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MrGone · 03-23-2004, 05:22 AM

Well here's my experience...

My Dad has an earily 1998 Dodge Durango, bought before any of the local lots had them (had to go out of state and was built for us by the factory). We have zero problems whatso ever with it. We have about 110,000 miles on it, my Dad generally puts alot of miles on cars, but he hasn't been driving it for the last 1.5 years (otherwise it would probably have more like 140-150,000 on it). We could not be happier with it, then again we do a fair ammount of hauling and recreational activities with it. My parents are Divorced and generally at the most its just my sister and I with my dad in it, but having the rear back seat comes in very handy when we bring friends on vacations or events/etc, and when my Dad had his girlfriend and her son. We also bought it because it is based upon a truck frame and drivetrain and that was very important to us because of our recreational activities. However people do claim its a gas guzzler, personally I dont think its that bad, and for the torque we could not be happier (I've pulled out plenty of friends who get stuck off road.... normally I can get away with just using 2wd).

Now my stepdad has a 1999 GMC Surburban. Now IMHO I think a conversion van would have been a better choice since this is pretty much strictly a family hauler. Then again I can understand him not wanting a Van as a daily driver. When we go out as a family its nice because we can all fit in it comfortably (although I like the durango more, I could see my 2 step sisters (younger), or my sister and I getting restless in the back seat. It has decent power, is a gas guzzler, but what do you expect pushing a vechical weighing that much around. IMHO its fun and easy to drive, however you know driving it that your not driving a sports car (the durango does have much better handling characteristics and such). My mom doesn't mind driving the surburban, she doesnt have any problems driving it, but prefers not to just because of its size and such. The reason why I say it would have been better to get a conversion van is because in reality its pretty much the same as teh surburban with out the off-road capability. All of our cars/trucks see plenty of time in the snow, but the surburban never really leaves the streets and such, ie. no 4wheeling. Plus the doors and sheer room a conversion van offers would make long trips abit more fun.

My Mom drives a 1998 Subaru Outback, she loves the thing and it is a good car for her. It's nice because its a good all around car, but sometimes I wish it had more power. Still its great for what it does, sometimes we wish it had a taller 5th gear though on those long trips. It gets good gas mileage, AWD is perfect for ski trips, we've never had to use cables although she always keeps them in the back of the car (lol, even during the summer). The scooby is nice because it does have better than average ground clearance so those deep pothole filled parking lots at the ski slopes arent really ever a problem, and it overall has good control. Would I ever take it off-roading? no, but that isnt why she bought it.

IMHO, if you really arent ever going to be towing trailers or pulling people out, go for a V6 based SUV. Nissan has some really nice ones out, they get good mileage and the reliability is bar none, the engines are awesome (the older VG engine is bullet proof with a huge racing back ground, and the new VQ engine has been on the Wards top 10 engines list for the past 10 years (no other engine has done that IIRC). Both engines are very torquey and offer plenty of power).

I would also stay away from truck frame based SUV's if your mainly looking for a family hauler. It's just overbuilt for your needs. The truck frame based ones are generally stiffer and heavier, meaning longer braking distances, poorer gas mileage, and dont handle as well when compared to their smaller 'car based' counterparts.

Personally I love the Durango, but it might not be the best match for your needs.

03-23-2004, 05:22 AM	#34 (permalink)
MrGone Tilted Location: WA	Well here's my experience... My Dad has an earily 1998 Dodge Durango, bought before any of the local lots had them (had to go out of state and was built for us by the factory). We have zero problems whatso ever with it. We have about 110,000 miles on it, my Dad generally puts alot of miles on cars, but he hasn't been driving it for the last 1.5 years (otherwise it would probably have more like 140-150,000 on it). We could not be happier with it, then again we do a fair ammount of hauling and recreational activities with it. My parents are Divorced and generally at the most its just my sister and I with my dad in it, but having the rear back seat comes in very handy when we bring friends on vacations or events/etc, and when my Dad had his girlfriend and her son. We also bought it because it is based upon a truck frame and drivetrain and that was very important to us because of our recreational activities. However people do claim its a gas guzzler, personally I dont think its that bad, and for the torque we could not be happier (I've pulled out plenty of friends who get stuck off road.... normally I can get away with just using 2wd). Now my stepdad has a 1999 GMC Surburban. Now IMHO I think a conversion van would have been a better choice since this is pretty much strictly a family hauler. Then again I can understand him not wanting a Van as a daily driver. When we go out as a family its nice because we can all fit in it comfortably (although I like the durango more, I could see my 2 step sisters (younger), or my sister and I getting restless in the back seat. It has decent power, is a gas guzzler, but what do you expect pushing a vechical weighing that much around. IMHO its fun and easy to drive, however you know driving it that your not driving a sports car (the durango does have much better handling characteristics and such). My mom doesn't mind driving the surburban, she doesnt have any problems driving it, but prefers not to just because of its size and such. The reason why I say it would have been better to get a conversion van is because in reality its pretty much the same as teh surburban with out the off-road capability. All of our cars/trucks see plenty of time in the snow, but the surburban never really leaves the streets and such, ie. no 4wheeling. Plus the doors and sheer room a conversion van offers would make long trips abit more fun. My Mom drives a 1998 Subaru Outback, she loves the thing and it is a good car for her. It's nice because its a good all around car, but sometimes I wish it had more power. Still its great for what it does, sometimes we wish it had a taller 5th gear though on those long trips. It gets good gas mileage, AWD is perfect for ski trips, we've never had to use cables although she always keeps them in the back of the car (lol, even during the summer). The scooby is nice because it does have better than average ground clearance so those deep pothole filled parking lots at the ski slopes arent really ever a problem, and it overall has good control. Would I ever take it off-roading? no, but that isnt why she bought it. IMHO, if you really arent ever going to be towing trailers or pulling people out, go for a V6 based SUV. Nissan has some really nice ones out, they get good mileage and the reliability is bar none, the engines are awesome (the older VG engine is bullet proof with a huge racing back ground, and the new VQ engine has been on the Wards top 10 engines list for the past 10 years (no other engine has done that IIRC). Both engines are very torquey and offer plenty of power). I would also stay away from truck frame based SUV's if your mainly looking for a family hauler. It's just overbuilt for your needs. The truck frame based ones are generally stiffer and heavier, meaning longer braking distances, poorer gas mileage, and dont handle as well when compared to their smaller 'car based' counterparts. Personally I love the Durango, but it might not be the best match for your needs. __________________ 1992 Maxima SE 5spd- Lots o mods. Maxima Guru 1968 Mustang Coupe 289ci Auto- Awaits 331 Stroker/T-56/Full Discs/and more.