08 Aspen-5.7L- New purchase-question for Tech/Experts

[toofast4uu]

I'm about to purchase a 2008 Aspen with the 5.7L Hemi. Perhaps someone can share their knowledge, and aid in my final decision to purchase it? SUV has 28k miles. No present tow package installed. I tow a 3,500 pound trailer several times a year. I noticed that when the truck comes from the factory with a hitch package, it has a trans cooler. Would this trans/engine cooler be required on the 5.7L Hemi? (is it possible that it's already there? Due to it being the large engine?) General question for a used purchase: Are there any particular area's I should look at while inspecting the car for purchase? Besides the tires/brakes/ usual stuff.... I've looked at all the midsize SUV's, and while visiting the dealer today to test drive the new 2011 Durango, I saw this GEM of a truck for $24k, loaded with NAV, HEMI, Etc...similar attributes to the Escalade, at half the cost...and lower mileage... Please share your thoughts...Thanks for reading. Christian

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[Djinn-n-Tonic]

As far as I have seen, The trans cooler is standard equipment.

The only complaint I have with the Durango/Aspen platform so far is "Water Leaks"...Nothing major up till now, Overall, they are good trucks.

24k is Slightly better than fair, unless it has high mileage. Its tuff to be unbiased here, because I frankly think the escalades are WAY OVERATED.....

The "Other Side" of the dealership I work at Handles Chevy/Cadillac...And I would take an Aspen over an Escalade ANY DAY OF THE WEEK.

Cons......Fuel Economy is HORRIBLE...
And Just for giggles......Walk around the truck, and Make sure there arent Any "HYBRID" badges on it......It was a flop, and hardly worth the effort.

[United1]

On my 07, the tow pkg includes an external trans cooler, power stearing cooler and heavy duty engine cooling. I am not sure what the heavy duty engine cooling includes, but I suspect a larger radiator.

The 09 tow pkg includes:
7 and 4 pin wiring harness; Auxiliary transmission cooler; Heavy duty engine cooling system; Power steering cooler.

Considering that you are looking at an 08, I would suspect that the above applies to it as well. Most trucks and cars have a "trans cooler" built into the radiator, in other words, the trans fluid circulates through the bottom of the radiator, to get some heat dissipation. If you are going to tow with it, I would most certainly add an external trans cooler. The circulating throught the radiator is not enough when towing 3,500 pounds.

I have an 07 Aspen Hemi (46K) and an 06 Durango Hemi (64K) and have not had any mechanical issues with either, really pleased with both. Based on that, I cant really say what to look out for. I do know that there is a TSB out there to replace the fuel tanl for a faulty check valve, which causes fuel to spray back out when filling the tank. You do not say if it is from a dealer (warranty included) or not, but I would at least scan the codes to see if there were any recents codes thrown. The Hemi's are very particular on 5W20 oil, but if someone used something different at one time I am not sure what the long term consequences would be, other than the short term of the MDS not operating well.

[toofast4uu]

Thanks for both responses. Definitely helpful.

To answer a couple of your questions:

I would purchase from a dealer...But i'm debating on the $2,500 ext warranty purchase.

I'd like to negotiate a deal in the ballpark of $24,000 with a warranty...of $22,000 without...is that fair pricing?

1) Currently, the pass seat controls are broken (they work, but the controls are inside the plastic seat base...and one of the rear seat "Heat" switches is also missing (or broken and down in the console)

3) The pass side "Foot area" courtesy light blinks on/off. Could this be a bad bulb or the beginning of electrical problems?

4) What are the most common problems you typically see these vehicles experience?

5) Should I have an independant mechanic check it out?

6) What warranty should I purchase (if any decent carriers to buy outside the dealer...)

Again, any suggestions are greatly appreciated.

[conversion02]

I can't answer on the trans cooler being standard. Mine has a tow pkg and has a trans cooler (which I would be suspect of any car with a tow pkg and NOT a trans cooler). Most trucks nowadays (even w/o tow pkgs come with trans coolers).

Either way, they're cheap to add aftermarket and are much better quality (oh, and you don't have to use Chrysler's cheap compression fittings that like to LEAK). I just had a compression fitting repaired and I could have bought a B&M trans cooler and had it installed for what it cost to get the fitting repaired.

I have never had any leakage problems. I due have a headliner rattle that's driving me insane. Apparently the headliner was dropped for some reason by the previous owner (leased vehicle, maintenance done at dealer). However, I have a rattle because it's loose and I've got to pull the dang thing (yeah, that'll be fun).

Oh, and don't let people steer you wrong on mileage. It's pretty good. I traded in my 4.0 Sport Trac w/4WD and my 5.7 Aspen AWD gets better mileage. I'd say 12/17 is pretty solid for a 5.7 HEMI. My old ST averaged those numbers...and it had 100 hp less and could only tow half of what this Aspen can.

FYI - I bought my 07 a year ago, with 38K on it and everything except bluetooth and dvd and paid $24K for it. Make sure you know what that ext warranty includes. If it includes maintenance, that'd be sweet! Changing plugs on these is quite possibly the worst of any car I've done...and it calls for plugs every 30K. I changed to the Pulstar plugs and they're top notch.

[kkreit01]

That extended warranty is very expensive. It should be half for 10/100k. I would stay clear of them.

1-3) Make them fix everything prior to purchase. Have them add everything in the "WE OWE" statement.

4) Most common problems (if you read on here), are electrical. I have not had any, but mine is < 1 yr old, and only 10K mi.

5) Would never hurt. I'm sure the drivetrain is fine.

6) The vehicle should still be under a factory powertrain warranty. Find out for sure. The dealer should at least provide 1 yr/12mo. If it's a Chrysler dealer, see if they can "Certify it" used (it has low mileage). This would provide well enough warranty. Extended warranties are pure profit to the dealer.

I can't really complain about mpg either. I took mine on a trip in late Dec. 19 mpg on highway -- with winter gas -- and aggressive AT tires was impressive to me. Mixed City driving we get 13.5--15. Yeah, that's just as good as a 4.0 Ford Explorer/Sport Trac (I've had them), -- with 167 less HP.