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Summit now or wait for 2014 Overland?

15K views 58 replies 23 participants last post by  Faloppi 
#1 ·
Hey all,

I have been thinking about upgrading my 2012 JGC limited to take advantage of the additional features found in an overland. I came across what I think is a really great deal where I can walk out the door with a 2012 Summit with the exact same mileage for a $3.5k difference. However, I know the 2014's are on the way but a new 2014 and more mileage on the trade would probably bump the cost difference to at least double that with less features (would get a standard overland then). I guess I am looking for all the experts opinions here as to which way is the better play. Thanks!
 
#5 ·
Count me in the group who isn't terribly concerned with the 8 speed transmission. It might be nice, but it's more likely that it will shift too much for most people, and be nearly universally despised, while giving marginally better fuel economy and similar at best performance.

The big draw for me is the 8.4N, however, it's not a big enough draw for me to worry about it. I have the 430N and it does everything I want it to, has a redundant nav display in the gauges, and frankly is easy enough to read that I don't need it on an 8" screen. Would it be nice? Sure, but I'm not losing any sleep over it.

It's going to cost you a lot more than 3k to get into a 2014 down the road. Personally, if you lke the '12 Summit, get the '12 Summit and don't worry about the minor upgrades for 2014.
 
#11 ·
For what it's worth, I agree with Deception. If I could get a deal like that, I'd be all over it like stink on monkey and as pointed out, it would give you a better potential trade on a new model.

Also, by going with the Summit you're getting a proven platform. Let others try the new model and gauge from their experiences as to get one or not.

Good luck.

Clarkey.
 
#17 ·
I honestly was contemplating the same thing, but have decided to buy mine now, rather than wait until next year to get incremental changes and a likely higher price with degraded trade-in value for my current vehicle. The current Overland Summit has everything I really want, although the color I desire (Winter Chill) is very hard to come by...
 
#25 ·
I just have the Laredo, but I went on ahead and got the 2012 model. I got the 12 because most of the bugs have been worked out from the release from the 11. Now I'll be on track to trade mine in when I'm sure that by June 2016 the 2017's will be released with a whole new body style. Since Jeep is notorious for shortened body years, like the 7 month span of the 13 and we know the 2016 will have probably a 4 or 5 month lifespan I'd purchase your Summit now and be ready for the new body style for the 17!
 
#30 ·
I'd tend to agree with this sentiment. While I'm not so much concerned with the upgrades, I'm concerned with the public perception of the upgrade to their "brand new best ever" vehicle. It certainly alienates a lot of the people who jumped in on the first 2.5 model years of the vehicle, making it a huge success for Jeep, by rewarding them with suddenly making their vehicles (in the eye of the media and public) immensely inferior due to things that were in the pipeline and should have been included form launch.

I'm going to wait to see how residuals are affected on my Overland, and how Jeep handles the situation. I would expect them to at least provide an extra couple grand as a show of good will to those who bought the WK2 early models.

Somehow I doubt they'll do that,but we'll see. Jeep has the best products now, but let's see if they can also improve their customer service (in their defense, they do appear to be trying to sort out their dealers). If not, ~3 years from now I'll likely just switch to Lexus. I was originally going to go that route, but the Jeep really just had me, it's easily the best vehicle in its segment on the market, and it was good enough to have me give American cars one last try. But they also need to realize that customers are not money trees meant to be harvested routinely, we expect better treatment (especially nowdays) and respect.

We'll see, but I'm not holding my breath. Then again, the level of upgrades to the refreshed model could be largely exaggerated, and it will prove to be a non-issue.

FWIW, Milous apparently works for Chrysler in some fashion. Take that for what it's worth.
 
#28 ·
Just got a 2012 Overland with the Hemi. It's beautiful, powerful, super quiet at speed and a real challenge to the Range Rover. Not only that it's quite a bit better than X5 or Q7 if you plan to seriously use the off road ability.

Who cares about the 8 speed? I wouldn't dare buy it for the 1st year and maybe the second. Why would I want to NOT enjoy this luxury right NOW? To save a few nickles?

I'll enjoy this truck for 3-4 years and then trade for a even more refined Jeep!


Robert
 
#31 ·
why wouldnt you buy it for the first year? You do know its not a new tranny right?

Its been around and its amazing ,,my dad has the new 300 with it and its truely awesome. well worth a few months wait to get it in a 2014 ,,anyone who tries to fool themselves thinkin a 12 will be just as good...go drive a vehicle with this tranny in it and see for yourself.
 
#33 · (Edited)
Just because a tranny works well in the 300 does not mean it will behave the same when worked for the heavier GC with it's 4WD system and so on. I'd wait at least a year before even thinking about it and I have a nice 2012 Overland to enjoy while I watch. There's always newer/better just a minute away. When the 2014 comes out there will be fast talk about an even nicer set of options for 2015 & 2016. Tomorrow I'll be driving my wife to a nice restaurant in our luxurious Overland. Waiting only means you missed out on today and today is the only sure thing you've got.

A little Jeep philosophy for you...


Robert
 
#36 ·
It always depends on WHICH upgrades will be available AT WHAT TIME. Let's say I'd be in the market today for a Grand Cherokee.

Would I wait 'til 2016 just to get a new tranny? Heck, no!

Would I wait a few months for the MY14 (which, IMO, is everything but a "minor" upgrade) - of course, I would!

But that's just me. For me, 6 months is not a long time - for others, it might be a little "eternity" so it's not up to me to judge how long others should or shouldn't wait for their next purchase.

Especially when in the market for a Summit, I would hold on. The difference in features/options between a 2012 Summit and a 2014 is quite extensive. The 2012 lacks the minor upgrades the 2013 gets (these features, however, wouldn't be a reason for me to pick a 13 over a 12) - like power folding mirrors, front parking-sensors and headlamp-washer. These are "minor" upgrades.

