caddycruiser

11 hours ago, Cmicasa the Great said:

The Blazer being used a top of the line RS fully loaded versus a base XT5 with a few add ons..

 The Blazer starts at $29K. The Cadillac XT5 that starts at $43K. So what I'm seeing is that the BLAZER can be optioned out to the same price as a base XT5 . Which makes all the sense in the world. Betcha y'all didn't know but a 3Series can be optioned out to the same price as a 5Series😱

The lease payment be damned.. because that is a true variable in the payment process with Chevy apparently offering a 6.1% and Cadillac offering a .02%.

But the larger question is why lease this vehicle at that rate when financing it would be the cheaper route? Do people in 2019 LEASE Chevys that are not over $60K? 

If you were to BUY any of these, you would need to be committed to an asylum. Real world transaction prices and method is key. The point the "higher end" Cadillac ends up costing less, no matter what way you cut it, is key.

No one buys the base. And, being GM, even when you're at Cadillac level...you're still not getting features standard on a Corolla. Safety stuff? Blind spot? "Our focus groups say people don't want that stuff".

The base FWD cloth 2.5L Blazer is not going to be the seller. There's so many options on the market right now, unless you get a $10k GM Card bonus randomly...and have to have a squat Chevy crossover, keep shopping.

This will be an interesting one. Every time any new product comes out it's almost always expensive, YES. But for this combo of vehicle...does anyone even care about it in the first place...

The poorly tuned dynamics of these have never even lived up to the previous gen's 4.0L & 5-speed. Not one review praises the current Tacoma, and it usually brings up the back of the pack. Strange for sure, "for a Toyota". All the smaller trucks are interesting. This one, most of anything, needed a reset to the engine/transmission calibration and features.

Steve Hammes reviewed it the best (as a previous gen owner):

https://testdrivenow.com/2019-toyota-tacoma-video-review/

This is the worst driving and worst performing mid size truck, when it used to be one of the best. The fact it got a new radio, and not internal gut improvements is the odd part.

We got this back at the start of October, by the way. It's "in the family" and I bought it through my consulting firm.

Back in June of last year, with 6 months to go on the Traverse lease and a checklist of "I don't like...I don't want...but I do want", I made mom drive a checklist of cars:

Jeep Grand Cherokee Laredo/Limited (what she said she wanted before driving)

Subaru Ascent Limited (loved it, just too big)

Buick Envision Turbo (too small, too narrow, didn't like the drive) and looked at a GMC Acadia ("don't need to drive it, thanks")

Mazda CX-9 Touring (beautiful, comfortable, and not too big. She just didn't want it)

2019 Kia Sorento EX AWD V6 (another one she really liked)

Toyota Highlander Limited (minivan, meh, and not a fave)

Waited another 3 months, then off with the Traverse and into a late model year 2018 JGC Limited.

GREAT truck. In the big truck market right now, people talk too much of the "interior" (it is by FAR the best), but the overall package, drive, etc. of the Ram is by far also the best. Good move!

21 hours ago, daves87rs said:

Love that color!

Stop start is annoying on my Equinox...still not used to it yet!

Love the GCs, it was pretty much my choice before the nox. I am starting to think I might dump the Chevy for a limited one of these (all they have around here). Drove my bosses 18 Limited, and I really loved it. Just a very solid ride to me....

For the cost of an Equinox...a more refined Grand Cherokee with a silent silky V6 and crisp 8 speed, that can get better mileage real world, is far more comfortable, etc. isn't that much more. See what's possible.

I had a base-base 2016 GC Laredo 4x2 as a rental, also, back in 2017 and it was just as nice, aside from few features. Also the first one I averaged 27.5mpg on a highway trip in.

20 hours ago, Robert Hall said:

About the only features from the higher trims (Overland or Summit) I'd like to have would be the power folding mirrors, pano roof, and ventilated seats, along w/ Apple Car Play from the newer versions.  Maybe in a few years I'll look for a CPO '19- '20 Summit in brown.  

