I hope this thread isn't considered dead because I finally got rid of my jeep and I have some potential options I want to run by you all.
The first is a 2005 sport 4wd V6. It's that grey-blue color. It has 143,xxx miles on it, cloth, JBL stereo, garage kept, etc. Guy wants $11,250 for it. It's 90 miles from my location
The next is a 2003 Limited V8 4wd. Black with tan leather (in great condition I might add), obviously all the goodies. It's at a dealer in Texas, 308 miles away. Clean carfax. 122,xxx miles and they want $10,900.
The next is about 100 miles away, and all I know so far is it's a 2005 limited. I need to call the dealer tomorrow and ask for more details but he told me about it after I inquired about a 2007 he'd already sold.
I really don't tow, but I feel like the 1-2mpg difference would be neglegable. The advantage of the V8 to me, would obviously be torque and sound along with it just being a V8 after all. I drive about 50 highway miles daily so I can see it getting about what my 3.8 wrangler did, which was around 16.5. Maybe better because I had to wrap that 200hp mopar up to get it to move.
My ONLY concern, is the timing belt. I've yet to see one listed in service on a carfax report. I didn't expect to be really but I was hopeful. That and no dealer I've talked to knows if their stock has had it replaced. I did get the classic "if it needed replaced we would have done it" from a salesman. Sure you would've dude.
Anyways, the 4.7 being an interference motor my concern is I really don't have the extra cash to throw around on a belt right now. That one in Texas I would if I did it myself, if I could do it with a buddy in a weekend. I'm pretty coherent with motor work so it wouldn't be over my head.
On the other hand, with a 4.0 I do gain some mpgs, and in my line of work sometimes when certain catastrophic weather events arise, a lot of driving is involved.
My use will be as a commuter, light off roading, camping, etc.
I feel like if I could get the 6 for about $10k to 10500 I could be happy with the price. I don't really care about heated leather seats or any of that. My concern is will I later be thinking "dang, I shoulda gone with the V8" or "crap, this thing sucks down gas faster than my grandpa can finish a 5th, shoulda got a V6".
I know in the end only I can make that final decision. I really don't want to start a displacement battle because I've seen what those are like on here. I guess I'm asking if you were deciding between the two, what would you pick?
