Tell me I'm completely insane for even considering this........

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bruin1md

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At the risk of getting blasted, here goes...........

Given the 3 bumps in my build date (now pushed out another 2 months to April), I started thinking whether this was a sign to perhaps not a get raptor. Accordingly, I started thinking about other options.
As I posted way back, I've always been intrigued by the 392 Hemi V8, and as such, cross shopped a Rubicon 392. Then I drove a Rubicon with the turbo diesel and decided quickly that there was no way I could live with this on long drives. I also have loved the Raptor from afar for years, but never seriously considered getting one until moving up here to the mountains and driving my buddy's gen 2.

When I drove his, I really liked it-- A LOT, minus the turbo lag in normal mode, and figured based on what I read about the Gen3, I'm going to like it even more. I live in a rural community at 6500 ft, and won't be doing hard core rock crawling, and likely won't be pushing the Raptor in the desert either, but am intrigued about doing some stupid stuff occasionally down in the desert w/o hopefully doing any serious damage.

I can't have a second 'fun' sports car right now, so having one vehicle that does it all is important.
So, the other vehicle I'm considering is.............

.......A Dodge Durango SRT 392.

Before anyone laughs too hard, the reasons are as follows:
-- Durango gives me a very good DD --similar to the Raptor. Not sure which would be more comfortable for long drives to Utah and CA, which I will do every couple of months, along with twice a month drives down to Phoenix.
--Durango would scratch the 392 itch, and from what I'm hearing, this engine may be retired soon b/c of emissions laws. I have no idea if this is true, but if it is, then it makes sense to own one for a couple of years and then get the Raptor later, as it's not going anywhere.
-- Off roading: I haven't done nearly as much as I thought I would in my current ride: 4runner TRD pro. Therefore, I'm not sure it's a big loss here. The Durango can get me to the light trails I need to get to for hiking. The big minus is no fun in the desert, but again, I wasn't going to push my Raptor too hard down there.

In terms of cons..........
--The Durango interior << Raptor. I much prefer the Raptor interior in terms of tech/design, and space, and on long drives, will probably enjoy driving the Raptor more with the new suspension set up in the 3rd gen. Durango will be a stiffer ride for sure, but probably fine in 'auto mode'. I can't find a SRT Durango anywhere around me, so there isn't a chance to compare the two.
--If I change my mind about off roading, I'm screwed.

In terms of fun factor:
--Not sure about this one. I love the way the Raptor handles on road, but that exhaust note isn't going to put a smile on my face the way the 392 will.

Unknowns:
--I'm not sure if the AWD platform with AS tires on the Durango (295/45/20) or the auto/part time 4wd system in the Raptor is going to be better for our winters when it does snow and the roads ice over. This is only relevant for 3, maybe 4 months out of the year.


--Bottom line is that I now KNOW I want a Raptor one day, after having driven one. I completely get the love people here have for them. I'm just proposing an alternative for maybe 2 years before I sell it and get a Raptor once this economy cools and the supply chain issues resolve.
--yes, I'll still have to order the Durango and there may be delays there too............no guarantees.
--Price wise: it's close to a wash. Durango built out is more expensive than the Raptor at MSRP by a few thousand, but I'll get about 5% off MSRP on the Durango.


Tell me I'm nuts for even considering this alternative.
 
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bruin1md

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You got to decide for yourself. I do know that a lot of people claim that a minivan with a V8 is better than a Raptor with a V6, so you wouldn't be alone. ;)
I need to talk to some of these people.
They've probably started a support group after talking themselves out of getting a Raptor.
 

CINISI

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I’d get the 392 Wrangler before the Durango. Wrangler’s are legos for adults. You can do a lot to customize them and resale is always high. I know of a dealer doing $7k off on them if you’re interested. Hang onto it until this bologna with Raptor pricing subsides then sell it for right around new pricing.
 

catinthehat85

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Sounds to me you like the idea of a raptor but have no intention of taking advantage of its capabilities. Some folks here act like that’s a terrible thing but it’s no different than someone shopping for a high end sports car and never taking it to the track. Nothing wrong with that either. Raptors have their own brand image, much like Ferrari’s or Porsche’s. Raptor represents ultimate high speed capability off road, whether you use it as such or not. If I can sum it very simply, you may like the exhaust note of the Durango more, you may even find it more comfortable and usable. A raptor is a terrible tool for most rocky trails, it’s just too wide. At the end of the day you could compare a raptor to any truck you want and you could find a million benefits to the other options.

But, it will never be a raptor.
 
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bruin1md

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I’d get the 392 Wrangler before the Durango. Wrangler’s are legos for adults. You can do a lot to customize them and resale is always high. I know of a dealer doing $7k off on them if you’re interested. Hang onto it until this bologna with Raptor pricing subsides then sell it for right around new pricing.
$7k off sticker is amazing............PM me if you don't mind.
Best I could find on the Rubicon 392 way back was about $2k off sticker. However, I've heard dealers aren't selling them the way they thought they would
 
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bruin1md

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Sounds to me you like the idea of a raptor but have no intention of taking advantage of its capabilities. Some folks here act like that’s a terrible thing but it’s no different than someone shopping for a high end sports car and never taking it to the track. Nothing wrong with that either. Raptors have their own brand image, much like Ferrari’s or Porsche’s. Raptor represents ultimate high speed capability off road, whether you use it as such or not. If I can sum it very simply, you may like the exhaust note of the Durango more, you may even find it more comfortable and usable. A raptor is a terrible tool for most rocky trails, it’s just too wide. At the end of the day you could compare a raptor to any truck you want and you could find a million benefits to the other options.

But, it will never be a raptor.
I suspect most people I've seen (or at least know up here), aren't doing high speed desert racing in their Raptors. My intent was to actually engage in some of that after I got one, while still having a truck that would be great for long drives to so cal.
I'm not saying I won't do it, but I've started to re think just how aggressive I'm going to be with it when I do take it to the desert, and how much I would miss not being able to do that in another vehicle. that's all

I'm fully aware it's not a rock crawler/ideal off road trail truck. It's not what it was built for.
 
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