Here is the situation. I currently own a 2000 Grand Cherokee Laredo 4x4 V8. Can trade it in to any dealer and get what i owe.

Had a TLS about a year and a half ago and loved it. Was paying $447/month then. Paying 338/month for the Jeep now. I got the jeep so that my wife and I could alternate mileage on her 4Runner and my Jeep(we have a Lab and a one year old little girl).

My dilema now is that I can get into a 2003 TL (not Type S) for 365/month and save a good bit on gas and have piece of mind with the warranty and maintenance(My dealer gives 2yr/24k all maintenance) or scale down to a Toyota Camry or Honda Accord 4cyl to save some decent change.

Just got promoted and will driving an extra 200-300 mile per week so the Jeep is out either way. I know that this board is probably biased, but think realistically for me. Suggestions?

 

I would say it depends on what you are looking for. If you just want to commute, then getting the camry or the accord is definitely a smart choice because they save a lot of gas. And with a dog and a child, you wont have to worry as much about the interior of the car b/c its cloth.

Personally im really anal about how my car is kept...to the point where sometimes I think it would have been smarter to just have a beater car so I wouldnt have to worry. So I guess in the end it depends on what you want...

...but yea, I drive my girls accord quite often...but honestly, I like driving the tl much much better.

 

If you plan to carry your pet around in the car, I would suggest to get a station wagon like Audi or Lexus. You can keep your dog at the back and still keep your cushion clean for your baby.

Just my $0.02.

Cheers !!!

 

Anyone else have any input?

 

KIA !

 

i think keep an suv may be a good choice as far as room for u ur wife and baby its fine but put a dogg in w u all its gonna get tight plus leather w a dogg may not be a good choice....but its ur call im sure u will be happy the the tl its just is that what u need w a family and pet but either way good luck

 

I personaly think that the TL is not good on gas, I watch the gas guage just go down anytime I hit the highway. Go with something that gets better gas mileage. You could probably get a good deal on a Camery(nice in wh and also a 03tl non S. The 04 TL is out so they are looking to get rid of the 03 models. Good luck

 

I am looking at an 03 TL at a good deal.

 

is it $365 to buy or lease?

 

What kind of driving will you be doing? The TL-S gets less than 20mpg in traffic, but if you can keep it in 5th gear on the highway the mileage is respectable. The Camry or the Honda, especially a 4 cylinder, will get much better mileage. They're both good rides -- smooth and comfortable -- but about as much fun as bland potato salad.

I just moved from a V6 Camry to a TL-S. The Camry was in many ways the best integrated car I've ever owned. The engine and transmission were very well matched, fit and finish were excellent, the mileage was good, and the sound system was OK. It was a very sensible car. It did nothing really well -- except get me where I was going in moderate comfort at reasonable cost.

In contrast, the TL-S makes me happy every time I get in it. The Camry was just a car; the TL-S is a pleasure. I'm paying for that, both up front and in higher operating costs. But it's worth the money.

I think the decision boils down to what you want to do with your surplus income. The Camry or the Honda would let you put money elsewhere, and you wouldn't have to worry much about letting the dog ride in the back seat (cloth). The TL would make your daily driving very pleasant. But it costs more (in the deal you describe) than you're currently paying for the Laredo, and you'd probably want to use the 4Runner when the dog goes along. But you would save a few bucks on gas compared to the Laredo.

If I were going to spend a lot of time in the car, I'd get the TL. Hell, I'd get the TL anyway. But that's partly because I've done the sensible Camry thing.

 

Kids+dogs+save money=Subaru Outback or standard Subaru wagon with the 4-cylinder 160hp boxer engine.