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My test drive at Westbury Jeep in Long Island

3K views 14 replies 7 participants last post by  JohnS 
#1 · (Edited)
Short version:

1) Great experience in the dealership; I dealt with Jacob.

2) V8 vs V6 - to me the answer is V6

3) Base model with no options is just fine. No important things are missing (IMO). 26X options package is truly more of a luxury then necessity.

Long version

[Please note that I don't mean to sound as an advertisement for Westbury Jeep or for Jeep even though I will]

TEST DRIVE

Since my car is totaled I was picked up at LIRR station by Jacob (he suggested it) and driven to the dealership. This was a nice touch.

I then drove base model with V6 and was pleasantly surprised. Ride quality is excellent - quiet and comfortable. Speed pickup and passing on the highway are just fine but you need to step on it a bit.

Then I drove Ltd with QT II and Hemi. I just didn't feel much of a difference. I have to admit I don't have much experience with different cars. It did feel it was not under as much load as V6 when accelerating but I can't tell that it was noticeably faster. Even more, it seemed a couple times there was slight delay after I pressed on gas before car started going faster. I didn't feel delay with V6. Maybe it was switching from 4 cyl to 8? I don't know. I also think I felt shudder a couple times but was not obvious at all and if I didn't know about TSB I would never tell.

Engine sound: when going at steady speed V6 and Hemi are the same - you can't really hear. When you step on gas V6 kind of whines and Hemi kind of growls but the growl is not low and I can't say I like it, its more of a rumble/vibration then growl IMO. I think I like V8 in my old '98 the best, V6 in '11 is second, Hemi in '11 is third.

Then I drove V6 again and IMO it just as fast as Hemi in highway passing - you just need to push it a bit harder and it responds. I didn't compare them from the stop.

Conclusion: unless you have specific application for which V8 is required (heavy towing or offroading) you don't need V8. I know if I get this Jeep I will get V6.

OPTIONS AND COLORS

None of the options limited to Ltd or Overland were a must have for me. I also did NOT want a moonroof. So all I really considered was base model with options.

In my opinion even base model without options is perfectly fine. It is not missing anything important. Driver seat has lumbar support (important to me on a long trip) even on base.

I also don't like leather seats (hot in the summer, cold in the winter, don't absorb perspiration. They are nice to look at but that's it). If you ask me the best seats I ever had were on my Mercury Cougar '89 - burgundy color, plush material. So I took a close look at cloth seats. I didn't like "Medium Graystone" at all - it just didn't look good. However Black is completely different matter. Note that cloth driver seat has lumbar support too.

Damn I miss these old plush seats from my '89 Cougar!!!

25X or 26X option packages only differ by the engine, everything else is the same.

I have to admit that Alpine sound system is nice (I only heard it in 730 in Ltd but I think 430 is the same). Sound quality is better then base audio system at higher volume but not by much. When testing make sure you reset equalizer to default settings and adjust to your preferences - in Ltd bass was adjusted by someone way too high and it sounded bad initially.

Voice command works surprisingly well. You say "Elvis Radio" - and Elvis is in the building! I didn't think I would care about Sirius radio (hate monthly fees of any kind) but I will surely use for one free year at least.

However, I don't like the voice Voice Command uses to talk to me. It's just not sexy. It's cold and impersonal. It's as if she really doesn't care about me at all. I think Chrysler corporate stooges were afraid wives will get jealous. ARE YOU LISTENING, CHRYSLER??? I WANT HEIDI TO TALK DIRTY TO ME!!! I also would like to be able to talk about anything and have intelligent conversation with Heidi. I also want to have another voice choice (Britney?) - this way I would have 2 imaginary girlfriends! I also want to have a human face on that screen - that would be SO NICE!!! Heidi would be blond, Britney - brunette. Can I also have a redhead (Jessica)?

Bluetooth worked well - paired up with my 3 years old Windows mobile phone (took 2 tries, try again if it didn't pair first time) and was set as Handsfree device. I didn't try storing numbers in the car system - just used it as BT headset.

I did check Nav in 730 (non-Garmin, not available on GC base AFAIK). One thing it does that Garmin (standalone that I have, model 1450) doesn't is as you type street or town name it only enables available letters depending on what you typed already as opposed to the whole alphabet - I like that a lot. For me - I wont get Nav and will keep using my standalone - can bring it home and plan a trip there, can create route on Mapquest.com with exact via points (can use rubberband) and import it, can customize a lot of things - none of that can be done with factory system. I also prefer Nav on the windshield (however it is illegal in some states now) - this way you don't have to take your eyes off the road.

