Any Dodge Durango owners,

yellowperil · 12-24-2019, 04:01 AM

V6, 2012. Are these any good.

asphaltgambler · 12-24-2019, 06:51 AM

Jeep equivalent -rand Cherokee has slightly better build quality even though they are essentially under the same manufacturer umbrella. I'm certain that even then - they are on 2 different platforms. The Grand Cherokee has better resale value......

flipper35 · flipper35's Garage

The GC and Durango are both based on the same platform which is itself based on a MB platform but the 2012 has the 5 speed Merceded based transmission and the '14 and newer have the 8 speed.

We have an older one but I know several with these and all like them.

A good rundown of the models and features for that generation.

https://www.allpar.com/SUVs/dodge/durango-2012.html

CurtEgerer · CurtEgerer's Garage

My wife is buying one in the spring. Probably a 16 or 17. We both test drove a Durango, Grand Cherokee, and Chevy Traverse back to back. Chevy was eliminated immediately - cheap feel, unimpressive interior, loud road noise, etc. I liked the Cherokee (sporty, firmer ride/handling), she liked the Durango. Both have great interiors. The Durango is slightly larger and I think all come with a standard 3rd row seat. This was a negative for me because it would rarely get used and doesn't fold 100% flat. But, it's her car, her decision.

I missed out on a brand new Police Intercepter Durango at auction a few months back. Hemi, upgraded performance/handling/brakes/etc. The driver seat got damaged at the factory, was replaced, but it couldn't be sold as new, so FCA took it to auction and it went cheap.

berettafan · 12-24-2019, 08:27 AM

Durango def feels bigger inside.

yellowperil · 12-24-2019, 09:07 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by berettafan

Durango def feels bigger inside.

Thanks guys

flipper35 · flipper35's Garage

Quote:

Originally Posted by CurtEgerer

My wife is buying one in the spring. Probably a 16 or 17. We both test drove a Durango, Grand Cherokee, and Chevy Traverse back to back. Chevy was eliminated immediately - cheap feel, unimpressive interior, loud road noise, etc. I liked the Cherokee (sporty, firmer ride/handling), she liked the Durango. Both have great interiors. The Durango is slightly larger and I think all come with a standard 3rd row seat. This was a negative for me because it would rarely get used and doesn't fold 100% flat. But, it's her car, her decision.

I missed out on a brand new Police Intercepter Durango at auction a few months back. Hemi, upgraded performance/handling/brakes/etc. The driver seat got damaged at the factory, was replaced, but it couldn't be sold as new, so FCA took it to auction and it went cheap.

They could be had without the third row, but I would bet they are hard to find.

THere is always the SRT version. 475hp, Brembos...

stomachmonkey · 04:52 AM

Timely.

Was going to post about them.

I’ve got a 2020 GT as a rental for 10 days.

Drove it round trip across Alligator Alley earlier this week.

I like the vehicle a lot.

Very nimble compared to similar sized in class vehicles I’ve driven, drives like a car.

Plenty of grunt on tap to get out of its own way.

Comfortable interior and decently appointed.

Mileage is just ok, have not seen higher than 22 mpg, 18-20 seems to be the range.

My only gripe with it is at speed it can get twitchy.

Above 90 it starts to feel like it wants to oversteer or maybe more accurately trailer sway.

I think it may have to do with the V6 and it’s mount point.

Engine bay is clearly large enough for the V8 so there is a giant empty space behind the radiator that traps a ton of air. An extended belly pan might help there.

The front of the V6 sits right on top of the steering crossmember and it just looks like it’s unbalanced, no weight in front of the suspension, all behind it.

All in I like it a lot and am actually considering one.

jhynesrockmtn · 12-25-2019, 06:20 AM

We rented one at Rennsport in 2017 to haul around 5 guys and their luggage. The buddy who drove 90% of the miles liked driving it and walked away impressed. It was comfortable for our group. Seemed nice inside.

wilnj · 12-25-2019, 07:22 AM

Not sure what’s driving you to the 2012 in particular but the transmission is the weak link from a performance standpoint.

My wife has the same 3.6 in her Pacifica and the transmission with a few extra gears makes a big difference.

I haven’t had any complaints about the build quality of my 2012 Grand Cherokee. Have had an expensive year on maintenance though. Some wtf items and another that was on me because of deferred maintenance albeit mine has 133,000 on it.

As has been stated the Durango is built on the same platform, just a longer rear overhang for the 3rd row in the Dodge.

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berettafan · 12-26-2019, 02:25 AM

Isn’t the second row much roomier than the JGC?

wilnj · 03:10 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by berettafan

Isn’t the second row much roomier than the JGC?

My understanding is that the floor pan is the same from the second row forward.

EDIT: Just looked up the specs and 2nd row leg room is the same for both. Durango wheelbase is 5" longer which makes sense, just hanging 5" off the back wouldn't make a 3rd row very comfortable.

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asphaltgambler · 12-26-2019, 06:03 AM

^^^Which would make it 2 different platforms^^

wilnj · 12-26-2019, 06:35 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by asphaltgambler

^^^Which would make it 2 different platforms^^

Depends on how you define platforms. The VW MQB is considered a platform and is found on 20 different models of varying wheelbases and track width.

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berettafan · 12-26-2019, 04:43 PM

strange. when we looked at the JGC the immediate impression was the second row was tight yet looking over the Durango we thought it looked like more legroom.

Either way a nice looking option.

T77911S · 12-27-2019, 03:15 AM

I have an older v6 (3.8), don't know if it the same.

its a dog and a gas hog!!!

check to see if yours is prone to sludge build up.
also check for exhaust bolts breaking.

other than that I wont own another dodge.

wilnj · 12-27-2019, 06:34 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by T77911S

I have an older v6 (3.8), don't know if it the same.

its a dog and a gas hog!!!

check to see if yours is prone to sludge build up.
also check for exhaust bolts breaking.

other than that I wont own another dodge.

These have the Pentastar V6 developed in conjunction with MB. I have no gripes about the engine but it really does benefit from a more modern transmission. It becomes a completely different animal.

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95avblm3 · 12-27-2019, 09:06 AM

Prior to moving to Germany, I had a Ram 1500 with the Pentastar 3.6... it was a good engine, plenty of power even for a 1/2 ton PU... fuel economy was decent too which was probably more from the 8-speed or whatever transmission... which was the only thing I didn’t like... downshifts felt slow to me and it typically needed to go down a couple of gears compared to one in a 5 or 6-speed. Perhaps the Durango is lighter (I haven’t bothered to check) and this wouldn’t be much of an issue. However, as I’ve read above, it sounds like 2012 was before the 8-speed, which would be a good thing in my book (any questions of reliability aside).

Post pics if you buy one. I like the way they look, probably a little more than the JGC.

yellowperil · 01-04-2020, 11:42 AM

Just road tested this dodge, it has (160,000 km) about 100,000 miles on it. Drives very nice, solid, smooth, sure footed.

FYI it have 14.9/100 km highway which is about 18.9 miles per imp gal which might be OK for some but might be a game changer for me. US gals are smaller so might be only 16mph.

Beautiful interior, nice black leather. 3.6 V6, but seemed to have enough power.

But this rig is heavy 2 and1/2 tons, it hides it well but you still know it's there.

I would rate it 4 and 1/2 stars, with ONLY the fuel mileage being a spoiler.

Just so you know: