Non 4Runner Question ( Opinion )

Good Morning Everyone

I would like your opinion on 2 cars. If you only had 2 choices both being 6 cylinders. Which one would you get or think that it has less problems. A Chevy Traverse with a 6 cylinder or a Dodge Durango with a 6 as well. Please let me know which one you think is better as far as reliability and why.

 

Neither. I would take the bus.

They are both going to have their respective pros and cons. What year and mileage do each have?

 

A new one.

 

+1 on this. They both have shitty engines and cheap interiors.

The Durango starts at $40,600. For a few grand more you can get a 4Runner, and it will have dependable and reliable engine. Most Dodge engines crap out after 65 - 70k miles.

 

Actually, for $40K, you could find a decent used 4Runner (Mine was $43K=a 2019 SR5 Premium with 17K miles).

Used Toyota 4runner for Sale Near Me | Cars.com

 

If I had to choose between Durango and Traverse, I wouldn't buy. Even a Highlander would be better.

 

Seems like this thread belongs in the Off Topic section, seeing as it has nothing to do with 5th Gen 4Rs...

 

I wouldn’t buy a Chevy or Ram product. There are so many better options. I found it difficult when I was looking at new vehicles. I was looking at the big 3 in pick up trucks. After all my research I could find reasons not to buy any of them and decided on a 4 runner and a light trailer for occasional hauling.

 

If I had a choice of two vehicles, I'd look up the recent reviews from a few different sources. Unless there was a drastic quality difference that was revealed in the reviews or one had an option I really wanted, I'd buy whichever one I liked the looks of.

 

My wife had an Equinox that died at 60k thanks to their shitty piston ring design, her Cobalt had the entire electric power steering system fail around the same mileage. She now has a new Grand Cherokee with the 3.6 and had to get new head gaskets at 15k as it was consuming coolant. I would never buy a GM or Dodge product myself and will stick to Toyota.

 

Traverse is a new model I think so that’s a mystery. The Durango is old so I would hope the kinks were worked out and it’s smaller so there’s that but eh…

I’d sooner get a Pilot, Passport, CX-9, Highlander, Outlander.

 

Thank you. It seems that you are the only one that understood what I was really asking. It's kind of dumb to have 2 of the same car in the family. The 4runner is for the snow and for her. The reason I was asking is that the 2 options are a lot bigger and would be used for long trips as for the price Durangos are no longer 40k with a V6 it's more like 53k and the Traverse's are running at 35k in price new.

 

And to the moderator. My apologies as I am still feeling my way through this forum.

 

My honest opinion would be to look at an Acura MDX, Honda Pilot, Toyota Highlander, or Lexus TX if you're considering the Durango. Leave your options open and drive all of them. They will be more reliable and have better resale value when you need to sell. The Durango and Traverse will depreciate quite a bit in years 1 and 2. Now if you're considering a Durango SRT Hellcat, that's a different story.

 

Neither, both are junk imo. If buying new, even worse because they are now overpriced new junk.

Literally any Toyota, Honda, or Mazda equivalent will save you a ton of headaches. For non-enthusiast NPC mobiles, minimal headaches would be my top priority, even if it takes alot of convincing of the wife as to why why older tech in a reliable car beats new tech in a junk car.

 

Agreed I would buy neither and I am from the Motor City. You are much better off buying a Honda or Toyota your model of choice and you will be much further ahead.

 

Durangos were noted gas guzzlers, my old neighbor had a 98 Durango that had ongoing engine (stalling, cooling) issues. Don't know a thing first-hand about the Traverse but I have read that they can have serious issues with the oil cooler and transmission shifting.

+1 on the optional list above.

#1 Toyota
#2 Honda
#3 Mazda

 

What about a minivan?

The last word in interior space, cruising MPG and they’re larger. Great seating position too. The Durango is only a bit longer than the 4Runner and while it does have the interior space benefits of going unibody, why not go for broke and enjoy the extra vertical interior space of a rolling box?

 

The high feature GM V6 has a very nice feature of timing issues. The Pentatard has rocker arm issues, timing issues and oil consumption issues. I'd go Honda if you want something other than Toyota and even they have VCM issues.

 

^So you're saying the GM and Chrysler 6-cyls are less reliable than the turbo 4 in the Highlander?

 

Absolutely.

 

Both are junk

 

53k vs 35k? That’s a huge difference! If you are forced into only those two options, and if both have similar risk of expensive repair and significant down-time, then I’d lean towards the cheapest.

Having two of the same vehicles (if it’s a good dependable vehicle) is not necessarily bad. Especially if they do what both of you need it to do. Having a mini-fleet can also simplify things if you do your own basic maintenance. I’ll admit, having two of the same vehicle is more boring lol.

 

Buy whatever makes you happy.

 

We have a 22 honda odyssey and its a road trip champ.

 

Both are bad choices, but I think Chevy has a chance to be a decent car while anything by Dodge is guaranteed to be junk. Highly recommend leasing for no longer than duration of warranty, as you don't want to be stuck with these out of warranty.

 

Why? No one gives a flying shit what you drive and if they do they are just jealous.

If you have 2 of the same vehicle then must mean its pretty damn good to take the chance on 2 at the same time.

 

Why get 2 large SUVs? Get a sports car or a proper convertible.

 

never heard anything good about a Dodge, and I stupidly drove Chevy SUVs for almost 20 years. the chevys were great for the first 2-3 years or so then started dropping parts. if ya dont want another Toyota, I'd say get a Honda Pilot. very close second to the 4Runner just based on my experience

 

Personally I would not care what others think. Do what’s best for you and your family. As a single guy I considered two 4Rs and debated buying the second now before they are gone. My neighbors tease me all my rides are silver but I like silver. It’s not their money. For many years people teased me about buying foreign nameplate vehicles since I’m from Detroit also. I could care less.

Life is short purchase what you and your family want. I just meant from my perspective Chevy and Dodge do not often come up in conversation when people talk about reliable vehicles.

Another thought might be the smaller V8 Tahoe or Yukon (not the 6.2). I have been told those are good engines. Although you would have to find a used one for that sort of money.

Those are full frame vehicles also though so probably need fluid film depending on where you are. They do ride super nice though and plenty of space