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Dodge Durango
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Grand High Poobah
The Fraternal Order of Procrastinators
First of all, yes, it's a truck, but the handling is horrible. It is extremely top-heavy and feels like it could just flip at any minute. The ride is harsh... but then again, it's built on 1500's technology. Really, Dodge, leaf springs? A live beam axel?
I think the problem lies in Dodge touting this as a family SUV. That's extremely misleading. Everyone in our *family* finds the car most unpleasant. The car is full of contradictions. It's a truck. Most SUV buyers are minivan refugees looking for a family car that doesn't look like a family car. They don't want trucks.
And neither do we... We wanted an SUV so we could handle poor weather and the icy hills we have to drive through to get places in our rural part of the country.
But the Durango can't. It's a horrible highway car, it feels floaty and vague. There's a massive dead spot in the steering. In emergency handling, it feels clumsy and insecure.
When the weather turns nasty, the transfer case is a horrible pain the butt to use. It literally has to be forced into 4WD. A full-time All Wheel Drive system would be much more effective. The Durango doesn't offer Traction Control or Stability Control, so unless you're accelerating, there's nothing preventing you from sliding around the road.
Our Durango came with ABS only in the rear drum brakes. The logic being that the car would be less likely to fishtail, but the rear brakes take little of the force, and the front wheels are what need to turn. As a result, under heavy braking, the Durango performs very poorly, let the steering wheel and front wheels lock and scream as they drag along the pavement.
Not only does the brake pedal feel rubbery, but the rubber part fell off the metal beam for me multiple times! That's rather irresponsible of Dodge to not better conceive a method of attaching the brake pedal.
The steering wheel doesn't adjust for telescope, and sits uncomfortably and dangerously close to the driver, since the pedals seem very far away.
And despite what the people on this board claim about insurance ratings, the Durango did not so well in either the IIHS or NHTSA crash tests. Two stars is horrible for the driver. Chrysler was quoted as saying, "We expected it to get three". They engineered a car to get three stars for safety? Wow. No side impact protection. The head restraints are flimsy, hard, and too far away. The passenger airbag is pointed straight out, not up at the windsheild (which is proven to be much safer). The knee bolsters are hard, have sharp edges, and brittle. Can you imagine smashing into those things at high speeds? Ouch. The engine is not mounted to break away in severe collissions, so it gets pushed right into the cabin instead.
Our Durango has had a variety of problems, including a loud "clunk" around corners, a loud hissing sound after turning it off, multiple cracks in the windsheild, burnt out tail lights, the airbags recalled (greaattt), a brake pedal which likes to detach itself, etc. On the other hand, it's not bad looking, except for the Caravanesque tail lights and massive gaps in the body cladding. I also dislike the interior design, finding it to be way too GM with cheap materials and poorly conceived shapes. The murky green lighting at night could be nicer.
Fed up with the "family car" that's NOT, we turned to imports for a better solution. Both the MDX and Highlander are car-based, so they're not real utility vehicles, but they have the gobs of cargo space and ground clearance we need. Plus the Highlander has real Traction Control and All Wheel Drive. It rides much more like a car, feeling more confident in turns and more relaxing and quiet on the highway. It's much more comfortable. The stock stereo actually sounds decent. It has side-impact airbags. It's 220 horsepower and yet it acheives 18/22 mpg (compared to the Durango's 13/19). The engine is also much cleaner-burning... even if you have deep pockets, the environment has its limits.
We'll leave the Durango to those who need it for utility purposes... if only Chrysler would stop targeting the wrong market!
If Durango owners are better off without us, more power to you.
Kudos to Dodge for designing a hybrid Durango... but is that just their way of apologizing for not knowing how to build clean engines?
Considering what, like SEVEN PERCENT of SUV owners do off-roading which a "fake" SUV couldn't handle, there's very little point in real SUVs. And a vehicle with traction control will do MUCH better for driving in poor weather than the "real" SUV a Durango is. Are you really rock climbing in yours? 93% of the Durango owners would be better off with a less trucky suspension, but it's a fact Chrysler rushed into the SUV craze by dropping an SUV body on top of a pick-up truck frame. You can't blame them. I bet the 2003 Durango will be a heck of a lot better because it won't be rushed to market. Maybe we'll reconsider at that point.
Chrysler is all right, much better in my opinion than GM, and better probably than Ford. But I think that the Durango is a rushed-to-market SUV that handles sub-par, gets crappy gas mileage, and has terrible safety and ergonomics considerations.
I posted here to offer my story for people considering this vehicle... my opinion is no more holier nor less valuable than anybody elses. We should have done more research, you got me there rb123. Believe me, we have learned form our mistakes and have put a TON of research into our new vehicle. And we just sold the Durango, it depreciated nearly half its value in just a year (30,000 -> 18,000). Oh well...
Can't say I agree with your opinions (expect the inadequate brakes), but we all have the right to express ourselves, and to purchase whatever auto we want.
That said...thank you so much for taking the lead on bashing SUV's! Those of us who actually use them for what they're intended may one day benefit from more and more experiences like yours. It would be so nice to see more of you going back to cars and mini-vans. Less pollution, less wasted fuel, less wasted metal, better road visibility for car drivers, more parking space, a return to solid axles for those of us that want them, and less attention to SUV's by the public and government.
