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Cannot really compare the two. I should know because I own both. I have a beautiful Flame Red 5.9 99 Durango 4x4 with loaded except the VCR/TV. I've lifted it, got and intake, throttle body and exhaust, and added some aftermarket ignition parts. And my wife has the 2001 Blk MDX with tour/Navi. I love mine because it rides like a MAN truck with tons of power and tourque for pulling my boat. And she loves hers because it's quiet, smooth, very carlike, and she feels very safe when driving in the rain. I have to admit it is nice to drive in luxury after driving around in a loud rumbling power truck. Two totally different vehicles for different needs. I love them both and we haven't had a single problem with any of them. My D is still alot quicker though....
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quote:
Originally posted by joystix
Cannot really compare the two. I should know because I own both. I have a beautiful Flame Red 5.9 99 Durango 4x4 with loaded except the VCR/TV. I've lifted it, got and intake, throttle body and exhaust, and added some aftermarket ignition parts....
What did you add to the Durango? I've raced my friend who has the big engine top of the line Durango and I beat him when we race. Did you do anything with your air filter or get an aftermarket one that'll give more HP and torque?
DBastian |
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The parts that made a big improvement on the D was:
Intake system from Tony D (somewhat like the Gen II from K&N)
Flowmaster 70 series muffler
Tony D Throttle Body
& Mopar Performance Module
She can't even come close.......Stock they are both around the mid 8's 0-60... |
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I wondered when this topic might appear.
My '98 Durango 5.2L is going in favor of MDX ownership. I concur that they really are 2 different vehicles even though mine is relativly tame compared to joystix - absolutely agreed that the 360 V8 is the hot setup.
Despite what is being said about them mine has been utterly reliable thus far, (even for having been built on a Saturday) but I just can't continue to go 10MPG anymore even if it is just plain old 87 oct. I feel the suction on my wallet as it is being emptied into the oil companies fattening profit margins. Bearable yes when gas was in the high $1.20's but not when it is likely to hit $2.00/gal. here again this summer.
I will miss the "so you think you've got wind-noise generators" aka 6X9 mirrors which give you a total view of what's behind you even in 5-6 lanes of Bay Area traffic - no head whipping here to check the blind spot.
-dm |
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I feel your pain. At first When I installed all the aftermarkets I thought I could keep my foot off the pedal when all the other SUV pull up next to me at a light. But NO!! It must be the man in me. All the aftermarket parts installed are supposed to give you much better fuel economy but it's just dang hard to keep 300hp silent. But I too am getting just and average of 10.5 normal to 12 when I'm good and the wallets low. I know alot of guys on the Durango Boards trading in their babies also. But I have to admit ever since we got the MDX my D stays in the Garage on weekends for fuel consuptions purposes and the very quiet ride. Now that here in California we are having energy/power/gas crisis' not to mention another kid going crazy in high school shooting incedent I have a feeling GAS is going to be near the $2.50 for 87octane and PG&E bills are going to be in the $400 a month range...... I keep asking myself "Why did I have to get into the Semiconductor industry?" it kinda keeps me strapped here in the Bay Area...... Good luck in finding a new vehicle..... So do you have an MDX or are you just looking. If not I really recommend it for what you get it is a wonderful vehicle. Here in California we just got hit hard with some rain (not as bad as the east coast) but I couldn't tell the difference driving in the pooring rain except for the huge rain drops hitting the windshield and dry pavement. I guess the auto 4x4 really works but I wish there was a way of telling if it's on or not.......
Ric |
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Being in the market for a new SUV, I looked at the Durango (but previously owned a Dakota, put a bad taste in my mouth), as well as all the others (MDX, 300, 4 Runner, etc, etc...)
The MDX was awesome, and I will get one eventually (but keep a real 4x4 in the garage with it) when Acura is not so damn proud of them. Talking about speed, qucikness, etc., there isn't much out there that will run with a Grand Cherokee Limited (V8). Stock it does 0-60 in low 7's (some mags report 7.7, some 7.2).
Just installed a custom exhaust (high-flow cat, Flowmaster 70 and 3" mandrel bent throughout) & K&N FIPK. Pretty nice gains and a great growl. Had the opportunity to run a Durango R/T three days after the mods, no contest, not even close. The RT is a great looking truck, hope his ego is okay. :)
Hooked up a friends GTech, entered all the data, says 0-60 is now 6.8 :) Biggest difference between the Acura motor and the Jeep is torque, the Jeep has 50 more flbs but 5 less HP: Stock). The Acura is fast (as SUV's go) but... big lack of seat-of-the-pants grunt found in the Jeep. Do not try to take a V8 Jeep in your MDX.
I'll second that the Durango, Jeep and many other truck-like SUV's are completely different than the MDX and are aimed at different buyers (towwing capacity, real off-road capability, etc).
Gas milage is where the Acura wins big time, I'm getting 14 in the city, 18.5 on the highway :(
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Oooops... looks like this is turning into a Mopar thread, better be careful or we'll get banned. :)
Joystix - sounds like you're also a regular on the durangoclub as well? It's obvious because you have all the TonyD mods and refer to it as a "D". One can only hope that the group here at acuramdx.org stays as well organized and active as that group - they have been a great resource for me over the years and fun to boot with the BBQ's and get-togethers.
Regarding the MDX - Actually from all the great (horror-storied) posts here I have decided to skip buying locally altogether and have ordered an MDX from out of state (AZ) due in Apr. So we'll make a family vacation out of it and tour the Grand Canyon State (where my wife and I grew up) with our MDX before returning it home to the Bay Area.
