Now that my Toyota has blown head gasket, I'm looking for a new driver and willing to consider something newer. I've seen a number of Durangos, 1999 - 2000 for $2500 - $3000 range. Anyone here own/owned one? Whats the Good, Bad and Ugly? I could see myself owning something like this: http://portland.craigslist.org/mlt/ctd/4038476511.html
Transmissions can be a bit of a problem, and they tend to be a bit hard on fuel, no matter which engine is under the hood. Basically, this is a Dodge Dakota pick up under the skin, frame and all. Parts are easy to get, not bad for price. If you get one with a Hemi, be warned: Tune ups can be a challenge because of the 16 plugs and access to them, not to mention the coil on plug ignition. Look out for rust, too. Up here, at least, that generation are rapidly disappearing due to advanced tin worm
Thanks for that info, Mike. Fuel is not a problem as I am a low milage driver and wagons are my "normal" frame of reference. 4WD w/ 5.9L Durango is rated 11/15. I was luck to get 13 out of my Toyota around town. We are a No Salt region, so rust is not generally an issue. Good to know about tune up PITA factor, but not a deal breaker. Potentially Dodgy (pun partially intentional) transmissions? hmmmm..... I've always wanted a 4X4 and this is a nice balance with the utility of a wagon. Any other thought, info, opinions etc. from anyone?
I think you could do better....... http://www.autotrader.com/cars-for-...984&listingId=352953616&listingIndex=10&Log=0 http://www.autotrader.com/cars-for-...984&listingId=351220608&listingIndex=14&Log=0 I'm a bit partial to these myself. Had a '03 from new to 73,000 miles. V6. Extremely reliable. You can get the 4.6 V8 in these as well. http://www.autotrader.com/cars-for-...984&listingId=351851139&listingIndex=16&Log=0 These are supposed to be pretty tough..... http://www.autotrader.com/cars-for-...984&listingId=349898391&listingIndex=21&Log=0
I've owned several Mopars over the past 10 years. The 5.7 Hemi wasn't available in Durangos until the newer body style, 2004. In 98-2000, your options were 4.7, 5.2 and 5.9, depending on the year. A couple of years ago, we bought a 98 Durango with a 5.2, with fairly decent miles (about 120k). Within a few months, it developed a knock, then locked up soon after. Could have been how it was maintained before we got it, could have been a POS. I'm not sure, but I'll never own another 5.2. The 4.7 has a bad reputation. With the main issue being if it ever runs hot, even just a little bit, the heads will warp immediately. That's what I've heard. I had a 4.7 in my 2002 Dodge Ram, which I bought new, and it was working fine when my ex-wife sold it last year with 170k miles on it. It never ran hot. It seems like the 5.9 is probably the best motor to go with in that year model truck. One other note, the front ball joints go out fairly quickly in these things. They're a PITA to replace, as they are riveted in. That was one thing I had to replace in ours, before it locked up.
All 1998 Durangos are 4 wheel drive, with a proper transfer case and lever. Choice of 5.2 or 5.9 engines. 1999 Durangos could also be 2 wheel drive, don't get the V6 model (short lived, underpowered, worse mileage than a 5.2). 2000 Durangos with 2 wheel drive could be 5.2 or 5.9. 4 wheel drive models could have the 4.7 engine (can sludge up easy and break the timing chain, be wary) or the 5.9 engine. 2001 and later models are either 4.7 or 5.9 and later 01-03 SLT Plus models could have heated seats and two tone paint and chrome grilles and are really nice. I recommend a 2 wheel drive 99-00, Sport or SLT trim, with the 5.2 engine. The one we had, we bought it for $1775 in 2009, it had a blown motor at 172K. We installed a good used (124K) engine ($700 for the motor, $550 labor to swap it out, sold the intake manifold for $50, got $100 scrap for the rest of the engine, effective cost $1100), and drove it 55,000 more miles over 4 years. We also had to replace the radiator twice, the water pump once, and the clutch fan and electric fans. We sold the truck for $1350 this past spring after determining we didn't want to spend $1000 to replace the power steering pump, hoses, and rack/pinion. But had we done so we'd still be driving it and loving it. Cooling systems are a big thing to look out for. The 5.9 engine models have a better cooling system and are the choice if you want 4 wheel drive. But they eat more fuel. Our 2WD 5.2L 2000 model regularly got 17-19mpg in mixed and highway driving with AC use. A 5.9 model would get more like 13-16 in the same driving. The 4.7 engine is just something I'd plain avoid. $2000-$3000 Durangos are a great way to get truck power and hauling ability, while still being comfortable cruisers and not having the transmission issues of an Explorer or the electrical problems of a Trailblazer or the rust/AC/electrical issues of a 4Runner or Pathfinder.
Thanks for all of those links, KK. Unfortunately, I don't find any of them visually pleasing, which is what drew me to the Durango of all the vehicles in that class. I really like Dodge's styling. @n2fordmuscle The 5.9 is the only engine I'm considering. As for the ball joints being riveted in, I came across the same thing on my wagon. They were no match for an air chisel. That is a job I may leave to a shop next time, though. Loaded coil springs make me nervous. heh. @occupant 2 radiators in 55K miles? seriously? What went wrong with the steering system that required all those parts needing replacement?
The original (factory, oem) radiator leaked where the tank meets the core about halfway up on the passenger side and was discovered when the water pump failed (couldn't see it leaking until it got hot and went everywhere). The new one leaked in the same place, and the one that went in to replace it (same company, replaced under warranty) lasted two years. Then after replacing the clutch and electric fans in 2011, the warranty replaced radiator failed (in the same spot, too, passenger side tank where it attaches to the core), and once we replaced it this time with a different brand of radiator (tossed the warranty paperwork since it was evidently useless) it was fine, ran cooler, didn't spike in traffic, etc... The steering system had a leak for quite some time, and we just kept it topped off until the pressure hose began leaking, and then we just drove it less and topped it off as needed and then it began leaking from the rack as well and the pump would whine even when topped off with fluid. It was bad budgeting, saving pennies to lose whole dollars. If I had changed the $25 return side hose when it began to leak, and the $30 pressure side hose when it began to leak, the pump and rack would have likely been fine for a lot longer.
I hear you about neglecting a steering leak. I did that with my wagon and ended up with an oil soaked upper radiator hose failing on the I205 bridge resulting in warped heads. I may go look at that Durango this week. Black on black with off-road tires. I'm liking that look.
I bought a '98 Dakota new and it had problems from the jump. I sold it 2 years later and didn't miss it. Here's Edmunds reviews: http://www.edmunds.com/dodge/durango/1999/consumer-reviews.html Transmission keeps showing up as a negative, as others have noted. Kelley Blue Book is the same: http://www.kbb.com/dodge/durango/1999-dodge-durango/?r=506388235795529600 Good luck!
I have had 3 Dakotas, my girlfriend 2 and I bought my mom a like new 95 model 2 years ago. If you want a mid size truck with the poor mileage of an old full size, they are perfect. I sold one of mine with 230,000 miles. Another I had to have transmission rebuilt, my fault. They are okay for what they are and the price. I would buy another though they would not be high on my list. My girlfriend loved her 2006.
I've read tons of reviews and they are a real mixed bag. Lots of love and hate. Transmissions and ball joints seem to be the biggest culprits. Its seems that the transmissions are a crap shoot. Might get a good one, might get a bad one. Bleh... think happy thoughts. Meanwhile, I'm driving my father's S10 and enjoying the AC.
