No Resale Value! Whats Up?

[jjman]

I have a 2001 Dodge Durango SLT PLUS 4x4 that I have been trying to sell for the last month and a half with no luck, nobody seems to want it!

Now, I'm not talking about some trashed out vehicle here, its truly like new inside and out, not a spot on it, runs flawlessly, have used Mobil 1 syn. since about 5000 miles, its loaded with everything, I paid over $31,000 for it new. Its red with black leather. Has a full coverage extended warranty.

I have spent a small fortune running ads in the local newspaper, the local trading post, have it advertised on several websites like traderonline, kelly blue book, and a few others. I listed it on Ebay 4 times with detailed photos and description.

For pricing, I started out taking the average listed at several websites like kelly blue book, NADA, Black Book, and Edmunds. Which have the private party value average at $17,500. What a joke, I'm down to just trying to sell it for what I owe $14,995! Not even one phone call, highest bid on Ebay was $11,000.

What gives with these Durango's? Nobody seems to want them, I think its a great vehicle, we just want something different. We are buying a new Honda minivan and I took it to the dealer to see how much he would give me for it and he even commited on how nice it was but said they are hard to sell and he could only give me $10,500 on trade! No way.

Anybody got any ideas or had a similiar experience?

[laser179]

I JUST GOT A 1999 SLT PLUS LOADED WITH THE 5.9 L I love it but I shopped around and all the dealers said they get not so good mpg.Well I knew my 5.9 wouldnt do to well but I replaced stock muffler with dynomax ss and on the hwy im pulling"easy driving" 17 mpg.Every one says im nuts but im doing my math right ,and replacing the stock beast of a muffler has worked for me! ALL IN ALL I feel that when the price for gas goes up like it has we all lose. Just my opinion and good luck on the sell.I got mine for under 10'000 also.....

[hd1200st]

Dodge Durangos seem to have a slight problem with engine sludge. I've been waiting over a month for a re-built engine. Can't find a new one either. There must be a big demand for these engines because they are really hard to find.

http://www.automotiveforums.com/vbul...d.php?t=218216

[RT Mark]

Originally Posted by hd1200st

Dodge Durangos seem to have a slight problem with engine sludge. I've been waiting over a month for a re-built engine. Can't find a new one either. There must be a big demand for these engines because they are really hard to find.

http://www.automotiveforums.com/vbul...d.php?t=218216

Unless you are waiting for a new one from the factory under warranty, why not just get a 408ci from the FastMan?

http://www.thefastman.com/Engines.asp

A lot of folks go with him.

That's what I'd do, if the tranny went out I just get a Martin Saine tranny.

[emrobin]

You may be having problems selling your Durango because of the new, more appealing body style. Dodge finally got it right and created a durango that's all it's own and not sitting on the Dakota frame. The dealers are selling the new one's like hotcakes, but the old one's are sitting on the lots. Dodge really did a great job with the interior and exterior.

[dmburrows]

The engine sludge is one thing. There have been transmission problems. And don't forget about rear wheel hop.

[MethodMan420]

Ball joints, engine sludge, tranny you name it the chrysler name is a name will forever be tarnished with poor quality. Not to mention the instrument panels, electronics, the list goes on and on.

[ronnyvous1]

Originally Posted by emrobin

You may be having problems selling your Durango because of the new, more appealing body style. Dodge finally got it right and created a durango that's all it's own and not sitting on the Dakota frame. The dealers are selling the new one's like hotcakes, but the old one's are sitting on the lots. Dodge really did a great job with the interior and exterior.

I don't know, the local dealer here has a heck of a time trying to unload his remaining '04 Durangos because the styling is objectionable (his term). Yes the Hemi is nice, but it looks like a fat Caravan. We went in to make a deal on an '04 quad cab 1500 and he did just about everything but throw in a free PT Cruiser to make a deal on a Durango!!!!

The big reasons for poor resale are, according to the dealer:
First, there are zillions of 98-03 Durangos out there, the popularity works against a high resale when the market is glutted with an item, also the high number of them coming off lease with relatively low miles and low residuals as compared to the original MSRP. Second, for the prospective buyer doing his/her homework, it isn't all about the body style but the mediocre track record and especially the amount of publicity about the front end problems. Once a buyer starts looking, say for instance doing a Google search, they find out all about the poor design contributing to the oil pressure issues and subsequent engine failures. They read further and see reports of people with DOCUMENTED 3,000 mile oil change histories still having blown motors and D-C isn't even acknowledging that there is a problem???? They move right on by the Durango to Explorers and Tahoes.......

[jjman]

Well, I finally sold this pig for only $15,000, lost my shirt.
It was a really nice vehicle with no problems and not a spot on it.

I will never buy another, we bought a Honda Odyessy, at least they have some resale value.

[lisvin]

Yes I have found this out too. I went and test drove a new one last week and they wanted to give me $5,500 for my 99 that I owe $13,000 on! How nice of them! Then they went up to $7,500 which is what the KBB is. NADA shows $10,000 for wholesale and $12,000 for retail. Guess the new body style is really hurting the old guys!

[Puffnstuff]

Since cbs aired the story on the ball joints you will see even less interest in them and the dakota. People get the impression that the manufacturer doesn't care about them and for the most part they're right.