But the additional features/options for MY14 aren't. Just to mention the optional harman/kardon system.

I would even go that far and make the claim that a fully loaded 2014 Summit will be on a different "evolutionary" level than a fully loaded 2012.
 
#37 ·
Unless the 2014 features new engine, new tranny and a new chassis it's going to be little more than a tweaked 2012. The audio system is the Overland is okay. The HK might be a little better or worse, but it will not be great either way. About the only significant area to improve on my Overland would be less body roll and improving the chassis dynamics, though I could probably bolt on stuff for that myself. For those of us who do mostly highway driving the 8 speed won't matter and the current 6 speed with the Hemi is proven and mine works flawlessly.
It's easy to add stuff to make the newer cars more desirable. That's the only way to stay in business. What marks a significant improvement in a Jeep is an open question. Power folding mirrors? Cute, but I could care less. I'd rather see driving dynamics dialed in a bit tighter than all of the 8 speed trannys and diesel engines in the world.
BTW, my home stereo system cost more than half the cost of my Overland, so I tend to be a snob. No factory system has ever been impressive and the HK will be the same old tune.
If my Overland gives me good service for 3-4 years I look forward to trading in for a newer one. If you can deal with the money I say get a 2012 and enjoy it. The 2016 might have the built in vacu-flush back row toilet seats, but you'll miss out in the meantime by waiting!

Robert
 
#42 ·
So first choice would be to find a good deal on a left-over MY12 as the feature enchancements to a MY13 is minimal. Otherwise wait 6-8 months for the MY14 with the mid-cycle refresh. The changes posted on the first page is not complete and likely will grow over the next few months.
 
#47 ·
I'll make one more point...this one a bit offensive to some.

I hear all this talk about LED lights, 8.4 screens and heated cup holders. Sheesh, okay it's your money and spend it as you like. But the real design advantage of the Jeep is what it can do offroad and in deep snow. That's the ONLY reason why I bought one over a Q7 or MDX.

If I wanted toys and did NOT require the Jeep's 4WD strengths then an MDX would be a LOT better. So would an X5, X3, Q5 and so on.

LED tail lights? Boo hoo. The Overland is a off road tank dressed for a dance. I'd rather see it's prowess in deep snow extended than heating up my cup holders! I'd rather see improved driving dynamics than a 8.4 screen.

Robert
 
#48 ·
I'll make one more point...this one a bit offensive to some.

I hear all this talk about LED lights, 8.4 screens and heated cup holders. Sheesh, okay it's your money and spend it as you like. But the real design advantage of the Jeep is what it can do offroad and in deep snow. That's the ONLY reason why I bought one over a Q7 or MDX.

If I wanted toys and did NOT require the Jeep's 4WD strengths then an MDX would be a LOT better. So would an X5, X3, Q5 and so on.
Sure (although some of these vehicles would cost much more than $42K) - but we are talking about additional options and features - we are not talking about sacrificing off-road capability in exchange for heated cup-holders. We already know that the Jeep is a capable off-roader and we also know that it won't handle on-road like a Cayenne any time soon. That's why we are talking about potential new features (or "gimmicks") and that's the purpose of this entire thread.
 
#51 ·
I could have waited, but the added features were not a.breaking point so I bought a 12. The 8 speed trans was not a deal breaker either. I needed a 4wd qt1 and.got it. Its all,in preference, but in my eyes the upgrades arent worth the wait.

Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I997 using Tapatalk 2
 
#55 ·
FYI...we test drove the Audi Q5 which was nicely loaded at a LOWER MSRP than the Overland. We also checked out the Q7, which had NAV and Sunroof for 1K higher MSRP. We hated the Q7, but if wanted one we could have gotten a 2012 for about 5K more and it's a LOT bigger for that money. The audi dealer told me the Overland is their biggest cross-shopping competition. Most of us who can pay 45K for a Jeep Overland can swing 48K or even 55K. If you want the badge and the luxury the other brands are nice. If you TRULY need the 4WD abilities and the air suspension then the Jeep stands almost alone on the market. BTW, we also looked at an LR4 with HSE package at 50K and I never tried to work on that price because the NEW LR4 wouldn't start!

If you need what a Jeep does, get a Jeep. If you need a luxury SUV and plan to use it like a car then the Jeep is not all that special. It's nice to be sure. But so are many other SUV's at the 45K-50K price point.
What makes the GC special is the Overland package which bests the LR4 and then essentially stands alone in it's segment. So all these so-called upgrades don't tickle me one bit. I can add all kinds of toys to my Overland over the next 2-4 years and then start checking out the new ones if I get bored!
The only serious question now? Will this Overland match my previous cars for reliability?


Robert
 
#57 ·
the ecoboost f150 has outsold any na v8 since hitting the market. it has the same amount of power, better and.konger torque, and can out haul, pull, accelerate, and better mpg. It is the wave of the future. Both dodge and chevy are hitting back. Dodge is getting the pentastar with awesome numbers. i would own a v6 truck.

Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I997 using Tapatalk 2
 
#59 ·
Hi, new here, in the process of looking to buy a '13 Summit hemi 4x4 and while doing research stumbled upon this forum, great find from what I can tell! Ive read conflicting information as it relates to the MY2014 release from different sources -- the first delivery appears to be set for roughly March '13, but some info states the diesel will be released first, with the 6 and 8 to follow later in the year, while others seem to imply all models will be avail at the same time, anything you can point me to with good data? Waiting 6 months for delivery would be one thing for me, but waiting closer to a year, another. Thanks for any help and try to go easy on me if I missed a thread! I tried reading as much as I could.
 
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