Anyone driven the new Cherokee yet?

"IDROVEAPICKUPTRUCK" (idroveapickuptruck) 11/01/2013 at 11:51 • Filed to: None

0

32

I'm trying to help my dad find a new car. He's looking for a small or medium sized SUV with 4wd or AWD as a must. It's got to be American (he works for the UAW, he won't be allowed in the parking lot with something foreign and no I'm not kidding) and he doesn't like the new Escape or the GMC Terrain. He was thinking about getting an Equinox but I've been telling him to hold off to see how the new Cherokees are. The Equinox is just such a bland car and it's been out for a while, while I'm not wild about how the new Cherokee looks from all accounts it looks to be a decent car, probably better than the Equinox. He wants to buy new (he gets discounts on all the Big 3 vehicles) and I think his budget is probably in the range of $25-27k. Is the Cherokee the right choice or am I overlooking something else?

Nibby > IDROVEAPICKUPTRUCK 11/01/2013 at 11:54

0

inb4 Forester

/slight bias

No, but seriously, Forester is a good choice cause... roomy, comfy, good MPG (2011 gets me 27-30 mpg hw), AWD, large sunroof, heated cloth seats, small turning circle (my favorite thing about it). The only downside really is that Subaru's audio systems aren't the greatest but it's still adequate.

Nibbles > Nibby 11/01/2013 at 11:56

0

That and he may get shiv'd in the parking lot

ADabOfOppo; Gone Plaid (Instructables Can Be Confusable) > Nibby 11/01/2013 at 11:57

0

Agreed.

However, despite that it's made in the US, not American enough for the stereotypical UAW employee.

Better get a Jeep made in Canada, or Mexico for them to be happy.

IDROVEAPICKUPTRUCK > Nibby 11/01/2013 at 12:05

0

Forester is not an option. As I said it must be American since he works for the UAW and can't park at work in a non-American car; he will not be allowed into his parking deck in a foreign car. Plus he would never buy something non-American, he's lived in Detroit his entire life.

HammerheadFistpunch > IDROVEAPICKUPTRUCK 11/01/2013 at 12:05

0

unfortunately, American car markers aren't great in this segment.

IDROVEAPICKUPTRUCK > ADabOfOppo; Gone Plaid (Instructables Can Be Confusable) 11/01/2013 at 12:08

0

The Grand Cherokee is built within the city limits of Detroit at the Jefferson Assembly Plant and I think the new Cherokee is built in Toledo. But yeah, Canada and Mexico right.

mattoverdrive > IDROVEAPICKUPTRUCK 11/01/2013 at 12:10

0

The Equinox that I test drove was a great car, but that was a few years ago.

I'm thinking the Cherokee may be a good replacement for my wife's highlander in a year or two.

ADabOfOppo; Gone Plaid (Instructables Can Be Confusable) > IDROVEAPICKUPTRUCK 11/01/2013 at 12:13

0

You know I was being sarcastic. I also was not trying to insult your dad.

I just think it's funny that there are those who wouldn't accept that vehicles like the Accord, Camry, Forester, etc which are all built in the US, by Americans, are American cars.

Meanwhile, they would happily buy something from GM, Ford, or Chrysler that's actually built in Canada or Mexico.

Basically, I'm making fun of idiots. (And I don't think you or your dad is one.)

FJ80WaitinForaLSV8 > ADabOfOppo; Gone Plaid (Instructables Can Be Confusable) 11/01/2013 at 12:17

0

You are mistaken- Forester is made in Japan (as are most of Subaru's Vehicles). The only vehicles produced at their Indiana assembly are the Outback and the Legacy. Tribeca is made there as well, but is getting the ax in 2 months.

FJ80WaitinForaLSV8 > IDROVEAPICKUPTRUCK 11/01/2013 at 12:19

0

WRANGLER!!

IDROVEAPICKUPTRUCK > ADabOfOppo; Gone Plaid (Instructables Can Be Confusable) 11/01/2013 at 12:23

0

While I understand that lot of foreign brands assemble their cars in the United States for the most part the parts they use are mostly sourced from out of country. But you're right, it's hard to come up with what is "domestic" and what is "foreign"

But this actually came up at my Dad's work. There is one Toyota plant in California I think that is represented by the UAW, so people were asking could they drive those, what about "American" brands that were fully built overseas etc etc and finally they just made the ruling to keep things simple that GM, Ford and Chrysler products were allowed in the parking deck, other makes were out.

IDROVEAPICKUPTRUCK > mattoverdrive 11/01/2013 at 12:24

0

Yeah I don't think there is anything wrong with the Equinox per say it just feels like it hasn't gotten a refresh in a while and that he could probably get something newer and better.

ADabOfOppo; Gone Plaid (Instructables Can Be Confusable) > FJ80WaitinForaLSV8 11/01/2013 at 12:24

0

Hmm...Okay.

I thought it was. Oops.

efme > IDROVEAPICKUPTRUCK 11/01/2013 at 12:25

0

isn't the mazda cx-5 made stateside now?