One day, for fun, I noted the number of Expeditions, who was using them, and how. Surprise: the vast majority were women grocery shopping alone, single occupancies by both men & women, no pay loads, no dirt or dings on the paint, etc. (no knock against women; I could care less what sex drives what; it's just what I noticed - but I find it hard to believe all of them use the truck for it's true purpose, but that would probably include the men too). I realize the odds of catching each truck being utilized when I took notice, but when around 18 out of 19 don't even come close, I'd say there's some evidence. Yes, this observation irks me, but hey, we have the right to drive what we want, right?
As for the lean you experienced, there isn't a capable SUV on the road that doesn't lean. SUV's are, in part, unsafe because many who drive them treat them as a car. If you want a car like drive, try a car.
Hopefully one day the SUV fad will disappear and leave a wonderful glut of cheap SUV's in great condition (and hopefully some will still have solid axles).
Hope you're happier with your next purchase.
If you experience these symptoms, DO NOT let Chrysler put the "screws" to you the way they did us.
Joe and Sherry Weibel
(901)384-4100
Grand High Poobah
The Fraternal Order of Procrastinators
My wife and I are looking at a 2000 Durango SLT with the 4.7. It has 30000 miles and was a commercial lease vehicle (rental I am guessing). That would be enough for me to run, but they are saying it is a "certified used vehicle" and have included an 8 year/ 80000 Chrysler warranty. Of course I know that this warranty is built into the price (they are asking $23,000, but I haven't dealt yet) of the vehicle, but I am thinking, hey if everything is covered (engine, tranny, electrical, etc), what do I have to lose except for the time it may be in for repairs. Is this type of deal worth the risk. I need a mid size SUV with the 3rd row seat; that is why I am stuck with the Dodge Durango. I appreciate any feedback in advance. Good luck to all...
Personal experience on 99' Dodge Ram, 2 trannies replaced from "sludge buildup" under warranty. Current Tranny "needs to be cleaned" already. Great towing and power, but get the warranty.
Thank you
Grand High Poobah
The Fraternal Order of Procrastinators
paulypooh - I'll try to help you on your decision by telling you my experience. I've got a 2000 with the 5.9 and my mileage typically is 13. I've gone as low as 10.7 (winter driving) and as high as 17 (once). The truck is maticulously maintained and I don't drive hard. My driving is probably 60/40 highway and city. I use the vehicle as my main type of transportation and do haul 4-5 passengers (and all of their goodies)at least once a week. I hope this helps.
I ask questions on this board and keep getting sent to a durango club web site. In my opinion the sites forum is difficult to follow and rarely has the information I'm looking for.
I would appreciate it if I asked a question that someone would give me an answer. If you take the time to send me to another site why not use that same time to give me my answer.
I follow several boards on Edmunds and they have healthy exchanges of information. I hope that this board can become the same.
Grand High Poobah
The Fraternal Order of Procrastinators
I noticed that ywilson was kind enough to answer your previous query about OEM tires quite specifically and also suggested another source where you might get additional information.
Your most recent query seemed to ask for a divination which, perhaps, no one here feels qualified to address.
tidester
Host
SUVs
Grand High Poobah
The Fraternal Order of Procrastinators
Fair enough! Anyone? Can we accomodate him?
tidester
Host
SUVs
Also, has anyone tried to upgrade their infinity sound system with either a new amplifier,speakers
or changed the head unit.
I've heard that Chrysler has the worst reliability record for a domestic. Is this true?
Does anyone have a Durago over 2+ years that wants to share any problems that came up with the Durango?
Sure this question has come up already, but does gas mileage improve over time?
Can anyone tell me a story about Durango's resale value? I only keep my cars for around 1-2 years (not lease) and am dead scared.
I just love the Durango, but there's just little things that block me from buying it immediately.
Thanks in advance.
To be honest with you, if you don't need the shift-on-the-fly 4WD and the truck frame for off-roading and such, look for something else. The ride is not exactly the greatest, but it fills all my needs.
Reliability has been OK but not spectacular. I have had 2 minor problems and a third that left me stranded. The two minor problems were a faulty trunk lock and crossed wires for the reverse lights. My major problem was my power steering pump failed in a parking lot and I had to have it towed. Even though that happened, I still love my truck and haven't had a problem in a little over 2 years.
Gas mileage is terrible when the engine is breaking in, but now I get 16 in the city and 18.5 on the highway and I am a serious leadfoot.
The last time I checked, Durangos were worth about $18,000 or so after 2 years. You can always check www.KBB.com or www.NADA.com for prices.
Overall, I have no doubts with my truck. Yes, I have had problems and the ride can get bad on some highways, but it is well worth it. If you have anymore questions, fell free to e-mail me.
Hope I've helped and good luck on your decision.
Grand High Poobah
The Fraternal Order of Procrastinators
Anyone?
thanks!
For me the Durango has been a great vehicle which meets my needs and comfort level. Good luck to anyone that takes the plunge!
Actually the seat material used in the sxt is different than the other non leather models. Its looks like some polyester hybrid. Just a guess, but it sure doesn't look like it will hold up well under normal wear.