Helping my mother car shop

"WesBarton89 - The Way to Santa Fe" (wesbarton89)
07/31/2015 at 00:05 • Filed to: None

Fun indeed. My mom wants a current gen Durango, but doesn’t want to pay too much for it. She said 2011 or newer, but I’m trying to talk her into limiting to no older than a 2014, the main reason being the 8 speed trans and cool taillights. She wants a V8 because that’s what her 1999 Durango has. But I told her that the new V6s are at least as powerful as the old magnum v8 engines. She’s listening pretty well but there is a 2013 Durango R/T that we both really like, in all black. $33,000 with 23k miles. But again, older transmission, not as nice a design, but for a refreshed R/T, you’re flirting with $50,000.

She wants something pretty well loaded, but all the loaded 2014 ones in her price range are V6 models, with 19k-25k miles on them, for about $31-32k ish.

So, loaded 2014 with a V6 or loaded 2013 R/T with a hemi? About the same price and mileage for both.

DISCUSSION (16)

Nibby > WesBarton89 - The Way to Santa Fe
07/31/2015 at 00:13

big eagle > WesBarton89 - The Way to Santa Fe
07/31/2015 at 00:15

Get the v6. The Durango is a big vehicle but that 3.6 makes 290 hp and with 8 gears to work with it’ll move just fine. And get not awful gas mileage to boot.

Sneaky Pete > WesBarton89 - The Way to Santa Fe
07/31/2015 at 00:17

Any difference in interior quality? I know with the Jeep Grand Cherokees, there was a jump in quality with the mid-model update.

WesBarton89 - The Way to Santa Fe > Nibby
07/31/2015 at 00:19

Link is broken.

WesBarton89 - The Way to Santa Fe > Sneaky Pete
07/31/2015 at 00:19

Maybe a little. I didn’t pay that close attention to the interior quality.

Nibby > WesBarton89 - The Way to Santa Fe
07/31/2015 at 00:21

I see what you did there.

WesBarton89 - The Way to Santa Fe > big eagle
07/31/2015 at 00:22

Yeah, that’s how I feel. My mom and I both own first gen Durangos with V8s, but even the big ones feel pretty weak on those first gens. 290 horses is just fine. The 4.7 in mine only makes 235, so big difference.

Arben72 > WesBarton89 - The Way to Santa Fe
07/31/2015 at 00:48

http://m.ebay.com/itm/Mercedes-B…

Kind of the same thing. But get the hemi because of that sound straight piped sound.

big eagle > WesBarton89 - The Way to Santa Fe
07/31/2015 at 00:50

My dad had a first gen r/t when I was younger. He put an intake, exhaust, and a tune on it. I loved that truck. But it got 10-12 mpg. Lol

AM3R shamefully returns > WesBarton89 - The Way to Santa Fe
07/31/2015 at 00:52

How reliable are these durangos? How's the third row?

AMGtech - now with more recalls! > WesBarton89 - The Way to Santa Fe
07/31/2015 at 00:58

From what I’ve been hearing the 8 speed is rather fragile. Lots of valve body replacements, and a fair amount of whole trans replacements. I work with a guy who has one. He’s contemplating taking it in for the third time for shifting issues, previous visits were valve body and trans. Has less than 10k on it.

WesBarton89 - The Way to Santa Fe > AM3R shamefully returns
07/31/2015 at 01:06

The current gen? No idea on long term reliability but I’d figure pretty good.

Your boy, BJR > WesBarton89 - The Way to Santa Fe
07/31/2015 at 01:17

R/T all the way!!!!!

Van Man, rocks the Man Van > WesBarton89 - The Way to Santa Fe
07/31/2015 at 05:29

Unless you’re towing a lot, the V8 isn’t necessary. The newer V6 version will be a better choice because of the nicer exterior, interior, and transmission. Also, the new transmission plus smaller engine will get much better fuel economy.

SidewaysOnDirt still misses Bowie > WesBarton89 - The Way to Santa Fe
07/31/2015 at 09:06

Do you really want the new transmissions? The old ones were pretty solid, but I don’t know if there has been enough time to get a verdict on the 8 speed yet. Personally, I’m suspicious. I’m definitely a fan of the Keep It Stupid Simple school of engineering though, so I’m biased.

WesBarton89 - The Way to Santa Fe > SidewaysOnDirt still misses Bowie
07/31/2015 at 10:55

I’ve heard good things about the eight speeds, just that the nine speed autos were rough, but I don’t have any experience with them. But you’re right, they haven’t been around very long.