I NEED TO GET RID OF THIS CAR PLEASE TELL ME MY OPTIONS. What can i do?
Posted by Weird_Break_1836@reddit | askcarguys | View on Reddit | 67 comments
I (22male) am currently (hopefully not for long) driving a 2017 dodge Durango RT i financed it with the bank (navy federal) and ever since i had it i received nothing but issues
1st. on a roadtrip to pick up my wife from texas coming from Nebraska. on the way back to nebraska the water pump failed and car overheated mid road trip paid $250 to get it towed(insurance useless as always ain’t covered it) to a mechanic and an additional $150 for a hotel and $300 to get it a new water pump installed
2nd.water pump hoes wasn’t installed correctly (i didnt know until i had it diagnosed) and payed an additional $300 to get them installed (i live on a military base so it was a pain in the ass to get them able to fix the car)
3rd. brakes was screaming for there life out of no where luckily after a few videos and a couple hundred bucks down for tools and parts i did them myself (brakes and rotors)
4th starter went out at work payed $150 to get it towed to a dodge dealership for them to tell me so. payed $168 for the part and $600 to get it installed (tried to install it myself but its in a crapy tight spot and couldn’t get to it)
5th and final straw. on military leave back in my home town (houston texas) the car overheated again and now its smoking every time i try to run it
MIND YOU ALL, I just got the car September 5th 2025
In conclusion im done with this fake truck. heres the problem, me being young and stupidly excited to drive a hemi i financed this car with the bank along with a high interest rate. i need to trade it in or at bare minimum get rid of it. my credit isn’t the best right now and i CANNOT handle a high car payment, im currently paying $400 a month for this Durango i cannot go any higher someone please tell me my options my leave is ending soon and i need to get back home to my post for work (im also broke with less then $500 in my bank accounthh [was supposed to be used for gas to get me home])
Ilovebaseball1234@reddit
Classic
Technical_Car3729@reddit
Trade it into a dealership and get a much cheaper vehicle
Negative equity sucks but I mean if the actual monthly payment is lower and the vehicle is less of a headache that’s probably the move.
Suspicious-Spell-130@reddit
They will only roll over about 125% of the value into a loan, so if he is 10k underwater, he'd have to buy a $40k vehicle and take on a $50k loan, which is probably going to double or triple his payments.
Technical_Car3729@reddit
Oh shit lol , bro needs to ductape that dodge
Putrid-Function5666@reddit
You financed a 10 year old Dodge. There is no getting out of this without going way negative in financing your next car, and even that will depend on credit score and rank. I'm guessing E3.
For a Dodge, those are minor problems. Fix it and drive like your grandmother would, and pray a lot.
Chair_luger@reddit
What is the current loan balance and what do you think you could sell it for in it's current condition?
Weird_Break_1836@reddit (OP)
well after repairing it again im sure i can get 12-15k for it and i still owe about 30k principal is 17k
Euphoric_Loquat_8651@reddit
If you owe 30k, the principal is 30k. Pr do you mean you will pay 30k over the life of the loan? Those are very different things.
Weird_Break_1836@reddit (OP)
I meant the principal is 17k as in thats how much the car was. With that and interest i owe a total of 30k combined
Euphoric_Loquat_8651@reddit
You owe $17k. That is the relevant number if you're trying to get rid of it. The remaining interest that would accrue during the remaining life of the loan does not exist yet.
Rich6658@reddit
Burn it! Claim insurance
hardeho@reddit
not dodging (lol) a single stereotype here.
Weird_Break_1836@reddit (OP)
yup. live and learn i tell you wat im going str8 to Toyota after this
hardeho@reddit
Retired 1Sgt here, so just some good natured ribbing. Anyway, on the downside, nothing Toyota makes will scratch that itch like the SRT 8. OR anyone else for that matter, even if you find another SUV just as quick, you'll long for the V8 rumble and the V* shove you get at low RPMS. The effortless low end torque. But, on the plus side, they rarely break, and when they do they are easier and cheaper to fix. Also, I've found that in the 15 year old used Market, the Lexus version of Toyotas have depreciated to nearly the same price, and are very often a much better deal for mechanically the same vehicle.
