Goodbye Jeep – Hello Reliable Vehicle!

On May 12th of this year, just 2 months ago, I bought a 2007 Jeep Commander. I LOVE this vehicle! Man, it’s sharp as can be and what’s crazy is that the gas mileage was better than my minivan. We had some small things happen here and there with it since we got it, but I thought it was your basic ‘pre-owned issues‘ that the dealership was aware of and had fixed some of them. We were scheduled for a maintenance and to have the dealership fix a tire that has a sensor in it that lets you know when your tire is too low, but just 10 days ago, Kambry, Tucker & I were driving to Wichita, KS (yes, Kansas) to meet the kids’ grandma halfway from Texas so Tucker could spend some time with her and Pops in TX and on Kambry & my way back home, we had issues. I started to hear a loud howling noise. It got louder and louder. It was more like screaming at the end.

Long story short: Kambry and I were stranded 313 miles from home and had to get a room for the night. I was less than pleasant to be around, so thankfully it was just Kam & I.

We got up Sunday and decided to drive the Jeep Commander to Firestone. There was one that was very close to where we stayed and since hubby was in route to get us (5 hours away), we had some time to kill and I wanted to have a 3rd opinion on what was wrong with the Jeep. Firestone was AMAZING to us. While they were not able to repair it due to the damage that was done to the rear end, we were able to sit tight at the Firestone location in Wichita, KS until hubby arrived to our rescue.

We we advised by the dealership to just leave the Jeep where it was at and Firestone gave us the ok to leave the Jeep on their lot until the next morning when the local Wichita Jeep Dealership was able to tow it to their location for repair.

With us going to Texas in the next few days, for 6 days, we had no way to get back to get the Jeep after repairs, so thankfully Davis-Moore let me keep the Jeep on their lot…. for 10 days, until I could get a rental car and get there to get it.

What was wrong? Oy. The rear end was completely shot. Gone. Poof. Bye Bye. The pinion bearings needed to be replaced and the entire rear end was rebuilt. Let’s just say that I am very grateful for the warranty that I bought.

• Repairs: $1300.00
• Deductible: $100.00
• Hotel Stay: $60.00 (the guy felt sorry for us and gave us a deal)
• Rental Car to get back to Wichita yesterday: $80.00 one way

After I bought the Jeep, I had a friend run the CarFAX for me. I had never needed to get one before, but when I got it on the Jeep, my jaw dropped. It was a lease vehicle, sold to be a rental car or Fleet/Company vehicle, was in a front end collision, sold at auction, sold to the dealership, I purchased. The CarFAX was pretty lengthy.

We are  taking the Jeep back to the dealership where I bought it from. To be honest, I am sad, yet I am excited. Excited? Well, with all the emotions that have ran through my mind in the last 2 weeks, excitement is the only emotion that hasn’t flowed. We are trading in the Jeep for a brand new 2009 Kia Borrego. You are probably thinking ’2009? Brand new?’ Yeah – that’s what I thought too. Yup. Brand spanking new, no miles, no car fax reports, and a 100,000 mile warranty. Hubby and I talked and thought about it and we are very much at ease for what we are about to walk in to.

We are getting this same color, as seen below: Copperhead. It’s like a rusty orange color. Very pretty! Of course, we will drive it and check it out first, but so far, this is #1 on our list out of the 6 that we chose from the inventory.

• 7 passenger, 3rd row seating, auto dual climate control, alloy wheels, luggage rack, power windows&  locks, cruise, tilt wheel,  power mirrors, manual adjustable drivers seat, 6 airbags, 4wd, abs traction control, electronic stability control, 6 cyl, automatic cd , tow package rear park assist, sirrus radio, keyless entry

We will keep you posted on everything that happens, but our word of advice is:

• Get a CarFAX before you buy a car!