Hi everybody, I haven't been on here for a while,

I have liked the first generation Durangos for a while and the redesign is...well...not good (to be courteous to Dodge designers). I'm currently 21 years old and have just recently started to work (long story) at a grocery store. If I work these kinds of jobs and collect enough money, in future years, will it be good to get a 2003 Durango? I say 2003 because it will be the newest model to get of first generation. I ask because so many people say that Dodge's (American cars in general) are not good after a few years. Thanks.

PS.Also, do you know the name of the person who designed the first generation Dodge Durango? Did he design other cars?

 

Everyone's an expert, right? I've been at independent shops for my entire career, and we actually make more money on imports than domestics. Failure rates are not that different, just that the imports cost more to fix (for example, a starter ina Ram 1500 5.9lis about $300 + .5 hours [$46] labor.; In a ToyotaTundra with a 4.7, starter is about $650 + 4 hours [$380] labor).

Just look at what most of us technicians drive and I think you'll have your answer

 

Daei:

I have had my 01 since 2003. Being primarily a sports sedan type of guy, my Durango was my first experience with a truck /suv type vehicle.
The first gen Durango was based on the Dakota truck platform, and as such the ride is a bit "trucky. This issue is addressed in the 2nd gen D.

That aside, if you like to sit up high, have the ability to travel in inclement weather, and haul or tow the D is a good choice. As you might imagine with any truck/suv, the fuel mileage is on parwith most vehicles that weigh ~5000 pounds and have the aerodynamics of a such a vehicle.

If taken proper care of, any Durango you might get would probably be ok. There were issues with the powertrain in the early years, but most of those were worked out by 2003. Not to say of course that a now3-4 year old vehicle can't have an issue.

Mine just turned 66k, and so far no major repairs. I have owned it for 4 years as of August of 03 whenI bought it with 25k.

And right now with fuel prices poised to blast up to $4 a gallon or heaven forbid more, it is truly a buyers market. The Gen 1 has a 25 gallon tank, and for me this is the biggest tankI have had to fill. So far, I think the biggest fill up I have had was $72. So, keep that in mind if you drive alot.

Good luck with your decision.

Don

 

**** my most expensive fill up with the same tank was 50 and yes they are good trucks, my 02 (parents bought it new) now has 68000 on it and has had 0 mechanical problems/failures and has only had regular maintance done to it

 

If you are getting a Gen1, then the 2003 is the best option. You are on the right path.

IndyD

 

I got ya beat at $80. [:@]

 

hahaha... I have you all beat at $120 but I've got a 34 gallon tank. hey wait a minute, that hurts...good thing I can get 17~18 mpg.

 

you guys should run your D's here in sunny Saudi...
a fill up of 80 litres (thats the capacity of my 1999 5.9l D) costs SAR 0.45 per litre * 80 = about US $10...
US $100 a barrel and here the price of gas goes down...

Chris

 

Thanks for the advice guys,

I know IndyD said it's best to get a 2003 one, but I'm really concerned about the fuel consumption and I was wondering if any of you would recommend that I get a 3.9L V6 one (from 1999-2000 I think) and just install the modified rims that were on the 2001-2003 Dodge Durango SLT's. Can I even do that?

As well, do any of you know who designed the first gen Durango and did they design any other cars?

Thanks.

 

I think the V6 was only offered in 98, and DC stopped putting them in Durangosbecause they were just too underpowered for this beast.

I've never driven a V6, either D or Dak, but I think a newer 4.7L would give you better mileage, and would be slow as **** around town or on the highway.IIRC a Dak weighs around 8-900lbs less than a Durango.


as a side note, most expensive fill up was $100.80 litres at $1.25.......going camping rocks eh. Had to fill up again for the trip home