[Cmason]

To make a long story short I am the General Sales Manager of a Ford store in Charlottesville, VA. I have a woman who totalled her 03 Grand Cherokee looking for a new vehicle. We have a 2012 Grand Cherokee she really likes with one exception, the QT1 does not have an option for 4WD low. Evidently she has a cabin on a mountain and the road to said cabin is very nasty. Nothing but ditches and rocks. She thinks that the QT1 will not be sufficient for this road. I think it should be based on what I have read about it, but I am looking for other opinions as I do not want to steer this woman wrong. Please tell me what you think.

 

[f1anatic]

what equipment did she have on her previous Jeep and did she use low gearing to get to her cabin before?

 

[mswlogo]

To make a long story short I am the General Sales Manager of a Ford store in Charlottesville, VA. I have a woman who totalled her 03 Grand Cherokee looking for a new vehicle. We have a 2012 Grand Cherokee she really likes with one exception, the QT1 does not have an option for 4WD low. Evidently she has a cabin on a mountain and the road to said cabin is very nasty. Nothing but ditches and rocks. She thinks that the QT1 will not be sufficient for this road. I think it should be based on what I have read about it, but I am looking for other opinions as I do not want to steer this woman wrong. Please tell me what you think.

Can you let her test it?

It's really hard to say. 4LO is pretty aggressive. Hard to imagine anyone's "Cabin" requires 4LO to get too unless she is a goat.

The 2012 WILL do better in AWD than the 03 Did in Full Time 4WD. And in some respects it will do better than the 2003 in 4LO or Part Time 4WD because it can effectively "soft lock" differentials from left to right using ABS (As well as front to back). It will give traction to only the wheels that have grip. Eventually. It's just not as efficient or smooth about it.

 

[Cmason]

what equipment did she have on her previous Jeep and did she use low gearing to get to her cabin before?

I believe she has, yes. She is not super savvy about such things, but from what she described she has, yes. Her daughter has a Jeep with what sounds like the same system and doesn't like it, so that plays into her concerns as well.

 

[SNUKE]

Thought I would just say kudos to you for going the extra step to get good info to ensure your customer gets the right car.
So many would have just spun BS to close a sale.

To need 4WD Low, this had better be a fantastic cabin.

 

[Cmason]

Can you let her test it?

It's really hard to say. 4LO is pretty aggressive. Hard to imagine anyone's "Cabin" requires 4LO to get too unless she is a goat.

The 2012 WILL do better in AWD than the 03 Did in Full Time 4WD. And in some respects it will do better than the 2003 in 4LO or Part Time 4WD because it can effectively "soft lock" differentials from left to right using ABS (As well as front to back). It will give traction to only the wheels that have grip. Eventually. It's just not as efficient or smooth about it.

Yes, I said she is welcome to do that, but I understand it is quite far away and she didn't seem interested.

Thanks for the comparative information, that really helps.

 

[Cmason]

Thought I would just say kudos to you for going the extra step to get good info to ensure your customer gets the right car.
So many would have just spun BS to close a sale.

To need 4WD Low, this had better be a fantastic cabin.

Thanks, one sale just isn't worth it to me to lie to someone and she is a really cool gal to boot.

 

[Cmason]

Any other opinions?

 

[1quick1]

It's sort of impossible to say without seeing the trail she is taking and also taking into consideration what weather she plans on driving through. Does she plan on driving on through a foot of snow? Who knows. Maybe you can find a rental place with one, since most rental fleets will be Q1, and send her up there and let her decide. Also remember getting some all-terrain or mud tires will help tremendously over stock.

 

[kkreit01]

Have her view some youtubes. There are some impressive QT1 videos. She may need better tires, because the OE tires are horrible (Latitudes), but QT1 is quite capable. I think it's perfect for a female driver (no offense). My wouldn't want to push/turn any buttons, etc. Thus, QT1 is perfect for her.

 

[Cmason]

Have her view some youtubes. There are some impressive QT1 videos. She may need better tires, because the OE tires are horrible (Latitudes), but QT1 is quite capable. I think it's perfect for a female driver (no offense). My wouldn't want to push/turn any buttons, etc. Thus, QT1 is perfect for her.

I can't find any videos of QT1 Jeeps to show her. I would LOVE that. Do you have a link to one?