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potential buyer questions...

4K views 25 replies 16 participants last post by  bitkahuna 
#1 ·
hi all - great forum! don't have a jgc, but interested. couple of questions:
- i've only looked a little into the uconnect 'apps' and system in general, but my impression was the apps aren't that great - don't really want to use my phone data plan for pandora, etc. or sign up for the car data service / hot spot... opinions?
- just watched alex on cars review of uconnect and he says the hot spot feature is 3g only, is that right? dealer told me it uses sprint, correct?
- listened to hk audio briefly, on radio, and like alex on cars review also said, it seems a bit bass and highs heavy? maybe the eq gives enough leeway to get it sounding kinda 'straight'.
- navigation - when i saw it i wondered why it doesn't occupy full screen with map, that the different system mode buttons stay below, but apparently the nav system is a garmin app running within the uconnect setup, is that right? ideally i'd get a jgc without nav and use my phone, but i want summit for other reasons, so i guess there's no choice.
- the panoramic roof is huge and neat, but i wish i could get the vehicle without it! in florida it isn't very useful.
- the reg cherokee apparently has lane departure but the jgc doesn't which is a bit surprising and isn't mentioned for 2015.

overall though, VERY nice vehicle!
feedback appreciated.
 
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#2 ·
Greetings,

This is the first time I have owned a Jeep product, a 2011 JGC. I ended by lease on my Pathfinder months before it was supposed to end. Even through I had to pay extra to end the lease, the dealer worked with me. I have not regretted the chose that I made at all. Their has been many improvements since 2011. I am extremely happy with the my JGC.

I have given advise on the audio systems for the JGC for years and first thing I tell potential buyers is do not chose a vehicle based upon the sound system. Buy it based upon the merits of the vehicle. In this case, the JGC has many positive aspects and from other forum members testimony's comments as read here at JeepGarage.org. In fact, I went ahead with my purchase knowing that I was getting premium Alpine Sound System that was not so good. Now have reinstalled a sound system to my liking according to the caliber of music listening.

I am not really update to date on the 2014+ Uconnect systems, but they do provide updates to the software from time to time. There is also many ways to improve the sound system as you read in the main WK2 Audio forum. Depending who you listen to about the HK system, here you are getting mix views. I only heard the HK briefly this past spring at the NYIAS and I also have mix opinions about it. Remember each person hears sound different from the next person, thus mix reports here.

With regards to your questions, I am sure was you establish yourself with right dealer for your purchase, they can work out all the options, including how to get rid of the sunroof. I have also established by self with the service department and I receive excellent car which is hard to believe today.

I hope this helps and good luck in your selection.

Best for now.:)
 
#3 ·
Aside from things not working ... but mostly fixed now ... there is one thing you should consider. Will the seat be comfortable for you?

The seats are (IMHO) hard and narrow. To much of the seat is the bolster. This is great to hold you in place while off roading, but unless you are smaller than the average American, you might find it uncomfortable on long trips.

The less than full screen map is annoying when exploring. I like to drive along the coast or around large lakes. The bigger map in my Acura made it easier to pick out roads that led to the water. However, when using the Nav for point to point directions it works very well. I seldom use the map, but depend on the voice, and 'turns in cluster'. That's a great feature.

Everything is a compromise. I test drove a GMC recently and the seats were much more comfortable for me. However, the ride and performance didn't come close to the Jeep. Plus the Jeep had a much quieter cabin.

Good luck with your decision process.


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#4 ·
The seats are (IMHO) hard and narrow. To much of the seat is the bolster. This is great to hold you in place while off roading, but unless you are smaller than the average American, you might find it uncomfortable on long trips.
Greetings,

Interesting observation regarding the seats.

In the 3 1/2 years of seating in the JGC, we found them to be more comfortable than my previous Pathfinder. This was in particular on 2 long trips that last about 6+ hours each way. I personally to took a trip from my location down to Atlanta and back for which I was total comfortable with. These days, I am not that small and have to move my mountain ......

I guess just like in audio, each as their own perception.

Best for now.:)
 
#6 · (Edited)
thanks so much for the feedback, all. i realize a lot of people want jgc's to go off road (or think they could, lol) or tow stuff, but that's not my deal... i just want a comfy suv that isn't a 3 row one. there's some other small uv's coming out (cuvs) like the new lincoln mkc. it's only a turbo 4 banger, but reviews say it's plenty powerful (esp. the 2.3 vs. the 2.0). still... i like a lot of things in the jgc!
 
#7 ·
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I would run away as fast as i could.. my 2014 has been the worst car i have owned.. just a crazy ammount of issues and the dealers here don't do loaners even when the car was 3 months old with bad shocks/trans and other issues.. Its horrible.. buy a ford seriously..
 
