I traded my 2001 BMW 325Ci for a 2004 Dodge Durango because I needed a car more family friendly and I also wanted something with the ability to tow a small toy hauler trailer. The Durango is amazingly practical. Changing diapers on a 10 month old is a breeze in a parking lot with the back row of seats folded down. It may not get the best gas mileage, but I observed 15.5MPG in mixed southern California driving over the first 1500 miles and I have the 4X4 Hemi Limited with a 3.92 rear end. I've actually had 6 adults and a baby in a car seat with everyone fairly comfortable. The engine is really incredible. I've never driven anything with such abundant power.

I'm concerned because the hose going to the transmission cooler popped off after 17 days of ownership and 1500 miles. This apparently ruined the transmission. I was lucky enough to be near a Dodge dealer so I coasted into Rancho Dodge in San Diego. The service adviser checked my Durango in for servicing. The next day after work I stopped by to check on the status and the mechanic had not evened looked at my vehicle. It was number three for service on the second day. Very unhappy I called the dealer that I purchased from John Hines Dodge, also in San Diego, and was told that they couldn't look at the vehicle for a week and there would be no courtesy car for me because I opted not to pay for the extended warranty plan. With a Dodge, or any Chrysler product, it apparently doesn't matter that you paid nearly $40,000 for a vehicle nearly two weeks ago and it is now completely unusable for God knows how long.

The service adivser at Rancho was quite good and contacted the Service Manager as my attitude became less cordial and the Service Manager agreed to provide me with a rental car for a day and instructed the dispatcher to make my vehicle number one on the list for the next day. The dispatcher was noticably upset with the alteration in his schedule.

I called the dealer that I purchased from, John Hines Dodge, and was told by my salesman that I'd need to talk to the Service Manager, who could call the Chrysler Rep and see if the could provide my courtesy transportation for the time I'm without my vehicle. What ever happened to customer service? I guess that is the down side of not buying a Mercedes, BMW or Lexus.

I certainly hope my transmission problem is a fluke because I love driving the Durango. It handles like a mid-sized car and rides more like a Caddy than a truck. The only complaint I would have other than the exhaust note is the styling of the hood and the somewhat restricted sounding exhaust note. I would assume the exhaust is the reason the Hemi in the Durango is rated at 330HP and the Hemi in the trucks are rated at 345HP and sound better.
Amount Paid (US$): 35,000
Condition: New
Model Year: 2004
Model and Options: 4x4 Hemi Limited