2008 Durango hybrid

[hemiram]

The new hybrid transmission going into the 2008 Durango Hemi (and probably the Aspen Hemi too) is supposed to get mid 20s for MPG.  Will you pay the extra cost of hybrid to save the mileage?

[moparman]

I suppose the biggest factor will be how much extra the hybrid powertrain will cost.

[hemiram]

I suppose the biggest factor will be how much extra the hybrid powertrain will cost.

That's probably how most people think.  But as the price per gallon goes up the oil companies are gonna price themselves out of a market.

[diesel game]

Personally I can't wait for a diesel hybrid.  I wouldn't mind throwing out the extra cash for a hybrid if it meant a few extra mpg while towing.

[hemiram]

If we were all independently wealthy I'm sure that would be the case for all of us.  Myself included.  But I'm a bit too apprehensive about getting a hybrid in something that is supposed to be reliable like a rock and have a ton of utility.

[moparman]

If we were all independently wealthy I'm sure that would be the case for all of us.  Myself included.  But I'm a bit too apprehensive about getting a hybrid in something that is supposed to be reliable like a rock and have a ton of utility.

Thats my issue as well.  I don't use the D for a lot of towing, but I don't want to have to deal with the hybrid drivetrain needing repair.  And when I do tow I don't want to have to worry about it breaking down.

[CrazyCurt]

If we were all independently wealthy I'm sure that would be the case for all of us.  Myself included.  But I'm a bit too apprehensive about getting a hybrid in something that is supposed to be reliable like a rock and have a ton of utility.

Thats my issue as well.  I don't use the D for a lot of towing, but I don't want to have to deal with the hybrid drivetrain needing repair.  And when I do tow I don't want to have to worry about it breaking down.

Chrysler transmissions are pretty strong right now.  Since this hybrid is built into the whole new transmission I don't think it will be a problem. The last thing they want is to gain the reputation of having bad tranny's again.

[moparman]

If we were all independently wealthy I'm sure that would be the case for all of us.  Myself included.  But I'm a bit too apprehensive about getting a hybrid in something that is supposed to be reliable like a rock and have a ton of utility.

Thats my issue as well.  I don't use the D for a lot of towing, but I don't want to have to deal with the hybrid drivetrain needing repair.  And when I do tow I don't want to have to worry about it breaking down.

Chrysler transmissions are pretty strong right now.  Since this hybrid is built into the whole new transmission I don't think it will be a problem. The last thing they want is to gain the reputation of having bad tranny's again.

x2, this trans will last - the only thing you don't know for certain is how the batteries will hold up?  If it costs you 10k to change out batteries at 100k miles that would suck

[jeepers]

It better last, I've read a few articles about saving oil in our vehicles.  The authors did the math and state that improving fuel economy in our small cars doesn't have much of an impact (because they already get good mileage and only make up a small percentage of total vehicles on the road).  We would see the best increases if the auto makers improved fuel economy in light/heavy trucks (that currently get overlooked by CAFE standards).  Since many people drive trucks/SUVs those would get regulated into better fuel savings, but the biggest impact would be on truckers.  If semi's got better mileage our food/clothing/everything else that needs to be shipped would go down in cost as well.  The US needs big autos that get mid 20s for mpg and up.

[gman]

Didn't some district court just throw out those regulations?  It's weird.  I know that the auto makers have been getting around those standards by classifying everything they can as a truck but I don't think courts have the power to just throw out regulations...  Either way though we could use an increase in mileage of our bigger vehicles, everyone wants one these days.

[06Hemiman]

6k towing capacity isn't enough for me so I had to say no ;( As long as it doesn't cost that much more it should be an attractive option for most people though.

[moparman]

6k towing capacity isn't enough for me so I had to say no ;( As long as it doesn't cost that much more it should be an attractive option for most people though.

That's the problem though, the hybrid system is expected to cost like an extra 5k.  I've read some articles about ford doing some kind of hydrolic hybrid that only costs around 1k and would be more efficient.  If that's the case then a ford might be in my future

[05ram]

I wouldn't purchase a hybrid system full of expensive batteries that are going to reduce my towing capacity.  But the hydraulic one would be great, it's cheap and could probably be hooked up retroactively.

[95concord]

I wouldn't purchase a hybrid system full of expensive batteries that are going to reduce my towing capacity.  But the hydraulic one would be great, it's cheap and could probably be hooked up retroactively.

No reason to forsake a good way of saving fuel just because you're unsure of the batteries.  If you can get it used for a good price and the batteries go out you still have a working vehicle until you can replace them.

[MegaTruck]

If I were to get a durango I would pay the extra to get the hybrid.  Assuming the batteries last at least 100k miles and it adds an extra 4k cost it would pay for itself pretty easily.