2004 Dodge Durango Review Oklahoma

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Introduction

Dodge Durango -- 2004 Review: Welcome to the spring of 2004. Fuel prices continue an upward spiral, approaching record levels that have some Americans spending nearly as much money in fuel on a monthly basis as they do on their car payments. Criticism of SUVs is escalating, with new scrutiny on car/truck compatibility in crashes and formal review by legislators of the federal definition of a light truck in establishing Corporate Average Fuel Economy (CAFE) standards. Plus, there's plenty of focus by the automotive industry on hybrid powertrains; Ford, Honda, Lexus and Toyota are rolling out new models that get twice the miles per gallon but with no discernable impact on acceleration.

Ranting and Raving

Meanwhile, Dodge runs advertising featuring a thirty-something schlub teaching his young son that in America's consumer society, bigger is better, especially when it comes to the fuel-slurping Hemi V8 under the hood of the redesigned 2004 Dodge Durango.

Wait! Don't go. This isn't some anti-SUV rant disguised as a 2004 Dodge Durango road test. The new Durango is an excellent vehicle for people who need one, and we'd recommend it.

Original Recipe Dodge Durango

Before explaining why we like the new 2004 Durango so dang much, let's review the pros and cons of the original version. The Dodge Durango debuted in mid-1997 as a 1998 model, based upon the ruggedly handsome Dakota pickup truck. It was one of the first mid-size SUVs to offer seating for seven passengers and, miraculously, adults could find a modicum of comfort in the standard third-row bench seat. With its true off-roading capability, roomy cabin, and comfortable seats, the original Durango was a hit. But like most cars and trucks, it wasn't perfect. The interior was constructed of marginally acceptable materials, the ride was pickup truck stiff, the optional 5.9-liter Magnum V8 guzzled fuel, and the Durango was no crash-test star.

New and Improved Durango Goals

Given the Durango's history, it comes as no surprise to learn that the goals of the team charged with creating the redesigned 2004 Dodge Durango were to better the ride quality and handling, refine comfort, add modern conveniences, improve safety, and increase fuel efficiency.

Forming the foundation upon which these advances are built is a fully boxed, hydroformed ladder frame designed specifically for the 2004 Dodge Durango. This new frame is engineered for optimum body stiffness and reduced assembly complexity, resulting in ride quality gains, increased handling responsiveness, improved safety, and reductions in noise, vibration and harshness.

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Sävy Strategic Creative

The Finest in European Automotive in Bend.

1.541.359.3068
Service Rd
Bend, OK
http://www.getsavy.com/

The Finest in European Automotive in Bend.
The moment one walks through the doors at German Master Tech in Bend, Oregon, its meticulously kept, white floored shop currently home to an impressive lineup of detail and restoration in progress: the bright silver Porsche spec racer being built in the center of the room, the Porsche 911 S undergoing a full restoration and the variant of others, from BMWs to Ferraris, it is quickly understood why German Master Tech, with some of the finest European auto technicians and restoration specialists in the country, supports some of the finest European cars on the West Coast. This German-apprenticed, master-trained company, that refers to its work as “a craft”, is known to many by the unmatched service and support they provide their racing and restoration clients across the country, to others by the niche expedition preparation service they provide all-terrain vehicles, and still to their most dedicated customer, the fine European car enthusiast, German Master Tech is truly the one to many in this town.
German Master Tech’s President, a BMW Master Technician, Tim Morris, brings with him over 25 years experience in the industry and has been awarded several achievement and master technician status awards though BMW specialized factory schools. Tim has also achieved BMW’s Center of Excellence Award twice and is a seven-time BMW President’s Club Technician. German Master Tech’s co-founder and past partner, Jay Audia, won the 07 SCCA Regional Championships for GT2 in his German Master Tech-prepared Panoz. The company’s third founder is one of Bend’s most passionate Porsche enthusiasts, John Audette.

“Restorations have been a large part of our focus,” said Morris, describing some of his company’s award winning roots. “From our very first restoration, a 58’ BMW Isetta 300, which we took to the Forest Grove Concours d’ Elegance in 05 and won our class, in addition to taking home the President’s Award, which was judged by Pacific College’s President as “the car the college student would most want to drive,” said Morris. “I drew on my past car show and restoration experience to pull off a surprise win. It was a good deal of timing and the right car, with the right colors. We stole the show with a micro car, it was great!” Morris said standing next to his red Porsche hot rod parked inside his shop. “Car shows and racing are my passions,” he said with a smile.
“Our tuning business is the best around,” continued Morris of the company’s capabilities. “The application of our developed performance packages to already great cars really creates a ‘wow’.” German Master Tech provides full warranty BMW performance upgrades as a Dinan-authorized dealer, and Porsche performance programs that take the 911 to the next level. “Our tuning business has led us to organized racing, which has been a life-long dream of mine.” Included in German Master Tech’s list of champion racing cars are a 64’ BMW 1800 TISA owned by Steve Walker of Salem. The 1800 TISA is BMW’s first post-war racer based on a production car in regional vintage racing. A 911 Porsche racer owned by Bend’s Mark Powell will be racing in one of the West Coast’s fastest growing amateur racing classes, Spec 911. “Mark’s car is special as it ties together the whole business: a restoration with an extreme tuning package.”

“German Master Tech has worked on all my cars, including a Range Rover, BMW, three Ferraris and a Porsche,” said Ervin Richards, a long-time German Master Tech customer. “I bring my cars here because they consistently do it better and because they’ve always gone way beyond the call of duty in their service and support of my vehicles.” “If I can bring it to German Master Tech,” said Richards, “I will.”
To learn more about German Master Tech, contact them directly at 541.322.9647.