Topic: My 98 Durango is a money pit

[1inthered]

I don't know if there's a thread containing this quip cause I couldn't find a "search" feature on this board. I just logged on and it's nice to finally find a "Canadian" Forum.

I'm in Montreal where are gas prices soar and drop like the temperature. We're taxed from every direction from both governments. Recently Quebecers were hit with an another additional tax on our vehicle registrations. Anything over 4.0 litres was charged extra. With my 98 Durango and its hefty 5.9 litre engine my plates came out to a whopping 405.00$ per year. The government pilferred $150.00 extra dollars because of it. Not to mention the $1.20 per litre at the pumps. My Durango is becoming one hell of a money pit.

Now for the Lemon or Cherry part of this posting!

Can I say she's a lemon flavoured cherry? Or a cherry flavoured lemon??

The Cons about my Durango in no particular order; She's heavy on fuel, the transmission won't shift past second when she's cold, she won't start easily when she's wet, the ride is noisy at high speeds,she's expensive to repair.

The Pros, also in no particular order; She's just the right size, has the third row seat for seven adults, good visibility I love the huge door mirrors, lift gate, towing and carrying capabilities, a descent roof rack able to carry huge loads of lumber, the four wheel drive that shifts in and out on the fly, nice ride height, good looks and creature comforts, foldflat interior seating.

It's my first vehicle I buy outside of the GM fleet. I wish GM had built this truck or this size truck. I find the Envoy and such too "car like". The Jimmy and Blazer too small and feeble looking. The Tahoe's interior ugly and not very functional (especially that G*damn spare in the cargo area) and too big a truck for my everyday needs. I hate the look and feel of any mini van and not to mention they're heavy on fuel as well.

I think I'm going back to a station wagon...now if I could only find a descent model.

1 in the red... 

[airbalancer]

Take a look at the new Tahoe which will be out soon

[sirAQUAMAN64]

I second Airbalancer. New Tahoe is great (although pricey) and is actually shorter than the Durango, with a fantastic interior and improved driveability and fuel economy.

[barrie1]

Welcome 1Inthered to the Forum. I would suggest spray sealing the Ignition wires and Dist cap area with a clear coat of spray sealant made for keeping the moisture out of the Dist. This will help a great deal in the wetter weather.  Chrysler products have had this type pf problem for many years now and its an easy fix. Probably get it at Crappy Tire even for around $8.00 a can. That will help with at least one area of concern for you. 

[airbalancer]

To drive a Chrysler and complain about the fuel mileage is not aloud
Chrysler always get bad mileage

[Careener]

Sequoia?

[barrie1]

The new GM surburbans type of vehicles are actually giving very good milage with the 5.3 engine in them which supplies lots of power as well. I believe they may be the highest milage in this segment of vehicles. 

[Bullet Blue]

The search feature is under the newsbox for future reference. The new Tahoe is a major improvement over the old one for sure. The Sequoia is starting to look dated, but still is pretty decent. The Nissan Armada...well, I'm not too sure what to think about that one 

[mrthompson]

The new Pathfinder might be a consideration as well.  It is similar in size to the previous generation Durango.

[ktm525]

I don't know if there's a thread containing this quip cause I couldn't find a "search" feature on this board. I just logged on and it's nice to finally find a "Canadian" Forum.

I'm in Montreal where are gas prices soar and drop like the temperature. We're taxed from every direction from both governments. Recently Quebecers were hit with an another additional tax on our vehicle registrations. Anything over 4.0 litres was charged extra. With my 98 Durango and its hefty 5.9 litre engine my plates came out to a whopping 405.00$ per year. The government pilferred $150.00 extra dollars because of it. Not to mention the $1.20 per litre at the pumps. My Durango is becoming one hell of a money pit.

Now for the Lemon or Cherry part of this posting!



$405 for plates?
Can I say she's a lemon flavoured cherry? Or a cherry flavoured lemon??

The Cons about my Durango in no particular order; She's heavy on fuel, the transmission won't shift past second when she's cold, she won't start easily when she's wet, the ride is noisy at high speeds,she's expensive to repair.

The Pros, also in no particular order; She's just the right size, has the third row seat for seven adults, good visibility I love the huge door mirrors, lift gate, towing and carrying capabilities, a descent roof rack able to carry huge loads of lumber, the four wheel drive that shifts in and out on the fly, nice ride height, good looks and creature comforts, foldflat interior seating.

It's my first vehicle I buy outside of the GM fleet. I wish GM had built this truck or this size truck. I find the Envoy and such too "car like". The Jimmy and Blazer too small and feeble looking. The Tahoe's interior ugly and not very functional (especially that G*damn spare in the cargo area) and too big a truck for my everyday needs. I hate the look and feel of any mini van and not to mention they're heavy on fuel as well.

I think I'm going back to a station wagon...now if I could only find a descent model.

1 in the red... 

$405 for plates?

I will quit whining about the $70 for mine now.

[barrie1]

I wonder what province or state charges $405. a year for plates. Wow thats high. It costs me almost that much for my whole fleet for a year. 

[ovr50]

Quebec - the poster is in Montreal I believe.

[Careener]

The plates are expensive, but the public auto insurance program is dirt cheap in QC.