Hersbird@reddit
He's saying he's going straight to Toyota after this.
Successful_Piano8118@reddit
There's nothing here that's significantly different or won't happen with a Toyota.
Brakes, starter are regular wear items and will fail.
You need to understand that maintenance is normal on cars, regardless of age and brand. You're underwater and stuck with this vehicle.
Other comments mentioned several resources in base to utilize. I recommend using them.
Hersbird@reddit
Find out how much it's worth as it sits. Find out your payoff. Start saving the difference. When you have it, sell it and pay off your loan. Don't be tempted to try and roll that negative equity into another vehicle which I doubt will be much better.
Always pay attention and heed warning lights and gauges. You can overheat something and cause no lasting damage. Then you can overheat something and continue to push it to catastrophic failure.
Next time when you are on base and have a problem, use the auto hobby shop if they have one. They have lifts, and tools, and people that can help. I learned a lot there when I was your age in the Navy, I was poor and married as well.
Successful_Piano8118@reddit
Someone isn't installing your water pump correctly and not diagnosing what's causing so many coolant and overheating issues.
Brakes and starter is normal maintenance. Disregard that expense. Entirely in line with a 10yr old car. (I have a ram 1500, same motor, same maintenance items I've done)
You need to stop going to the cheapest mechanic and find a real quality guy/place.
Weird_Break_1836@reddit (OP)
your probably right hut man im a broke e-2 22yr old can you blame me man
traineex@reddit
Hand the keys to someone at home u trust. Call ur shirt (what we called our 1st seargent) tmrw, make a game plan
Imma guess u ain't supposed to be an e2 by now, me too man, me too. They will find ur financial fuckups and hold it against u
Get it fixed, pay the loans (I got free loans for fixing my shit box). Use the $500 to get a rental or plane ticket
FaithlessnessEasy276@reddit
This is the way. From your description you now have a blown head gasket & maybe a warped head (consequences of severe overheating). If the car is now in your home territory where you have people you trust to help you, leave it there, fly back to work, and build up the cash to pay for repairs. Hopefully you have family that you can park the car at while you save money. Use your network to find a good local mechanic that will do an honest job to fix it. Don’t even start the repair process until you have $1000-1200 saved
Successful_Piano8118@reddit
I know but you're stuck with this vehicle. You're too underwater to be able to sell it and thus your options are
Get AAA. It will pay for itself with the first tow.
Next, you need someone to truly go through your coolant system and make sure it's all hunky dory. Make sure your radiator is actually working as Intended, hoses are on correctly and in good condition (not brittle) (there isn't a lot) and that you have correct coolant +distilled water in the system. Thermostat is working and you don't have a heater core issue.
Being mil, I'm assuming theres options for assistance on base, utilize them. Your NCO Co, or whatever they are called should be able to help you in this regard.
The 5.7 is generally as good as anything else. Maintenance is key. You're stuck with this vehicle until you get equity, time to take care of it. YouTube is going to be your friend from now on. You're gonna learn how to diy most jobs on your car.
nullpassword@reddit
Dunno bout the base your on but I've seen em have automotive bays you could rent/check out with tools. Parts places lend tools. Usually have to pay a security fee that you get back.
HappyChandler@reddit
Are you active duty? You should have someone on base who helps out with financial issues. You’re far from the first service member sucked in by the thoughts of a hemi to discover what owning a Dodge means.
Don’t hide your problems from the military, they’ll probably find out.
Weird_Break_1836@reddit (OP)
Yes im active duty and i dont like talking about my finances especially since its been shown im always in a pinch with this car.
Efficient_Roll22@reddit
So you’re an idiot in more ways than one. Sell the ugly unreliable POS car even at a loss. Buy a cheap Toyota like a Camry, Corolla or Prius from 2001-2012.
beaushaw@reddit
"Don't talk about money." is one of the dumbest things our culture teaches.
Finances is one of, if not the, most important thing you need to learn to have a successful life. It is criminal that parents and society does not teach young people about it.
