Finally choose my new tow vehicle/wife approved transporter
12-29-2007, 05:32 PM
#1
Le Mans Master
Thread Starter
Finally choose my new tow vehicle/wife approved transporter
Thanks for all who gave me advice on what to look for and what kind of deals are on the market.
My wife and I finally choose a loaded Limited Aspen 4x4 with 5.7 Hemi Nav/Sun/DVD with Tow package. I test drove everything you could think of from Explorer, Durango, Tahoe, Mountaineer within the price range. The Mountaineer was actually the nicest of all and was actually the lowest MSRP, but I was VERY concerned about the 4.6L ability to comfortably pull 5000lbs in mountain terrain even with a 7000lbs tow rating. If it even had a 5.0 I would have gone with the mountaineer because it was so nice.
The Tahoe and Expedition were just too much money even with $10k off MSRP. I have to hand it to Chrysler/Dodge, for folks looking for a LARGE SUV with much power (335hp/370ft lb) with great towing capacity and the largest cabin (bigger than Tahoe), the price the Aspen just right. A fully loaded bells and whistles was around $40500. After HARD negotiation and going all over the place, I finally got about $7000 off MSRP, putting me in the low $30's for a vehicle with such room and capacity. It even gets somewhat decent mileage with the dispacement on demand. I see about 14-16 city and 19-22 highway. The best part is that with the HEMI, I have no worries about pulling more than 5000lbs if I need!
My wife and I finally choose a loaded Limited Aspen 4x4 with 5.7 Hemi Nav/Sun/DVD with Tow package. I test drove everything you could think of from Explorer, Durango, Tahoe, Mountaineer within the price range. The Mountaineer was actually the nicest of all and was actually the lowest MSRP, but I was VERY concerned about the 4.6L ability to comfortably pull 5000lbs in mountain terrain even with a 7000lbs tow rating. If it even had a 5.0 I would have gone with the mountaineer because it was so nice.
The Tahoe and Expedition were just too much money even with $10k off MSRP. I have to hand it to Chrysler/Dodge, for folks looking for a LARGE SUV with much power (335hp/370ft lb) with great towing capacity and the largest cabin (bigger than Tahoe), the price the Aspen just right. A fully loaded bells and whistles was around $40500. After HARD negotiation and going all over the place, I finally got about $7000 off MSRP, putting me in the low $30's for a vehicle with such room and capacity. It even gets somewhat decent mileage with the dispacement on demand. I see about 14-16 city and 19-22 highway. The best part is that with the HEMI, I have no worries about pulling more than 5000lbs if I need!
12-29-2007, 06:32 PM
#4
Safety Car
Nice one. You'll be fine with the Hemi as you already know.
I struggled for a long time with the same question, once I decided to go to an enclosed trailer my Jeep GC wouldn't cut it.
I have driven my father's Durango many times, and even though it handles the towing fantastically, I just didn't like driving it. i went with a big azz Ram quad-cab pickup. I pick it up Monday...not looking forward to driving such a big vehicle daily but we all make sacrifices to go racing
I struggled for a long time with the same question, once I decided to go to an enclosed trailer my Jeep GC wouldn't cut it.
I have driven my father's Durango many times, and even though it handles the towing fantastically, I just didn't like driving it. i went with a big azz Ram quad-cab pickup. I pick it up Monday...not looking forward to driving such a big vehicle daily but we all make sacrifices to go racing
12-30-2007, 11:18 AM
#9
Le Mans Master
Thread Starter
Black and Chrome with chrome wheels. It wasn't that we liked that color the most, just it was optioned with everything we were looking for and the price was right, so we more or less ended up with black. I loaded up a few pics, but everytime I load pics, they work for a couple days, then the don't come through.
Also, not sure if Durango will be discontinued, they just released a brand new Durango/Aspen HEMI Hybrid. Yes a Hemi hybrid...funny you would never have though those two words would be in the same sentence. Apparently though it only gets about another 3-5mpg better, but considering the weight of this vehicle, I guess that is to be expected.
Also, not sure if Durango will be discontinued, they just released a brand new Durango/Aspen HEMI Hybrid. Yes a Hemi hybrid...funny you would never have though those two words would be in the same sentence. Apparently though it only gets about another 3-5mpg better, but considering the weight of this vehicle, I guess that is to be expected.
12-30-2007, 01:14 PM
#11
Premium Supporting Vendor
Congrats on your new wife approved tow vehicle. I'm in a similar situation and have looked at the Suburban, Expedition EL, Tahoe and Yukon among others. Hadn't considered the Aspen. Will have to check one out! 
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C66 Racing #66 NASA ST2, SCCA T2
AMSOIL Dealer (Forum Vendor)
AMSOIL Ordering Information (Retail sales using reference #1206638 benefit the forum.)
AMSOIL Preferred Customer Program (Members buy at Wholesale - a savings of about 25%)
AMSOIL Catalog
12-30-2007, 01:30 PM
#12
Race Director
with an open you have alot more variables out there, with my enclosed, it was limited to a used excursion or a used/new 3/4 ton suburban/yukon xl. I went with the big Chevy pig, I love it but the local gas station loves me more. Over 9K miles since july and over 1000 gallons, so you do the math. Of the 9K at least 3K is towing. 