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Thinking Of Getting A New Vehicle...

What Vehicle Do Think Would Fit My Needs Better?

  • 2016 to Present Dodge Durango R/T

  • 2016 to 2018 Ram 1500 Rebel

  • 2016 to 2018 Ram 1500 Sport

  • 2019 Ram 1500 Big Horn Black


Results are only viewable after voting.

redriderbob

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I love my 2014 Dodge Charger R/T Plus AWD Sport. But I have been debating if I should get a new vehicle soon. I am not bored with car, and get a ton of compliments on it. But as many of you know I am an automotive spy photographer on the side, and sitting so low really doesn't help when you are trying to get a shot of the latest truck or SUV when they sit so high or in a hilly area. Not to mention my car has been BOLO'd about a million times by every test driver since it sticks out like a sore thumb. lol.

I don't want to spend a ton of money either. I always buy used. But here is what I am think and I want your opinion on what I should start looking into. Here is my have to have things...

  1. Has to be a HEMI
  2. I attend a lot of car show and cars & coffee events, I want something I can have fun modifying
  3. Cost, while I love the new Rebel... it is out of my price range for an $50,000 pickup. Although, Ram 1500 Big Horn Black Editions are nice, but would be pressing my spending allowance.
  4. Has to be great in the snow... yeah, thanks Michigan.
  5. I am a semi-professional photographer and shoot a lot of offshore boat racing events around the midwest and east coast. I need something comfortable. (I am 6'1" and built like a linebacker).
  6. I usually don't have people with me, but I always have camera gear with me. So I need room but not a ton.
  7. I want something sporty and fun to drive. It doesn't have to be a HELLCAT but has to have some pickup and sound good doing so.
So let me know what you think... I am being serious about this. I am having the itch since I have had my car for two and a half years already.
 

Ryan

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If you're wanting something to modify, I don't think you can go wrong with either a Ram or a Durango. There will obviously be more off-road style accessories for the Ram, but I get the feeling you're more into the performance modifications? In that case, hasn't Mopar been expanding their catalog of performance accessories for the Durango since the release of the SRT to bring it to the level of the Charger and Challenger?

IMO, I'd go with a Durango R/T AWD. You'll get AWD and a Hemi, Dodge performance and performance accessories, plus it's basically the Charger SUV and you're already very familiar with the Charger. Tazer is available for the Durango too, IIRC. Plus a Durango will be much easier to park and drive than the larger Ram and it will handle better, which was my main complaint going from a Charger to a Ram.
 

UN4GTBL

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The Durango is the 7 passenger Charger...

Although most Ram modifications are off-road focused, there are a bunch of good looking "street" Rams too.
 

Cody's Car Conundrum

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How about a 2012-2014 Jeep Grand Cherokee SRT8? More power (obviously more weight than the Charger though), 4WD, performance oriented, likely better handling than the R/T Durango (sportier suspension) and probably still big enough to haul all your stuff.

I don't know what sites you check but used (30K-ish miles used) GC SRT8s seem to go for less than 48 grand on Craigslist (I used Craigslist just to check what the numbers look like).

Plus, if Instagram is anything to go by, there are quite a few mods available for it.
 

redriderbob

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How about a 2012-2014 Jeep Grand Cherokee SRT8? More power (obviously more weight than the Charger though), 4WD, performance oriented, likely better handling than the R/T Durango (sportier suspension) and probably still big enough to haul all your stuff.

I don't know what sites you check but used (30K-ish miles used) GC SRT8s seem to go for less than 48 grand on Craigslist (I used Craigslist just to check what the numbers look like).

Plus, if Instagram is anything to go by, there are quite a few mods available for it.

Too old.
 

redriderbob

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The Durango is the 7 passenger Charger...

Although most Ram modifications are off-road focused, there are a bunch of good looking "street" Rams too.

I would do more of a street performance truck, unless it was a Rebel.
 

redriderbob

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If you're wanting something to modify, I don't think you can go wrong with either a Ram or a Durango. There will obviously be more off-road style accessories for the Ram, but I get the feeling you're more into the performance modifications? In that case, hasn't Mopar been expanding their catalog of performance accessories for the Durango since the release of the SRT to bring it to the level of the Charger and Challenger?

IMO, I'd go with a Durango R/T AWD. You'll get AWD and a Hemi, Dodge performance and performance accessories, plus it's basically the Charger SUV and you're already very familiar with the Charger. Tazer is available for the Durango too, IIRC. Plus a Durango will be much easier to park and drive than the larger Ram and it will handle better, which was my main complaint going from a Charger to a Ram.

