My 1999 Durango has 221,000 miles on it and I am experiencing an overheating problem which will entail new head gaskets and radiator at around $2k. My trusted mechanic will do whatever I ask but reminds me that the engine is reaching end of life. I love this vehicle. It has been a perfect fit for my lifestyle. I can't afford to buy a new vehicle and am afraid I will get someone else's problems if I buy a used one.
What would you do? I invite all comments.

 

Sounds like you already decided to keep it and are looking for support. I spent $5,500 or so on mine in the past year, never thought once not too.

 

I spent $1,600 to purchase my durango. Threw around $2,000 total in parts to spruce it up and it's been great! But it's a spare vehicle so.. I wont invest too much more.. maybe $3k more.

But my Durango is in great shape inside and out, fully loaded and great color so it's worth keeping around.

 

If your gonna keep it you might just opt for a full rebuild while the HG is off. If your gonna keep it your going to need to rebuild the engine at some point anyway might as well do it all in one stroke and save yourself some money.

 

I agree. If you're going to do it, just go for it!

I think I may need to rebuild mine. I'm starting to get puffs of blue smoke after long idle.

 

I just posted an identical question and then saw yours. I recently saw a Chevy from the late 70s that had 450,000 on it and ran perfect. I also have seen posts here of people who have hit the 300,000+ mark on their Durangos. My mechanic tells me the first generation was a great car with none of the standard problems that the 2nd generations have. And I can say that mine has had no major issues at all. But now that I have an oil leak, he insists that I should retire my vehicle "because it may be burning oil and not pass the emissions tests, etc." But I am inclined to think that even if I were to spend a little on fixing eventual issues, it is still cheaper than monthly payments and a higher insurance rate for a relatively newer car which may have problems that I am unaware of... And I, too, LOVE my Durango and can't afford a new vehicle right now.

 

^don't count so much on "higher insurance rates" :lol:

I pay $260 a month (well, I pay $500) for my car payment (2012 Fusion SEL) and it's nice having warranty and all the nice perks of a new car. If I paid the mininum the car payment + fuel would equal just fuel alone in my Durango so it's not like I'm loosing money.. But to much surprise my insurance is cheaper on my new car vs the Durango. I had full coverage, $50 deductible across the board. $382 every six months.

My fusion is $326 every six months with mirrored coverage minus "rental vehicle" (about $2 a month) as well..I have two vehicles so why would I need a rental car if one is in the body shop.

But I do agree.. a couple grand every couple years for a decent over-haul is far cheaper than a new car. It really boils down to how well you maintain your vehicle that will say how long big ticket items will last. Sure a $120 tranny drain & fill may seem like a dent in your monthly income vs going to the movies and dinner. But it sure beats $2,100 for a rebuild a couple years down the road!

 

I just dropped $2k+ in transmission parts doing it myself. I love this vehicle. Wouldn't trade it for the world. Never left me anywhere (close to when the trans went) and has gotten me anywhere I want too. I never wanted a durango but once I had one I fell in love with it. Its more of a truck than these new "SUVs" (phh unibodies lol).

 

That's a lot of money for the insurance on your Durango, PublicHair. I am pleasantly surpirsed for how little I pay for my insurance every time I have to write a check, especially since I also had a minor accident two years ago that was entirely my fault! But you're right that gas alone on the Durango is a major chunk of money. I spend around $300 a month on gas, in a good month.

 

I've only spent $188.07 on gas since August, so that's about $94 per month. Averaging about 14-14.5 or so mpg.