Do I dare ask . . . Grand Cherokee Trailhawk

[tristero]

I really dont care that my $40k truck looks broken as **** because of the toyota lean.

I hated the lean at first too, but then I grew to love it, and the axle and frame rust, the scratches and dents, fart smells, rattling, rear seat creak, engine whine, exhaust tick. Love all of it.

I fixed the lean, but thankfully I still have the rest to appreciate.

 

[thedamartini]

I hated the lean at first too, but then I grew to love it, and the axle and frame rust, the scratches and dents, fart smells, rattling, rear seat creak, engine whine, exhaust tick. Love all of it.

I fixed the lean, but thankfully I still have the rest to appreciate.

That was one of the reasons I put the full OME suspension on with UCA and it just made it more noticeable hah. Getting the trim spacers and really hoping at that point it will be much better. It bugs me every time I get in the truck.

 

[backfist]

Audi SQ5

I purchased my SR5 Premium as a fill-in vehicle last fall as we sold my wife's BMW X6.

The 4Runner has been rock-solid reliable, but it indeed is a machine that plods along the path with less than stellar powers and technology.

As we don't use it for off-roading, it's utility is primarily for it's winter prowess and the occasional Home Depot loads.

I had retired, but recently returned to a part-time position for a few days each week. This entailed driving in Denver's rush-hour traffic for an hour each way.

In this kill-or-be-killed traffic, I found the 4Runner to be very satisfactory in the visibility department, but woefully lacking in the speed/power environment.

I did give up on a 2013 Tacoma we owned for the same deficits as the 4Runner. But the retained value at trade-in time made up for a lot.

I am in the same conundrum as the original poster; give up the solid and steady machine for the passion I presently have for the speed, interior and gadgetry of the Audi SQ5?

I've owned many German cars and am used to the repair costs once the warranty expires.

Go with what makes you happy...life is short

 

[Jayhawk5G]

*** Yes by far the 4runner is a more solid ride quality. It just feels better, hard to explain. But I do think that the WK2 is a little quieter at highway speeds. Probably negligible, just figured it was worth mentioning.

*** Higher quality in the long term, couldn't agree more. I think this is systematic to the whole vehicle though as Ive had countless minor issues (rattles in the interior, steering wheel vibration, system updates gone wrong). Hands down I think Toyota is a far superior long term vehicle. Maybe Toyota= higher quality by keeping things simple? I love everything about the Jeep... if it didn't malfunction all the time.

*** I will be finishing my Military contract in about 2 years. So I am looking to drop the Jeep for a T4R soon. I want a vehicle that I will not have to worry about for many years to come. My income is going to take a big cut for a few years so I need something reliable.

I've mentioned before that if Fiat Chrysler could ever get their quality together and produce reliable long last vehicles, that it would make my vehicle purchases much harder... The Grand Cherokee's look great and offer a lot of features for the money.

 

[2flyfishin]

Passed this Jeep yesterday on the trails, not a GC but still a new Rubicon. Owners were gone, sucks to have to walk out.

 

[wfo9]

Passed this Jeep yesterday on the trails, not a GC but still a new Rubicon. Owners were gone, sucks to have to walk out.

I would not hesitate to buy a new JL (not pictured).

The penstar is very proven. The new trans looks great. And anyone who knows 4x4 can see they fixed many of the underlying problems with the JK resulting in a darn good offroad vehicle out of the box with the Rubicon. It's in a different class than the 4runner in terms of capability.. but obviously lacks the room... but quickly closing the on-road feel gap.

Could not do a JK because it had too many flaws, but if I was buying today it would be really hard to buy a 4runner over the JL for my needs. I do enjoy all the room in the 4runner and the fact that they were not so common.. but now they have turned into the JK pretty much in terms of being on every corner, so things have really changed..

GC is not my thing though. No room and just not very capable. If I'm going to sacrifice some of the room in the 4r I want to gain all the offroad capability of the JL.

 

[TacoRunn0517]

I purchased my SR5 Premium as a fill-in vehicle last fall as we sold my wife's BMW X6.

The 4Runner has been rock-solid reliable, but it indeed is a machine that plods along the path with less than stellar powers and technology.

As we don't use it for off-roading, it's utility is primarily for it's winter prowess and the occasional Home Depot loads.

I had retired, but recently returned to a part-time position for a few days each week. This entailed driving in Denver's rush-hour traffic for an hour each way.

In this kill-or-be-killed traffic, I found the 4Runner to be very satisfactory in the visibility department, but woefully lacking in the speed/power environment.

I did give up on a 2013 Tacoma we owned for the same deficits as the 4Runner. But the retained value at trade-in time made up for a lot.

I am in the same conundrum as the original poster; give up the solid and steady machine for the passion I presently have for the speed, interior and gadgetry of the Audi SQ5?

I've owned many German cars and am used to the repair costs once the warranty expires.

Go with what makes you happy...life is short

Tell me what you do so I can get use to paying more to maintain a vehicle haha.

 

[ElZilcho]

You'll never regret owning a Toyota. You may not love it, but you won't regret it either.

You might love owning a Chrysler... until you regret it.

