Anyone here have a Durango Citadel or R/T?

Looking at options for the wife's next vehicle. Need a 3rd row and towing capacity of 6,500 or more but she doesn't want anything too big (no Suburban).

We've (I've) narrowed it down to an Audi Q7 or the new Durango. Any feedback from people on here that have put some miles on a Durango?

 

new ones ain't like the old ones. I'd look at a Blazer.

 

@cruxofthebisquit, I had a '98 Dakota....wouldn't consider the new Durango if it was anything like the old one. Which 'blazer' are you referring to? The trailblazer ext?

 

yes. Still has a frame under it. The 'new' Dodge is still a Dodge, that's against it also.
Buddy at work has a newish Durango. It's fragile.
Course, I think of Audi the same way so I guess you're looking at vehicles differently than I do. I don't want to ever step foot at a dealership again.

 

I'm not afraid of vehicles that require a little maintenance....I just don't want a piece of

I've owned a few Audis. Gotta love German engineering, pull the motor to replace the turbos. At least it gives you a good opportunity to clean the oil from the valve cover leaks off the firewall and subframe.



But it's was worth it when you had 300+ hp/tq to the ground powering all 4 wheels. And I wouldn't call it fragile...it was solid. I was done with it after 120k miles though.

 

I wouldn't take either if you gave them to me. Dodge will get a check engine light everytime you look at it funny. The Audi will be an expensive hot mess.

 

Thanks for contributing but I'm aware of what to expect with the Audi.

What would you look at for a 7 passenger vehicle with a towing capacity > 6,500lbs?

 

200 series Land Cruiser /thread

 

Well over the budget I believe and the wife thinks they are too large.

 

Chevy Suburban. Easy to work on. Simple small block v8

 

Toyota Sequoia
GMC Yukon
Nissan Armada
I'm sure I can go on

 

Toyota 4Runner
Ford Expedition
Range Rover

 

No Suburban is in the first post, 4Runner doesn't meet the towing requirement, Yukon is basically a Suburban.

 

I've owned 2 Durangos. Both were V6 3.6L penastar. Had no issues. Wife loved them. Great ride. We traded them in on a Ram. You'll love the RT Hemi but won't love the gas mileage. Hemi is a gas hog. Highway mileage is decent. In town 12-14.

 

Yukon is rebadged Trailblazer, I have an older one.

wouldn't call it 7 passenger though unless it's a 5 minute trip. that goes for all mid size 3 row vehicles.

I do a canoe rental business, in reality if you want to seat 7 comfortably, you HAVE to go Suburban size.

If you're taking 7 kids to soccer practice.......I wouldn't use a new vehicle, laughs.

 

I find it humorous that @Bebop recommended a Rover after saying that the Durango and Q7 will be maintenance nightmares.

Spoke to the wife more about this and she likes the Q7 and Durango because they are easier to get kids in and out of car seats (sit lower than others in this category that meet our towing requirement). We plan to purchase a 1-3 year old vehicle and the 3rd row would be used for short trips when the family is in town or when going out with friends (passengers will not be in the 3rd row for more than 30 minutes per trip).

It looks like Chevy doesn't make the Trailblazer anymore and they don't have anything smaller than the Yukon/Tahoe that meets the towing requirement. The Sequoia, Land Cruiser, Armada, Expedition, and Suburban/Yukon/Tahoe are larger than what she wants to drive on a daily basis and sit higher than the Q7 and Durango so getting kids in and out of their carseats is more difficult.