Well, when I get back from Iraq, I have been given thumbs up from COMNAVWIFELANT to get a new 4x4. I was really planning on getting a Nissan Titan 4x4, but I noticed at the PX that while overseas I can order a new GM Family vehicle for 4-5 thousand under INVOICE!
  Jeep was also in the deal and I was wondering if any of you guys had experience with the Commander. I'd use it both for offroad and city driving.
  THoughts?
 Or should I just stick with the Nissan......

Sir, Thank you for serving and godspeed!

the commander is new and probably hasn't got a long enough track record for me yet.  It looks a bit boxy, I've seen a couple on the road.  My work might be buying them this summer, but most likely will stay with the grand cherokee.

If I were spending my money; Toyota Tundra.  (I have a Chevy Suburban and I'm sorry I didn't go the Toy route)  Chevy ain't what it used to be.   QC on mine seems to blow chunks, they are trying to save the company on pennies gyped out of the customers vehicles.


And thanks for taking care of my marines!

First of all, Thank you for you service to our country.

Make sure you go to all the jeep forums out there to see what owners are saying about this new vehicle. It seems to be t he best way to tell if a vehicle fits your needs. Good luck

ND1 Thanks for serving first off!!
I just got one for the wife a couple of months ago and we love it. Of course I only get to drive it on Sundays. We've gone on a couple of 200 mile trips and she is smooth on the road. i went for the V6 pretty standard model. Its still nicely equipped with CD and all the other goodies. She had a 2003 Grand Cherokee all decked out and this vehicle is a much better ride and much more comfortable also.  

I'd get the titan.

Thanks for the support.

How about offroad capability for either vehicle?

Thank you for your millitary service.

To the issue at hand: Of the two choices I would get the Nissan.

Here's why:

1)The Commander is in its first year of production.  It may NOT be a good idea to buy a vehicle in its first ever year of production because all the "bugs" may have not been worked out.

2)This is under the guise of YMMV but I personally would not purchase a newer Jeep.  My dad's boss had a 2001 Grand Cherokee that was extremely problematic.  

Quoted: Thanks for the support. How about offroad capability for either vehicle?

IMHO, both are too big to consider as a 4X4 recreational vehicle....at least in the woods.

I think you'd have less problems with something other than the Commander.  It doesn't mean you'd necessarily be happier cause that's pretty subjective.  Probably better re-sale with the Nissan or a Toyota for sure.  

Quoted: I think you'd have less problems with something other than the Commander.  It doesn't mean you'd necessarily be happier cause that's pretty subjective.  Probably better re-sale with the Nissan or a Toyota for sure.

My experience with a 2000 Grand Cherokee--with every available option including Jeep's best 4WD at the time--is that it was very-very capable as an out-of-the-box 4WD.  I loved it for a few years (except for the lies of the dealer with some maintenence issues.)  However, when it hit about 100,000 miles, it rapidly fell apart.  

Commander = Sport Utility Hearse

BTW I seriously laughed out loud at "COMNAVWIFELANT"  

Edit: See if there are any GMs that catch your eye. The .mil discount is nothing to sneeze at!

I don't know if they've gotten any better in this respect but my friend sold his Jeep Grand Cherokee (ok, i can't spell) because gasoline eating microbes kept destroying his fuel pump (a $600 repair, NOT covered under any warrenty)...

The gas eating microbes story is the no-fooling one that the Chrysler service department gave him when they told him he needed his THIRD fuel pump in about 4 months....

I KNOW, this sounds like I'm making this up, but I promise I'm just not that clever...or funny... (ask my wife)...FWIW, there really ARE gas eating microbes but according to a specialist ( a VERY well respected scientist at a university doing lots of work with the oil companies), it would require a batch of microbes the size of a basketball to generate enough acid (what they excrete) to eat up a fuel pump on a car.

My advice? pass on the Jeep..Get the Nissan.

Nissan,pass on the Yeep just opinion

I say wait until the 2007 Tundra comes out and roll with it!

I have always been a Chevy guy but I don't think I'd buy a new one till they get their quality back up. If you can find a clean 1996-99 2 door Tahoe that might be a good way to go and be much cheeper then a new 4x4. Those 2 door Tahoes/Blazer/Yukon/what ever you call them were some of the best stock 4x4's ever made. They had decent ground clearence a 350 that can pull almost anything, lots of room inside without being to big on the outside and the sheet metal was strong. You can acctually sit on the hood with out denting it and doors were heavy too.
Mine has 120,000 miles and it is still running like new!

Quoted: Nissan,pass on the Yeep just opinion

I heard that Nissan has been having some QA issues as of late....

Commander = Junk!

If you're interested in the Commander,get the 4.7,it's one of  the best engines Chrysler has ever kicked out,and it comes with the 545RFE tranny,which is nothing more than the old 45RFE,used in Dodge pick-ups. One thing though,THEY AIN'T CHEAP!!!!

Dood! Look at the new Toyota FJ Cruiser!!!!!! I just bought my Taco two years ago and I kind of wish I waited!!!!!

Originally Posted By John Parker: Dood! Look at the new Toyota FJ Cruiser!!!!!! I just bought my Taco two years ago and I kind of wish I waited!!!!!

I like these.  Saw them at a car show last year.  Now I'm seeing them on the street.  Very good mix of style and utility from the outside.  

FWIW, the new Nissan full size p-up and SUV have some problems. We have an Xterra which has been pretty good so we are not a nissan basher but I'd pass on the the full sizers myself. Lot of the commander is sourced from other corperate bins but first year ANYTHINGS tend to be problematic. That includes the Japanese makers tho they seem to get passes for some reason.
Toys seem to have a pretty good track record but price some of the replacement part FWIW. Might shock you.

Fuel pumps would be covered under a warrenty if they were replaced that quickly UNLESS you are buying some cheap off brand make. If done at the dealer they carry a 1 year/12 K warrenty usually. GM has more problems with fuel pumps then anyone else. If they had half a brain they would put in an access door instead of having to drop the tank. Retards on that and a true DUH on their part.

Fuel pump problems can be minimized by keeping the tank over 1/2 full at all times. That goes for any make as the fuel is the cooling agent while in use. If you run low all the time they tend to overheat and fail on a much faster schedule.