Anyone Driven / Own the Jeep Commander?
 

I've been thinking about getting a Jeep Commander. I've tested the regular V8 and though I liked the car, I found the engine / performance was a little too weak for my taste. They don't have any hemi's on the lot currently, so I've got to wait a bit before I can really see if this is something I want to get into or not.

Right now I've got a Navigator. I like the car, it's big and it's fast, has so many options there are probably some I've never even used. I really like my Nav, the only reason I'm thinking about swapping is my warrenty is up and the maintanence it a bitch. Every little thing costs a fortune and it seems like I can't leave the shop w/o dropping at least a grand.

A few examples- a plastic coupling that connects the rear AC broke- $400
The housing on the pump for the air shocks cracked- had to have it replaced, don't remember the exact cost but it was over a grand.

I've tested a few other cars, but as far as the ride if the Jeep was a little faster I like it the best. Tried out the Land Rover LR3 (the new version of the discovery), it was ok, but thought the suspension was a little too much like a town car and the options weren't up to the price. Range Rovers- I haven't driven the sport version, but so far they have been to slow / sluggish. Also I hear the Land Rover / Range Rover brand is an even bigger nightmare in the shop vs Lincoln.

The SRT Cherokee is pretty nice. Very fast, but it's a little too stiff in the suspension department and I can't justify spending that much on a cherokee.

Even if you haven't driven the Jeep, what SUVs do you guys rock and what do you like / dislike about them.

I have the Cherokee with the V8 Hemi, no SRT. It has LOADS of power. One of the few vehicles I can put right up my road w/o having to use 4WD. My neighbors are from Naples and have rented just about every basic 4WD SUV on their trips here (they fly into ATL and rent an SUV). He drove the Cherokee and loved it.

I also have a Wrangler - it's my sportscar. It does need the 4WH to get up the road and struggles even with the V6.

I didn't test drive the Commander - I didn't like the looks of it then but it's grown on me a bit. I also didn't test drive the SRT Cherokee because it's front end is too low. Heck, I've already knocked off the front bottom of the Cherokee :(

I leased the Cherokee - $43K IIRC. The dealer here had the SRT at $500 above MSRP at the time - a little over a year ago.

You're right about the nose being low to the ground. One of the things I liked about the Commander was the ground clearance. I haven't tried the cherokee with the hemi yet, I might like it better. The suspension / handeling on the SRT-8 is hard to describe, the best word I can think of is "stiff". I guess it's built for performance and not comfort. It's still a cool ride, but I didn't really feel like I'd enjoy it as a daily driver if that makes sense.

Living in FL also, I'm always thinking in the back of my head that I want something that's going to get me from point a to b in rough weather conditions. I've never driven a hummer, as I get older they seem more attractive to me, but I can't get past the fact that I just feel like there's something douchey about owning one. When I think of the Hummer brand I think of those old chicken head banners- "Hummer- Biggest Pee Pee ever". :winkwink:

the commander with the 4.7 v8 is gutless compared to the 5.7 hemi...

Thanks Shemp, glad to hear the hemi is something to look forward to. :thumbsup

One warning: With the "Hemi" badge, every 16 year old in a Civic wants to race you. I've had an SUV since 2000 and never thought that would ever happen ;)

I've also heard rumors there's going to be a Cherokee diesel soon - haven't really looked into it so I don't know the engine configurations, when/if it's actually going to happen or if the Commander is also included.

Ha ha. I try not to race anymore. I took on a vette with the navigator once. Naturally I lost, but I stomped it full bore off the line and surprised him a little. Now that I'm getting older I try to be more responsible with my driving, too many stupid kids on the road. Nick Hogan wiped out only 5-10 miles from where I live.

Yeah, I don't race them - hell, I'll just drive over them if they push it, but it's just so odd after all these years (and me in my late 40's) to have kids wanting to race me. :1orglaugh

I WILL say the leather in the Cherokee is the worst ever. I had a Pathfinder for 3 years and an Exploder for 4 with leather seats in both and had the dogs in there ALL THE TIME. Even though I've had the Cherokee for over a year, the dogs have always ridden in the Wrangler. Wrangler had a flat the other day and I threw them into the Cherokee for MAYBE a total of 45 minutes. 4 tears in the seat. :mad:

I heard the same thing just the other day- that the leather they use cracks easily.

And I know leather is supposed to be more luxurious, but honestly I wish they made more cars with vinyl seats. I'm not a meat eater, so maybe it's my love of cows, but a decent vinyl seat will last at least a good 10 years.

I remember the blue vinyl seats in my mom's nova when I was a kid, car was rad. :thumbsup

I think I remember Brand0n posting here that he had one. Not sure if he still does, but I'm pretty sure it was him.

Owner feedback would be key. :thumbsup