Does anybody have any experience with the Dodge Durango
 

(Putting flame suit on)
I inquired with the dealer I purchsed my 4runner from asking him to notify me if he gets any good size suvs on his lot ( my fiance and I are expecting our 2nd child in October) was looking for a little larger vehicle with 3rd row. He emailed me today saying that he's getting a 2011 Durango in soon, its the Express model black with black cloth.... 58k on the clock. Anybody have any experience with this vehicle and or the Pentastar V6???
Thanks

I, personally, wouldn't touch Dodge at all and I've driven just about everything from the Neon to the Viper. I don't know the years, but I've heard one of the Durango's engines was prone to sludging. You already have a 4R, maybe look at its big brothers, Sequoia or Land Cruiser. More $$, but less :doh:.

I would not go for it, it's a Chrysler Product; enough said.

I had 2 but they were first gens. 2000 and 2001. The 2000 was the first year of the 4.7. It was a fun vehicle but was in the shop every other month for the 2 years I had it. Some my fault, others were vehicle defect. Had the front drive train replaced twice in 6 weeks towards the end (second time included the tranny) as I kept gernading the front diff and axles. Sold it after the last repair when the service manager said don't bring it back here, get something else.

The other was the 2001 R/T with the 5.9. Loved that thing. Comfortable, fast and clean lines. Sold it after about 18 months after the dealer couldn't completely fix it right after the front wheel assembly got torn up in an accident.

Sorry, no experience with the newer gens or engines.

Maybe you can find a Forum for Durango/Dodge/ChryCo?

I've been enamored of the new Volvo XC90 lately - a visit to a Volvo forum sure cured me of that... fast!

i was just in Alabama installing lot management hardware for a high volume dealer group for their chevy and dodge/chrysler/jeep stores about 1100 units over a 3 day period.

i was in and out of EVERY type of FMC and Chevy product.

Built quality suck on both brands. fit and finish on FMC sucks cheeseball plastics everywhere. they use cardboard under dash panels. found a few cars with panels misaligned.

then i get into a used camry with 120k and the panels fit better

thats just me LOL

I had the 1998 Durango in its very first model year (usually a no no). I had zero problems and loved it for 9 years........but I'm pretty confident that I got very lucky.

Stats and history say to stay away......if its not an essential vehicle carrying your family, you might be OK to give it a go......but only as a play vehicle.

Otherwise stick with Toyota or Honda IMO.

Dealer let my take it for the night...where do i start

First the thing weighs a ton, felt like I needed to use both feet to stop. Was like like I driving a sled dig team

Seats were uncomfortable...interior was all plastic...290 HP, but you have be around 6k to get that...was so glad to get back in my 4runner

Ask any real mechanic about Chrysler, like @BlackWorksInc said above. They will tell you to run.

Ask about a new R/T. Niiiiice

Someone mentioned others in the Toyota family... and I thought Highlander? I would think those captains chairs would make it easier to install kid seats, and you'd still have the 3rd row seating. Just a thought.

I don't recall when the Pentastar debuted, but IIRC they had a lot of issues with it the first couple of years (maybe more).

I also had a 98 assigned as a work vehicle and it was great for that time, when the other SUV options were fewer and usually either huge (Tahoe) and/or much more expensive/overrated (Expedition). But I think I was the exception and not necessarily the rule.

I just looked at the new ones a month or so ago; again, as a work vehicle replacement. They're nice and roomy, and the way it was explained to me was they're essentially an extended version of the Grand Cherokee. I sat in the GC too, and they felt identical. But the ground clearance was a bit low for my needs, as was the potential off-road capability.

2000 durango SLT, bought brand new in '00. Biggest pile of shit I have ever owned, and I've owned not one but TWO Geo Metros!

Transmission went out twice, and after that we had electrical gremlins that would kill everything at once. Jiggle the harness behind the engine and it would come back to life. Dealership noted the issue, but once wires were touched, could not duplicate and sent it back to us like that.

Unfortunately for Dodge, and any other american vehicle for that matter, I'll just stick to my Toyotas from now on. Very expensive lesson learned.