Lookin into a new SUV....

[ImBroken]

The wife & I have been seriously looking at buying a Jeep Commander. Anyone have any comments on this truck? We also looked at the Nissan Armada (too big & expensive), Nissan Pathfinder (too small) Dodge Durango (too blah)..
The Commander was in our price range (with a trade in), and offered a spacious interior, 5.7l Hemi, and all the luxury options I wanted. Any input on the Jeep Commander would be great.
Thanks..

 

[ZANDOR]

MY you can't go wrong with a jeep.

What do you find so blah about the Durango?
I think it is one of the best looking rigs on the road.

 

[jon2]

What is the price tag on that sucker? Top of the line and middle of the road models?

 

[FastEddy]

I just got a Nissan Morano a few months back. It doesn't have the 3 row seating but may be worth looking into. AWD, 20 MPG, and is built for Performance.

 

[robmob]

I'm considering the Subaru B9 Tribeca myself. My wifes Outback H6 has been a great vehicle and I actually like driving it. Cruised to LA at 90+ without any problems and it feels solid an in control. If the Tribeca is built on par with her Outback, I may pull the trigger. Need to wait awhile to see how it does since it is recently released and a new vehicle for them.

Of course I still love my 96 4-Runner and may not be able to part with it. I actually hardly drive it since I have a company car that I drive back and forth to work. I think I put like 2000 miles or less this year on my Runner.

 

[jon2]

Are you planning to buy or lease?

 

[dannyd]

what about the hummer h3 or you can wait for the 07 tahoe. it comes with an engine that can go from 4 to 8 cilinders depending depending on your application at the push of a button. so you can have a fuel efficent truck.

 

[olds97_lss]

I just got a Nissan Morano a few months back. It doesn't have the 3 row seating but may be worth looking into. AWD, 20 MPG, and is built for Performance.

Did you get the one with the CVT? Just curious how it feels.

 

[JESSE G]

I'm still living in the stone ages when It comes to automobiles compared to you guys lol. My SuV is a 87 Suburban newest truck I have ever owned too. I also have a 74 Truck and a 59 Impala. But at least I'm a little more up to date then say Fred Flinstone lmfao!!!

 

[jetmechG550]

We went from a Durango to a Pathfinder and I can say after owning two Durango's I'd never, ever, over my dead body consider another one. Actually there is more room in the Pathfinder than the Durango. We looked at the Armada, it just wouldn't fit in our garage. I wanted to get an X5 in a major way but there just isn't enough room in it. For roominess you can seat two adults in the second row with a child safety seat and not be cramped, you couldn't do that in the Durango. The wife and I, weren't too crazy about the looks on the Commander so we never really gave it a thought. But having owned three Dodge branded vehicles (2 Durango's, 1 Ram) we were more than ready to move on and leave the nickel and dime maintenance far behind us. I've been pretty happy with the Pathfinder so far, though I don't drive it much it's the wife's car. One thing we did too was pick up a nice cargo bag for the rooftop, makes things so much easier even if your driving a Tahoe or large SUV.

 

[4u2nv]

what about the hummer h3 or you can wait for the 07 tahoe. it comes with an engine that can go from 4 to 8 cilinders depending depending on your application at the push of a button. so you can have a fuel efficent truck.

Them hummer H3's blow nuts. My neighbor has a white one. Its nice looking but has a cheasy straight 5 cylinder in it. It can't even bark the tires. If I'm gonna pay 45k for a vehicle, that basterd better at least be able to sqwauk the tires.

As far as Jeeps, I've always like the looks of them but at the body shop, I've seen ALOT of them come in with electrical problems. Most of them were Grand Cherokees, but that was a few years ago, so I'm sure they've fixed that stuff by now. (Plus the parts are spendy) but being jeeps seemed to join stronger ties with Dodge, I think itd be a nice rig and should be rather trouble free. Very nice looking ride too.

I agree with ya on the Durangos too (Sorry Zandor bro). Plus the gas miles sucks.

I've always like the Expeditions, and while working at Ford for 4 years, they seem like a very solid rig. Only downside is there pretty big though. But still very nice looking, dependable and lots of room.

