Greetings Dodge Fans,
I am totally new here and have come seeking advice. I purchased my 2002 Dakota SXT 4x2 new in 2002 and it just recently hit 40,000 miles. (I split my time between it and my other vehicle.) I am currently looking at moving to a Durango. My Dakota slips and slides on wet streets! Even though it is mainly used for transporting goods back and forth to my storage, maybe a 4x4 is more appropriate.

Problem is...I've been reading some of your posts. Apparently gas mileage can be a negative. I thought 14mpg on my V6 was bad. I didn't expect an improvement moving to a V8, but most sellers said it would be about the same. Most sellers here in Oregon tell me they get the high teens incity driving. After reading these posts, that sounds very much like an exaggeration.

I am consdiering an all wheel drive vs standard 4 wheel drive. I don't understand the SLT Plus? I have been looking at 2003s. Today I found one with 27,000 miles for $21,000, and a black beauty with 85,000 miles for only $14,200. I prefer the latter pricing. Other than miles they both look in tip top shape and well cared for.

Any thoughts that any of you could impart would be appreciated.

 

For starters, comparing anything 4x2 to a 4x4 or AWD is like comparing apples and oranges.

As for mpg, you wont get any better gas mileage in a Durango then you would in a Dakota, and I've owned both a V6 and V8. I got on highway miles around 18mpg in my V8 Dakota, but in city was horrible....around 15-16. Again, this was a clubcab 4.7L V8. I'd imagine a quad cab is about the same.

Also, I bought a 2001 with 41,000 miles on it for about what they want that 2003 w/ 80+k on it. I paid 14,500 for mine. I think before you buy anything, that you should set a limit on 3 things.

1.) Mileage
2.) Price
3.) Extras

The reality of it is this, do you really need an SUV? A 4x4 Clubcab or even a 4x4 Quad Cab may suit your needs just as good as an SUV, not to mention an SUV will jack up your insurance rates potentially. That is something else you may want to consider, as some people can not afford an additional 25-100 a month increase. My roommate was looking at a 2003 Grand Cherokee, and she pays around 150 a month now, it woulda been 220 a month, and she currently drives an 04 Neon SE.


I'd go for the Dakota V8 4x4, or even a V6. That's just my opinion. I also would wouldnt buy any truck that's within 3 yrs old that has more then 50k on it for more then 12,000 dollars. The only truck I would buy with that kind of mileage is a diesel.

Maybe you should consider a diesel engine'd truck? Better overall mpg and less hassle engine wise...

 

I'm getting approx. 11.5MPG in my Durango (1998) now...which is about .5 less than stock and I have a few mods. It was nice to get a couple of gas cards for Xmas!

 

Yeah I average around 15 mpg in my durango with a 4.7. On the fact of your insurance going up. I do not know about like for older drivers but I am 20 and the insurance on my durango is cheaper than the dakota with the same motor and 4x4.

 

i have a 2000 durango slt plus great in the snow but slides all over the place in the rain it could be my tires though I like the extra space i have with an suv. I love my truck looks good and runs good to

 

I have a 2002 SLT +, tires have gone to crap, so they don't do as well as it should. I'm getting new tires on wed. I drove to and from Denver to Colorado Springs (80 Miles each way), at about 80 MPH. Mostly highway, but some city also, and I averaged 15.8 MPG. Not too bad really. If I'm hauling stuff through the city, I get about 9 - 10 MPG.