Some of you may remember the rant on my BMW. My daily driver's days are numbered: BMW rant

Well the verdict is a $2,500 repair estimate stemming from a leaking power steering pump and Intake. They topped everything off so the car will behave itself, but not for long.

I test drove a Jeep commander today and keeping it overnight. It looks just like this one.


Its a well optioned remainder 07 with just under 500 miles on her. The sticker is $34,500 and sale priced at $26,450. Not a bad deal, but hoping to squeeze another grand or two out of them.

Here's the problem, they only gave a $18,000 bid on my X5, an offer I immediately took offense and almost walked out. Hell, KBB was put it close to 20, and I was expecting 22, based on the maintenance history, and immaculate condition. Retail puts it well over $28,000!

I realize kbb is not a realistic estimate, more like a guidepoint, but $18,000? NFW! I obliged to take the commander overnight, and let the used car manager look at the X5 in the morning.

I've decided that I won't buy the Commander unless the difference is less than $5,000. I'm a carsalesman's worse nightmare.

Any opinions on the commander, in general? It has the 4.7 V8, a motor I had in a Dodge pickup years ago; I liked it alot. If you think its ugly, please give some reason behind your opinion.

__________________
1985 500SL Euro w/ AMG bits 130k
1984 300SD Turbodiesel 192k
1980 240D Stick China 188k
2001 CLK55 AMG 101k
2007 S600 Biturbo 149k Overheated Project, IT'S ALIVE!!!

Ok. You asked….

They look like they were trying to make it look all tough like the H3, but came up way short. And H3’s are nothing shy of ugly ass, gas guzzling mini versions of their oil tanker predecessors.

15mpg w/ 2wd? EPA score: 3 out 10? Pretty crappy for something that most folks drive around town with just one person in it 80% of the time as well.

Unless you’re the carpool and soccer team transporter 3+ days a week. Like most folks – You’d probably find that an Outback will do the same thing for you 95% of the time, and at a fraction of the cost (and I don’t just mean initial purchase).

But if you like playing river barge captain…have at it. Your money.

__________________
1980 300D - Veggie Burner !

A $hitbox "sale priced" at $26,450?

You do realize that it is exactly that. Nothing more than a rolling box on wheels that will depreciate by $13,000 in three years. It's put together like most of Chrysler's $hitboxes..........just a bit of weld to hold it all together. After 5 years nothing works properly on the damn things and you've pissed away 70% of the initial cost.'


To top it off............the fuel economy is always abysmal. The Grand Cherokee gets about 16 mpg in the real world......this POS will never make that figure.

If you must have a $hitbox.........go and get a Lexus or a Toyota. At least they'll be worth something in five years. I'll bet the Highlander will do everything you wish............and get about 7mpg better fuel economy in the process.

And here I was thinking the #3 post would be someone jumping my ass for saying how I felt about the thing.

__________________
1980 300D - Veggie Burner !

Apparently, you forgot who you're dealing with...........

Because they will still have all their systems functioning in 5 years.

__________________
1980 300D - Veggie Burner !

I guess so.....

__________________
1980 300D - Veggie Burner !

Do the deal in the morning. Sign the agreement, before they change their minds, only if it's on the already quoted offer. I'd rather have the Commander provided it's a 4X4 than the BMW anyway. It's a heck of a truck. And with gas heading toward $4.00 a gallon, they like "really want the BMW?".......not.

Good luck!

You guys are a particularly biased bunch, and way too harsh... Thanks for making me feel like a moron; if your goal was to be as disrespectful and offensive as possible, you suceeded.

All cars are going to depreciate 70 percent or more of their value in 5 years.

Seriously guys, I had alot better luck with my 2001 Dodge than my BMW. Its really been a nightmare.

I want a 7 passenger SUV... suggest a better NEWER truck for the same price, and I'm there.

__________________
1985 500SL Euro w/ AMG bits 130k
1984 300SD Turbodiesel 192k
1980 240D Stick China 188k
2001 CLK55 AMG 101k
2007 S600 Biturbo 149k Overheated Project, IT'S ALIVE!!!

Hey, I owned a 1996 Jeep Grand Cherokee Limited V-8 AWD Fully Loaded, in Nebraska. Loved it!