Okie- I agree about keeping a "real" 4X4 in our stable. Thanks to my wife who traded in our VW for a Nissan Frontier CC 4X4 while I was overseas in Hong Kong I never have to worry about hauling wood chips for the yard or garbage to the dump in the back of the MDX or even getting out to the family cabin in the boonies near Frenchman's Lake when the road there is 3 miles of 6" deep mud and half melted snow.
Sorry for the long-winded post, just feeling wordy I guess... |
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Okie,
Yup very jealous of the speed of the Jeep. Even with all the mods I could put onto the D I still wouldn't be able to take on a V8 jeep. Well maybe except a supercharger that I am not willing to pay for. But when I bought my D I was looking for a new looking SUV and when I was looking I did check out the Jeep and really liked it because it was a lot carlike at the time but my big turnoff was the reliability when Jeep was having problems with the tranny. I think the later models are better in reliability. But I also needed to tow my boat which was over 5000lbs.
Drowningman,
As for the MDX we got ours here in Pleasanton for sticker and didn't have to order. They do not take orders but you have to be readyto purchase when they get the one you want in. The only place they will get you is accessories. We wanted the Touring/Nav but when they get it it has everything else on it like wood steering wheel and shift knob, Fender flares, Front grill guard and gold package. We wanted all that too but if you didn't, you wouldn't have a choice. They wont take it off. But you still pay retail and no markup...... Now I wish my wife would let me put mods it like my D but it is hers so if I want to play I have to use the D. The thing I do enjoy is the looks we get when we drive around. We get people just staring and some even ask us if they could look inside...I do love it so hopefully we can get years and years of enjoyment with no problem. Got our fingers crossed. Good luck with your MDX and hope you love it like we love ours.....But I really wish they made a white one. Black is so hard to keep clean... |
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The V8 Jeep GCL with factory class IV has a 6500 lb capacity. I pull around my 8x12 tandem axle enclosed (4200 lbs) like it's not even back there (as did the Dakota).
No doubt the 99 and some early 00 Jeeps had problems, lot's of them. Course then again, the paint literally fell off my 97 Dakota, it burned up 3 batteries, lost a U-Joint within 3000 miles and sucked gas like no other. I guess anytime you buy a first year model, you take a chance. I doubt Acura will suffer as much as Chrysler. |
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| Durango is too skinny. We need to put three in the second seat and the Durango is very tight and uncomfortable. |
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| A "real" 4x4 is a must...mine's a 84 CJ7 w/V-8 rollcage,air lockers,winch.....that's a real 4X4! Most SUV's are just for getting around in bad weather on the roads...perfect for an MDX! |
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| i currently own a dodge durango. it's a great truck, and i have'nt had any problems through 26000 miles. but i'm selling it because my gg mdx should be arriving in june. there 2 different type of trucks, the durango is more for offroad use and it also is very roomy. the mdx on the other hand is more luxurious, and it has better handling ( very carlike). i'm not much of an offroader and i dont have any little ones so i'm going with the mdx(although the mdx is pretty roomy for it's class). but i recommend the durango for anyone looking for a full-size truck, because thats essentialy what it is. |
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| The biggest difference between the MDX and the Jeep Grand Cherokee Limited V8? It's unlilkely that the MDX will self distruct as my 1998 Jeep did. I have never owned a vehicle as unreliable as the Jeep! It appears that my experiences are not uncommon either based on the reliability of the Jeep as listed in the latest Cosnumer's Report Car Issue. The Jeeps were at the bottom of the list by a LONG shot. Right above it was the Mercedes M class, also not known for being reliable. The Jeep was my first American vehicle and based on my experiences, it will be my last for a long time, at least in the SUV segment. |
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Consumer Reports? That's who you go to for info?
They haven't tested a Grand since 99... and continue to report the same data. Their picks and comments are always so PC, it's laughable. They are also the ones that don't like a Viper becuase it has a "stiff ride".
I enjoy the hell out of my Jeep. And no, the V8 is not the only difference, it has real 4 wheel drive and doesn't drive/feel like a grocery hauling minivan.
Not buying American just because it's American is sheer ignorance. I recall too well when everything that came out of Japan was rolling crap. Things change.
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I wasn't referring to a test of the Jeep, I was referring to their compilation of the reliability of various vehicles, the latest version of which just came out this month.
This information does not come from their tests but rather from the experiences and reports of vehicle owners. Like it or not, Jeep is at the bottom of the list, followed by the ML... Such numbers do not lie.
As to specifics on my 1998 Grand Cherokee V8 4WD (which is hardly an older model), here are just SOME of the MAJOR things that went wrong in 36,000 miles:
Blown rear main seal on engine
Numerous fuel injection and computer problems (computer replaced once as well)
Two transmission failures
Big end bearing failure in the #5 cylinder
Rear end bearing failure
MANY oil leaks from many places
ABS pump failure
Numerous transfer case problems
Perhaps I simply got a lemon but I have never been so happy to get
rid of a car in my life! Thank God, I leased it and it was in warranty while I had it!
Yes, it was fun to drive, when I could actually drive it! The handling, however, is not in the
league of a number of contemporaries, including the MDX. It may be great off road, assuming it stayed together long enough, but that is not where I, and the majority I suspect, do most of their driving...
Regards,
Tom
[QUOTE]Originally posted by Okie
[B]Consumer Reports? That's who you go to for info?
They haven't tested a Grand since 99... and continue to report the same data. Their picks and comments are always so PC, it's laughable. They are also the ones that don't like a Viper becuase it has a "stiff ride".
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The Grand was completly redesigned in 99. Prior to 99 designated XJ, 99 forward is a WJ. There is a tremendous difference in the two; 4x4 system, transmission and engine, just to name a few.
Peterson's 2001 4x4 of the year.
Again.... things change.
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