Runner. I wouldn't normally buy foreign but in my little neighborhood there are 9 of them, and not one has had a severe problem. However, the Explorer is a fine vehicle as well, we have made 2 $700 repairs to my parent's vehicle in 5 years that's all. But from what you guys said and people at carreview.com said it appears there are some common flaws with the Durango. I wish I could afford a diesel, but it's impossible to find one I can afford on a lot, and after my current experience with my F-150 I don't want to buy private again.
Logistics Pro
Joined: Jul 2002
Posts: 4,821
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From: South Dakota
Dodge Durangos?
Normally I wouldn't steer any one this way as I like my 4x4.
To me, it sounds like a car may be actually better suited to what you're after than you may think.
I'm thinking like a Ford taurus or so size, big enough for a group, but still great mpg.
You slap on some good studded snow tires for the winter and you be amazed at how easy it is to get to the ski places, I kid you not.
My 00 taurus with it's studless snow tires can go any where on any road in the winter that my 4x4 could go with the exception of deep snow. And it get's 33 mpg @ 75mph on a consistent basis, versus the 14-16 I'd be see at the same speed with my ranger.
You can find newer used taurus'es super cheap (in some cases almost half of a suv, but at least a third), and are a very reliable vehicle with plenty of git up in a car, and lots of leg room.
Don't get me wrong, I understand the 4x4 argument, but I thought that I'd shed some light to this idea.
To me, it sounds like a car may be actually better suited to what you're after than you may think.
I'm thinking like a Ford taurus or so size, big enough for a group, but still great mpg.
You slap on some good studded snow tires for the winter and you be amazed at how easy it is to get to the ski places, I kid you not.
My 00 taurus with it's studless snow tires can go any where on any road in the winter that my 4x4 could go with the exception of deep snow. And it get's 33 mpg @ 75mph on a consistent basis, versus the 14-16 I'd be see at the same speed with my ranger.
You can find newer used taurus'es super cheap (in some cases almost half of a suv, but at least a third), and are a very reliable vehicle with plenty of git up in a car, and lots of leg room.
Don't get me wrong, I understand the 4x4 argument, but I thought that I'd shed some light to this idea.