I despise Jeeps

[Even Steven]

BTW, I like Jeeps, especially the Commander.

They surely aren't as reliable as our 4Runners, but if you get them equipped properly, I think they are just as capable.

The Hemi engine with QDII is a nice set up, but it sucks gas like nobody's business. The smaller V8 (4.7L, I believe) is supposedly a little bit better on gas, but not by a lot. Unfortunately, the V6 engine is seriously underpowered in the Commander. It's no match at all for the V6 4Runner.

 

[Thai]

BTW, I like Jeeps, especially the Commander.

They surely aren't as reliable as our 4Runners, but if you get them equipped properly, I think they are just as capable.

The Hemi engine with QDII is a nice set up, but it sucks gas like nobody's business. The smaller V8 (4.7L, I believe) is supposedly a little bit better on gas, but not by a lot. Unfortunately, the V6 engine is seriously underpowered in the Commander. It's no match at all for the V6 4Runner.

Wow...someone finally seeing what i am seeing in the Commander!

IMHO, it's a good buy, esp. now with Lifetime Powertrain Warranty...and for $1800, you can have lifetime bumper-to-bumper warranty! Sure, the resale will stink (warranty NON-transferrable), but it's not a bad vehicle to keep a long time given the warranty. It's quite capable, probably on-par with 4runner. Jeep can't sell it...so, you can get one with huge discounts and low financing rate!

 

[Even Steven]

Wow...someone finally seeing what i am seeing in the Commander!

IMHO, it's a good buy, esp. now with Lifetime Powertrain Warranty...and for $1800, you can have lifetime bumper-to-bumper warranty! Sure, the resale will stink (warranty NON-transferrable), but it's not a bad vehicle to keep a long time given the warranty. It's quite capable, probably on-par with 4runner. Jeep can't sell it...so, you can get one with huge discounts and low financing rate!

I have a lot of experience with the Commander, as my cuz has a loaded Limited, with Hemi and QDII. We've done some offroad stuff together last winter through some seriously deep snow, and were were evenly matched, without one vehicle being obviously more capable than the other.

I don't know if you saw my pics in an earlier thread, but I posted our vehicles together in the parking lot where we work.

 

[greasefingers]

I have owned a Jeep since 1988. I bought a new 1988 Cherokee and then I bought a new 1994 Grand (which I still drive with over 200,000 miles on her). They are nice vehicles and do just fine. However, they need the required maintenance scheduled followed religiously. Every 30,000 miles the coolant, differentials, transfer case, and transmission fluids need to be replaced. If not then you will be rebuilding them shortly after 120,000 miles. Even sticking with this schedule I had to have my tranny, transfer case, and one diff. rebuilt. The crankshaft position sensor and fuel pump will fail on you after 100,000 miles and leave you stranded. The rotors are notorious for warping and the auto trans on the early 4.0L engines are weak and slip after 150,000 miles. Oh yea the oil pressure sending unit will leak and spray oil all over the engine (very common). The plastic blend doors in the HVAC unit break and then heat only comes out of the last position it was in before it broke. ( a $ 1,000 repair to remove the entire dash and HVAC unit for a $ 5 part)

In other words these are great vehicles to lease or trade in. Not really meant for someone who holds onto vehicles 200,000 miles like me.

Having said all of this, it has taught me a lot about auto-mechanics. I now have a better understanding of actuators, sensors and how they relate to the ecu.

Off road, there is nothing more fun than to be in a CJ/Wrangler with the roof off. The footprint of this size vehicle is also gives it an advantage to have on trails.

 

[The Dude]

I saw a 4 door rubicon lifted on 33's today, and it looked mighty tough. I wouldn't mind having a 4runner as a daily driver, and a jeep as a weekend toy.

 

[boston_kevin]

I saw a 4 door rubicon lifted on 33's today, and it looked mighty tough. I wouldn't mind having a 4runner as a daily driver, and a jeep as a weekend toy.

This is probably the best solution.

Jeep Wranglers have typically been geared towards off-road prowess, not on-road comfort and safety. I think a few years ago, Jeep decided to make three levels of the Wrangler for the drivetrain, then they discontinued the 4cyl (thankfully), so now they really have two. Rubicon and non-Rubicon. I don't see the point of buying a Wrangler unless it's a Rubicon.

 

[Thai]

I don't see the point of buying a Wrangler unless it's a Rubicon.

I agree. You guys need to testdrive the new Wrangler...it is not nearly as raw as it used to be. I thought that the ride was pretty good for solid axles...maybe even better than my G (with M/Ts)! Noise level is not bad at all...in fact, according to Car & DRiver, the new Wrangler Rubicon got 68 dbs on the highway!

If jeep ever puts in a good diesel (ex: MB Bluetec diesel) in the Wrangler Rubicon, then i just may be on the waiting list!