I want to get a used Aspen after teh lease is up on the 300 cause I need more space but im torn between the 2 engines. is there huge difference between the two? Is there anything that i should look out for when i go shopping for it? Any info you can give on the Aspen is greatley appreciated. Good or Bad!

 

The 2007 4.7 Aspen motor is very underpowered and gets bad mileage. I hear the 08-09 models were bumped up in power! I'd go for the newer ones and not the weaker motored 4.7!

 

My opinion is that it depends on what you want to do with it. I have both the 4.7 (before the bump in power) and the 5.7. I am impressed with both. I tow the same boat with both (approx 3,000#), with 6 people and gear. The 4.7 works a bit harder on acceleration than the hemi of course but I consider both fully capable (rear end gearing will have an impact tho). The 4.7 has been a strong motor with few issues, other than exhaust manifold studs. Of course I prefer to tow with the hemi, but the 4.7 is quite respectable. Lastly, my experience in general is that the overall mileage is very similar between the two, but it does depend on how much you like to step on it. If faster acceleration or towing is not a big concern of yours, my feeling is that the 4.7 is worth looking at.

 

great info here! i will be using it on the weekends. I probably wont be towing anything really. Im looking into it beause of the passenger space. I dont want to get a huge truck like a tahoe or expedition but i also dont want a mini van either. I wanted the hemi because i originally had a 98 camaro and went an 07 300 with the 3.5 and i hated myself for it. The lease is finally over and i wanted to get that power back. So its not really an issue for either engine but i want to have the extrra power just because i can have it.

 

The newer 4.7 has 303 hp, which is more than adequate. The Hemi's horsepower was increased in 2009 to widen the gap between them, but in 2008 they were only 30 hp apart.

The short version is that if you're buying a 2007, get the Hemi. Otherwise they're both good engines. The MDS system on the Hemi engine keeps parity in mpg between the two.

 

okay so what i am understanding is that the 2008 and 2009 4.7 has 30ph less than the hemi and the best engine for the 2007 year would be the hemi. is this correct?

 

Sort of. Here's the skinny:

2007:
4.7 V-8: 235 hp. 300 ft. lb torque
Hemi: 335 hp, 370 ft. lb torque

2008:
4.7 V-8: 303 hp. 330 ft. lb torque
Hemi: 335 hp, 370 ft. lb torque

2009:
4.7 V-8: 303 hp. 330 ft. lb torque
Hemi: 376 hp, 401 ft. lb torque

So the story here is: Get the Hemi if you buy a 2007 or 2009, and it's a toss-up for the 2008. I have a 2008 w/the Hemi and love it, but a substantial savings w/the 4.7 might be worth considering.

 

Perfrect this is the exact ifo i was looking for. Now are there any recalls or things on the truch that go bad that I should keep an eye out for.

 

The only recall I'm aware of was for the right front steering knuckle on the 07. Everything else is just a TSB, which you'll find in any vehicle.

Please note that the Durango had a limited recall last year for 2005 models for gas tank replacement due to a faulty fuel tank filler tube inlet check valve. My 2008 Aspen started spitting gas back at me at the end up a fill-up late last year, pretty much exactly as described in the recall documentation for the 2005 Durango. The fuel pump would shut off normally, and then gas would spill out all over the place.

IMO, Chrysler knows about the ongoing issue and is trying to quietly address it with owners on a case-by-case basis to avoid a broader recall. I am out of warranty, and they replaced my fuel tank (the tank must be replaced with the fuel filler neck) for a small deductable. Just FYI in case you encounter the issue.

 

I was aware of this one. Okay I guess i got my tech specs and issues in a row. Now to find the right Aspen. Thanks a Bundle. Now I have ammo to go to war lol. Much appreciated!!