Why I bought a 2018 Dodge Durango (2018 Durango Review)
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Date: 2019-05-30
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Comments and reviews: 10
OSTKCabal
I work at a Chevy dealership that deals a lot in used vehicles. As such, we see a lot of FCA products that come through as both trade-ins and off the auction. As much as I hate to admit it, I have an irrational love for FCA. Why? Because they hold up better (in my experience) than similar vehicles. The 3. 6L V6 and 5. 7L V8s are relatively bulletproof engines, and weve had plenty of vehicles that were beaten to shit on the outside by clearly irresponsible owners that still ran like a champ. Weve had FCA trucks with over 300, 000 miles come through that ran and drove perfectly fine, and the interiors held up miles better than GM and Ford trucks of similar vintage. We have a lot of trouble keeping FCA products on the lot. They get bought up relatively quickly. I really dont care what Consumer Reports says, because FCA has gotten much better under Fiat ownership. Daimler abused them like the unwanted 3rd child. Both Daimler and Chrysler suffered heavily under that horrible partnership, and itd be better for the entire automotive world that it hadnt happened. But times are different now.
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I work at a Chevy dealership that deals a lot in used vehicles. As such, we see a lot of FCA products that come through as both trade-ins and off the auction. As much as I hate to admit it, I have an irrational love for FCA. Why? Because they hold up better (in my experience) than similar vehicles. The 3. 6L V6 and 5. 7L V8s are relatively bulletproof engines, and weve had plenty of vehicles that were beaten to shit on the outside by clearly irresponsible owners that still ran like a champ. Weve had FCA trucks with over 300, 000 miles come through that ran and drove perfectly fine, and the interiors held up miles better than GM and Ford trucks of similar vintage. We have a lot of trouble keeping FCA products on the lot. They get bought up relatively quickly. I really dont care what Consumer Reports says, because FCA has gotten much better under Fiat ownership. Daimler abused them like the unwanted 3rd child. Both Daimler and Chrysler suffered heavily under that horrible partnership, and itd be better for the entire automotive world that it hadnt happened. But times are different now.
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G
Thumbs up Alex; I rate your presentation as a solid A. The only thing keeping it from an A+ is an omission thats fairly important for many; off road capability. The availability of the tried and true Selec-Trac II 2-speed transfer case together with the Brake Limited Differential feature makes this quite a capable off roader. All the while maintaining everything you want in a street-going AWD system; open differentials for fuel economy and AWD automatically on-demand when conditions are bad. Get rid of the silly lower front air dam for better approach angle, taller all terrain tires, and maybe the Rocky Road lift kit, and youre going where many Jeeps go. Also a convenient feature is the cap-less gas filling port. What a brilliant invention that wasCongrats on your purchase. Funny though; your earlier Durango review is what steered me into getting a black 2018 Citadel optioned almost identically to yours. I bought mine last October and Im VERY VERY pleased with it. Keep the sunny side up my friend. One last comment. The R/T may very well rate a B in ride comfort, but the Citadel is an A imo.
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Thumbs up Alex; I rate your presentation as a solid A. The only thing keeping it from an A+ is an omission thats fairly important for many; off road capability. The availability of the tried and true Selec-Trac II 2-speed transfer case together with the Brake Limited Differential feature makes this quite a capable off roader. All the while maintaining everything you want in a street-going AWD system; open differentials for fuel economy and AWD automatically on-demand when conditions are bad. Get rid of the silly lower front air dam for better approach angle, taller all terrain tires, and maybe the Rocky Road lift kit, and youre going where many Jeeps go. Also a convenient feature is the cap-less gas filling port. What a brilliant invention that wasCongrats on your purchase. Funny though; your earlier Durango review is what steered me into getting a black 2018 Citadel optioned almost identically to yours. I bought mine last October and Im VERY VERY pleased with it. Keep the sunny side up my friend. One last comment. The R/T may very well rate a B in ride comfort, but the Citadel is an A imo.
