Durango vs. Tahoe vs. Expedition

[BF]

Hi,

I'm looking for a used SUV... there seem to be quite a few Durango's for sale, fewer Expedition, and even fewer Tahoe's/Yukons.

My first thought is that I prefer the size of the Tahoe or Expedition over the Durango, which seems a bit more "mid sized" to me. We're a family of 5 with a lab, and often with a friend or two along, so 3rd row seating is a must. I do like that loaded up Durango's with DVD and leather etc, aren't too hard to find here. I can get an '04 or '05 for ~$15K (with ~100K KM on it). Expeditions with reasonable mileage are a bit harder to find, and seem to be worth a bit more. There are even fewer used Yukons/Tahoe's for sale, and those tend to have high KM's... DVD player doesn't seem very common in those either. Newer one's of these (e.g. 05's) are still pricey.

I've considered Envoy and Explorers too, but I'd only want the latest style (= larger) which means they tend to be pricey... I think I'd prefer a full size Expedition since the prices are comparable.

So, here's the Q... Not to start a Ford Vs. Chevy vs. Dodge debate, but has anyone have input on these? My BIL has an '01 Tahoe that's a nice truck and that's been good to him. Durango's don't get great reviews from what I've read... But I don't know anyone who's actually owned one. Same with the Expedition. I know there were issues with the 5.4 engine, but I think those had all been solved after the first few years (?). Any particular weakness of Expeditions?

thanks for your $.02
Thanks

 

[CN Spots]

Re: Durango vs. Tahoe vs. Expedition

I've got a 2000 Silverado and I'd buy a 2000 suburban in a heartbeat. The only cons to that era GM suv was weak brakes (same brakes as the trucks but suv's are heavier) and the vents are asthmatic. It's unusual to find one that the gas gauge doesn't jump around a lot too. A replacement sending unit is like $400, I've learned to live with mine.

We had an Explorer for a few years but it was too small for 3 kids, 2 in car seats, so it had to go. It had a reoccurring low idle/stalling problem.

 

[ehenry]

Re: Durango vs. Tahoe vs. Expedition

We have a Durango. BOught it new and I wont own another one when this one is gone. Its not as late a model truck as you're speaking of in your post. Ours is a 1999 model. Its not been a reliable truck. Ball joints are weak, all of them have been replaced twice. Transmission has been replaced, a/c compressor has been replaced. Its got a rod or a main bearing knocking in it now. I didnt want to buy it to begin with...SHE did, so to keep peace and harmony in the house thats what we got.

Get a GM, Ford or a JAP vehicle.

 

[WizeOne]

Re: Durango vs. Tahoe vs. Expedition

With 5 people you would not be happy with the size of the durango. Go for the Expedition or the Tahoe. My preference is for the Expedition. Chevy has too many stupid things that break.

 

[IVAZ]

Re: Durango vs. Tahoe vs. Expedition

Go with a GM or Ford. They are bigger and will handle a load better. At my work in 2004 we bought seven F150's with the 5.4, five had their engines fail (crank bearings failed). 2005 and newer models are suppose to be ok.

 

[i386]

Re: Durango vs. Tahoe vs. Expedition

My vote is on the Ford or Chevy. Of those two I think the Tahoe is the nicer looking one.

 

[Bob_VT]

Re: Durango vs. Tahoe vs. Expedition

All of my time at car dealerships..... avoid the older Durango someone already mentioned the front ends and transmissions are problems......

I would go ford or chevy....... the Toyota is nice but there is still more room in the fords and chevy.

 

[Tail_Gunner]

Re: Durango vs. Tahoe vs. Expedition

Hmmm not that i have a dog in the fight.... But i think youd find the handling saftey and overall cost of ownership..ohh and room comfort opps then there is stylying...In the end cars are like women..you just cant help who you fall in love with...Try to stay away from dodge..chevy to..

 

[jimr]

Re: Durango vs. Tahoe vs. Expedition

Go with a GM or Ford. They are bigger and will handle a load better. At my work in 2004 we bought seven F150's with the 5.4, five had their engines fail (crank bearings failed). 2005 and newer models are suppose to be ok.

