I usually leave the three-row SUVs to the Suburban Dads who need them, but I thought the Commander might be fun. By and large, things worked as well as you’d expect with a large vehicle, but there are a few things Commander-shoppers need to examine before they buy.
Expert reviewer Kelsey Mays takes on the 2008 Jeep Commander with a warning for potential buyers: Check around. Although the Commander may be the perfect car for you if you're planning on trekking over mountain roads or through heavy weather, if you don't need to haul 7,000 pounds on a regular basis, you may want to keep shopping. Read Kelsey's full review on Cars.com.
2008 Jeep Commander Expert Review (Cars.com)
Chrysler announced today it will cut four models from its lineup: The Chrysler Crossfire, Pacifica and PT Cruiser convertible, and the Dodge Magnum. The automaker also announced plans to cut some 9,000 jobs at assembly plants that produce a number of other models: the Chrysler 300 and Sebring; Dodge Avenger, Caliber, Charger and Nitro; and the Jeep Commander, Compass, Grand Cherokee, Liberty and Patriot. Though those 11 models – as well as the regular PT Cruiser – will still be sold, expect production to be scaled back. For shoppers, that likely translates to fewer cars with massive discounts clogging showroom floors.
The decision has been coming for several weeks now, with rumors brewing that Chrysler could cut up to five models. The Crossfire and Pacifica have trailed the competition for years, but it’s a shame to see the Magnum go. With the Hemi V-8, it was one fun cruiser. If they’d asked us, we probably would have advised canning the latest Sebring instead – or at the very least taking it back to the drawing board.
Chrysler spokesman David Barnas told us 2008 would be the last year for all four models. That means in about a year’s time there should be some steep discounts to clear the last of them off the lots.
A few weeks back, we told you about rumors circulating that Chrysler would cease production of a number of models. Today, the board of Chrysler is meeting to decide the fate of a number of models, and The Detroit News is reporting that the Chrysler Pacifica, PT Cruiser and Dodge Magnum will assuredly be getting the ax, and the Jeep Commander will be on the table as well.
While we don’t mind seeing the PT Cruiser go, both the Pacifica and Magnum were unlike anything else on the market for their time and deserve a second chance. We’d guess the new Dodge Journey will get a Chrysler spinoff to replace the Pacifica, otherwise Chrysler might be missing the boat and losing some loyal fans of the crossover. Again we poll you, our readers, to see if this is the right batch to kill off. And we’ll get confirmation as soon as possible on which models are indeed no longer for this world.
Chrysler to Dump Three Slow-Sellers (The Detroit News)
Ever since Chrysler changed ownership earlier this year, the new owners have been trying to turn things around, and quick. Today, comes news — or really well-sourced rumors — that the company is looking to cut up to five models in its Chrysler, Jeep and Dodge lineups. That could be particularly meaningful for UAW members, whose new contract only ensures their jobs as long as the product they’re working on is being built. There has been talk about dissent over the Chrysler contract, and UAW members at Chrysler will vote on that new contract soon. This news could make winning that vote harder for Chrysler.
The Detroit Free Press story mentions the Chrysler Pacifica, Dodge Dakota, Jeep Commander and Jeep Compass as likely candidates while the Chrysler Sebring and Dodge Durango are also up for review. We wouldn’t miss any of those vehicles, but a new Pacifica would probably compete well in an auto landscape now full of crossovers that mimic its layout and usefulness.
That’s what Chrysler is reportedly thinking of axing, but we figured we’d poll our readers to see if they agree with the above or have ideas of their own. Sound off in the comments.
Chrysler Set to Ax Models (Detroit Free Press)
Jeep is recalling 28,755 Commanders and Grand Cherokees from the 2007 and 2008 model years to replace front-brake parts that can fail. Both SUVs could have brakes made of the wrong type of metal, which can fracture, making the time it takes to stop increase to an unsafe rate. No accidents or injuries have been reported.
The Jeeps included in the recall were made between May 17 and July 13 of this year. Brakes will be replaced at no cost, and concerned owners can call 800-853-1403 for more information.
This follows on the heels of last week’s recall of more than 156,000 Grand Cherokees and Commanders for other brake issues.
Chrysler Recalls Jeep SUVs to Replace Brake Parts (Bloomberg)
Chrysler announced today that it’s recalling almost 300,000 SUVs from the 2006 and 2007 model years due to potential brake problems. This includes more than 156,000 2006 and 2007 Jeep Grand Cherokee and Commander SUVs, more than 90,000 2007 Jeep Wranglers and almost 50,000 2007 Dodge Nitro SUVs.
There have been 20 complaints about the SUVs’ brakes, which suffer from a delay in braking while going uphill. Chrysler will reprogram the computer that controls the antilock braking system.
The company is also recalling more than 72,000 2008 Dodge Avenger sedans and Chrysler Sebring convertibles due to faulty front door latches and locks. There were no reported incidents from that recall.
Notices will be mailed out in coming weeks, but owners can call 800-853-1403 for more information.
Chrysler Recalls Nearly 300,000 SUVs to Fix Brake Problem (The Detroit News)
J.D. Power analysts and sources at the United Auto Workers union both say that the much maligned Jeep Commander large SUV will stop production after the 2009 model year. Introduced as a 2006 model, the Commander was to fill a perceived gap in the Jeep line-up of a large-SUV with its three rows of seating, unlike the two-rowed Grand Cherokee.
In 2006, Jeep sold just 88,497 Commanders, and many of those were heavily discounted. Cars.com currently lists $2,500 customer cash back and 1.9% financing for the 2007 Jeep Commander, but last summer’s employee pricing saw much larger discounts on 2006s.
We’re not surprised that the Commander followed the trend of most other large SUVs in 2006 when gas prices were high; the Commander’s love-it-or-hate-it styling, and the competition from within the Jeep family, probably didn’t help either. Even if the Commander is phased out after the 2009 model year, that doesn’t mean Jeep won’t design a replacement that could look radically different while using the Commander’s existing platform. Until then, expect rebates to remain.
[Big Jeep SUV's Ride May End, The Detroit News]
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