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Alternative to a Grand Cherokee

17K views 28 replies 24 participants last post by  Angler 
#1 · (Edited)
Well. I've owned a 2011 Grand Cherokee Overland since October 2010 and I'm at the point where it's time for a house as we are about to start a family. With the addition of rising gas prices...I think selling the vehicle and getting something cheaper and more fuel efficient is the way I have to go. I'm very sad to even be thinking about this as I love my Overland. I've had no real issues with it.

The question is...what vehicle do I downsize to that has a lot of the features (heated/cooled seats, heated wheel, 4WD or AWD, etc) that my Overland has? I've looked at the Explorer, Edge, Terrain, Murano and all come up short in some way. Do I consider a Patriot lol...I have no idea. Help would be appreciated...what's the best compromise?
 
#6 ·
Sorry...I had a typo...I've had the Jeep since October 2010...not that it makes much of a difference. Only vehicle that comes close in terms of features is the Ford Explorer, but I lose off-road capability big time by going that way. There's even a youtube video circulating showing the Explorer getting stuck in sand at a car show...brutal...
 
#3 ·
Well. I've owned a 2011 Grand Cherokee Overland since October 2011 and I'm at the point where it's time for a house as we are about to start a family. With the addition of rising gas prices...I think selling the vehicle and getting something cheaper and more fuel efficient is the way I have to go. I'm very sad to even be thinking about this as I love my Overland. I've had no real issues with it.

The question is...what vehicle do I downsize to that has a lot of the features (heated/cooled seats, heated wheel, 4WD or AWD, etc) that my Overland has? I've looked at the Explorer, Edge, Terrain, Murano and all come up short in some way. Do I consider a Patriot lol...I have no idea. Help would be appreciated...what's the best compromise?
Why didn't you get a V6?
 
#4 ·
Well. I've owned a 2011 Grand Cherokee Overland since October 2011 and I'm at the point where it's time for a house as we are about to start a family. With the addition of rising gas prices...I think selling the vehicle and getting something cheaper and more fuel efficient is the way I have to go. I'm very sad to even be thinking about this as I love my Overland. I've had no real issues with it.

The question is...what vehicle do I downsize to that has a lot of the features (heated/cooled seats, heated wheel, 4WD or AWD, etc) that my Overland has? I've looked at the Explorer, Edge, Terrain, Murano and all come up short in some way. Do I consider a Patriot lol...I have no idea. Help would be appreciated...what's the best compromise?
You are going to struggle to get all the features of the overland. A good compromise might be a highlander they are very popular down under. Not sure of the specs in the US though...
 
#7 ·
It's a common mistake to do what you're considering unless you're leasing and it's about to expire. The loss from selling a 2011 vehicle and replacing it with a 2012 or 2013 model will far exceed whatever you save at the gas pump unless you drive many tens of thousands of miles a year.

Drive prudently and put two extra pounds of air in your tires.
 
#12 ·
It's a common mistake to do what you're considering unless you're leasing and it's about to expire. The loss from selling a 2011 vehicle and replacing it with a 2012 or 2013 model will far exceed whatever you save at the gas pump unless you drive many tens of thousands of miles a year.

Drive prudently and put two extra pounds of air in your tires.
I agree. Do the math. You will need to drive a huge amount to make a difference now. Selling yours and buying another will loose thousands. No way you will make that up at the pump. Want to make a difference, do it in November with your vote for drilling, fracking, pipelines, lower taxes, etc. :thumbsup:
 
#8 ·
Why would anyone give up their Grand to go to an Explorer? Keep the Grand. Like others said, you would take a bath.
 
#9 ·
You don't say how far you drive, so calculate how much you would save if you got something that used less gas. Even at $4/gal. You would have to drive pretty far to save any real money. Also you could get a cheaper vehicle and lower your payment, but an Explorer or other SUV isn't going to save much if anything - especially if you buy a 2013 vs used. If you really need to save money you could look at another class of vehicle which could be cheaper and much better in gas.
 
#11 ·
Like others have said this doesn't make much sense. So your concerned about fuel costs, but then you talk about getting right back into other fuel thirsty SUV's?!?!?! You also mentioned possibly purchasing a house so consider your credit as you would be closing one loan and opening anothe which could bump you down a few points.
Basically, what you taking about doing would ONLY make sense if you were selling the Overland and buying some cheaper more economical car with cash.
I went with the V6 in my recently purchased Overland and I'm thrilled that I did. Get to use 87 octane and I'm currently averaging 21.3mpg.
 
#13 ·
Did you finance the Jeep? If so, you might consider refinancing it. If you want to get a replacement with the Overland's features, I doubt "dumping" that relatively new Jeep is going to save you any money.
 
#16 ·
Personally the only car that I would consider is the new 2013 subaru outback. The just announced new engine, new tranny and major upgrade to technology /interior. The biggest plus is 30 mpg highway.

Probably would work for me in terms of utility but the only problem is that I don't like the looks of it. Instead I'm waiting for my dream car - GC diesel. Hopefully my current car can make it. If not than subaru here I come.
 
#17 ·
LIke others said, any gas savings will be offset by the negative equity in getting rid of your WK2. The best option, in my opinion, is to refinance at a cheaper rate. Look into joining a credit union, etc. My loan rate with my credit union (refinanced 2 mo. ago) is 4.24% and lowered my payment about $20/month.

Good luck
 
#22 ·
LIke others said, any gas savings will be offset by the negative equity in getting rid of your WK2. The best option, in my opinion, is to refinance at a cheaper rate. Look into joining a credit union, etc. My loan rate with my credit union (refinanced 2 mo. ago) is 4.24% and lowered my payment about $20/month.

Good luck
Humm, might have wanted to keep searching credit unions because there are definately better rates than 4.24%. For example, I have been VERY happy with Pentagon Federal Credit Union. Some of the best customer service I have ever experienced (you can get a live person on the phone every time within 3 minutes anytime of the day and any day of the week. Their current rates are 1.99% for up to 48 months for used, and 1.99% for new up to 60 months, or 3.49% for used up to 72 months.
 
#18 ·
does the explorer get that much better MPGS? makes no sense to get rid of an overland for an explorer unless you secretly like it better... like others said, keep it unless you are going with something significantly better on gas...
 
#19 ·
The Explorer sucks in conmparison, and buying another new car is a very poor investment as you are taking a big depreciation hit on the 2011. If your 2011 is paid off, you can sell it private party, Or perhaps consider the 2013 GC with the turbo diesel and 8 speed ZF trans, which will get considerably better mpg and should be out this fall. I still think gas prices will fall considerbly later this year, as it is the wall street speculators responsible for driving the prices up, with Exxon Mobil laughing all the way to the bank.
 
#20 ·
I hate to say it but you should have planned better and bought a house before you bought such a nice vehicle. Banks have strict guidelines on what home loan you qualify for, based on your income, amount of down payment, and any outstanding loans. They do that because if you default then they have to boot you out of the house and it makes them look bad and costs them lots of money and legal hassle. For vehicle financing the bank guidelines are much less restrictive because if you default they can snatch the car from you in literally minutes.
 
#23 ·
Got a raise today...I ain't getting rid of my Overland...nothing comes close...nothing!!!!!

Thanks people for your advice...and if I did have to get rid of it...it would have been into something significantly different...Mazda CX-5...Outlander...something smaller, cheaper and better on gas. I'd cry everytime I had to drive it knowing what I gave up.

Go Jeep go!;)
 
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