WWOD? (What Would Oppo Do?) Part 3 of me getting a new SUV

"Takuro Spirit" (takurospirit)
02/28/2020 at 13:08 • Filed to: help takuro pick a new car, new car shopping, jeep, ford, jeep cherokee, ford escape

Okay, so we got the numbers.

I did a LOT of math with the numbers.

There’s a $75 per year registration tax in Wisconsin for hybrids, so I factored that in.

There’s a 20mpg city MPG difference between the Hybrid Escape, and the V6 Cherokee, so I factored that as well. (with gas at $2.50 per gallon, if it stays near there)

There’s a $78 per year insurance difference, the Escape being higher. Factored that as well.

Unless I’m missing anything, there’s only a $6.50 to $16.50 difference in the two per month with all the factors included. Not a big difference, especially when spread out for the term of the lease.

We’re paying MORE per month for the Escape, including at registration time and insurance , but les s at the pump.

We’re paying MORE at the pump for the Cherokee, but less monthly for the payment and insurance.

I personally like the Escape more for its features (full cluster screen, HUD, more back seat room, more cargo area room) , quiet engine, and nicer ride (I’m going to drive one again tonight just to be sure) but wife likes the Cherokee more.

I like the Cherokee’s front seats more, and ability to shift the trans myself, but I am not a fan of the shifter itself. I’d prefer a dial with paddles. The Ford has a dial, but no paddles (its a CVT anyways). It rides harsher, and the engine is loud and kinda drone-y.

Styling is not an issue, but I would like to be one of the first Escapes on the road around here. I’ve seen exactly ONE since we started looking last week, and it was from Florida (in, Wisconsin, in the winter. odd). I see a bajillion Cherokees on the road every day.

I would make money on parts and service sales at work if the Jeep breaks under warranty... if the Ford breaks the money goes to our sister store. I do not get a cut of thier profits, sadly. Plus working here having a Jeep would be advantageous in other ways. With the Ford I’d pretty much be owning a ‘competitor’. Plus look funny driving it while wearing MOPAR stuff...

So what would you do, Oppo?

I’m starting to lean towards the Jeep now, when last week I was a Ford convert. Its not JUST the money, its the whole package.

DISCUSSION (12)

Ash78, voting early and often > Takuro Spirit
02/28/2020 at 13:15

I was going to say “At least the Cherokee is semi-rare, but the Escape will be everywhere soon” but you already covered that. Around here these two cars are about 100:1.

Personally, I’m not a fan of the new Escape styling, but I think I would take it over the Cherokee. Second, FCA’s reliability rankings....ugh. All else being pretty equal, I’d go Ford here.

gin-san - shitpost specialist > Takuro Spirit
02/28/2020 at 13:21

For me, it’d be an easy choice: the Escape. The minor differences in payments/insurance would be offset by the fact that my driving is almost exclusively city driving.

I don’t recall what kind of driving you normally do, but if it’s majority city driving I’d still be leaning towards the Escape. If it’s mostly highway, I’d probably make a decision based on which one I love more. It’d be an emotional decision, but when you like both cars for slightly different reasons it may come down to leaving the logical arguments aside and going with your gut feeling.

The money back on parts/service for the Cherokee would be nice, but I don’t think you really want to think about that since you probably don’t want your car to be breaking so much that that becomes a selling point.

ZHP Sparky, the 5th > Takuro Spirit
02/28/2020 at 13:28

I still say go Escape. It is a newer model with newer tech. The Cherokee feels old in the tooth to me at this point, and its engine shows it, sounds like. Also like you said, they are everywhere.

This is a private purchase for personal use if I’m not mistaken, so won’t take your work place in to consideration – if they want you driving company branded products then they can give you employee discounts decent enough to make it worthwhile.

Sounds like cashflow isn’t a specific concern – i.e. doesn’t seem like a huge deal for you to pay more to register, but pay less over time for gas. So with overall costs being cheaper on the Escape, and it being the newer, nicer car – the choice is pretty clear if I were in your shoes.

412GTI > Takuro Spirit
02/28/2020 at 13:37

I can say our two Cherokee’s (V6) have only needed one warranty repair..and it was broken plastic from the shift lever. They both seem screwed together well and haven given me a better outlook on FCA reliability.

I might lean towards the Ford because of the fuel economy advantage, but I personally do a lot of city driving. And I like shiny new things haha. Also, w e never really cared what employees drove at the dealer I’ve worked at. I had a VW and only people who get pressured into getting a new car by our GM to hit numbers had a CDJR.

Takuro Spirit > gin-san - shitpost specialist
02/28/2020 at 13:53

Its mostly highway, 75%, then 25% driving in town and between schools and idling waiting at pick up. Where the hybrid will shine, hopefully.

I have to look at the breakage, given how much my truck and Durango were in the shop. Its just one of the joys of new car ownership. Time will tell how the Escapes will be, but we’re constantly doing driveline work on AWD Cherokees.

HFV has no HFV. But somehow has 2 motorcycles > Takuro Spirit
02/28/2020 at 14:14

Ford.

Takuro Spirit > 412GTI
02/28/2020 at 14:28

Its not a big deal what I get, but if I get FCA or Ford I should probably buy from where I work, given that the prices will be the same anyways with employee discounts.

I would go off brand if I was inclined to, but there’s no other cars on the market I’d look at right now at a dealer nearby. I’m out in the sticks and its pretty much only the Big 3. Closest import store is a long ways away.

IF they’d break, it’d be a hike where here I’m literally already at work. Plus I don’t have to deal with sales and service people I do not know.

Thisismydisplayname > Takuro Spirit
02/28/2020 at 16:31

Dice roll. But drive them both for an extended period of you can, that should help you make up your mind. I’ve been able to get test drives over the weekend or at least for an overnight. That’s normally enough time for me to decide. You’re going to be living with it for the next few years, might as well enjoy it.

And yeah as for the rarity, that won’t be an issue in short order. The escapes will be all over the place soon. You just have to enjoy it.

Under_Score > Takuro Spirit
02/28/2020 at 19:17

I sat in a new Escape today and it was NICE. Probably six inches of headroom with the pano roof, and I’m very tall.

Takuro Spirit > Thisismydisplayname
03/02/2020 at 09:42

That’s precisely what we did. Borrowed a Escape Titanium turbo on Friday, drove it until Saturday, then borrowed a Cherokee Limited (that was missing some of the options we want) for Saturday through today.

Decision has been made.

For a few very insignificant reasons.

Takuro Spirit > Under_Score
03/02/2020 at 09:44

They are very space efficient , I’ll give them that. Rear seats are generous, cargo space too. Better than the Cherokee which is roomy, but feels more intimate.

Thisismydisplayname > Takuro Spirit
03/02/2020 at 16:33

Good to hear. Ultimately you guys need to be happy with it, and the rest of it doesn’t matter.