Get over yourself and ask for help.
jrileyy229@reddit
So, you don't want to discuss your options with someone who is basically a professional at dealing with this exact situation? This is what you need before you make another big mistake. ... You financed a ten year old Dodge product with zero savings at some crazy interest rate. Don't compound that with another big mistake.
You'd rather ask Reddit and give them zero information or numbers? The others are right, you're probably just stuck. Any offer you'd get would like be 5-10k less than you probably owe
5thor6th@reddit
Cars and wives are our 2nd and 3rd bad decisions we make after the first one, which is to join the army. (You shoulda went chair force) These muggles are right tho. You're fucked in the game with this one.
You can: make it your own. By that I mean, learn to fix you're own car problems. A sense of pride comes with it.
Start with YouTube videos on your make and model and problem. Find the forums for the same online. Learn your car. Learn to turn wrenches. Seems all newer cars are crap now and with that skeeter wing pay, you're not going to be able to understand or even afford a legit mechanic for too long. Or when they're tryin to fuck you, which plenty of them will. Listen to me when I say that one of the best thing you can do moving forward in life, is to learn your vehicles. They'll be a huge part of your life. You'll save a lot of money by learning to fix your own problems. That's a skill that pays you for life. This is probably your best recourse time now.
The alternative is: sell that mfr on marketplace. Don't be a shitbag and not disclose it's problems. You'll take a loss. If you dont learn your cars, you'll be doing this for life. Especially since you like non truck dodges. They suck. Pretty, but they're made of garbage at the core.
Just-Forever6684@reddit
First off stop trying to buy and build expensive computers. I think you need to use your military connections to get help. Financial counseling, help with maintenance, don’t go at everything alone. I’d also recommend paying for AAA because you get free towing.
Longjumping-Log1591@reddit
Water pump hoes!
Weird_Break_1836@reddit (OP)
I don’t care about repairs i want a another vehicle i’m tired of this
MarkVII88@reddit
Oh Honey, I'm sorry you have no idea.
chibicascade2@reddit
You're going to have to fix your credit first.
Silverstacker60@reddit
That’s to bad.
Banishedandbackagain@reddit
You do not have the luxury of that just yet, you need to fix it first as that will massively help get rid of it quickly.
Do the thermo fans switch on when it's hot?
Use an AI to help you trouble shoot the issues, you'll be surprised what you can do.
Successful_Piano8118@reddit
Don't have a choice I'm afraid, you're underwater and signed a contract for this vehicle (just like mil).
MarkVII88@reddit
You payed to have the hoes installed and you payed to have the starter replaced in a crapy tight spot?
toadglow01@reddit
Sell it to CarMax or a local dealer today and take the hit on the negative equity if you have to. Dodges from that era are basically electrical nightmares once the water pump goes, so you are actually saving money by getting out now before the transmission decides to quit.
Master-Pick-7918@reddit
First, call your insurance and get them to put towing on your insurance. It adds like a dollar a month to your bill.
Second, does your base have the auto shop whee you can work on your own vehicle and borrow/rent tools? Or have that done away with that?
You're not going to unload this truck and get a lower payment. No lot will do that, they will roll your loan into the new loan.
Jondiesel78@reddit
I don't think you have a vehicle problem as much as you have a financial planning problem.
Not only did you finance a depreciating asset, but you did so in a manner that put you upside down in it.
Let your CO and XO know what is going on. They may be able to help. The military also tracks what dealers are scamming service members.
wannagetcock2@reddit
BLUF: You are too upside down to be rid of this vehicle unfortunately. You could sell at a loss but no one is going to buy it until it is repaired and you will still owe the balance of the loan.
First, did any of your NCOs look over this deal before you purchased it? Second, get with your squad leader/first line supervisor and explain the situation. Third, go talk to/call AER (Army Emergency Relief) and they can help get the vehicle repaired and you back to post. Fourth, start utilizing the Auto Skills Center on base to help get your maintenance completed for cheaper. Fifth, STAY AWAY FROM DEALERSHIPS FOR REPAIRS unless it is warranty work that has to go back to a dealer, and you don't have any warranty! Find a reputable local mechanic in your area and have them do an inspection on the vehicle to identify any and all issues. A good mechanic will list each deficiency and the severity of it (needs done now, can wait, cautionary). Recently retired SFC here. Have used AER twice to get vehicles repaired and they relieved a bunch of stress when I needed it!