Think again:

http://www.autotrader.com/fyc/vdp.jsp?car_id=237502278&dealer_id=55900222&car_year=2003&model=HIGHLANDER&num_records=25&systime=&make2=&start_year=2003&keywordsfyc=&keywordsrep=&engine=&certified=&body_code=0&fuel=&awsp=false&search_type=both&distance=0&marketZipError=false&search_lang=&make=TOYOTA&keywords_display=&color=&page_location=findacar::ispsearchform&min_price=&drive=&default_sort=priceDESC&max_mileage=&style_flag=1&sort_type=priceDESC&address=11715&advanced=&end_year=2003&doors=&transmission=&max_price=&cardist=676

http://www.autotrader.com/fyc/vdp.jsp?car_id=239796187&dealer_id=56350305&car_year=2003&model=HIGHLANDER&num_records=25&systime=&make2=&start_year=2003&keywordsfyc=&keywordsrep=&engine=&certified=&body_code=0&fuel=&awsp=false&search_type=both&distance=0&marketZipError=false&search_lang=&make=TOYOTA&keywords_display=&color=&page_location=findacar::ispsearchform&min_price=&drive=&default_sort=priceDESC&max_mileage=&style_flag=1&sort_type=priceDESC&address=11715&advanced=&end_year=2003&doors=&transmission=&max_price=&cardist=1680

http://www.autotrader.com/fyc/vdp.jsp?car_id=237075615&dealer_id=555577&car_year=2003&model=HIGHLANDER&num_records=25&systime=&make2=&start_year=2003&keywordsfyc=&keywordsrep=&engine=&certified=&body_code=0&fuel=&awsp=false&search_type=both&distance=0&marketZipError=false&search_lang=&make=TOYOTA&keywords_display=&color=&page_location=findacar%3A%3Aispsearchform&min_price=&drive=&default_sort=priceDESC&max_mileage=&style_flag=1&sort_type=priceDESC&address=11715&advanced=&end_year=2003&doors=&transmission=&max_price=&cardist=2591



The Chrysler is a POS and it will lose 70% of its value.

The Toyota will not.

My neighbors across the street (where I used to live) had one and didn't like it at all. They said it handled poorly, was difficult to park due to a big turning radius, and had several blind spots despite the elevated seating position. That street had on-street parallel parking... on a pretty steep hill. They had a really hard time with it unless there were two empty spots. I never wanted to be in front or behind them either, as they had a difficult time seeing anyone on either end. Parking lots were apparently difficult to maneuver as well (I've had face-offs with soccer moms/nannys failing miserably to navigate shopping plazas in these things too) according to the neighbor.

And, ok, I think it's an ugly butchered monstrosity of design. Not Aztec ugly, or PT Looser ugly, or whatever the too many angles/non converging planes Cadillac crossover thing is called ugly... but ugly like the H3 someone already mentioned, or some of the other minivans in jeep's clothing compass/patriot/liberty/ forthcoming "Jingoist" (my own projection based on past/current offerings) etc.

Mind you, I drive a 10 y/o XJ cherokee these days.

I think you'll be horribly disappointed with the build/fit finish and ride compared to your BMW, no matter the problems you've had with it.

It does sound like a reasonable deal... but dealerships are having a hard time even giving away low mpg SUVs like this these days- If you like it, make them an offer and if they balk, walk. It's unlikely the commander will go anywhere for a week or so- give 'em a call towards the end of the month... they'll give you whatever you want at your price.

cheers,
Kevin

__________________
Cannondale ST600 XL
Redline Monocog 29er
2011 Mini Cooper Clubman
2005 Honda Element EX

www.djugurba.com
www.waldenwellness.com

A more respectful argument, thankyou. Yes, Toyota and a few others are the exception. The truth is, I don't wan't a Toyota product because I really don't like them. I want a car with character, even if it won't win any popularity contests on this forum. I could do worse than a Commander.

__________________
1985 500SL Euro w/ AMG bits 130k
1984 300SD Turbodiesel 192k
1980 240D Stick China 188k
2001 CLK55 AMG 101k
2007 S600 Biturbo 149k Overheated Project, IT'S ALIVE!!!

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.

Atta boy! I wouldn't want any Asian SUV. The Jeep is the Real Deal. The original SUV.