We have an expy at work that is noiser than any thing. It is a k9 unit and we really need to swap the engine it is an 05 3 valve.
Dodge is about to be Fix it again Tony my old pig ain't running. There isn't much good to say about them. Dahmler saw it and dropped them like a hot rock.
for fit and finish you can't beat the Tahoe for the 3 mentioned. I would look at the toyota or nissan also.

 

[DaleT]

Re: Durango vs. Tahoe vs. Expedition

I have an 03 Durango (1st Generation), 5.9L with towing package and 3rd row seat. If you are going to have at least 5 people in the vehicle I would definitely shy away from the D. The 3rd row isn't good for much more than a preteen and then it leaves virtually no storage. There are the trans and front end problems that could be present. On mine, the trans (46RE) went out at 73K miles and had to be rebuilt. It does tow fine, but the gas mileage (12 city 16 highway) without a load behind it still leaves something to be desired. I've been very fortunate to avoid the front end issues that many have had to this point. Other than a cracked CV boot. I have, however, had very weak spark from an oem distributor cap, crankshaft positioning sensor, and radiator cap(probably more lack of maintenance on this then mfg fault) all cause trips on a flat bed tow truck.

Having towed with a Tahoe, it too is a breeze. The only negatives I've had with them is the aforementioned gas guage issue and weak breaks, this is a work vehicle that is primarily used for towing.

Can't really speak to the Fords so I won't offer any opinion on them.

My best advice, read as many forums as you can, especially the repair forums, and see the problems people are having with each vehicle. Then the obvious road test and inspect every inch of the vehicle.

Good luck.

 

[sportsmanphil]

Re: Durango vs. Tahoe vs. Expedition

Scratch the Tahoe and get the Burban. The Burban's wheel base is actually shorter than an extended cab truck, they just look way long. Why a burban over the tahoe? Because you can have the 3rd seat and cargo room behind. The Tahoe with a 3rd seat has minimal cargo room. Plus the burban usually runs a bit cheaper than the Tahoe.

As a former Chrysler tech, I love Chrysler............because it fed me well (aka, they broke too often)

The Chevy has the best power to fuel economy ratio of the bunch. They also have the best history on transmissions. Just make sure if you go Tahoe/Burban you keep it newer than 2002, that way you get the 4L65E, better than the prior 60E trans.

I assume you will be towing. Of the 3, only the Tahoe has an optional axle locker. The others have a limited slip but just as its called,, it only limits the slip, but still slips. The GM has the GovLoc (developed by the military) it give you the plushness of an open diff but when one tire slips it locks the diff splitting the power 50/50 to each rear tire, and it stays locked until the pressure equalizes. To make sure your GM vehicle has this, look at the RPO label in the glove box and look for "G80" code.

Rating the 3: Chevy 1st; Ford 2nd and Dodge 3rd.

 

[rogerwa]

Re: Durango vs. Tahoe vs. Expedition

Ok here is someting I might be uniquely qualified to give an opinion on..

I currently own and operate a 1997 ford Expedition (4.6l) and a 2004 Suburban (5.3l).. Both of them seat nine.. I can haul more kids than anybody..

The expedition has 175K on it and the Suburban has 80+k..

All the expedtion has ever needed is Front Brakes, lower ball joints, and plugs. The expedition has a bad habit of getting water down in the plug hole which shorts the plug. But overall, very reliable. The 5.4l would definitely make this a better vehicle.

The suburban only had one waranty issue, that was a radio/CDplayer thing. Thats it, unitil about 60K where it needed a intake gasket. But overall very reliable. I have not done brakes or plugs/wires on it yet, although I will probably do the plugs and wires this spring.

Both have been very reliable and good vehicles. the rest comes down to preference.

I like the expedition for its handling. The Exp has a firmer ride, expecially with the Ranchos I put on there. You can bang across the field in it very well. It is also like a snomobile. It is easier to park and manuever..

The suburban is a better cruiser. Don't even bother taking it across the field.. It does tow better and I have towed big pontoons with both. It is very comfortable for a long road trip.

In my view they are very reliable and you would not go wrong with either. You just need to test drive them, get your kids in them and see what you like better..