Successful_Piano8118@reddit
This OP. Use these resources
Jealous-Being-5742@reddit
If it’s smoking after overheating it’s probably a head gasket. She’s toast
refuz04@reddit
Gaskets can be replaced. Only really an issue if you also warped the head.
YeahIGotNuthin@reddit
Still not “toast” even with head problems. Just has to pull the head(s) and replace it (or both of them) with remanufactured one(s) and then solve whatever problem caused the overheating to begin with.
OP is going to spend a bunch of time at the base auto shop is all.
JitWithAstang@reddit
Unless it’s all wheel drive those starters aren’t to bad to get too, I think the 3.6 required engine mount to be removed. Those lifters are notorious to cause ticking and misfires, so be on the lookout for that. They aren’t hard to do, takes about 4 hours with the right tools. Hemis are pretty easy to work on
JitWithAstang@reddit
Should’ve done ur research on these cars. I’m a tech at a dodge dealership, a lot of times if it overheats the head gaskets blow
Cyndagon@reddit
Nebraska, so you're at Offutt? See if the garage on base can help take a look dude.
Also if you're in need of help, Falcon Loan is an option.
Is the wife working? Plenty of opportunities around the base. My wife worked at a local elementary school there, could look at that.
V-Dubber@reddit
Let this be your last American vehicle
They’re all terrible
InevitableMidnight54@reddit
You're 22 and drive a mom car and have a wife?
The US is a wiiiild place.
biggunzcdb1@reddit
Owning Chrysler products is sadism.
Fun-Needleworker8775@reddit
Are you under water on the car? If you aren’t you can sell it and buy a cheap car for a while. $400 a month at today’s interest rate with $0 down would be something 10-15 thousand dollars.
PoetExcellent3215@reddit
Of course he is underwater, for the main reason it's a Chrysler and a peice of shit. He probably paid 3 times what it was worth, not to mention the financing.. live and learn.
elquirk@reddit
Lemon Law
Explorer335@reddit
That applies only to new cars, certainly not 9 year old used cars.
Weird_Break_1836@reddit (OP)
does it even apply in this situation? i got it from a dealer ship idk if that helps
elquirk@reddit
Yes! We had 2005 Volvo XC90 that nothing but 1 problem after another. We had good paper records of every dealer fix. Went to a Lemon Lawyer and he said slam dunk. Volvo bought the vehicle back.
WittyFix6553@reddit
When was this?
ku_78@reddit
Imma guess around 2005. I’m psychic that way
WittyFix6553@reddit
So probably doesn’t apply to a 2017 dodge in 2026 then.
4x4Welder@reddit
No, generally. Lemon law is for a new vehicle only.
Mod8All@reddit
Lemon law also applies only to the same issue if it can't be fixed correctly at 3 different attempts.
Successful_Piano8118@reddit
Not applicable for used cars.
Rough_Cancel7265@reddit
Sell it to whoever you can and eat the rest of the balance
wolphrevolution@reddit
Outside of the water pump probably not being the problem or installed uncorrectly none of it is actual problem, the brake are just maintenance, starter depend on the mileage mostly or if it got a bad batch, on any car its pretty much a hit or miss for it, we have a acura that we had to change it 3 time at 130k miles but my 27 years old toyota with 250k miles and my father ram 1500 2015 with 500k miles both have the original one. It really depend of a lot of factor, most starter are the same with a different housing so they all have around the same reliability
Rasp75@reddit
You probably should join AAA, would have been cheaper than 1 tow. It's like $30 for tools to do brakes. Does your base have an auto shop to work on your car? There are usually people there who can walk you through minor repairs and they have tools you can borrow. 10 year old cars will have minor issues like these if they have not been done.