Rear backup camera is nice but not a must-have. I don't care if my bumper gets scratched. I care even less about me scratching other people bumpers. You put this stupid "Bumper Bully" rag on - I will still scratch you with my key! Jokes aside, it is useful especially if there are small kids around. Currently I yell at them until they all line up on the sidewalk so that I can see them.

Another usage for this camera: if you have webconnect option (whatever the right name is) you can hack into videofeed, put car in reverse, jump out and run behind your car backwards - now you have webcam!

Is it really "behind"? Since the car is moving backwards and you are running in the same direction maybe it's "in front of"? But still you are running backwards

To sum it up - I will probably get 26X package but will inquire if leather can be replaced with cloth.

Colors: I think I will go for Charcoal Gray exterior (note that this color is not in small brochure they give you) with Black interior (cloth or leather). Blackberry Pearl is very nice but this is what I had on my old GC and wanted something different. Red is good but a bit too flashy for my taste. Another colors I would consider are Mineral Gray and Natural Green.

IMO you absolutely need to see the color on the car before the ordering. Brochure colors are off.

DEALERSHIP EXPERIENCE

The reason I schlepped from Brooklyn all the way to Westbury is that 10 years ago when I still had extended warranty on my old GC '98 I tried 2 of 3 Brooklyn Jeep dealers and was not satisfied (this is an understatement). So I went to Westbury and was always satisfied and treated fairly. Admittedly most things done there were covered by warranty. After extended warranty ended I stopped going there b/c nothing major broke since then.

So I figured let me try their sales department. I was not disappointed. Even though I said in the beginning that I won't purchase anything today I was still treated very well and with attention to my needs and questions. Jacob was knowledgeable about the car and never tried to push me or hurry me even though we went to 3 test drives. After that he described other benefits buying from them (check out their VIP program on their website. It will have more relevance for those who live nearby - I don't think I will ever drive there for a free oil change). Nice thing is that their service dept works until 12:30AM (yes, you read that right) on weekdays and also open on Saturdays - for me this is very convenient because getting there from Brooklyn is not a short trip and I would prefer not to take time off from work for this.

All I can say I will definitely consider them for purchasing.
 
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#3 ·
Great write up on your test drive!

I have gotten two of my Jeeps from Westbury in the past, and my mom bought her Sebring there years ago...we must've crossed paths today as I was there as well...I haven't been to the showroom since they moved and renovated, I have to say it was really nice.

Well, I didn't appreciate the tall ceilings when I opened the door to the Ram and the alarm went off for about 60 seconds and echoed throughout the entire building! :D

I will say their service department is great...long hours, loaner cars, etc...
 
#5 ·
Nice write up. Now JoeSchmoe007, since you went to Westbury yesterday, the same place tkln went on the same day, did your salesman Jacob offer/tell you about the 500 dollars in Mopar accessories or maybe it really is just a sales pitch from TKLN's salesperson to sell a car, the accessories aren't free the car is just discounted then obviously.
 
#6 ·
Now why didn't I think to ask that question? :lol:
 
#7 ·
Great write-up JoeSchmoe007!:thumbsup:

I've been a dedicated gear head for a long time. Cars and Jeeps have been my hobby for over 40 years. Seeing a bumper scratch feels like someone punched me in the stomach.:lol:

However, it's interesting that we think a lot alike on most other things. E.g. Both my wife and I would love to have the choice of cloth seats as an option on all models. The first thing we've done is turn off the voices on our Nav systems. And, we picked Charcoal Gray with a black interior as our colors of choice on our WK2 (Seems like it's been on order for an eternity).

Thanks for the objective review and nice read.:cool:
 
#13 ·
I purchased a 2005 JGC and I had a great purchase experience back then. The service department is great and they do hold their employees to a high customer service standard. That being said I did fo their and now purchase my 2011 overland. I am currently waiting for delivery as is everyone else here. They are not pushy at all which is extremely helpful when purchasing a car and they are very fair in the price negotiating. I would recommend them anytime, hopefully get my car in soon. Have a 2005 JGC laredo X package if anyone want to buy it from me only has 47K miles. :)
 
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