[V8] another quandry

[Kent McLean]

Roger M. Woodbury wrote:
> P.S.  And you few V8Q types are the only people I know who might be patient enough to let me vent.....

Before you say “No", test drive one.

I’ve said it before, and I’ll say it again. A few years ago, to flip a house, I bought a 2006 Jeep Grand Cherokee with 148K miles on it.  I searched for the right one — 4.7L V8 with the Quadra-Drive II transmission to give me 4WD Low, a stump puller.  I’ve pulled a 5000 lb Bobcat backhoe with it. In AWD Low, I’ve pulled my Wrangler out of a snowbank with it. It’s a beast. Gas mileage wasn’t a real concern, pulling power was, hence the V8.

In 2 years I’ve put almost 20K miles on it.  I’ve done nothing to it except gas and oil. At its last state inspection, it was a pleasant surprise to hear “It passed”, instead of my Audi days when every state inspection was met with a $1500 repair bill. 

For better mileage, I’d opt for the V6 and forgo the stump-pulling AWD Low transmission.  Don’t think of it as an SUV. Think of it as a station wagon raised up about 4 inches.  Mercedes has its fingers in Chrysler and in Jeep, so its ride and handling are comfortable and sharp.  Oh, and quiet. 

For example: https://maine.craigslist.org/ctd/d/bethel-2014-jeep-grand-cherokee-limited/6837134378.html

Food for thought.