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Haven't driven a v-6 but had a 12' R/T and last year picked up a 15' R/T and the 8 speed alone was worth it for me. I read somewhere the v-6 8 speeds were having trans issues but maybe they've cleared them up.
Good back an forth on the V6 w/8 versus V8 w/6. You can have two different owners owning one or the other and their gas mileage will always be different. Many factors are analyzed to come up with a MPG rating for either engine with either tranny. When you put two different people behind the wheel of both V6 and V8. There will always be a different result. The human factor will always change any and every set test. Because no two people will ever be a like. Unless of course you have been cloned. And even then test results and driving results will still be different.
Well we live in Denver and the V6 5-speed climbs any hills fine. It just starts off real slow because it's 1st gear is like 2nd gear in any other car. Once you are moving (above 20MPH) it has enough power and RPM to do what ever is needed. I wouldnt argue if I had extra gears in the trans but it would only help making the 0-60 time a little better.
Rollins Pass
In the city we get 16 and highway is 18.5 - 23mpg depending if there is wind or not. It would probably get better MPG's if it didn't have 20" wheels. Might be cheaper to keep the V8 but the heated steering wheel is AWESOME!
We live in east TN which is mountainous but not the elevation of where you are at. Out 2013 Citadel with the V6 and 8 speed is awesome. Pulls my 5000# boat easily. Great gas mileage city and highway. I would not get a V8 unless you are going to be pulling heavy trailers a lot!
Just driving the V6 5speed in the Smokey Mountains today. It is not a pleasant drive. Down shifts all the time and can't pull up any hill unless its in 3rd gear turning 3000+ RPM. I think if you are in the mountains you gotta have the V8 regardless of tranny.
I own a ram Laramie with the v8. It's an 11 model with 80k miles on it. I own a 15 Durango limited with the v6. Pulling a heavy load you can tell the difference. Day to day driving you cannot. I am very satisfied with the power of the Durango. As for trans shifting,the Durango is smoother. And I would say the truck hunts for gears more frequently then the Durango seems to, or that I notice. For me I made the right choice in going with the 6 in the Durango. I have driven the Durango with the Hemi quite a bit too. Still bought the 6.