Dodge Durango or Honda Ridgeline

idntnvu

I currently own a 2007 Honda Ridgeline RTL. I have previously owned a 2002 Dodge Durango R/T, which I traded off in 2007. I have regretted that decision ever since. I traded the Durango for a Toyota Tundra, which I in turn traded for the Ridgeline. I am very happy with my Ridgeline, but the payments are killing me. I recently decided to consider trading off the Ridgeline for something cheaper, at least until I can get some other finances paid off and can once again afford a $500 a month payment.

It just so happens a local dealership has a 2003 Dodge Durango R/T identical to the 2002 that I used to own. I am now considering trading the Ridgeline for the Durango. The only real hang up is my Ridgeline only has 32k miles on it. The Durango I'm considering has 90k on it. Would I be a complete moron to trade a 4 year old Honda with low miles for an 8 year old high mileage Dodge? If I do, it will cut my payment in half if not more. I know that there might also be an issue of finding financing for an 8 year old vehicle. I really loved the Durango I had, but something possessed me to trade for the Tundra, which I also liked, but it was impractical for me.

My vehicles have been trouble free since I bought the Tundra, which is another thing that concerns me. I know by buying an 8 year old vehicle with 90k miles, there are going to be problems. I had a few issues with my previous Durango, such as a bad water pump, constant oil leak, and the check engine light stayed on almost all the time. Just before I traded it, I was noticing some noise in the transmission. What are common problems with the 2003 that I should factor into my decision?

I also know the Durango will like get worse gas mileage, but I don't really drive my Honda all that much. I have a 54 mile round trip commute to work, but my daily driver is a 2009 Galant. I park the Honda except for bad weather, vacations, and occasionally I'll switch out and drive it for a while just to run it. Therefore, the Durango will primarily be sitting unless it snows or I decide to take it on vacation. I get 17mpg like clockwork with the Ridgeline, and I recall not getting much worse than that with my previous Durango.

I could really use the money I'd save on the monthly payment (and hopefully insurance would go down too) for other expenses that seem to be increasing steadily. I realize I'd still be paying on the Durango for at least 3 if not 4 or 5 more years. I've had the Honda for 2 years and still owe 3 years on it. For the first time in a while, I've actually got a little bit of positive equity in the Honda, which will help if and when I trade.

I appreciate any and all feedback you may have. This is a tough decision for me, but I have cut just about all of my other expenses to the point I'm looking at the most expensive one, which I have avoided until now.

Thanks again!
idntnvu

burdawg

I'm not going to try to analyze the numbers, but I don't see how you would come out ahead by changing what you have. You might end up with a lower payment monthly, but I'm not sure you would save anything overall.

dboe

Actually, idntnvu, the new Durango looks interesting. Apparently had a major overhaul.
Considering it is Chrysler, I think I would give it a couple of years to prove itself. I think Ford is the leader right now, and I am not sure Honda is even doing that well against other imports, quite frankly.
But if you can make use of your Ridgeline, and keep it running without much fuss, I would do that for a while longer and see how things work out. A new Ridgeline was rumored also, but I would not bet on that either .
It seems like when we change cars we usually end up more bucks behind, no matter how 'good the deal' at first glance. Patience has it's rewards.

idntnvu

Thanks for the replies to my original message. I sold the Honda Ridgeline to a private buyer the first of February. I decided not to pursue the Durango any longer. I did, however, happen across a real cream puff last week. I had made up my mind I wasn't going to actively look for a replacement but I was driving by the local Chevy dealer the other day and it caught my eye from the road (they had it backed up on the bank.) I bought it on Friday. It's a 2000 Chevy Silverado 1500 4x4 regular cab. Local, one owner, looks to have been garage kept and babied all it's life. Only has 64k miles and lots of extra add ons. It doesn't have the room in it that the Ridgeline or a Durango had, but it suits my needs for the time being. I've only had it a few days and have already had a lot of compliments on it. It was just one of those right place, right time sort of deals. I spent almost the entire day in the dealership, which was tiring, but had a positive end result.

I do like the appearance of the new Durango on TV and in photos, but have yet to see one in person as we no longer have a local Dodge dealership. Actually the dealership where I was looking at the 2003 Durango was our Ford Store and it suddenly closed up about 2-3 weeks ago.

Thanks again for the replies!

dboe

Good luck with your new truck! Glad to hear it all worked out.