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Brock Wardlaw
Still love my 14 Durango RT AWD It really is the best Suv\Cuv available with the most capability, features and bold aggressive looks under 50-60k. And mine has not had any real issues in the 4 years I have had it other than numerous software updates. It is a total blast to drive 0-60 in 5. 7 secs is exactly what I get all the time too. That is pretty quick for a 3-row suv that weighs over 5k lbs Yes it is faster than the Explorer Sport. I have raced a few. And its at least as fast as the Tahoe RST. Rear wheel biased AWD with a V8 is a great driving experience. Oh and I can use 87 octane gas just fine. FCA also offers a LIFETIME - Unlimited mileage warranty. Mopar Maxcare. I was able to get it for around 2k with a 100 deductibe. Im set for life with my Durango
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Still love my 14 Durango RT AWD It really is the best Suv\Cuv available with the most capability, features and bold aggressive looks under 50-60k. And mine has not had any real issues in the 4 years I have had it other than numerous software updates. It is a total blast to drive 0-60 in 5. 7 secs is exactly what I get all the time too. That is pretty quick for a 3-row suv that weighs over 5k lbs Yes it is faster than the Explorer Sport. I have raced a few. And its at least as fast as the Tahoe RST. Rear wheel biased AWD with a V8 is a great driving experience. Oh and I can use 87 octane gas just fine. FCA also offers a LIFETIME - Unlimited mileage warranty. Mopar Maxcare. I was able to get it for around 2k with a 100 deductibe. Im set for life with my Durango
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Billy Beheler
I love the Durangos Alex personally I think you made the right choice. Here in my home state of WV we have a lot of crappy roads & times some harsh weather. Sometimes our state road service doesnt even bother with the roads after a certain point mainly because we have a lot of mountains. Anyway the Durango is very popular here and in my opinion its because the vehicle is built really well. Its a smaller crossover ish vehicle with a lot of suv body on frame tributes. Here the people always go for the Tahoe, Yukon, Acadia, its brothers n sisters, explorers but there are a lot of Durango They have always been popular here. My mother had a 03 sxt plus and it was a exceptional vehicle.
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I love the Durangos Alex personally I think you made the right choice. Here in my home state of WV we have a lot of crappy roads & times some harsh weather. Sometimes our state road service doesnt even bother with the roads after a certain point mainly because we have a lot of mountains. Anyway the Durango is very popular here and in my opinion its because the vehicle is built really well. Its a smaller crossover ish vehicle with a lot of suv body on frame tributes. Here the people always go for the Tahoe, Yukon, Acadia, its brothers n sisters, explorers but there are a lot of Durango They have always been popular here. My mother had a 03 sxt plus and it was a exceptional vehicle.
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Robert Pigeon
Im happy for you Alex. Ive always felt the Durango to be an underdog (with Mercedes DNA) and so you pointed out intelligent reasons why this model is right for you. We had a previous generation Durango for 10 years and although it was a different architecture, it served us well. We replaced it with a 2013 8 Spd. 5. 7L Ram 1500 Quad Cab 4x4 which for us once again has been great with just regular maintenance, great UConnect system, AWD transfer case and cylinder deactivation that recently help us achieve a round trip mpg from our city (Edmonton) through the Rocky Mountains with 2 kayaks in the box and luggage/gear in 2nd that was 26. 5 (10. 7 L/100 km.
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Im happy for you Alex. Ive always felt the Durango to be an underdog (with Mercedes DNA) and so you pointed out intelligent reasons why this model is right for you. We had a previous generation Durango for 10 years and although it was a different architecture, it served us well. We replaced it with a 2013 8 Spd. 5. 7L Ram 1500 Quad Cab 4x4 which for us once again has been great with just regular maintenance, great UConnect system, AWD transfer case and cylinder deactivation that recently help us achieve a round trip mpg from our city (Edmonton) through the Rocky Mountains with 2 kayaks in the box and luggage/gear in 2nd that was 26. 5 (10. 7 L/100 km.
