Considering a 2013 Durango, but read Fiat might kill the Durango again
Professional
Joined: May 2012
Posts: 154
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From: Long Valley, NJ
I'm not trying to create the great debate, but I'm pretty candid with my opinions. Look at all the issues Toyota is having with recalls. Yes, they may have reclaimed the "top spot" as the worlds largest automotive manufacturer, but they make nondescript vehicles for people who don't really car about their driving experience and buy vehicles based on the perception of quality and value.
The new Durango is an exceptional vehicle, with aggressive styling and a bit of an attitude. Is it perfect? No. It is one of the best SUV's currently available? In my opinion, Yes. I've owned an A4 sedan, A6 sedan, A4 cabrio, Volvo S60R, Saab 95 Aero, Jaguar XJR, Cadillac CTS-V and Lincoln Aviator before stepping into this Durango. It's combination of style, attitude and capabilities still have me smiling from ear to ear after almost a year. Granted...pick up an exhaust, some Factory Repros, a shark fin antenna, some Mopar pedals and an intake...and you can look at guys driving SUV's that cost 2x your Durango an honestly say "I'm cooler than you"..."I sound better than you" and "I would never want to pay what you paid." For example, I used to long for a decked out Range Rover Sport. Now...not so much.
Just sayin'
The new Durango is an exceptional vehicle, with aggressive styling and a bit of an attitude. Is it perfect? No. It is one of the best SUV's currently available? In my opinion, Yes. I've owned an A4 sedan, A6 sedan, A4 cabrio, Volvo S60R, Saab 95 Aero, Jaguar XJR, Cadillac CTS-V and Lincoln Aviator before stepping into this Durango. It's combination of style, attitude and capabilities still have me smiling from ear to ear after almost a year. Granted...pick up an exhaust, some Factory Repros, a shark fin antenna, some Mopar pedals and an intake...and you can look at guys driving SUV's that cost 2x your Durango an honestly say "I'm cooler than you"..."I sound better than you" and "I would never want to pay what you paid." For example, I used to long for a decked out Range Rover Sport. Now...not so much.
Just sayin'
Last edited by FrankADavisJr; Feb 6, 2013 at 07:55 AM.
Captain
Joined: Jul 2011
Posts: 571
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You are considering two vehicles that share little other than 3 rows of seats. My cousin drives a new HL and he is very jealous of my D. Many of the best options on the D are not even available on a HL. Toyota makes a very good, very high quality vehicle, but the HL is just very different from the D.
CX9 is also very nice, but still very different from the D. Heck, even Hyundai makes a decent 3 row SUV.
CX9 is also very nice, but still very different from the D. Heck, even Hyundai makes a decent 3 row SUV.
Rookie
Joined: Nov 2012
Posts: 81
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From: Maryland
There's no question that these two vehicles are apples and oranges. The Highlander and the Sienna share a platform that's based on the Camry. The top engine option is a v6 (also available as a Hybrid) and 4 banger is available, and it's primarily a FWD vehicle, intended for on-road use. Mine was the Hybrid model (provided at no cost to me by my employer so while I wouldn't have bought it, I'll sure as heck drive it). The owners manual actually says that it's an on-road only vehicle not intended for off road use. I think that's exclusive to the Hybrid model.
When it died (Hybrid system shorted out, cost to repair: $11,000 (no kidding)), I had the choice of whatever I wanted up to a certain budget. Looked at the Tahoe but could only fit one in the budget that had limited options. Loaded to the 9's Durango fit the budget just fine and I love it. Glad it worked out this way.
When it died (Hybrid system shorted out, cost to repair: $11,000 (no kidding)), I had the choice of whatever I wanted up to a certain budget. Looked at the Tahoe but could only fit one in the budget that had limited options. Loaded to the 9's Durango fit the budget just fine and I love it. Glad it worked out this way.
Captain
Joined: Jul 2011
Posts: 571
Likes: 0
There's no question that these two vehicles are apples and oranges. The Highlander and the Sienna share a platform that's based on the Camry. The top engine option is a v6 (also available as a Hybrid) and 4 banger is available, and it's primarily a FWD vehicle, intended for on-road use. Mine was the Hybrid model (provided at no cost to me by my employer so while I wouldn't have bought it, I'll sure as heck drive it). The owners manual actually says that it's an on-road only vehicle not intended for off road use. I think that's exclusive to the Hybrid model.
Record Breaker
Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 2,165
Likes: 2
From: Alberta
Jeep, Chrysler, Dodge, or Fiat, all ready build too manny more sport utility station wagons all inter bread with each divisons styling cues.
Durango is way to overpriced (citadale model) when compared to a ram 1500 with the identical hemi drive train.
Building a new Ram charger on a 1500 Ram frame is more cost effective than building a overpriced ugly durango with non interchangeable body, supension, frame, ect.
Durango is just anothier Jeep Comander killed off because it directly competes with the 1500 Ram.
This is faits problem, as learned by GM, you can not sustain several versions of the same product if the under pinnings are all the same.
If the Durango is your ticket, than buy it, drive it, and enjoy it and don't worry abought what a been counter says.
Durango is way to overpriced (citadale model) when compared to a ram 1500 with the identical hemi drive train.
Building a new Ram charger on a 1500 Ram frame is more cost effective than building a overpriced ugly durango with non interchangeable body, supension, frame, ect.
Durango is just anothier Jeep Comander killed off because it directly competes with the 1500 Ram.
This is faits problem, as learned by GM, you can not sustain several versions of the same product if the under pinnings are all the same.
If the Durango is your ticket, than buy it, drive it, and enjoy it and don't worry abought what a been counter says.
Captain
Joined: Mar 2011
Posts: 723
Likes: 0
From: Loudoun County, VA
Gotta challenge this statement. A pickup truck is not an SUV; they are in 2 different classes and are appropriate for 2 different ways of life. RAM has seating for 4 maybe 5, but not 7. You have no covered storage unless you buy an aftermarket cap. I'm not sure how you can compare Kiwis to Watermelons with regard to the drive train and the price of the vehicle.
Jeep, Chrysler, Dodge, or Fiat, all ready build too manny more sport utility station wagons all inter bread with each divisons styling cues.
Durango is way to overpriced (citadale model) when compared to a ram 1500 with the identical hemi drive train.
Building a new Ram charger on a 1500 Ram frame is more cost effective than building a overpriced ugly durango with non interchangeable body, supension, frame, ect.
Durango is just anothier Jeep Comander killed off because it directly competes with the 1500 Ram.
This is faits problem, as learned by GM, you can not sustain several versions of the same product if the under pinnings are all the same.
If the Durango is your ticket, than buy it, drive it, and enjoy it and don't worry abought what a been counter says.
Durango is way to overpriced (citadale model) when compared to a ram 1500 with the identical hemi drive train.
Building a new Ram charger on a 1500 Ram frame is more cost effective than building a overpriced ugly durango with non interchangeable body, supension, frame, ect.
Durango is just anothier Jeep Comander killed off because it directly competes with the 1500 Ram.
This is faits problem, as learned by GM, you can not sustain several versions of the same product if the under pinnings are all the same.
If the Durango is your ticket, than buy it, drive it, and enjoy it and don't worry abought what a been counter says.
Chrysler doesn't have an SUV in the line up (the Aspen is long gone).
Jeep has the Grand Cherokee but it doesn't have a 3rd row seating.
Fiat doesn't have any SUV in the line up so far they are only selling the Abart.