Well I finally made time to test drive one of the vehicles on my list today, it was allright. It was the SLT Plus, so it didn't have the most speakers, or the top-grain leather. Even though it was 49,000 Cdn. I would still buy one. The first thing I had to do while I was adjusting the mirror, and setting the seat was rev the engine, and it sounded healthy to say the least! I revved it as hard as I could, but not enough to anger the dealer as he strapped into the back seat. ;) The thing is, it doesn't really feel that powerful until it gets going a bit, then it really pulls. I was trying to remember that it must weigh more than 5,000 lbs as it moved faster, the more it revved to a nice roar in protest. I averaged 10.2 mpg, likely due to some agressive testdriving? The ride was a little choppy, but by no means as bouncy as the Ram 1500 I tested last year. While going down a narrow bridge, it was not as scary as the Ram. You can see around the front fenders in the Durango, and even shoulder checking the blind spot was easy to find a hiding car there. The dealer told me that it is a unique chassis built just for the Durango and assured me it was not one in the same with the Ram. Steering was dead center, and not too heavy or too light. I folded down the 2nd. row seats, and couldn't figure how to get them back up again! :hmm: It's tricky, but possible with practice. We sat in a Jeep Liberty in the showroom, but it seems too narrow for me when I close the door. Like a little coffin. :suspect: One thing I learned today, black doesn't look good after a salt bath! :D

Anyone else have an opinion of the new Durango, or test impressions?

ok i dont want to look dumb but what the hell is a hemi? like i hear about hemis and its such a big deal, like is it a type of engine specific to chrysler cars? like the rotary engine for the mazda and the VTEC for honda and northstar for cadillac? How is a Hemi engine mechinically differnt that makes it so special??? Can someone please explain?

ok i dont want to look dumb but what the hell is a hemi? like i hear about hemis and its such a big deal, like is it a type of engine specific to chrysler cars? like the rotary engine for the mazda and the VTEC for honda and northstar for cadillac? How is a Hemi engine mechinically differnt that makes it so special??? Can someone please explain?

I'm no expert, but I know it refers to the shape of the combustion chambers. Hemispherical combustion chambers. Supposedly the unique shape of them can make more power in certain situations. Well, not so unique really, the Ford Mustang Boss 429 used either semi-hemi heads, or hemi-heads if I recall? One way to tell one are the giant valve covers that have the sparkplug wire go directly into the head, 4 on each side. The new Durango hemi (5.7 L) had the resemblance of the hemis of yore with these physical characteristics, except the engine in the Durango is shoved in closer to the dash, and you can only see about half of it.

When my Fiance asked "why is the glovebox so small?" The dealer responded, "It's because the engine is so big, and shoved in so far towards the dash." :hmm:

When my Fiance asked "why is the glovebox so small?" The dealer responded, "It's because the engine is so big, and shoved in so far towards the dash." :hmm:

Classic!!