Wow, I have a different opinion about SUVs after driving a 2005 Jeep Grand Cherokee Limited 4x4, 5.7-L Hemi. I'm looking for a new daily driver, which will double as a pull-vehicle to tow my E36 M3/4 to drivers schools. I want a big V8 engine but don't want the heft of a brute-ute.

The 2005 Jeep Grand Cherokee fills these needs. The 5.7-L Hemi is no joke. That motor pulls hard from down low. The suspension and braking were on par with an E39 540i. The Jeep felt nimble enough to flog through the twisties, and with a weight distribution of 55% front and 45% rear, the handling was not too far from neutral. Admittedly my favorite feature was the 5.7-L Hemi's torqueband. The multi-displacement technology disables half of the cylinders when you're just pottering along--helps with fuel economy--considering current gas prices.

The Limited 4x4, 5.7-L Hemi can be configured with a Class IV hitch receiver, and will tow 7200 lbs--which is plenty of capacity for my needs: 3130-lb M3/4 + 1200-lb 20-foot aluminum trailer + 500 lbs stuff = just under 5000 lbs.

At an employee discount price of $34K, it's a great deal. The discount deal ends Monday, 1-August-2005, so hurry to your Jeep dealer, and buy one!

that's good to hear. i have a 2002 jeep grand cherokee and it doesn't have all that. good to know they made improvements. mine doesn't come with a tow package...i know its gay! :(

No worries here's some aftermarket hitch info.

http://www.truckaddons.com/Catalog/hitches.htm?GTSE=GOTO&GTKW=trailer+hitch&OVRAW=trailer%20hitches&OVKEY=trailer%20hitch&OVMTC=standard

Here are tech tips for towing. http://www.usa-trailer-hitches.com/how_towing_saftley.htm

Good luck, and enjoy your Jeep!

that's good to hear. i have a 2002 jeep grand cherokee and it doesn't have all that. good to know they made improvements. mine doesn't come with a tow package...i know its gay! :(

I would recommend seriously considering a Nissan Titan. That thing can tow up to 9500 lbs and it is REALLY nice inside. The gas mileage on it will BLOW the hemi out of the water. I've owned JGC's and ... shyt always breaks on that car ... I would be very careful about getting a JGC. After 3 years, things just fall apart ... The I6 is bulletproof; but, the 8's always seemt to have problems.

Plus, with the titan you get the brake booster, etc. IT's really nice -- I was highly surprised at how nice the Titan was.

Titan--is that a pickup truck or SUV? 9500 lbs! Wow. I could pull an enclosed trailer then. I can't explain why I like the new Jeep Grand Cherokee. It's the right size, with lots of motor, and towing for its size. I guess I like the Jeep's handling too, b/c I, or my wife has to drive this thing every day, while I only attend 3 to 6 drivers schools per season, although we could pull a camper trailer too...I would recommend seriously considering a Nissan Titan. That thing can tow up to 9500 lbs and it is REALLY nice inside. The gas mileage on it will BLOW the hemi out of the water. I've owned JGC's and ... shyt always breaks on that car ... I would be very careful about getting a JGC. After 3 years, things just fall apart ... The I6 is bulletproof; but, the 8's always seemt to have problems.

Plus, with the titan you get the brake booster, etc. IT's really nice -- I was highly surprised at how nice the Titan was.

Well, the reliability ratings on the WK (2005 JGC) are not out yet so its tough to say if their going to get better. The ZJ (1993-8) and WJ (99-04) GC's got absolutely horrible reliability ratings from CR. I sure do hope Jeep gets their act together.....I've always thought they had the best offering in the mid-sized V8 ute, but not if its in the shop every other week. I sure wouldn't want to be the guinea pig and buy the first year production model either. I would give it a year or two....they haven't gotten it right yet in 12yrs, but there is always hope.

The Armada is the SUV equivilant to the Titan and both are great trucks, but they're gigantic.

Good advice. I'll sit on my pile of cash until 2006 :stickoutt Yes, the Armada is much too big to drive daily. The 2005 JGC LTD 5.7-L hemi really is a great handler. I look forward to taking it down southern Indiana's twisting hills some Sunday morning :evil2 Well, the reliability ratings on the WK (2005 JGC) are not out yet so its tough to say if their going to get better. The ZJ (1993-8) and WJ (99-04) GC's got absolutely horrible reliability ratings from CR. I sure do hope Jeep gets their act together.....I've always thought they had the best offering in the mid-sized V8 ute, but not if its in the shop every other week. I sure wouldn't want to be the guinea pig and buy the first year production model either. I would give it a year or two....they haven't gotten it right yet in 12yrs, but there is always hope.

The Armada is the SUV equivilant to the Titan and both are great trucks, but they're gigantic.

The titan is a nice truck but yeah it's BIG so you gotta like big. My friend has an older jeep and he doesn't maintain it at all. I know he had a trans problem (auto) at around 100k but that's no surprise with how he treats it.

No one in my family has ever had a problem with Jeep reliability. They're affordable, roomy, and usually have enough pick up to get out of the way. I know my Cherokee can outgun a Civic/Del Sol to 60, which is a lot of fun.

I'd like to drive the SRT-8. It's supposed to be quite a handful around WIllow Bend. Rivals the Cayenne Turbo, so the story goes.

Good luck with it, and post an update =)

Saw a red GC SRT-8 the other day. That thing looked like a concept car with the body kit and HUGE wheels.

Yeah, SRT-8 Jeep. Too bad it doesn't have any tow capacity. What a hoot of a pull vehicle, huh!?