 

[redneckracer1979]

I like the Tahoe's. But what I am looking at getting next month is either a extended cab fullsize truck or a four door fullsie truck. We will see what I find when I go shopping.

 

[FastEddy]

Did you get the one with the CVT? Just curious how it feels.

Yes I have the CVT its smooth. Its interesting how it never shifts from one gear to the next. The computer does a great job of keeping the torque, power and fuel economy on check.

Its weird looking at the tac while doing 80 on the freeway and only turning 1500-1800 rpm. The shifter has a standard setting and a power setting. I have only had it for a few months but for the price I paid for a totally loaded unit I'm happy for now.

It does take #1 in ALL the categories in its class. Safety, power, handeling, economy, and user satisfaction.

Time will tell.

 

[dannyd]

how about a f150, titian, or that hardley davison pick up (i forgot the name of it)?

 

[4u2nv]

how about a f150, titian, or that hardley davison pick up (i forgot the name of it)?

He's looking for a SUV.

 

[ImBroken]

Well, to answer a few questions.... lol

The Durango is just done.. Never got great right ups, and really doesn't have alot of room. I had 2 Dodge work vehicles that basically fell apart after 70k, which also left a bad taste..

The Jeep Commander runs between 35k & 40k, depending on the package and dealer.

The Murano is definately a nice ride, but I'm not too crazy about the body style. Like the Infinity FX, BMW X5 & Subaru Tribeca, they just lack that true truck look.

I plan on buying a vehicle, rather than leasing. I will be trading in my 98 Chevy Tahoe. I hate to do it, but I think it's time to get into something newer. I've been having ongoing problems with the brake system (That Chevy admits was a horrible design), and I'm just starting to feel the overall truck get a bit sloppy (Steering,shifting)..

The H3, like 4U2NV said, is not what it looks like. Why they put a 5cyl in it, I have no idea... It's more like a womans truck... lol

In the past year, I've been told by at least 5 people, to stay away from Ford/Mercury. I know 2 of them very well, and have had nothing but problems with their trucks. Both have had major Transmission repairs done within the first 20k miles..

So far, for the $$, the Jeep Commander offers more room, and the look I'm after, than any other in it's class.. In the next higher price range, the Armada would have my vote.. The thing is massive, with sick power.

 

[FastEddy]

3 Words
Rent one first.

Make an investment and rent one of each for a week then make up your mind. What a few hundred clams to make the right decision?

 

[jon2]

Just to let you know that since it is a first year model, you are not aware of the first production problems. When the new design for the tahoe came out they had big transmission problems. The The Nissan Murano is nice but not the family ride I would want for my family. I out grow it already. I am looking at the Honda Pilot, Nissan Armada and the Tahoe/Suburban. Problem for me is the pricing. Am I going to get the best bang for my buck.

 

[RatzoRC]

3 Words
Rent one first.

Make an investment and rent one of each for a week then make up your mind. What a few hundred clams to make the right decision?

Thats the best advice.

Spend a couple of $$'s on a rental before you drop 40 grand on one.
Drive the rental and drive it often.
I bought a lot of cars. test drove them all for a short run.
After a week or two, I found things that made me say "if I new this was like this, I would have never bought it".
I'm not talking about warrenty issues, more like pedal position, turning radius, engine power, rear window view, headlights, controls (reachable) etc.

Take your time bro. $40,000 is a lot of cash these days, and your choice will be a 10 year investment.
Look what happened to me. My wife has a new car, and I'm stuck with the fiddlesticking conversion van. I can't drive it with boots on because my fat foot hits the gas and break at the same time. (when I hit the gas, my boot also hits the side of the brake pedal).
Little things like that suck ass.

As the great Opie say's, "Good luck Bro"!

 

[SpitFireV12RR]

COMON...no one's mentioned a ford? Anyways, my dad has a Ford Explorer and it's a nice little truck. The new ones have collapsable seats where the storage area is. My dad has put about 80,000 + miles on it(2000 version) and there isn't any need of maintnence. The only problem we ever had was the seat ripped and it was a mother to get them to replace it. The expidition is nice, but I can't comment on it since I've never had one.