Help with buying a Commander

[bigbarr]

Hey everybody. We've got another baby on the way (makes 3) and I'm looking for a replacement to my wife's liberty (lease expires in 1000 miles).

There is a ford dealer in town that has 10 commanders, most of them purchased through auction in michigan. There are several that interest me. I'm interested in your opinion about this one.

What things should I be looking for? I've carfaxed them. They seem to be all clear. Any potential problems with Commanders? I just need some general guidance.

[j0hnb0y1989]

no matter what anyone say's about the commander i like them alot. It seem decent i would haggle for a cheaper price. But if i was in the market i would look for a hemi commander myself for the added power. Good luck with your purchase.

[bigbarr]

I'm not even sure where to start on the price. 13?

[j0hnb0y1989]

id just haggle im not a experienced buyer but id through out a price. I mean there priced well so through out an offer whats the worse they say no still seems like a good deal already.

[lilacsl2]

Double check and make sure its a V8, it appears the hitch is one of the small hitches, the 1 1/8" or whatever instead of a 2" reciever, if memory serves that was the tow package the came with the 3.7L V6 Commanders.

looks like a decent deal, $13-13,500 seems like it would be a good deal on that, I sold Jeeps for 5 years before the dealership I worked at closed. I would also keep in mind that the Durango and Aspen are mechanically identical to the Commanders and have a bit more room inside if you are open but want to stay with a chrysler vehicle.

I personally would hold out and try to find a Commander with the 5.7L Hemi, a good friend has a '06 commander with the v6 and he gets within 1 mpg of what I get in my Dodge 1500 with the Hemi.

Good luck, and keep in mind, if you are not comfortable with the vehicle, the price and the dealership, don't buy it.

[karlo]

Do you plan to use it more on pavement or go off road?

[bigbarr]

only on pavement. My tj is for off road.

[elephantrider]

i would look for a v8 at least. the
v6 in our old libby was anemic after
we lifted and all. cant imagine how
it would run in that fridge.

i do like those though , good luck
with the purchase !

[IndyXJ]

A google search of the VIN shows a 4.7L. I'm in the market for an XK as well. ANy progress?

I have a 06 XK Limited with Hemi fully loaded that I'm looking at. Dealer wants 22k, I offered 18, they balked... Ican wait.

PS--are you part of Mid Illini Jeepers by chance? Haven't talked to them in years, but I've wheeled with them a few times when I knew someone in the club.

[bigbarr]

bought a commander on tuesday of this week. discovered this evening that it is leaking oil. unbelievable.

[bamajk]

I'd take it back to the stealership and chew somebody's ***.....

[bigbarr]

well it is currently waiting at the actual jeep dealership in town. i had an appointment to have them look it over. it's under warranty, so i would rater the jeep guys fix it than let the dealer i bought it from touch it. i am pretty mad right now.

[hal2814]

I'd stay away from the 2006 models. They had all sorts of issues (especially if you got the sunroof). I had an 06 that was built in April of 06 and it STILL had issues. We got a fantastic deal so we traded our 06 Commander for an 07 but we should've just lemoned it. I love our 07. As far as V6 vs. 4.7L vs. Hemi goes, drive them yourself. I liked our 4.7L in the 06 but don't miss it. The transmission they mate the 3.7L to is in my opinion far better than the 545RFE they put on the 4.7L and the Hemi. For on-road travel, I haven't notice the loss in power. Our overall gas mileage only went up about 1MPG going to the V6 but highway mileage increased significantly from 17MPG to 21MPG.

As far as the ones you've listed, I don't see any that are particularly attractive. None of them have the Commander's most redeeming feature: the Command-View sunroof. A few are even somehow missing their fog lights (which are standard).

EDIT: D'OH! Didn't notice you bought one later in the thread.