Tazer is being upgraded for Ram now too!
 

devildodge

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I voted forthe Durango. If I didn't use my trucks so much, that is what I would be driving right now.

I think it would work well for your photography, your trips, and winter.

Do the seats easily come out in the Durango?

Yeah, Durango is where I would spend my money.
 

Blown7

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From your poll it seems your truck biased because three of the picks were pickup based,

So go for a crew cab Dodge Ram, Your choice on options based on your wallet.
 

Jared B

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I voted for the 2019 Big Horn Black. Some people are getting some pretty crazy deals on them if you find a dealer willing to play ball. Trucks always have a huge aftermarket and you can go after whatever style you see fit, street/performance/off-road. The 5th gens also ride incredibly nice and are very very comfortable.

That said all your choices are good, it depends on your driving style as well. If you want something that can handle, forget about the full-size truck as they are a bit cumbersome, that's one of the reasons that I have a second car because sometimes you just don't want to be driving a truck. The Durango R/T is a hell of a value for the money and they're very nice to drive.
 

redriderbob

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I voted forthe Durango. If I didn't use my trucks so much, that is what I would be driving right now.

I think it would work well for your photography, your trips, and winter.

Do the seats easily come out in the Durango?

Yeah, Durango is where I would spend my money.

I would just leave the third row down.
 

Powdered Toast Man

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I know I want to replace my 2011 Journey R/T but I've committed to driving it for at least a few more years. It's eaten some significant repair costs recently and if I'm going to shell out the money for a new (or new-ish) vehicle then I want to wait until the FCA lineup has more PHEV options. If it were me I'd hold onto the Charger for a bit longer - especially if it's not nickel and diming you yet.

But if you really want to swap out, I'd take the Durango. Pickups have a very high cost of ownership.
 

Blown7

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@redriderbob ....I found something interesting in your first post you said you had your car "for 2 1/2 years and are itching"

That tells me something right there.. I myself, still own my first SRT Jeep a 2007 model, and even though I have the 2018 Trackhawk..... the 2007 Jeep I still never tire of....

I personally think if a person finds the "right" vehicle you never feel it gets old to own.....

Possibly someday....... you'll find what you really like.
 

Rustydodge

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Sounds like you made up your mind, but here's my opinion as I own both a 2015 Durango RT and a 2015 Ram 1500 Laramie. Its a tough one between the RT or the Ram sport (i wanted a sport instead of a laramie, but couldn't find one with the options i wanted) or a brand new big horn for your uses.

If i had to pick only 1 vehicle, it would be a Ram. Whenever we road trip as a family we take the truck (me, wife, 1.5 year old, 80 lb dog). The durango would be fine for one person though. RT ride is a little stiff, but it definitely drives sporty around town, corners great, and sounds great doing it. If i had the room in the garage, I'd rather have 2 Rams. They get about the same MPG, the rams rear seat is more roomy than the durango's 2nd row. The truck bed with tonneau is more useful than the durangos 3rd row folded down. More storage in ram with infloor boxes and ramboxes. Both can haul 6 people (i have a laramie with front bench seat). But my wife would struggle more to park a larger truck as her daily driver.

For modifying i was going to lift the durango and run 32" tires but found out they fit without lifting. You'd be more unique in a modified durango but you'll have more options with a Ram. I've dreamed of trading the durango RT in on a SRT but its the wife's car and i don't care for the new front. May upgrade to a WL when they finally come out but i'm thinking the price will be out of reach vs its function as a family vehicle for us. Probably will end up with a used pacifica in 2 years instead as we have another child on the way.

A 2019 Ram would probably hold value better, since its a new model, than the 2016 Ram sport. But i still prefer the look of the 4th gen sport trucks.
 

redriderbob

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@redriderbob ....I found something interesting in your first post you said you had your car "for 2 1/2 years and are itching"

That tells me something right there.. I myself, still own my first SRT Jeep a 2007 model, and even though I have the 2018 Trackhawk..... the 2007 Jeep I still never tire of....

I personally think if a person finds the "right" vehicle you never feel it gets old to own.....

Possibly someday....... you'll find what you really like.

Oh I love my Charger. But I miss functionality of being able to go to Home Depot or what not and be able to put huge objects in the back. As well as sitting higher when I do my spy photography. Plus all of the test drivers know my car all to well.
 

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