ADabOfOppo; Gone Plaid (Instructables Can Be Confusable) > IDROVEAPICKUPTRUCK 11/01/2013 at 12:26

0

Oh I believe you.

I think it's funny. But, I do not doubt for one second that they would police what cars UAW employees drive.

FJ80WaitinForaLSV8 > efme 11/01/2013 at 12:26

0

Nope Japan. Since stopping their collaboration with Ford, none of Mazda's vehicles are made in the US.

IDROVEAPICKUPTRUCK > FJ80WaitinForaLSV8 11/01/2013 at 12:27

0

I would love if he would get a Wrangler but I can't even imagine him in one. Doesn't fit his style at all - think History professor. Basically my parents are splitting time right now between Detroit and Western Massachusetts and their house in Mass is on a hill that you can't get up with FWD in the snow (ask me how I know) and they want something with a little more cargo space since my mom just bought a new Fusion.

Nibbles > IDROVEAPICKUPTRUCK 11/01/2013 at 12:28

0

Just gonna put this out there

This line of thinking is dumb

Your choice of driving/purchasing/etc'ing anything should not be dictated by your employer

FJ80WaitinForaLSV8 > IDROVEAPICKUPTRUCK 11/01/2013 at 12:30

0

I know you said small to midsize but you could look at the Lambada SUVs. They have good MPG and tons of space and just got refreshed.

IDROVEAPICKUPTRUCK > ADabOfOppo; Gone Plaid (Instructables Can Be Confusable) 11/01/2013 at 12:31

0

It's a little nuts but I understand it. I'm by no means an American-Vehicle only guy but when you work at UAW headquarters within the Detroit city limits it would be a bit of slap in the face to show up in something German or Japanese. Imagine if you worked at Coca-Cola and showed up with a Pepsi in your lunch everyday.

mattoverdrive > IDROVEAPICKUPTRUCK 11/01/2013 at 12:33

0

Agreed, between the two I'm leaning towards the Cherokee, but I haven't seen one in person yet.

I'm hoping they have it at the San Diego Auto Show, when I'm out there in a couple of months so I can take better look at it.

IDROVEAPICKUPTRUCK > Nibbles 11/01/2013 at 12:34

0

He can buy whatever he wants, he just can't park it in the parking deck. If he wants to park across the street he could. But regardless he wouldn't buy something non-American anyways. Plus considering he gets discounts on GM, Ford and Chrysler it makes financial sense to buy from them as well.

But I don't want to spend all day debating American vs Import, I'm really looking for feedback on the new Cherokee.

ADabOfOppo; Gone Plaid (Instructables Can Be Confusable) > IDROVEAPICKUPTRUCK 11/01/2013 at 12:35

0

Then the Lexus RX450h AWD is obviously the absolute best choice for his new vehicle.

mattoverdrive > mattoverdrive 11/01/2013 at 12:36

0

Actually, I just found some at a local dealer. I may have to go check them out.

Nibbles > IDROVEAPICKUPTRUCK 11/01/2013 at 12:37

0

I understand, hence the "just gonna put this out there"

Was an opinion, that's all

Deal Killer - Powered by Focus > IDROVEAPICKUPTRUCK 11/01/2013 at 13:27

0

I haven't seen too many Cherokees at the dealerships yet, only a few on display in and around the area. Nothing I've read or seen has led me to believe they'd be any less competitive than any other small SUV on the market. If the 9 speed auto-tranny works the way it should, the Cherokee's MPG should be very good.

Of course, this is coming from a completely unbiased opinion as to where I live.

IDROVEAPICKUPTRUCK > Deal Killer - Powered by Focus 11/01/2013 at 13:32

0

The only good thing about Toledo is the Mud Hens. And Jeeps I guess.

IDROVEAPICKUPTRUCK > mattoverdrive 11/01/2013 at 13:35

0

Let me know what you think if you go see one

Osiris - I can haz Euro spec? > IDROVEAPICKUPTRUCK 11/01/2013 at 15:00

0

So here's my question: What the hell is UAW and why do they give a shit what car someone buys? Sounds a little retarded if you ask me.

IDROVEAPICKUPTRUCK > Osiris - I can haz Euro spec? 11/01/2013 at 15:06

0

United Auto Workers. It's the Auto Union, so they give a massive shit about what car someone buys.

Osiris - I can haz Euro spec? > IDROVEAPICKUPTRUCK 11/01/2013 at 15:17

0

But at the end of the day, isn't it the employees choice if he wants to buy a Mazda/Toyota/Honda over a GM/Ford/Chevy?

IDROVEAPICKUPTRUCK > Osiris - I can haz Euro spec? 11/01/2013 at 15:30

0

Yes at the end of the day it is the employees choice, however it is also the employer's choice to not let that employee into the parking lot. If you drive something else you have to park across the street.

This is being made way too much of, if you work for the UAW it's highly unlikely you would buy anything other than American otherwise. My father isn't lamenting the fact that he can't buy a CRV or a Forrester, he's planning on buying an Equinox, I think the Cherokee is a better choice and I was looking for feedback on the Cherokee but it doesn't look like anyone here has driven it yet.