Trading my T4R for a Durango R/T

[commbubba19]

I know I will be flamed so be it. However, I will say I love the 4Runner for a lot of reasons, but it no longer fits the requirements of my family.

I submitted an order for a 2016 Durango R/T with the only options being Sunroof and split rear captains chairs.

Why am I doing this? Wife and I decided to add a 3rd child to the mix. Currently we have a 10 and 7 year old. I really wanted to keep the 4runner but it will become tedious trying to fit all 3 in the back seat. We went and bought a baby holder thing to see what room would be on each side when placed in the middle.

Did it fit, yes. However, my wife is 5' tall and had a very hard time getting the carrier into the middle. And that was without a baby inside of it.

So we came to the conclusion that a 3rd row is needed.

So luckily a local new vehicle car show was last month. We went to every single SUV with a 3rd row that was reasonably priced (under 45k).

I also looked at the 3rd row for the 4Runner, figuring an option would be to trade our current SR5 for one with the 3rd row. My god is that a bad design. There is really no easy way to get to the 3rd row in a T4R and with the 3rd row up, now space behind it.

A 2016 Explorer was next up. It was promising but I really don't like the look but the Ecoboost 3.5 would be nice. It was also over our budget unless i want to go with the lower model (no fun there).

So we looked at a Durango R/T. It seemed to check all the boxes.

3rd row. Easily accessible either via pass through captains chairs or the chairs flip forward really easy for easy ingress/egress which is nice. Plus with the 3rd row up, plenty of room behind for stuff.

We figured placing the carrier in one of the captains chairs, one kid in the other and the last kid in the back.

I get V8, AWD (not as good as true 4WD but I rarely use it except for winter), good looks and a 3rd row.

What I'm worried about is Dodge quality. So far most complaints have been about the infotainment system being buggy. No real issues mechanically.

My 4Runner has been rock solid and I can't complain about the quality. its great. I hate the Entune system and HVAC controls but beyond that it's an awesome vehicle.

Anyway, just wanted to share. I do have a TRD intake I'll try to take off before I trade in and put it up for sale.

op2:

 

[Bevo]

Hope you have better luck than I with Chrysler products. I will never own another one.

 

[Jetboy]

Did you consider a highlander? Just curious as it's basically similar minus the v8 being both unibody cross overs with 3rd row seating. The 3 row setup is a lot nicer than the 4runner. Probably smaller than the durango though.

 

[salong53]

Sounds like you've checked all the boxes for yourself. My personal car-shopping process differs from yours. I'm very loyal to brands (particularly Toyota & Honda) with Chrysler products being near the bottom of my list based on a track record of poor reliability and ugly styling. I realize these are subjective opinions based on my own experience.

I also prefer to buy a vehicle whose appearance grows on me - one that I'll continue to like forever - rather than one who looks really cutting edge then looks dated in 5 years. I feel like the 4Runner is one of those vehicles. I haven't been crazy about the last 3 generations in the first year of their release, but they've all grown on me to the point that I think they're the best looking SUVs on the road. I compare most cars to a song that you love the first time you hear it, then it gets old in a week. Most 5+ year old Durangos are like that song, they just look old and dilapidated to me.

I agree that the 4Runner 3rd row is awful. It's the only feature I don't care for on mine; however, Toyota produces the Highlander, Sequoia, & Land Cruiser with 3rd rows that I would research before I even considered a Chrysler product. Once again, it's my subjective personal preference.

One other factor that you may consider is that your 10 y.o. will be driving almost before your new baby will be old enough to go to school, meaning that you'll rarely ride places 5 deep in your car. Also, based on the height of your wife, I seriously doubt you are a family of large people that couldn't fit 5 deep in a 4Runner.

Your decision makes no difference to me. I just figured I'd argue the perspective of a Toyota loyalist and 4Runner enthusiast. Hope you enjoy the Durango V8!

 

[Cymon]

I know I will be flamed so be it. However, I will say I love the 4Runner for a lot of reasons, but it no longer fits the requirements of my family.

I submitted an order for a 2016 Durango R/T with the only options being Sunroof and split rear captains chairs.

Why am I doing this? Wife and I decided to add a 3rd child to the mix. Currently we have a 10 and 7 year old. I really wanted to keep the 4runner but it will become tedious trying to fit all 3 in the back seat. We went and bought a baby holder thing to see what room would be on each side when placed in the middle.

Did it fit, yes. However, my wife is 5' tall and had a very hard time getting the carrier into the middle. And that was without a baby inside of it.

So we came to the conclusion that a 3rd row is needed.

So luckily a local new vehicle car show was last month. We went to every single SUV with a 3rd row that was reasonably priced (under 45k).

I also looked at the 3rd row for the 4Runner, figuring an option would be to trade our current SR5 for one with the 3rd row. My god is that a bad design. There is really no easy way to get to the 3rd row in a T4R and with the 3rd row up, now space behind it.

A 2016 Explorer was next up. It was promising but I really don't like the look but the Ecoboost 3.5 would be nice. It was also over our budget unless i want to go with the lower model (no fun there).

So we looked at a Durango R/T. It seemed to check all the boxes.

