Glad to give you my two cents here as I came out of a Dodge and seriously considered another but bought the 4Runner instead. I had a 2001 Dakota Quad Cab, loaded, 4.7, etc. I really liked the truck and despite what people think of Dakotas, the QC's are big, as in about the same length as a Suburban.
Anyway, I got it with about 1/2 mile on the odo and sold it at about 110,000 miles 2 years ago. First I'll tell you about the problems. Replace (not service - REPLACE) the rear end every 30,000 miles despite performing excessive maintenance after the first time. New transmission at 34,000 miles and again at about 85000. The door leaked at the seal right where it would drip on my arm while driving. Nobody could ever fix this including multiple dealers and a body shop. It ate tires about every 25k. It got 12 MPG city and about 16.5 highway. Maintenance wise, I had a dozen or so 'minor' issues that came up. The sad thing was I really liked the truck.
When I decided to get a new car I looked very hard at a 2006 Durango. I really got into the HEMI. It was very comfortable and luxurious. I found deals everywhere and gas was stilll considerably cheaper than now. Dealers couldnt give them away. It came dow to something like this. I could have gotten a loaded Durango, 2WD, Hemi, Video and everything else for about +/- $24,500. That was my budget limit. Sticker was about $33.
Instead I chose my '06 4Runner SR-5. Very tough choice. Relatively stripped down. My only options are leather wrapped steering wheel, double decker cargo, 17" wheels and one other minor thing I can't even remember. I have to tell you it was probably the least exciting car I had purchased but I knew it was the SMART thing to do. Out the door for about the same $24,500. Sticker was about 28.
I'll tell you what influenced my decision.
>Projected dependability - No comparison.
>Dealer reputation - No comparison
>Mileage - This represented about a 50% gain in mileage going from 12 to 18. You do the math. I drive a lot.
Projected resale in a few years. FYI - I guarantee that if you sold both vehicles after 4-5 years and 100,000 miles, you would get $5k more out of the 4Runner.
I have not regretted my decsion one day. The only thing I regret is not getting 4WD. I'll do that on my next 4Runner if anybody ever gives me enough of a reason to change! I now have almost 50,000 miles and the car has never been in the shop. I changed front brakes at about 42,000. I am about to get tires. There isnt a creak or rattle to be found. MIleage has been about 17.5 city, 19.75 highway. Every day I love my car!
Don't get the Aspen! You will regret it.
