Jeep Commander Opinions - Page 2 - PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum

TylerH860 · #16 03-08-2008, 12:54 AM

I liked it because the Commander reminded me of the old Jeep Cherokees. This is the future of design, as unattractive as it seems, but, like I said, I could do worse.

The intended purpose of this vehicle is to work reliably in the winter and haul people and stuff. I drive the 300d full time, so I son't put alot of mileage on the SUV.

TylerH860 · #17 03-08-2008, 12:59 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Brian Carlton

You asked for our opinions on the Commander. John and I don't think much of it.

But, it's a personal choice. Clearly, you like it quite a bit and have already decided to purchase it.

So, go ahead and enjoy it.

What we think really doesn't matter..............

But, you did ask for a better 7 passenger vehicle...........and, my advice is the Toyota Sequoia.........but, I understand that you don't like them.

I'm not in love with the Commander, its a considerable downgrade. I wish I could keep the X5, but its not reliable.

Perhaps I should sell the X5, get my old dream truck, a low mileage 4.0 I6 Cherokee, and save for another impractical Benz purchase. Anyone want to dispute that?

Brian Carlton · #18 03-08-2008, 01:02 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TylerH860

Perhaps I should sell the X5, get my old dream truck, a low mileage 4.0 I6 Cherokee, and save for another impractical Benz purchase. Anyone want to dispute that?

I fully agree with that choice. A very economical and very durable vehicle..........will easily go 300K with just minimal care.

However........it's nowhere near 7 passenger...........

TylerH860 · #19 03-08-2008, 01:05 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Brian Carlton

I fully agree with that choice. A very economical and very durable vehicle..........will easily go 300K with just minimal care.

However........it's nowhere near 7 passenger...........

True, but I'd be saving more than $15,000. A nice lower mileage example that's not lifted by a high schooler can be had for less than $10,000!

Brian Carlton · #20 03-08-2008, 01:06 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TylerH860

True, but I'd be saving more than $15,000. A nice lower mileage example that's not lifted by a high schooler can be had for less than $10,000

.........Buy it...........

djugurba · #21 03-08-2008, 01:10 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TylerH860

True, but I'd be saving more than $15,000. A nice lower mileage example that's not lifted by a high schooler can be had for less than $10,000

I bought my 98 a month ago for $2600. Added in-dash HD radio, new rubber, and promptly got rear-ended by an 07 outback (MUNCHED). His insurance gave me $1000 to fix an exhaust hanger and get a new bumper... as if I care that the bumper on my $2600 winter beastie is dinged a bit. A nice receiver hitch will render it redundant anyway.

If you want to send me the $10k, I'll drive this XJ to you, wherever you are. I can leave tomorrow morning. Think how much you'll be saving!

Hmm, I just saw you're in Wichita... I'll require a special-edition beta-max video of Kenny Rogers' best film ever: Six Pack (1982). Otherwise, no deal

TylerH860 · #22 03-08-2008, 01:12 AM

You've got to admit how similar they look, though. Its why I liked the Commander in the first place.

TylerH860 · #23 03-08-2008, 01:14 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by djugurba

I bought my 98 a month ago for $2600. Added in-dash HD radio, new rubber, and promptly got rear-ended by an 07 outback (MUNCHED). His insurance gave me $1000 to fix an exhaust hanger and get a new bumper... as if I care that the bumper on my $2600 winter beastie is dinged a bit. A nice receiver hitch will render it redundant anyway.

If you want to send me the $10k, I'll drive this XJ to you, wherever you are. I can leave tomorrow morning. Think how much you'll be saving!

Funny, is it mint condition 98-01 Classic or Sport (whichever has color matched body cladding) with less than 75k, and fully optioned? I'd be all over it!

XJ? What does that represent?

djugurba · #24 03-08-2008, 01:16 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TylerH860

You've got to admit how similar they look, though. Its why I liked the Commander in the first place.

Until you park them beside one another- the commander looks like the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade Balloon version of the cherokee. The stock XJ isn't really all that large of a vehicle - I still lose it in parking lots amongst Yukons, Suburbans, Sequoias, Commanders, etc.

djugurba · #25 03-08-2008, 01:23 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TylerH860

Funny, is it mint condition 98-01 Classic or Sport (whichever has color matched body cladding) with less than 75k, and fully optioned? I'd be all over it!

XJ? What does that represent?

Jeeps have two-letter nomenclature. Old CJ-7s were probably the most popular in common parlance. Wranglers with square "eyes" were YJs; new wranglers with "round eyes" are TJs. Cherokees are XJs Grand cherokees used to be ZJ, not sure now- I think they've now gone to three letters. It's just dumb jargon for the insane jeep people to memorize and feel smarter than somebody else... I had a wrangler in college- other wrangler owners wave at each other- "it's a jeep thing" the jeep thing was a sign of understanding for the ****ty situation the other person was in- dumping all hard-earned money into lockers and wheels and lift kits and other junk to replace the crappy stock parts.

Still... I've come very close to buying an old Grand Wagoneer a few times. Love the woody.

Mine has 118k, is not in mint condition, is a sport (white w/black (UV faded to varying shades of charcoal) fender flares and side bumpers. I think you're after a Classic with the all-one-color look. I've seen them in the condition you're seeking in the $7k range. Make sure the exhaust manifold isn't cracked... common on these.