3rd row. Easily accessible either via pass through captains chairs or the chairs flip forward really easy for easy ingress/egress which is nice. Plus with the 3rd row up, plenty of room behind for stuff.

We figured placing the carrier in one of the captains chairs, one kid in the other and the last kid in the back.

I get V8, AWD (not as good as true 4WD but I rarely use it except for winter), good looks and a 3rd row.

What I'm worried about is Dodge quality. So far most complaints have been about the infotainment system being buggy. No real issues mechanically.

My 4Runner has been rock solid and I can't complain about the quality. its great. I hate the Entune system and HVAC controls but beyond that it's an awesome vehicle.

Anyway, just wanted to share. I do have a TRD intake I'll try to take off before I trade in and put it up for sale.

op2:

I almost pulled the trigger on the same vehicle. It drives well and is more acessible with the third row, I just couldn't live with the reliability chances with all of the new Chrysler transmissions. The Grand Cherokee seems to have more issues then the Durango even though they share the same 8 speed set up. When I was researching it seemed like 2 out of 3 vehicles would get to 100k with no issues where the other 1/3 were lemonish. I also only have 2 young kids, if I had three I might have taken the chance or would be in a Sequoia or Minivan.

Good Luck and I hope you get one that lasts!

 

[rideexileex]

Landcruiser!

 

[rainmn]

Friends of mine have a Durango R/T. They have 4 boys, and previously always had minivans. The R/T was their first shot at trying a 3 row SUV now that the youngest of the boys is out of a car seat.

The lease is up on it next month, and they absolutely cannot wait to be rid of it.

From a utility perspective, the seating worked fine for the 4 kids. The only issue was the lack of cargo space that remains with the 3rd row in use, which is always a problem until you get into a full size. (Which is what they are probably going to get next)

They loved it for the first 1/2 of the lease. I've been in it a bunch of times, and it does have a pretty nice interior, and plenty of power.

The downside, however, is that it is a huge POS. Over the 2nd 1/2 of the lease, it's been in the shop more times than I can count. I don't know the details of all the problems, but I know the truck has been completely dead in the water at least 3 times in the past year. The infotainment system also stops working on a regular basis.

If the quality had been even close to acceptable, they would have definitely leased another one next month.

 

[GHARP57]

You better look under the hood and look for plastic parts. I work wholesale for dodge chrysler jeep in my town and thermostats and heater plumbing are always breaking because of their design. Electrics are just as bad too. I would give the Highlander a look super reliable and it is very comfy and easy to work the seats.

 

[cyclist]

Flame me for saying this, but how about a Ford Flex? Optional 2nd row captains chairs, available AWD, and 3rd row. I think this is one of the most underrated vehicles in Ford's current line up. The rear captains chairs are copies of the front. They are designed for adults, so no knee in chest issue as with most rear seats. Plus your legs are at a right angle in the front or 2nd row, just like a truck.

 

[ST1FLER]

Congrats on buying a hunk of shit

 

[rainmn]

Flame me for saying this, but how about a Ford Flex? Optional 2nd row captains chairs, available AWD, and 3rd row. I think this is one of the most underrated vehicles in Ford's current line up. The rear captains chairs are copies of the front. They are designed for adults, so no knee in chest issue as with most rear seats. Plus your legs are at a right angle in the front or 2nd row, just like a truck.

My sister in law has one.....awesome to ride in, painful to look at from the outside. :repuke:

It has been pretty trouble free, and she's had it for years.

 

[Morphyne]

I like the new Durango and think it is a neat vehicle. I had the pleasure of driving a HEMI charger and I can't believe I am still alive. Those things are incredibly fast.

As far as your choice of Chrysler, just trade it in every 3-4 years and you will be fine. But do not expect to get past 150,000 or even 125,000 for that matter. I traded in my wife's grand caravan at 134,000 and that thing was unsafe, even with my best efforts to keep it going. so yes, Chrysler quality is complete shit. but as long as you stay under warranty you will be fine.

Another consideration would be the GMC Acadia. It will give you the same interior room and setup plus AWD. But no V8.

Good luck.

 

[DEERUNNER]

Other than wheelbase, the Dodge Durango and Jeep Grand Cherokee are basically the same vehicles. Look up the repair records of each. Neither is Toyota. You are entering a vehicle world you may not want to inhabit.

 

[MLPbrian]

YOU HAVE TO TEST DRIVE THE NEW HONDA PILOT!!! Looks and drives amazing compared to the ugly previous model.

 

[jmf_tracy]

:der::wtf:

 

[Beer_Runner]

oh Noooooooooo. I would have gotten then new Pilot or Highlander. My .02 This assumes a new Land Cruiser wasn't in the budget.

 

[Saker]

Wishing you luck.....
Did you do your homework on this??????
I think you will be taking an :emptybath:

 

[LUVDA4RUNNER]

Dodge/Chrysler sucks. Had a 2011 Jeep Hemi. Nothing but trouble. Tranny, engine, entertainment info/gps. I will never buy one again. I hope the new Durangos are better.

 

[TrkyMfns]

I hope this is a lease, else u dun goof'd.

 

[Phoenix4R]

Having had a bunch of miserable little Dodges as rental cars, there's not a car in that entire lineup that you could give me.

But hey, if you like it, that's all that matters, right?