zio
Mr. Atlas
- Jul 28, 2000
- 2,291
- 0
I searched through all the Dodge threads & still have a few questions.
First question is: can we eventually change the final gearing if I find the gas mileage is worse than expected?
Second question: how reliable is the 5.9 & the 4 spd tranny w/ OD? Is it a tried & true motor, or new & unproven?
We're selling zia's Honda Odyssey minivan & replacing it with an SUV. We're looking used this time, in the sub $18k price range (looking to reduce our debt is another reason for the change). I know all about Pathfinders & Toyotas, and have typically been adamant about buying Japanese for reliability/mileage concerns. This time, though, I'm willing to take a bit of a gamble in favor of saving some dough, and feeling good about having at least one domestic brand in the driveway (So they're in bed with the Krauts, I know.... :silly: ).
We're looking at a '99 Durango 4x4 SLT with the 5.9 & 3.92 rear. Mileage will suck. But we're only getting about 15-16 in town with our van. 15 is the best I ever got with my Pathfinder, too. I'm thinking we'll get around 14-15 in town, maybe 17 freeway.
This thing only has 65k miles on it. And it has leather (a plus with kids- cleans easily), 3rd row seat (plus with our family), yet still manageable for zia to drive compared to my dad's '01 Tahoe. For a similarly equipped model from local dealerships, but with 5.2 or 4.7 engines, the asking price is upwards of our ceiling ($18k), with many above that mark. Mileage varies. Private party isn't much better. That $4k or so difference translates into roughly $70-80/month increase in monthly payments. Is it safe to assume that would make up for the increase in gas costs per month? Our family car gets about 1k per month put on, with an occasional 400 mi trip here & there.
We know the dealership well (superb reputation & many good recommendations from prior customers). It's a lease return. The asking price is $14.9k. It's just too good to pass up.
I did a search on the internet, and it seems that there's always some folks who have problems with any car. We've even had fit/finish probs with our 1 yr old Honda. My Uncle swears by Dodges. He's on his second Ram & has few problems. I'd also assume that any recall issues were taken care of during the first two years, and that anything else that comes up could be attributed to normal wear & tear.
First question is: can we eventually change the final gearing if I find the gas mileage is worse than expected?
Second question: how reliable is the 5.9 & the 4 spd tranny w/ OD? Is it a tried & true motor, or new & unproven?
We're selling zia's Honda Odyssey minivan & replacing it with an SUV. We're looking used this time, in the sub $18k price range (looking to reduce our debt is another reason for the change). I know all about Pathfinders & Toyotas, and have typically been adamant about buying Japanese for reliability/mileage concerns. This time, though, I'm willing to take a bit of a gamble in favor of saving some dough, and feeling good about having at least one domestic brand in the driveway (So they're in bed with the Krauts, I know.... :silly: ).
We're looking at a '99 Durango 4x4 SLT with the 5.9 & 3.92 rear. Mileage will suck. But we're only getting about 15-16 in town with our van. 15 is the best I ever got with my Pathfinder, too. I'm thinking we'll get around 14-15 in town, maybe 17 freeway.
This thing only has 65k miles on it. And it has leather (a plus with kids- cleans easily), 3rd row seat (plus with our family), yet still manageable for zia to drive compared to my dad's '01 Tahoe. For a similarly equipped model from local dealerships, but with 5.2 or 4.7 engines, the asking price is upwards of our ceiling ($18k), with many above that mark. Mileage varies. Private party isn't much better. That $4k or so difference translates into roughly $70-80/month increase in monthly payments. Is it safe to assume that would make up for the increase in gas costs per month? Our family car gets about 1k per month put on, with an occasional 400 mi trip here & there.
We know the dealership well (superb reputation & many good recommendations from prior customers). It's a lease return. The asking price is $14.9k. It's just too good to pass up.
I did a search on the internet, and it seems that there's always some folks who have problems with any car. We've even had fit/finish probs with our 1 yr old Honda. My Uncle swears by Dodges. He's on his second Ram & has few problems. I'd also assume that any recall issues were taken care of during the first two years, and that anything else that comes up could be attributed to normal wear & tear.