Finally made a decision

[fe298]

After looking at many vehicles I finally made a decision. I think the Explorer is nice and it was nice to get input from those on this forum but I don't think it really fits my needs. This week I was up north and a friend of mine has one and I was really able to see this thing is not meant for offroad at all and he agreed. I do like the highway ride of the Explorer and it may have a place in our house at some point as a second vehicle but for now I'm going with the Durango. I came to this decision because of the towing ability, the much better offroad ability and it just feels more solid to me on the road. The other thing is the interior materials seems of a much higher grade. I think I will wait untill fall to buy to get the new 8 speed trans. I think the Durnago with the Hemi and 8 speed will be something that is completely unmatched.

 

[NEWPORTNJ]

And don't for get to buy a gas station along with the HEMI durango !!

 

[chimoman]

Another one bites the dust. Haha. Good luck with your Durstrango. I'm not sure where you get a more solid ride. Unless you like driving slow moving tanks. I don't think either of these vehicles are really suitable for offroading. If I were you I'd look into a true body on frame 4x4. Good luck and stopping for gas.

Chimo

 

[fe298]

Another one bites the dust. Haha. Good luck with your Durstrango. I'm not sure where you get a more solid ride. Unless you like driving slow moving tanks. I don't think either of these vehicles are really suitable for offroading. If I were you I'd look into a true body on frame 4x4. Good luck and stopping for gas.

Chimo

As far as the gas milege thats part of the reason I'm waiting for the 8 speed trans. What I mean by more soild feel is a more solid feeling body structure less flex in the body. This could be because the Explorer is based on a Taurus and the Durango is based on the Mercedes M class. They are both nice in different ways but I just think the Durango has the edge. I think the quality just seems better on the Durango.

 

[EX-SV]

I would suggest Jeep Grand Cherokee over Durango.

 

[peterk9]

As far as the gas milege thats part of the reason I'm waiting for the 8 speed trans. What I mean by more soild feel is a more solid feeling body structure less flex in the body. This could be because the Explorer is based on a Taurus and the Durango is based on the Mercedes M class. They are both nice in different ways but I just think the Durango has the edge. I think the quality just seems better on the Durango.

Both are on a unibody platform.

 

[spitfisher]

Both are on a unibody platform.

yEs PK they both are. The original poster mentioned towing, the explorer 4wd can tow 5000 lbs, that a decent size boat or camper.
With about 16 mpg without towing anything, I wonder what the durango will get towing even 4000 lbs, 8mpg????


Good luck with it either way

 

[Lhymes]

As far as the gas milege thats part of the reason I'm waiting for the 8 speed trans. What I mean by more soild feel is a more solid feeling body structure less flex in the body. This could be because the Explorer is based on a Taurus and the Durango is based on the Mercedes M class. They are both nice in different ways but I just think the Durango has the edge. I think the quality just seems better on the Durango.

No offense, but it doesn't sound like you did much of a test drive on the Explorer. Also, what models were you comparing? The interior quality of the 302 package Explorer Limited is definitely much better than the Durango Citadel.

That said, based on what you're saying you want out of a vehicle, you'd probably be better off looking at the Grand Cherokee. It's a little more suited for offroad than the Explorer or Durango. The Durango didn't impress me when I went in to look at it. Mind you, I was in the market for a fully-loaded Citadel or Limited an ended up going with the Limited.

As for a frame being "based on" another vehicle, that pretty much means they take a pre-existing design file and rework it on a computer before fabrication. It's just a basic blueprint for where to start (so they don't need to go from the ground up and retweak a million times over during design/safety testing). The Grand Cherokee and Durango being based on a Mercedes frame design honestly means nothing regarding materials or craftsmanship.

Again, though, I'd really recommend looking at the Jeep. I definitely preferred it over the Durango and the Overland Summit had some great interior materials and the adjustable ground clearance was sweet. I ultimately chose the Explorer over it, as 99% of my driving is on the road. The Explorer was way smoother, quieter, more responsive, and had better gas mileage. If 20% of my driving was offroad, I would have definitely gone with the Jeep.

 

[fe298]

Both are on a unibody platform.

Thats true both are unibody but that doesn't mean the body stiffness is the same. Most vehicles are unibody but they are not all the same. Many factors go into this.
Just to answer a few other things that were mentioned. I did consider the Jeep but I just need the extra room inside. As far as the gas milege I said several times I'm waiting for the 8 speed which will make a big difference. As far as towing no I would probably not go over the 5000 pound limit, but I would not even want to come close to that with the Explorer. You need to remember this is really a front wheel drive car. Even the friends of mine that have one pull a pop up camper which is about 2000 pounds and he says he would not go over that. He told me its working pulling that. Anything heavier than that he gets his F150 to pull it. Lastly as far as the interiors yes I was comparing the Limited to the Citadel.

 

[charliez]

[You sound like you need lots of attention and self-confirmation]

LOL, justify what you must to purchase the Durango, there's no need to justify yourself to the forum for vanity's purpose.

If the room and interior is what you like, never mind the unibody, I'd suggest the roomier GL or G class vehicles, both are superb compared to Durango or Limited. Nothing comes close, I've had the pleasure of driving GL and G classes.

:bsnicker: No need to play one against the other :bsnicker:

 

[EX-SV]

Doubt most can detect body stiffness differences between Durano and JGC, any perceived difference is mostly imagined. The vehicle with shortest wheelbase is most likely to be slightly stiffer, since the platforms are so similar.

 

[tncruiser]

will fiat still be in the American car business by fall?
brianj

 

[peterk9]

Thats true both are unibody but that doesn't mean the body stiffness is the same. Most vehicles are unibody but they are not all the same. Many factors go into this.
Just to answer a few other things that were mentioned. I did consider the Jeep but I just need the extra room inside. As far as the gas milege I said several times I'm waiting for the 8 speed which will make a big difference. As far as towing no I would probably not go over the 5000 pound limit, but I would not even want to come close to that with the Explorer. You need to remember this is really a front wheel drive car. Even the friends of mine that have one pull a pop up camper which is about 2000 pounds and he says he would not go over that. He told me its working pulling that. Anything heavier than that he gets his F150 to pull it. Lastly as far as the interiors yes I was comparing the Limited to the Citadel.

fe298, I suggest to go with what you are most happy with. After all you are paying for it and it will be your vehicle. Everyone has their own likes and dislikes about vehicles but in the end it is a personal decision. Good luck.

Peter

 

[fe298]

Doubt most can detect body stiffness differences between Durano and JGC, any perceived difference is mostly imagined. The vehicle with shortest wheelbase is most likely to be slightly stiffer, since the platforms are so similar.

I was talking about the difference between the Durango and Explorer. I would expect the Durango and JGC to be about the same as they are on the same platform.

 

[EX-SV]

I was talking about the difference between the Durango and Explorer. I would expect the Durango and JGC to be about the same as they are on the same platform.

Yes, now I see what you mean, thanks.