 

[SuzukiChopper]

Re: Durango vs. Tahoe vs. Expedition

I had a '98 Durango that I sold to my parents. They pull a 26' camper trailer with it. I had to replace the transmission (my stupidity though) but the ball joints have always checked out (yearly alignments and front end checks). Parents had to do the pinion bearing in the rear diff, but that was it. Definitely not a lot of room with the 3rd row seating being used but with the 5.9L 360 it always pulled like a champ. I definitely like the Durango for what my family needs it for but I'd still recommend a Burben or Tahoe over it any day.

 

[bill6999]

Re: Durango vs. Tahoe vs. Expedition

I had both a suburban(5.7) and tahoe (5.3) both with 4 wheel drive for the ramps. Loved them both. With 5 people and gear I would lean towards the suburban.

 

[fast50]

Re: Durango vs. Tahoe vs. Expedition

i would go with the chevy .i have put transmissons in the dodges and the cam phasers in the 3 valve fords because they are noisy the newer chevys have been trouble free

 

[IVAZ]

Re: Durango vs. Tahoe vs. Expedition

We have an expy at work that is noiser than any thing. It is a k9 unit and we really need to swap the engine it is an 05 3 valve.
Dodge is about to be Fix it again Tony my old pig ain't running. There isn't much good to say about them. Dahmler saw it and dropped them like a hot rock.
for fit and finish you can't beat the Tahoe for the 3 mentioned. I would look at the toyota or nissan also.

So you are saying the 05 Fords are still crappy? Was it the 5.4? The 4.6 seems to do very good holding up.
I sold my personal 04 F150 when it started making a noise like the ones at work did before they nosedived (I used the money to buy my boat). It?s a shame because I really like the look of the F150's and I could not bring myself to buy another. The only option would be the small v8 and I could not bring myself to own a truck with a small v8. They left a sour taste in my mouth. In January I bought the wife an 09 GMC cause of that.

 

[conway22]

Re: Durango vs. Tahoe vs. Expedition

Save yourself being nickle and dimed to death and get a Toyota. You will never have to do anything but change the oil and turn the key.
The sequoia's are nice, super nice, but the newer Highlanders are huge with third row seating at a fraction of the cost.
I test drove one and it handles and drove like a Porche Cayenne. Boating mag just did a write up on the highlander as a tow vehicle. and got good reviews.

Good luck in the search!

 

[sportsmanphil]

Re: Durango vs. Tahoe vs. Expedition

Gotta disagree ^^^

First off the Highlander is a preganant Camry, something I can rip apart with my Silverado, which still gets me 20 MPG 185,000 miles later!

The Highlander is a good ride, if you want a stubby station wagon, but I wouldnt consider it a tow vehicle by any standards. The standard Highlander has a tow capacity of 2000 lbs as per Toyota. My Polaris Sportsman ATV has a higher tow capacity.

I do like the Tundra, but I like the prior model. The new one has not lived up to its hype. 4WD problems, the bed hitting the cab in rough conditions, poor handling with a high payload, etc..

And I will tell you from working on Toyotas along with GM and Chrysler/Dodge, the Toy's break just as often, but cost more to fix.


Adding Toyota to my top list, they go:

1st Chevy/GMC (2002 or newer for the 4L65E trans)
2nd Toyota (prior model, not new one)
3rd Ford (not sure which model to stay away from, ask a Ford tech)
4th Dodge (2003 or newer for the better trans)

 

[Gary H NC]

Re: Durango vs. Tahoe vs. Expedition

I have a Tahoe with 106k on it.

I have replaced the water pump and front brakes.Pulled the rear brakes off a few months ago with 101k on the clock. They were only 50% worn.
I replaced them anyway.
A trick on the front brakes is buy vented rotors.It solved the brake wear and warped rotors from towing heavy loads.

It has been a great tow vehicle.All i have done is regular maintainance.

I put free flow true dual exhaust,K&N cold air intake and a Superchips tuner on it.
Towing 6k pounds at 75 mph is no problem...
One thing i really like about it is it has grease fittings on every steering componant...The Fords do not that i know of.

So my pick is the Tahoe or Suburban...
It still drives like the day i bought it.

 

[Bob_VT]

Re: Durango vs. Tahoe vs. Expedition

Ahhh the infamous steering center link in the Tahoe was an actual bulliten to grease it