Help a new guy decide! XSport, SHO or Durango R/T

[Psyber]

Hi! I've been lurking around the forums a while and decided to finally create an account. I recently got a job in the DC area and moved from Arkansas with my 14 Charger R/T. We had one snow this year in AR, and even with great all season tires the Charger showed that she just doesn't like the frozen stuff lol. I also have a 75lb German Shepherd that goes nearly everywhere with me so I've decided to start looking for an SUV. I

My wants are pretty simple, AWD, performance, reliability, moddability (is that a word?) and value. I'm keeping the SHO in the mix because there are some killer deals to be had on them right now, but I'm leaning more towards the SUVs.

I know that stock for stock the XSport and Durango R/T are pretty similar. I also know how hard it is to get more power out of the 5.7 without forced induction. I' keep reading how LMS and a few other companies are getting killer gains out of the SHO and XSport with just a good tune and easy bolt-ons, so I'm leaning towards the XSport in that regard. My only worry is the FWD based AWD system.

I have driven late model Interceptor Utility SUVs as my background is law enforcement. Sadly they weren't Ecoboosts. I could notice some torque steer when getting on it from the side of the road. Is it even more noticeable with the extra power in the Sport or does it send enough rearward under WOT to mitigate that?

Anyone having serious carbon issues from the direct injection?

I have also driven the Interceptor sedan (minus Ecoboost) so I'm pretty familiar with it, but have the same concerns for the SHO as the XSport.

Any specific time of the year better to buy a ford or are there any buyer's programs you guys could suggest? I've driven Mopars and GMs for the last 10 years or so, have to learn the ins and outs of a whole new brand if I go with the Ford lol.

 

[mwittman77]

I just bought a XSport about 3 months ago, not with the intention of buying the sport per se, but after test-driving the ecoboost, there was no way I was owning the NA 3.5! I notice mild torque steer with the AWD system, but I feel like having AWD kinda keeps torque steer in check. What I absolutely love about the XSport is the ride. Having owned several trucks in the past, and most recently coming from the Chrysler T&C minivan, the Explorer rides so much nicer. The ecoboost is fun, but a little thirsty. I'm only averaging about 16mpg per the computer, and that's with mixed driving. I try to stay out of the throttle for the most part, and rarely go over 80mph. But that's the best I have been able to get. Maybe once I get a few thousand more miles and everything "breaks-in", I might see a couple more MPG's. Also, compared to Chrysler transmissions I have been familiar with, Ford knows how to tune a trans for optimal shifting and power. I always feel like it responds how I want it to, and shifts as expected.

As far as carbon issues, I can't speak to that as I've only owned mine for a few months. I will say at 4500 miles, the oil still looks clean. I haven't seen any build up in the intake yet. The only thing I've noticed is I can blow out some carbon from the tailpipes when you stand on it.

And I'm no expert on value, but I just saw a 2014 XSport on a dealer lot near me that they still wanted $35K for. Granted it only had about 18K miles, but still...

 

[kmarnes]

I also bought a 2017 Sport, 9 months ago! I toiled a lot and the Ford wasn't even on my radar until a month before purchase. I compared the crap out of a lot of vehicles, and the Durango never made my short list. I wanted the 2017 Audi Q7 but it was 50% more expensive and sanity kicked in. The Durango is quite an ugly car, and it was more expensive compared to the Explorer and felt a generation older, especially in the interior and tech. Plus the tail lights look like tacky sunglasses, and the front is also quite hideous looking. The only thing going for the Durango is the ZF-8 transmission. And while it has a great sounding V8, it's NA -- so, hello gas pump! Also it's slightly slower than the Explorer. I'm sure there's lots of things you can compare either way, but for me, the Explorer just felt like it was better put together, more aesthetically pleasing every which way, and more modern.

On carbon issues, I think people that drive very mellow tend to get those problems. Hard drivers, not so much. My car is too new to know if it's going to be a problem, but I also sprung for a 10 year extended warranty. Statistically speaking, the Dodge reliability is near the very bottom, where Ford is hovering in the middle, so there's that too.

 

[Sgt1411]

Obviously, many of us are XSport biased but in all fairness, if somebody made a better SVU for this segment I think many of us would still give a fair assessment.

I agree with kmarnes on his assessment, I find the Durango ugly, thirsty, unrefined, and sloppy to drive. While I love the U-Connect system, even more than the current XSport's SYNC3 I would have to put the XSport above the Durango in all areas.

I can appreciate looks of a vehicle are highly subjective so the Durango could be something that appeals to you compared to the XSport.

I just spent two weeks driving a beautiful 2016 loaded Tahoe in AZ, while it was beautiful inside, very comfortable, and I like the look it was such a floaty, sloppy ride, I truly missed my XSport.

Your right about some minor torque steer but remember the AWD, EPAS, PTU, and Transmission programming in the XSport is exclusive to the XSport and is the only retail model that can equally divide PTU power 50/50 to the AWD system.

Durango still suffers from build quality and reliability issues across the model lineup.

Carbon issues are a bit of red herring, I don't know that I have heard of anyone other than a couple online complaints. I brought up the catch Can situation to a couple Ford Engineers and they laughed saying go ahead spend the extra money you don't need it.

If your Government or Law Enforcement you get XPLan pricing, but every summer Ford usually runs the Employee Pricing "A Plan" combined with Costco Cash and some other rebates it's the best pricing I have found.

With the 2018 models coming out in October/November I would wait till summer to see if they offer some big incentives on the 2017 models.

Spend the money and get the 401A Package, you will be pissed later at the lack of content if you don't and adding factory options later is a PIA.

 

[Forddealz]

Obviously, many of us are XSport biased but in all fairness, if somebody made a better SVU for this segment I think many of us would still give a fair assessment.

I agree with kmarnes on his assessment, I find the Durango ugly, thirsty, unrefined, and sloppy to drive. While I love the U-Connect system, even more than the current XSport's SYNC3 I would have to put the XSport above the Durango in all areas.

I can appreciate looks of a vehicle are highly subjective so the Durango could be something that appeals to you compared to the XSport.

I just spent two weeks driving a beautiful 2016 loaded Tahoe in AZ, while it was beautiful inside, very comfortable, and I like the look it was such a floaty, sloppy ride, I truly missed my XSport.

Your right about some minor torque steer but remember the AWD, EPAS, PTU, and Transmission programming in the XSport is exclusive to the XSport and is the only retail model that can equally divide PTU power 50/50 to the AWD system.

Durango still suffers from build quality and reliability issues across the model lineup.

Carbon issues are a bit of red herring, I don't know that I have heard of anyone other than a couple online complaints. I brought up the catch Can situation to a couple Ford Engineers and they laughed saying go ahead spend the extra money you don't need it.

If your Government or Law Enforcement you get XPLan pricing, but every summer Ford usually runs the Employee Pricing "A Plan" combined with Costco Cash and some other rebates it's the best pricing I have found.

With the 2018 models coming out in October/November I would wait till summer to see if they offer some big incentives on the 2017 models.

Spend the money and get the 401A Package, you will be pissed later at the lack of content if you don't and adding factory options later is a PIA.

I agree with you, 401A package includes so many good things.

 

[reserved50]

sho =sedan
Exploder and Derango=suv

do you need the room?

If you like the look of the Dodge then I say buy it, if you plan on keeping it past the bumper to bumper warranty start praying . Having a dodge just contributes to the scrap metal recycling program in about 5-6 years.