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Alan Wander
Hi Alex - you came from a Saab 9-7x Aero? Im coming out of 2005 GMC XUV 5. 3l 4x4 (wife crashed it last week ) - planned on keeping it a few more years but now I need to fill its shoes and need help. No Kids, 2 big dogs, and we often go away in it filling the inside or when with the dogs, leaving enough room for them and putting the Thule on top. I like the option to tow my classic cars. I like a comfortable car-like ride but need the capabilities of truck. and the inside layout of a big flat area. I dont have any need for 3rd row. and rarely even need a second row (in fact, I took out the 2/3rd seat of the XUV for more room. Appreciate your insite
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Hi Alex - you came from a Saab 9-7x Aero? Im coming out of 2005 GMC XUV 5. 3l 4x4 (wife crashed it last week ) - planned on keeping it a few more years but now I need to fill its shoes and need help. No Kids, 2 big dogs, and we often go away in it filling the inside or when with the dogs, leaving enough room for them and putting the Thule on top. I like the option to tow my classic cars. I like a comfortable car-like ride but need the capabilities of truck. and the inside layout of a big flat area. I dont have any need for 3rd row. and rarely even need a second row (in fact, I took out the 2/3rd seat of the XUV for more room. Appreciate your insite
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Cody N
6: 28Please go educate yourself on towing vs Payload. that comment was painfulyour towing might be 7, 000# but YOU STILL HAVE A PAYLOAD limitations. and its probably around 1, 000-1400# Throw all those people and gear in there an youre probably capable with 20% tongue weight of towing under 4, 000# That 20 trailer then is really only likely of carrying 1500#. thats like a civic on a good day. Love your videos but as a reviewer people watch you and take your word for things. If you plan on discussing these things you must be educated. Makes a perfect opportunity for overloaded family haulers driving down the same roads as mine. that is all
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6: 28Please go educate yourself on towing vs Payload. that comment was painfulyour towing might be 7, 000# but YOU STILL HAVE A PAYLOAD limitations. and its probably around 1, 000-1400# Throw all those people and gear in there an youre probably capable with 20% tongue weight of towing under 4, 000# That 20 trailer then is really only likely of carrying 1500#. thats like a civic on a good day. Love your videos but as a reviewer people watch you and take your word for things. If you plan on discussing these things you must be educated. Makes a perfect opportunity for overloaded family haulers driving down the same roads as mine. that is all
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Peter L
Congrats on building your own house. We did that too. Literally. We dug the foundation and septic ourselves (with a rented back hoe) and everything from there on up was done by me and my wife. Bricks, framing, electric, plumbing, roofing, paint, the whole works. Also a three car detached garage and a small barn and a couple outbuildings. We did it all with a gnarly old 1965 GMC 3/4 ton long bed step side pickup (yep, step side long bed. We always laugh when someone tells us they built their own house, only to find out that they had everything done by contractors. Oh, but they worked hard picking out the paint colors
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Congrats on building your own house. We did that too. Literally. We dug the foundation and septic ourselves (with a rented back hoe) and everything from there on up was done by me and my wife. Bricks, framing, electric, plumbing, roofing, paint, the whole works. Also a three car detached garage and a small barn and a couple outbuildings. We did it all with a gnarly old 1965 GMC 3/4 ton long bed step side pickup (yep, step side long bed. We always laugh when someone tells us they built their own house, only to find out that they had everything done by contractors. Oh, but they worked hard picking out the paint colors
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RainbowSixThree Enlightened
They stopped the commander in 2010. My 2008 have 141, 000+ miles on it. The Durango was to replace it. I love my truck. Its comfortable, roomy. Lots of space, the 3. 7, 4. 7. 5. 7 great engine options, etc. I hope one day i can find something I love as much. This durango is nice. But, I like having a bench middle seat. I love that in floods, 32of snow, and 10 years. never had a single major issue. maybe a couple of hick ups in the first year with sofeware flashes etc. but nothing will probably give me a sense of safety, and enjoyment like my Jeep Commander.
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They stopped the commander in 2010. My 2008 have 141, 000+ miles on it. The Durango was to replace it. I love my truck. Its comfortable, roomy. Lots of space, the 3. 7, 4. 7. 5. 7 great engine options, etc. I hope one day i can find something I love as much. This durango is nice. But, I like having a bench middle seat. I love that in floods, 32of snow, and 10 years. never had a single major issue. maybe a couple of hick ups in the first year with sofeware flashes etc. but nothing will probably give me a sense of safety, and enjoyment like my Jeep Commander.
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MJ Awad
Already watched all your review videos about Durango and Ive been trying to get the best reviews about the mid size SUVs, thought about Pathfinder. explorer. santafe. etc. I think after researching and everything the Durango SUV got me in every way, the look the interior the steering wheel the lights. I live in Europe and I have 2016 BMW X5M50D. Used to travel to the sun shine state. And thought of buying a good SUV there. Mr Alex thanks for giving us the best reviews. because of your review Im gonna buy me and my family A Durango
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Already watched all your review videos about Durango and Ive been trying to get the best reviews about the mid size SUVs, thought about Pathfinder. explorer. santafe. etc. I think after researching and everything the Durango SUV got me in every way, the look the interior the steering wheel the lights. I live in Europe and I have 2016 BMW X5M50D. Used to travel to the sun shine state. And thought of buying a good SUV there. Mr Alex thanks for giving us the best reviews. because of your review Im gonna buy me and my family A Durango
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