Pros: excellent power(hemi),great looking, endless features, room for 7 with comfort, handles great
Cons: engine compartment is stuffed...I cant do any repairs if I wanted to
The Bottom Line: after an extensive search we went with the Dodge (which is huge coming from a Ford fan) and it was the best choice we made. Love it. Love it.
My wife and I began to shop for an SUV that would replace my worn out pick up. We chose an SUV so we could go as a family and the kids could even bring a friend. But if I was giving up my truck I wanted something that would pull a trailer also.
We drove several SUV's including the Explorer, Mountaineer, Trailblazer, Envoy, and Pathfinder to name a few of dozens we looked closely at. The problem we had was that we wanted third row seating in a mid size SUV with the towing capacity of a full size truck. We chose mid size SUV rather than full size like the Tahoe because my wife was more comfortable and in control in the mid size class. After driving several we noticed the Explorer, Mountaineer, Pathfinder all had a huge blind spot in the left rear corner which was noticed when I tried to merge into freeway traffic. NOT GOOD. The Envoy XL and the Trailblazer EXT did not have the blind spots. I liked the Trailblazer and Envoy interiors and the V8 had over 7000 lbs towing capacity, but when we drove it there was a lot of body roll with each of them. I wanted something that had a tighter suspension feel. I then began to look at the 2004 Dodge Durango with the HEMI which gave me plenty of towing capacity and all of the interior features we wanted. It even allowed my wife to have the power sunroof and the kids wanted the DVD. Some SUV's it is either the sunroof OR the DVD, but with Dodge we could have both. After we drove it we loved the way it handled.
We ended up buying the 2004 Dodge Durango Limited with the HEMI, leather seats with heaters, sunroof, DVD, 6 disc CD stereo which kicks butt with a built in subwoofer, and every other option available. I am 6'1" tall about 195 lbs. and when I was shopping I would sit in the driver's seat and adjust it to where I liked it. Then I would get out without adjusting the driver's seat and sit in the back seat to see if there was plenty of leg room, there was. Then I would sit in the third row to see how easy it was to get back there and how comfortable it was. Only the Trailblazer and the Durango passed my test. I could sit in any seat in the vehicle with comfort on any length of trip. Since we have owned the vehicle my kids no longer complain about going on trips and with the DVD I hardly hear them, except when it is time to change the movie. The DVD also came with wireless headphones for the kids to listen to the movie and my wife and I could listen to the radio or have a conversation without bothering the kids. We also could listen to the movie using the car stereo speakers. I am currently getting 15-16 mpg with the truck and most driving is local. Not bad considering the V6 Chevy Venture I drive everyday gets the same mileage. This is by far the best vehicle I have owned for quite a while.
July 2006
We just took the Durango to Florida from Ohio and averaged 22 mpg and at the time gas was $3.00+ per gallon. I was suprised and pleased at the milage we had gotten. It has been a little over a year and a half since we bought the SUV and I still stand behind my earlier comment that it has been the best vehicle we have owned. No repairs so far and just gas regular service. One downside was I had to have a key replaced and was SHOCKED to find out that they cost $50.00 each OUCH !!! But that will teach me to keep track of them better.
Recommended:
Yes
Amount Paid (US$): 23900
Condition: Used Model Year: 2004 Model and Options: Limited AWD Hemi with leather sunroof DVD 6 disc stereo
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