#8 ·
My 2014 GC Limited is now over a year old and I still love it. No issues at all. Seats are comfortable. Best vehicle I have owned in the last 50 years of driving.


Sent from my iPad using JeepGarage
 
#10 ·
Do keep in mind that every vehicle model "out there" experiences some issues and that folks with problems tend to speak up and vent online while the vast majority of satisfied folks say nothing. Jeep produces many tens of thousands of Grand Cherokees each year. Some have issues just like any other vehicle. Most, if not all, of the things that plagued the early MY14 units have been cleared and MY15 is just a running name change. With minor exceptions, largely at the Summit trim level, production is identical to MY14 and the only difference is the VIN number sequence for units designated as MY15 instead of MY14.
 
#16 ·
Greetings,

Without any doubts, if I needed another vehicle today, with out any hesitation is going to be another Grand Cherokee. Despite what J.D. Power says.

Despite what others have reported about problems and what I personally see what is going on in the service centers, I am still fully confident with this product. I look at what is going with other manufactures, they have equally the same problems and even worse recalls.

To find the perfect requires a step into a whole new level with a whole new price points. And even, it could be some headaches.

Best for now.:)
 
#19 ·
I'm a Toyota/Lexus guy...I've had them for a long time and I'm a big fan.

BUT...the 4Runner is nowhere near as nice a vehicle as the GC even in Limited trim, let alone Overland or Summit trim. Will it be more reliable, more trouble free over its life? Of that I have absolutely no doubt. The 4Runner will run like a sewing machine forever, every switch will always work, etc etc. 100k miles...200k miles...so on and so forth.

The Jeep is going to have issues over its life, best case scenario. You've got to be prepared that switches will stop working, you may have some manufacturing defects you need to work through. The 4Runner won't have these issues...but its nowhere near as nice a vehicle.

To get something as nice as the GC in Overland or Summit trim...you really need to look at a Mercedes ML/GL with options (not base), BMW X5 with options (not base), Range Rover, Land Rover. Even a Lexus GX460 IMHO is nowhere near as nice a vehicle as an Overland or Summit GC.

This was the debate I had...do I spend more or take a chance? I obviously elected to take the chance. I wouldnt worry about waiting for a 2015, they make corrections mid-model. The late 2014s seem to be much better.
 
#21 ·
great and non-heated discussion much appreciated, so thank you. :eek:

still mulling my options, finances, etc.

about the '15s, the acoustic glass and active noise cancellation on the summit is definitely something that would make me get the '15. i do see a local (non-jeep) dealer has a '14 summit with less than 10k on it! does that mean someone hated it and traded it early, or they just realized it wasn't for them? who knows... still it's white, so not of much interest to me. :p
 
#22 ·
Picked up our JGC in April. 4X4 EcoDiesel Limited. It's been at the dealership for more than three weeks for various issues - CV boot failure that has been widely reported, numerous fit and finish problems and the latest, failed injectors which caused the engine to misfire. Was looking forward to having it for our holiday weekend trip but CEL came on the night before we were to leave.

Wife wants to get rid of it already but it has less than 1000 miles. If it spends any more time in the shop after this latest go around, may have to pursue a lemon claim. Dealer has been very good but I honestly have seen more of my service adviser in the first three months of ownership than I should in the first three years.
 
#24 · (Edited)
@bitkahuna, I too am looking to buy my first Jeep (GC) and I think the low showings on surveys like JDPower, Consumer Reports and others make all potential buyers think twice about it. I've had a Tahoe, Explorer, Expedition and Navigator since early 90s so I'm more of an old school SUV type. Right now I have an Acura MDX with 110k miles and its been in the shop twice...2 times. Once for rear wheel bearing at 45k and a new steering rack at 95k. Maintenance costs are a little bit high but I always get a new Acura loaner. I need a more capable soft-road and winter car than the MDX. I develop real estate throughout the Midwest and Ontario so I rack up 20k miles/year. I don't want the giants from Chevy or Ford as I've had those and they're too much. However, my Chevy's and Ford's had few visits to dealer service the first 2 or 3 years I owned them. The GC is perfect for my needs but if I'm without wheels I'm out of business. Maybe there is an upper level grade of service by individual dealers that I'm not aware of? I've looked at BusinessLink offered by Chrysler if there is a dealer rep on here that could speak to that.
 
#26 ·
bumping this thread... still looking, very few '15s in the area, although of course i could order if i want to.

i was just in canadian rockies and saw LOADS of jgc's which was great. :thumbup:

glad there's a new saddle tan color on summit for '15 - the 'nearly black' and 'black' were a bit ridiculously limited for interior colors!
 
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