Durango Owner reviews

[jman]

Hey all!! The wife and I are looking at the possibility of getting a Durango in the future. We have a 2000 Intrepid ES with everything except a sunroof and really love the car. Problem is new baby + 2 dogs +us + everything we need to take is presenting a problem. We really like the looks of the Durango, but would like some opinions from actual owners. What engine choice, mpg numbers, options you wish you would have gotten.



Let is fly, I'm all eyes and ears.



Also, we are not set on a Durango, but I will say if GM makes it I am not interested.



TIA



jman

 

[gitchesum]

My wife's car is a 2000 Durango SLT Plus 2WD with the 5. 2. We love it. It's averaging about 16. 5mpg city/19. 5mpg highway. It's got 61,000 miles on it now and I've only replaced the output speed sensor. Plenty of power. I haven't put a hitch on it yet, so I can't offer any towing experience. That's that the dually is for.



We usually take it on trips. Plenty of room and a nice smooth ride. I'm 6'1" and I have plenty of room.



You'll like it. My wife likes it much more than that shoebox Mitsubishi Eclipse we traded for it.

 

[jman]

Wow, those mpg numbers are pretty impressive for a 318 cu. in. I would certainly get the 5. 2 or the 5. 9L. I believe anything under this and you run into a underpower problem and then your mileage really suffers. We would have to get a 4wd to deal with the winter white stuff so my numbers might be down a little, but I can live with those figures.



Thanks for the input.

 

[smartineau]

Hey Jman,



The better half has a 2000 Durango SLT we have everything just about, except leather. In 2000 if you you got a 4x4 like we did you could only get the 4. 7L or 5. 9L, the 5. 2 was available only in 4x2.



We now have 49,500 on it has only had two problems a bad condenser at about 35,990 the dealer was about 90 miles away they covered it, even though we were out of warranty on arrival (yes we called first). We also had a Master Door Lock control switch go bad. That was $200. 00. There have been several complaints from some people about a wind noise from the roof rack; we have only heard this occasionally, it is only between 45-50 mph and if there is a strong cross wind.



We drive it all over and average about 15-16 all around, and I have a lead foot. Last summer we drove over to Spokane from Tacoma, A/C on high doing about 80mph most of the time; we got 16. 8 or 16. 9 can't quite remember (that is actual figuring with the calculator which was the same as the overhead computer).



My cousin and his wife just got a 1999 with a 5. 2L 4x4, they live in the Washington DC area loads of traffic and in stop and go traffic its ugly mpg, on the open road 15-17 mpg.



Our little 4. 7 has had power to do whatever so far and probably for ever (read my signature). I heard the 03's have a lot more power than our 2000.



The only annoying thing and the only thing we complain about is that at the back hatch there needs to be a lock switch like the FERD Explorer had. We still get out of the front, put the keys in our pocket or her purse, go to the back get all loaded up close the hatch and the darn doors are still unlocked. So then we have to dig out the remote controller to lock the doors.



There is another annoying problem actually, changing oil with the skid plate!!! What a mess the oil drain plug hole does NOT line up with the hole in the skid plate, big mess. I use to take off the skid plate and then put it back on, thats a pain in the rear also. So now I just pay to have it done, $99 one time fee and $2. 18 every time for the oil change.



Good luck,



Steve



On order since 9-30-02, 3500 QC Dually HO, 6-speed, most of the options but not all.

 

[scbrown]

My wife drives a 2002 loaded, leather, bla,bla,bla...

I have only driven it a couple of times and I think it is very nice.

I do have one complaint and it may sound minor but to me it is a major pain in the a$$ Running Boards!!!!!!!!

You have to step way out or your legs rub against them and its VERY annoying.

These are the molded running boards from the factory.

On the other hand my wife is very happy with it.

She went from a Grand Cherokee to the Durango and she says she will never go back.

 

[Steve M]

We give our '01 4X2 Durango thumbs up! It's 4. 7L V8 sounds good and hauls tail! We're only getting 12-14mpg around town but that's probably due to my right foot. We get 20mpg even on the interstate with cruise set on 70. We don't have a trip computer. That's with a calculator. It rides great but a rough railroad track will remind you that it is a truck. Durango's are tough. If you saw the episode of Cops where some thugs stole one and went on a Duke's of Hazard style chase, you'd agree. They went airborn several times over curbs and medians. The Durango kept right on flying until the thugs bailed. A look underneath will confirm they aren't a lightweight.

My wife loves her's more than she loves me!

 

[Wayne M.]

We have a '98 we use as a family car. It's got the 5. 2 with the part time transfer case and open rear. It is mildly opted as far as 'rangos go. We got a good deal coming off a lease with 21K on it, and it is now knocking on 40K. The mileage is in the teens (you'll really appreciate your CTD here) and have had no problems at all except for a rattle in the steering collumn that I just haven't gone after yet. I don't tow with it, but we do drive the heck out of it! She loves it.