 

[Shoofly09]

I've always been a jeep guy. Had a wrangler and 3 GC's.

Bought my wife a Sequoia 8 years ago. We were so happy with it that I bought a 4R last go around. The 4R's fairly gutless, but in all other regards a better all around vehicle in my opinion.

In 6 years, my daughter will get my 4R when she turns 16, and I'm going back to a wrangler since my kids can drive themselves around!

 

[Argyle Edison]

Whatever Jeep you like, just wait a couple years and it will be half price or lower.

 

[2flyfishin]

I would not hesitate to buy a new JL (not pictured).

The penstar is very proven. The new trans looks great. And anyone who knows 4x4 can see they fixed many of the underlying problems with the JK resulting in a darn good offroad vehicle out of the box with the Rubicon. It's in a different class than the 4runner in terms of capability.. but obviously lacks the room... but quickly closing the on-road feel gap.

Could not do a JK because it had too many flaws, but if I was buying today it would be really hard to buy a 4runner over the JL for my needs. I do enjoy all the room in the 4runner and the fact that they were not so common.. but now they have turned into the JK pretty much in terms of being on every corner, so things have really changed..

GC is not my thing though. No room and just not very capable. If I'm going to sacrifice some of the room in the 4r I want to gain all the offroad capability of the JL.

It would be nearly impossible to argue about the capability of the JK and if I didn’t want / need the room, I might of bought one. Room and on highway performance kept me from buying one. Being in Vegas I usually have to travel 3 plus hours to go flyfishing and load up with a lot of gear. I have some friends with JK’s and they love them even with their short comings and none of them have had any major issues with them either. As for the the new JL, I hope they did a good job with them and I can only go by what I’ve read which has all been pretty good. It’s still not the vehicle for me though but I could see somebody with capability being their main concern getting one. As for the diesel, which I’m a huge diesel fan, going into the new JL, I know they’ve had some issues with them in the other vehicles which is a big disappointment.

Whatever Jeep you like, just wait a couple years and it will be half price or lower.

You can say that about all jeeps but the JK. The JK resale value is really good.

 

[alico268]

Whatever Jeep you like, just wait a couple years and it will be half price or lower.

Not so with the Wrangler.

 

[Kennyr44]

I traded my 15 limited 4 Runner for a 2017 JGC Limited loaded up to $49,000 with the V6 and 8 speed tranny. They wack 5k off that with no argument though. I don't 4 wheel so the 4 Runner made no sense. After 20,000 miles my verdict is in.
It really is no contest. The Jeep blows the 4 Runner out of the water in every possible way other than the off road capability and interior size. It is very fast and shifts through the 8 speeds smooth as silk. Best of all is the ride comfort mainly then the added engine power, heated steering wheel, pr tailgate and endless tech features are just icing on the cake. O and that sweet turning radius. Some say buy used and save but the truly nice JGC's are the 2016,17 and 18's. The car is the same chassis as the Mercedes GLE (75k) comparably equipped. I have had a tailgate strut replaced and thats about it. There are dash rattles though. I bought the Lifetime and no miles restriction warranty with $100 deductible for $2660. Its my wife's car but I drive it as often as I can because it is so sweet.

 

[snipegoat]

Get a Subaru Forester or AWD Honda CRV or Highlander. You are commuting and need an occasional snow capable vehicle. Why not get an efficient car for that???

+1 subaru (if you aren't getting a 4runner of course)

 

[wfo9]

It would be nearly impossible to argue about the capability of the JK and if I didn’t want / need the room, I might of bought one. Room and on highway performance kept me from buying one. Being in Vegas I usually have to travel 3 plus hours to go flyfishing and load up with a lot of gear. I have some friends with JK’s and they love them even with their short comings and none of them have had any major issues with them either. As for the the new JL, I hope they did a good job with them and I can only go by what I’ve read which has all been pretty good. It’s still not the vehicle for me though but I could see somebody with capability being their main concern getting one. As for the diesel, which I’m a huge diesel fan, going into the new JL, I know they’ve had some issues with them in the other vehicles which is a big disappointment.


You can say that about all jeeps but the JK. The JK resale value is really good.

As far as the diesel goes... yep it's going to be a problem child just like every other diesel being sold today in the US. The emissions systems are just way too problematic... no way around it besides a delete really.

I would love one if the emissions stuff was not on it. Which will probably be what most people end up doing when the warranty is up... I'm sure there will be tons of delete kits available. At that point it should be very reliable. But owning one with all the systems intact will surly result in trips to the dealer, but there is a good motor under all that garbage.

 

[TrDpRo_J]

My sister had one for a year and now she has a Honda lol!!

She had it new and got rid after a year after several oil leaks and she could be bothered, bit like my BMW x5m I recently sold.

Loved the sound, slow compared to the german count aparts imo gas mileage was terrible if that matters. Around 16's driving it around town.

My main pet peeve was the windscreen which is slightly curved and did my head on although I'm a little OCD at times.

I drove it several times, the tech is cool UConnect etc. Nav is pants.. If I went with a Cherokee it would be the SRT to make it worth trading reliability for tech and a bit for fancy fancy