[chizzle1]

Thinking about getting my wife a Durango and wanted some honest answers from actual owners.

What engines do they offer now?

Do they still offfer the 5.2 or is the 4.7 now in them?

What is the mpg difference between a Hemi and a 5.2?

What city & highway MPG are yall getting now?

What are some commonly occuring problems?

She will probably get a 4x2, but possibly a 4x4 if we stay here in KS (snow).

Any answers would be appreciated.

thanks

 

[GI Jones]

The engine choices for the Durango are 3.7L, 4.7L, and the 5.7L Hemi

My gas mileage with mostly city driving is about 12 - 15 MPG and have gotten as high as 19 - 21 mpg with a road trip.

As for any troubles. I really haven't had any (knock on wood) since I bought mine used a year and a half ago.

 

[chizzle1]

thanks. Does the 4.7 have decent power? My friend's 99 5.2 Durango will go like a bat outta hell.
She won't really care much, but I'll be driving it too and would like to have some go when merging with traffic.

The Hemi didn't have as much 'go' as I thought it would. Granted, the one we test drove was loaded with all the extras, so it may have been heavier than a normal Durango. But it didn't have much off the line power, mostly in the upper RPM range.

The Hemi and the 4.7 get about the same in town and decent on the highway with the MDS.
With getting only 12-15mpg, I may as well opt for the hemi...since a new Durango is going to cost a boatload anyway.

thanks for the reply.

 

[Scotia28]

I agree that you should go for the 5.7L Hemi. You get the same gas mileage as the 4.7 but you get an extra 100 HP. I believe that getting the 3.92 instead of the 3.55 gears will help with your off the line acceleration too. Hitting the gas from a standstill has what I would call "good" pickup, while the acceleration from 40mph and up I was really impressed with.

 

[chizzle1]

I agree that you should go for the 5.7L Hemi. You get the same gas mileage as the 4.7 but you get an extra 100 HP.

That's my thinking as well.

I believe that getting the 3.92 instead of the 3.55 gears will help with your off the line acceleration too. Hitting the gas from a standstill has what I would call "good" pickup, while the acceleration from 40mph and up I was really impressed with.

can I get the 3.92 with a 4x2? I really don't want a 4x4 unless I can get a hell of a warranty with it. More moving parts = more maint

edit: looks like the 3.92 is available on the 4x2 model. According to dodge.com, I should be able to order with the feature she needs for around $33,500....not too terrible comparitively. Comes with hemi, 545RFE, HD towing group (i like having HD tranny/powersteering/ HD engine cooling), interior conv group. standard everything else.

 

[Scotia28]

The AWD really saps the HP from the driveline, so it you get a 4x2 you should notice more power as well.

 

[emrobin]

I'm not sure what configuration you drove, but my 4X2 with 3.55 will put you back in your seat if I stomp on it when I take off. It definitely has some good power off the line and is even more impressive accelerating at highway speeds.

 

[goathead75]

You can get either 3:55 or 3:92 with the 2wd. I've been happy with the Hemi so far, 37k miles on it. I'm still averaging about 15.5 mpg with a combo of city and highway.

 

[GreggK]

i have a hemi and averaged around 15-16 mpg all highway with hauliing a trailer

 

[chizzle1]

You can get either 3:55 or 3:92 with the 2wd. I've been happy with the Hemi so far, 37k miles on it. I'm still averaging about 15.5 mpg with a combo of city and highway.

the MPG and cost of fuel is really the only issue holding me back from getting one. The fact that my wife's Jetta gets 29 city, and the Durango gets about 1/2 that is a problem. But the Durango would be better for me since I'm 6'4 225. Riding in her car is like being in a tin can.

 

[-VENOM-]

If you really need an SUV then Durango is a good deal. If you need a bigger car then just get a 4 door sedan with more interior space. I need an SUV for my growing family if you dont have a good reason to have one just save your money and get something else.

 

[chizzle1]

my wife and I had that conversation...out of all the choices we each picked it boiled down to a Magnum or a Durango.
I would prefer the Magnum, but she wants a Durango. Their are pros and cons to each, but one of the pros we both agree on (about the Durango) is that our dogs would be out of the weather when we travel. We have 2 golden labs, 67 & 85 lbs each, and the definitely don't fit in her Jetta. So anytime we take the dogs anywhere they ride in the back of the Ram.
The pros I like about the Magnum is the mileage and performance.
But this will be her car, so it's pretty much what she likes.
I'm just glad she doesn't want to buy one of those vehicles that has an 'identity crisis', like the Rav-4 or CRV. It want's to be an SUV, but it's so small and underpowered it's really a car in disguise.

 

[sherdep]

the other thing to look at is if you buy an 06 you will get $6,000 in rebate money which what I have been thinking about trading my 04 Ram 4x4 Quad in on a Durango but want to see if there are any other problems with the Hemi Durango as well.

 

[chizzle1]

the other thing to look at is if you buy an 06 you will get $6,000 in rebate money which what I have been thinking about trading my 04 Ram 4x4 Quad in on a Durango but want to see if there are any other problems with the Hemi Durango as well.

other than cosmetic changes, same running gear as the 03 or 04 (whatever first year was) Hemi Durango. Don't see what would be a problem, from what I have read, the 454RFE is a lot stouter built than the 46RE & 47RE.

 

[CoastalDav]

My 04 D SLT Hemi AWD 4x4 with 3:92 gears has averaged 14.6 mpg. 18-19 on the hyw is best. You have to fill up next to the interstate and get off the interstate and fill up to see that. Any idle at all and the mpg drops.

Otherwise its one of the best riding, best excellerating large vehicles I've ever had. I think the seats could be a little longer toward the knee and the seat adjustment control could be on the upper part of the door. Can't hardly get your hand on it otherwise. Thats about the only real complaint I have.

Dave
Melbourne, Florida

 

[jayjw5]

my 05 Durango Hemi has about 22000 miles and my average mpg since I have bought it on the councle computer is 16.4. just recentlly took a trip from South Florida to Michigan all highway, I-75, and got 21.2 over the trip.

 

[chizzle1]

Looks like we will be getting a Durango, but I'm having a hard time finding a Hemi.

Found a sweet deal on an 06 4.7 though. Has 18,500 on the odo, has cloth, 6 disc changer, power everything. Only asking $19,500 with 3/36 warranty.
Not too bad for a dealership.
But the 4.7 seems so slow...wish I could find a Hemi. may end up driving to KC or Witchita if I can't find one here.
In my opinion, if I'm going to get rotten mileage, I might as well have fun doing it. The 4.7 and the Hemi get within 1-2 mpg difference. I think the Hemi actually gets better on the highway. The 100 extra hp is what I'm thinking about though.