I'm looking into buying a 99 or 2000 Durango, (maybe 2001 if price is right)

I wonder if anyone can let me know what to look for, maybe some big red flags to avoid, and such.

I'm leaning towards the 5.9 Motor. Not a big fan of leather interior but all the ones I've seen seem to have it (must have been not too much more expensive at the dealer?)

Main uses will be daily driver, and towing the boat (3500lbs) on the weekend.

I've only driven one at this point, and it felt extremely ROUGH. This coming from a guy that currently drives a Jeep Wrangler - so that's really saying something. I'd like to assume it was just something wrong with the one I drove.

Well, anything at all that anyone could add would be appreciated.

Thanks
Jim

 

Definitely get the 5.9.
I'll let the wife tell you about hers. Here we gooooooooooooooo....
Hm...where do I start? First, I'll say that I absolutely love mine, and I swear that I'll own it until the day I die (or all that's left of it is the four wheels). I have the 5.9 in mine, and I love it (as I'm such a lead foot and can't stand to see someone going faster than me) Since you'll be towing a boat, I would really stick with the 5.9. Better to have too much power than not enough. I hate leather interior, so I would never buy one with it (but that's personal opinion). I also have a sunroof and rear air (neither of which was stock), so that beefed up my interest when we bought it. It's also red, which I can't stand, but that was overlooked due to the engine, sunroof, and rear air I haven't noticed that mine rides rough, it actually rides quite nice. The dealer had put on new Kelly Safari SJR tires. I'm a big fan of the Dueler AT Revo's, but I also like the Safari's for the winter traction, so why change something that isn't broken.

The Durango is my daily driver, not sure what kind of gas mileage I get (I'm sure it can't be good). It has about 53,000 miles on it (It's a 2000) and still running great. Of course, we're sticklers about the oil and tranny fluid changes, along with all the other maintenance. The 5.2 probably wouldn't be bad in the Durango, but can't stand it in the hubby's Ram, so I like to stick with what I know, and that's the 5.9.

Red Flags...well, first, there's the ball joint recall. Just make sure it's done. If it hasn't already been done, the dealer will do them free of charge of course.

Second, stay away from the 4.7. Bad bad news with that one.

I honestly can't think of any other red flags. Just some things to look for when you're test driving/looking...power windows...mine go down reallyyyyyyy slow when it's cold, but when it's warm, they go down a little faster. Nothing they can do about that (so says the dealer). Mileage...personally, I'd stay with something that has lower miles than normal, but that's hard to find most of the time. Keep an eye on the tranny around 80,000 (as with most Chrysler products). Hubby said they like to start going out around that mileage. It's better if you find one that has some type of maintenance log...for example, we do our own maintenance, but everytime we do anything, it's logged in the computer and printed out, just in case I would part with my baby at some time in the future. The A/C...they're known for not being cold...mine wasn't cold at all, then hubby took it to firestone, and well, let's just say they said they fixed it, charged him almost $200, and after I drove it home and called them...well, I got my money back. Basically, the A/C may not be as cold as other vehicles, but it'll do the job. Search the forum here and you can find some help on that matter.

If the one you drove was Rough...check the tires. I hate passenger tires, too much "roll", so I have LTs on mine, and it's still not rough. Hubby went from passenger tires on the Ram to the Dueler AT Revo's (10 ply) and it stiffened up his ride, but it's a truck, the ride should be stiff [:'(]

Test drive a few, keep your options open, take everything into consideration, then I would come home, jump on the computer, and get a retail value on kbb.com to make sure you aren't getting ripped. I always research like that. Make sure you get a trade in value for whatever you are trading in. Print it out if you can. If you use a dealer that haggles, it'll give you bargaining room.

Best of luck to you, and if you have any other questions, i'll try my best to answer them.
Amy

 

OK, I'll bite! What's wrong with the 4.7? I ask cause I bought one after test driving several 1st gens and thought this drived the best. What should I be looking for as bad? Appreciate any info, bad or good.

TazKing
03 Durango SLT

 

The 4.7 will be working overtime if you intend to pull alot with it and may not last as long. Also, the 4.7's have a known history of sludge buildup. I would stick with a 5.9 as MikeNAmy said. The 5.9 is a proven engine that has been around for 20-30 years. The gas mileage is not any better on the 4.7 vs 5.9. Maybe the 4.7 gets 2-3 mpg better at most. But I guess you won't need to worry about mpg if you are pulling something. Also, another thing to take into consideration. 4WD or 2WD. Having 2WD will get ya better mileage as well vs 4WD. So if you are strictly asphalt person, stick with a 2WD.

I would prefer you to stick with a 2001-2003 model as this model durango has the new interior redesign. The main interior benefits of these models vs the 2000 and older models are;

A/C enviroment. 2001-2003 models, the rear vents are now mounted on sides for both 2nd and 3rd row seating and includes heating option. 2000 models only have the A/C vents on top just in front of the 2nd row seats. Also, front passenger can have its own separate temp control.

Both front seats have heating now. Not sure if this is only available for leather.

With A/C vents repositioned on the 2001-2003, they added DVD entertainment console.

2001-2003 now have the new fully automatic electronic 4WD selector on the dash instead of the old fashion manual shift lever.

If you have to stick with a 4.7, the 4.7 can get a 5 speed auto instead of the 4 speed auto.

 

Wow, a sunroof! I always wanted a sunroof but it cannot be done because I have the overhead console option on my Durango. Unless I get those split roofs for passenger and driver but that would look ridiculous! I prefer a power sunroof as well but my rear A/C console is in the way so no room for that.

Your rear A/C was not stock? hmmm. I thought all 1st generation durangos had rear A/C. Meaning the rear A/C console is top mounted on the ceiling for 1st gen interior and the vents are mounted at the sides of the ceiling on the 2nd gen interior. Unless you added Rear A/C for the 3rd row seats?

 

sigh the 4.7 nots all that bad shes got some zip (its also the base v-8 going in the new rams) Allthought persoinly id go with the 5.9 the 4.7 is the 5.2 replacment its not ment to match the 5.9. But the key thing that would make many people condsider it is the fact the tranny is a completly diffrent 1 it was made from the ground up to mate with the 4.7l and it was made good they tend not to fail unlike the 5.2 -5.9 tranny. Any ways the idots that thougth putting a 3.9l v-6 in the durango should be shot. stay away from them unless you wana play put put around town that wastes gas.