TylerH860 · #26 03-08-2008, 01:52 AM

Well... I guess you guys talked me out of it, after my initial pissed off retort. Why I allowed my ego to get bruised by a few harsh comments, I'm not sure.

I imagine I would act the same if someone were purchasing a GreenBenz car, or some other vehicle I detested.

Drool.....
http://www.autotrader.com/fyc/vdp.jsp?car_id=240313559&dealer_id=62182971&car_year=2001&model=CHER&num_records=25&systime=&make2=&start_year=1997&keywordsfyc=&keywordsrep=&engine=&certified=&body_code=0&fuel=&awsp=false&search_type=both&distance=500&marketZipError=false&search_lang=&make=JEEP&keywords_display=&color=&page_location=findacar%3A%3Aispsearchform&min_price=&drive=4+wheel+drive&default_sort=priceASC&max_mileage=75000&style_flag=1&sort_type=priceASC&address=67230&advanced=y&end_year=2008&doors=&transmission=&max_price=&cardist=500

http://www.autotrader.com/fyc/vdp.jsp?car_id=239528346&dealer_id=58171825&car_year=2000&model=CHER&num_records=25&systime=&make2=&start_year=1997&keywordsfyc=&keywordsrep=&engine=&certified=&body_code=0&fuel=&awsp=false&search_type=both&distance=500&marketZipError=false&search_lang=&make=JEEP&keywords_display=&color=&page_location=findacar%3A%3Aispsearchform&min_price=&drive=4+wheel+drive&default_sort=priceASC&max_mileage=75000&style_flag=1&sort_type=priceASC&address=67230&advanced=y&end_year=2008&doors=&transmission=&max_price=&cardist=448

http://www.autotrader.com/fyc/vdp.jsp?car_id=238477518&dealer_id=759194&car_year=2001&num_records=25&model=CHER&systime=&make2=&start_year=1997&engine=&keywordsrep=&keywordsfyc=&certified=&fuel=&body_code=0&awsp=false&search_type=both&distance=500&marketZipError=false&search_lang=&make=JEEP&keywords_display=&color=&page_location=findacar%3A%3Aispsearchform&min_price=&drive=4+wheel+drive&default_sort=priceASC&max_mileage=75000&style_flag=1&sort_type=mileageASC&address=67230&advanced=y&end_year=2008&transmission=&doors=&max_price=&cardist=440

KarTek · #27 03-08-2008, 07:58 AM

You made a good decision. Don't shop cars at a dealer where you can fall into the trap of making an emotional decision. I know it's tough when you've just been recently presented with a large repair bill and some shiny new vehicle is sitting right there ready to take home. Don't buy something new just to be driving something new.

Styling wise, the Cherokee was and still is an attractive design, nearly as timeless as the Wagoneer which used the same body for something like 30 years! IMO, your X5 is the best looking SUV in it's class ever built - perfect! I just like sanitary designs.

Personally, I would never buy a new vehicle unless I could pay cash for it. You loose tons of money on it right off the bat. Your current used vehicle, despite almost any repair cost will beat a new one hands down. Even though the repair costs seem huge at any given time becuase the come all at once as opposed to payments strung out over time.

If you're set on getting something different, make a list of every vehicle that fits the classification of what you're looking for - 7 pas SUV, right? Then compare them side-by-side in pictures, specs and reliability ratings and also, peruse some of the forums for each of the vehicles like this one. Maybe join a few and ask opinions like you did here.

t walgamuth · #28 03-08-2008, 08:18 AM

For a big vehicle which gets better mileage you may want to consider a suburban with a diesel. They hold their value as well or better than a mercedes used to at least they used to.

I had six suburbans because I used them to tow a travel trailer.

To me having a big suv makes no sense unless you are towing and have a bif family.

The bmw porsche and mercedes suvs might be built better than the tahoes etc but they make no sense to me.

But I am an odd american. I used to like cars which got good fuel economy back when you could buy it for .249 / gal.

Oh, and Brian is so right about depreciation. Why buy a new one now? Folks are giving them away because of the fuel mileage (except the diesels). If you have to have one of those gas guzzlers buy a good used one. I bet you can find one with warranty left for a hellofa price.

Tom W

ImBroke · #29 03-08-2008, 09:03 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by djugurba

other wrangler owners wave at each other- "it's a jeep thing" the jeep thing was a sign of understanding for the ****ty situation the other person was in- dumping all hard-earned money into lockers and wheels and lift kits and other junk to replace the crappy stock parts.

Corvette owners do the same thing, "Yes, I'm getting screwed by a pos too" lol

I see the older Cherokees all the time at auctions, for less than 1000. Put in a reman engine and trans, and you're totally set for less than 5k. I like that design a lot. I had a Comanche, and loved that truck. I would even wax the inside of the bed. As for the Commander, what's with the ugly headlights? Looks like grasshopper eyes or something. I do love the Inferno Red paint though, thought about painting my Camaro that color.

#30 03-08-2008, 09:26 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TylerH860

Its a well optioned remainder 07 with just under 500 miles on her.

VERY bad deal at ANY price. Demo vehicles (which is what that has to be with 500 miles) are some of the worst vehicles you can buy. Think about it. 3 dozen schmucks in the drivers seat "testing" the new engine with no thought or care about break-in procedures.

Demo, lease, police, (police) seized and repo cars, in that order, are the worst kind of cars you can possibly buy if you plan on keeping it more than a few months.