From a mechanics view, it is a very sound vehicle that uses proven components meant for the long haul. The front suspension seems to mimick the best pieces of an Exploder and S10 combined. Maintenence seems to be OK for the average Guy. Although the styling may be getting dated, I think it's the best American SUV on the market.

 

[mongoose]

My wife recently purchased a 2002 Durango. She got the SXT model. 5. 2, and limited slip. I can attest to the oil change with the skid plate, it is a pain!!!!!!!! one thing that i was not sure about was the gear ratio. Standard was the 3. 55 gears, but hers was a special order that no one picke up. It was ordered with the 3. 92 gears. 1 week after we picked it up, made a 1000 mile trip and averaged 18 mpg with it running 65 -70 mph. Around town she is averaging about 17mpg. The gears make a big difference around town to as far as pep and get up and go through the stoplights. Seems that the motor does not have to work as hard leaving from a stop.

 

[dresslered]

My wife drives a 1999 5. 2L Durango SLT+ 4x4 with all the options (third row seat, 3. 92, rear air-conditioning, skid plate, towing, etc. ). This vehicle has been absolutely problem free since new and is holding up to to my wife's abuses with the curbs. This particular year was especially nice as it has the part-time as well as the full-time 4WD and 2WD and the old trusty 318. The only complaint that I would have is that it gets about 12 mpg ALWAYS!



I also agree with mongoose that "the oil change with the skid plate is a pain!!!!!!!!"

 

[inarush76]

Durango

Bought wife an '01 loaded SLT Plus, leather,etc, etc. Has 4. 7 and hauls the mail. Have tried to talk her into '03 CTD, no luck. Will take another Durango to replace it. Maybe DC will put the new 5. 7L Hemi in them! Have no regrets on buying it.

James

 

[mikel]

We had an '00 SLT with the 5. 9 that we loved. We traded it in on a camry to get better mileage and a cheaper note. I miss the durango. It had almost 50k on it and the only problems we had were one power window motor died at about 800 miles and the brakes would reliably warp about every 15-20k. I think my wife's driving style had something to do with that, but she denies it



I was dissappointed in the brake troubles, but other than that we loved it. It had the 3rd seat and 2nd a/c, leather, etc. it was loaded.



I'd buy another one today if saving money was not an issue.





Good luck with your decision,

Mike

 

[RustyJC]

My wife has a 2000 Durango SLT+ 5. 9L 4x2 with leather and all the options. She has about 24,000 miles on it and loves the thing. Gas mileage - I dunno, probably 14-15 on the highway and about as bad as you would expect around town. No real problems thus far - it recently started feeling like it pulls to the right to me, but she doesn't notice it and the dealer couldn't find anything at its last service visit. I really don't drive it enough to comment.



Rusty

 

[stevegeorge]

Have '00 red Durango. Has 85000 miles, wife's car she drives back and forth to work. Has the 5. 2 engine. My thoughts are: If I had it to do over again, I would have to really think hard, maybe I would, maybe not. Brakes are warped, rear rubber plug in rear end leaks, trans. O. D. solenoid replaced, holy heck changing the oil filter, sits up behind a support, fuel mileage is 12-14mpg, pulled a two wheel utility trailer from Texas to Montana, loaded with two motorcycles. Decided to unload bikes at Raton Pass N. M. due to slow performance going thru mountains. Last, but not least, be sure to check the resale or trade-in value of a 3 or 4 yr. old Durango. :--)

 

[esommer2500]

If anyone is interested my Dad is trying to sell his 99 Durango SLT with all the toys, including leather, Westin nerf bars and brush guard. 5. 2 with 65K on the clock. Had new water pump at about 50K and that is it. All black with tan leather. I think he is trying to get $17K out of it, but has been trying to sell it since March, so he'll probably come down some.



Carl Sommer

574-893-4601

Warsaw, IN



This thing is a good rig, he just doesn't need it anymore.



Eric

 

[GSchlegel]

My wife loves her '00' loaded Durango (includes full time transfere case and 4. 7) She drives it couple miles to work so mileage is only 10 - 11. Highway its around 16. I kid her and say if we take it on vacation, I'll get a trailer and tow so we can get better mileage!



Gene

 

[BWilson]

My wife has a loaded (even the third row seat) 99 Durango and avbsolutely love's it!!! It even towed a 21' 4Winns sundowner not too bad. Got the 5. 9 and really get's it. It's got almost 100K on it and has only had brakes and a ball joint. It needs ball joints on the other side but it's REALLY cold outside right now!!!!!



You'll love it!!!



I saw at the auto show two years ago a Durango with a V-6 Detroit Deisel shoe horned under the hood. It looked great, got 40 MPG's and just rocked!!!!!