Grabber's 2016 Dodge Durango R/T AWD

[Grabber]

Whelp,

Mustang is gone along with my 2008 Explorer that was my DD.

Wanted something new and something that can be driven all year, looks good, drives good and has decent power.

Test drove a new 2016 Ford Explorer sport @Beast which was awesome! But, it didn't really blow me away. Then, we drove the 2016 Durango R/T and it blew my mind. For a 5,300LB SUV, it is fairly quick, rides and handles extremely well.

Here are some pics.











Not doing much in terms in performance mods on this one. May do an intake that doesn't require a tune, few appearance mods such as Tints, plate frames, small accessories for the car, weather tech digital line mats for all 3 rows and I already replaced the factory lugs with blacked out gorilla lugs and wheel locks.

I really like and enjoy this car. In the 3 days we've had it, we've already put almost 300 miles on it and it's barely gone through a half tank of gas which is pretty awesome.

-Chris

Click to read more...

 

[Mook]

Congrats!

 

[1quick]

Nice

 

[SleeperLS]

I like the way those look.

 

[IDAFC21]

Looks good, congrats!

 

[10sec]

I love how the plate still applies!

 

[Eagle]

Wow, I'm kind of shocked that this beat out the Explorer Sport! Can you put a finger on what it was that shifted your choice to Dodge?

I still have a terrible opinion of Dodge based on prior experience - but maybe if its a car you're not keeping forever (who really keeps cars forever anyway) maybe its not a big deal any more?

Congrats on the new ride!

 

[GLADIATOR]

Congrats. I owned a 14 limited with hemi. We loved it and got 22+mpg when we travelled. I also chose it over exploder because of tow rating and that hemi rumble.

 

[Knowklew]

Wow, I'm kind of shocked that this beat out the Explorer Sport! Can you put a finger on what it was that shifted your choice to Dodge?

I still have a terrible opinion of Dodge based on prior experience - but maybe if its a car you're not keeping forever (who really keeps cars forever anyway) maybe its not a big deal any more?

Congrats on the new ride!

My guess would be a combination of price (the dodge is cheaper), and the explorer sport just doesn't feel as fast. The v8 rumble is a no brainer.

I drove the Explorer sport as well and while it was nice, it wasn't memorable. I looked very hard at the Durango R/T, I can only bet it is far more pleasureable to drive. The explorer felt like it served its purpose, the Dodge I would bet has a fun to drive factor compared to the Ford.

 

[Grabber]

Wow, I'm kind of shocked that this beat out the Explorer Sport! Can you put a finger on what it was that shifted your choice to Dodge?

I still have a terrible opinion of Dodge based on prior experience - but maybe if its a car you're not keeping forever (who really keeps cars forever anyway) maybe its not a big deal any more?

Congrats on the new ride!

The new Explorer looked great and had a super nice interior with tons of bells and whistles. However, it felt smaller than our previous 2008 Explorer, with akward seats and armrest height. The car felt very low to the ground, almost as if we were driving a sedan. In addition, the AWD with a 3.5 Turbo engine had a great idea. It had "lag" and was somewhat slow to accelerate for a smaller SUV.

The price was a bit higher than the Durango, simply due to the fact that it was fully loaded.

As soon as I drove the R/T, the V8, handling, bigger overall size on the inside and looks won it without a look back at the Explorer.

My guess would be a combination of price (the dodge is cheaper), and the explorer sport just doesn't feel as fast. The v8 rumble is a no brainer.

I drove the Explorer sport as well and while it was nice, it wasn't memorable. I looked very hard at the Durango R/T, I can only bet it is far more pleasureable to drive. The explorer felt like it served its purpose, the Dodge I would bet has a fun to drive factor compared to the Ford.

That's pretty much it. Granted, the Ecoboost Explorer will be faster with basic mods like an intake/tune/downpipe, but, I don't care too much about modding the car. The V8 sounds awesome, the car, for as big as it is, moves out very well. It was far more roomier on the inside and after putting 300 miles in 3 days, it's safe to say the car is far more comfortable.

I haven't been this happy in a while. It's a tough car, that looks great, handles and drives great that I can drive all the time with zero issue. The Mustang, well, it had it's limits and was not practical as the gas mileage was even worse and it was essentially a 2.5 seater car. LOL.

Thanks guys!

 

[ekrunch]

Congratulations bro! Looks like a nice new ride. And I totally hear you on the engine thing. I have an Ecoboost F150 and love it, but it just doesn't have the V8 feel and sound. Works great, gets great fuel mileage, and has good power, but not awe inspiring in any way. :/

But I will be needing to confiscate that Ford Racing banner and move it to my garage. LOL

 

[IZZy]

Congrats on the new truck!

 

[Tight Lines]

Congrats on the new ride, it looks really nice!

 

[Gav'sPurpleZ]

Billet with the blacktop package

looks great

 

[bimmer4life]

Congrats on purchase. Looks real nice. I am surprised the V6 echo sport felt slower though. Thought that SUV was at least .5 faster to 60 then the R/T

 

[Grabber]

Congrats on purchase. Looks real nice. I am surprised the V6 echo sport felt slower though. Thought that SUV was at least .5 faster to 60 then the R/T

Felt slower, but, it's really only a couple of tenths quicker. In comparison, the R/T drives smoother, is effortless to accelerate, whereas the Explorer felt like it needed to power up before taking off.

Both the R/T and Sport are high 14's stock around 92-94 MPH and hit 60 in about 6.2-6.5 seconds.

 

[bimmer4life]

Felt slower, but, it's really only a couple of tenths quicker. In comparison, the R/T drives smoother, is effortless to accelerate, whereas the Explorer felt like it needed to power up before taking off.

Both the R/T and Sport are high 14's stock around 92-94 MPH and hit 60 in about 6.2-6.5 seconds.

Nice. Good to know and once again congrats. I really like the styling on the new Durangos

 

[Grabber]

Nice. Good to know and once again congrats. I really like the styling on the new Durangos

Thanks man! I really love it so far and am starting to get an itch to do more things, maybe a resonator delete and intake to start. Nothing crazy like my Mustang.

:thumbsup:

 

[ekrunch]

Hellcat swap. (That's kinda like stock since they're both dodge parts, right?)

 

[Grabber]

Hellcat swap. (That's kinda like stock since they're both dodge parts, right?)

That would be awesome!

There are rumors in 2018 they are releasing a Hellcat Durango, but, I imagine it will be 50K more than what R/T's go for.

Pricey, but, oh so fun!

 

[ekrunch]

Just think of the butthurt people would get when they got smoked by a Durango!

 

[MikeyLikesIt]

Congrats! Every time I see a Durango R/T I can't get over how good it looks.

I will just leave this here for when you get bored with the newness. Hopefully, they will have something for the 15-16 by then.

2011 -2014 Dodge Durango 5.7 RIPP Supercharger Kit

 

[Euro]

Congrats! Diggin' the blacked out look

 

[RICH17]

These look really good. 8 speed?

 

[Angus]

Truck looks great! Congrats!

Can I ask though - what was your final purchase price?