We own a consulting firm now for vehicle purchases, nationwide, and usually stay away from the higher end trims for those reasons. Air ride, few want nor is it recommended, and at the end of the day, not much else is different vs. a Limited. Go Limited Luxury II with panoramic, cooled seated, etc. and you have it all.

Get ANY 2018+, 7.0" or 8.4", and you have the latest UConnect with CarPlay anyway. Lots of trim options. to choose. Great mix.

17 hours ago, Suaviloquent said:

The great thing about GJC, whatever anyone believes about FCA reliability...

They have built and sold so many and you can find parts everywhere for it, and Mopar is unparalleled in the variety of they product catalog. You can basically swap fascias, drive lines, half shafts, besrings, mostly anything except maybe transmission from the '11 redesign up till now. 

This is the edicated, wise person choice in this segment. Or get the new Explorer or Durango if you truly want something flashy

FCA "reliability" is no different than any other modern vehicle. I worked for Honda/Acura for 6+ years, and came to realize, driving dynamics aside, the build quality was a mix (or a mess), the refinement stunk, and still issues.

Before the Jeep, there was a 2011 GMC Terrain, a 2013 GMC Terrain, and a 2016 Traverse. None went in for any issues, per say, but all had miserable infotainment that would crash, black out, or stop working (aside from the 2011 without a touch screen) and poor powertrain dynamics. Buy a 1st 6 months Alfa Giulia...it'll be finnicky. Buy a Grand Cherokee, you've been fine for 8 years, and each year the powertrain tuning is even better.

9 hours ago, regfootball said:

I would get a lower spec Xt4 before I would get a blazer, that's after driving both, for about the same money.  A good CPO XT5 over the Blazer, absolutely!

Another great point. The XT4/XT5 siblings aren't even wowzers, but for the same price...or less...than a "OMG it's a Blazer!" why would you not? No doubt, also, the lease on an XT5 right now is lower than a Blazer as well. This may be, one of the worst bizarrely overpriced products GM has intro'd. $42k max, for a V6 RS. Great. With an Equinox Premier 2.0T maxing at $36k...

Who'd think. They might even sell more vs. "but the transaction prices end up closer to there after random rebates, AARP and GM card..."

4 minutes ago, Robert Hall said:

Very nice..I've been happy w/ my '14 GC Limited...had it almost 2 years now.  It's been great on road trips and around town.    

A friend is up to 110k on her 2014 GC Limited...with original brakes, a set of 20" tires changed once, and not much else. Great tanks, with mileage and capability to match.

A lot changed in 2016 forward, with engine modifications, tuning, the shifter, the front fascia, etc. so each year there are improvements that not everyone notices. Great car.

To be continued for the 2020 model year...as the next gen isn't ready yet, until 2021.

12 minutes ago, Drew Dowdell said:

Ugh, that's one thing I hate about intellilink... every time we plug the phone in it tries three times to switch to Pandora even though we set it back to whatever we're listening to, usually XM or FM.

I look forward to having android auto and apple car play....I carry one of each.

I found the auto-stop in the Cherokee (not Grand) to be a little too aggressive in heavy traffic, but otherwise, I didn't mind it too much. I only shut it off once during a trip back to PA from Miami when there was a huge wreck on 95 north. 

The one thing I really really want in my next vehicle is adaptive cruise control. I think it would make a world of difference for me during the long drives I do. 

I always talked people out of adaptive cruise...but now that I'm a road warrior daily in NY, I get it. Good move. Glad it's becoming standard now for normal car makers. You know, unlike GM focus groups and "our customers say they don't want those features"...where even blind spot is optional in a $50k+ Cadillac.

Thankfully, unlike GM again (also), the blind spot system in an FCA vehicle is functional, and vs. you having to stare at it because it does nothing but maybe light up, if its on and you signal, "beep beep beep!". Add adaptive cruise (easy not expensive bundle on a Limited), and you're set, including auto parking.

The difference in feel and platform between a Cherokee and GC is huge. So, auto stop is rarely noticed in the GC. She loves it...and that's saying something. We test drove a new Toyota Highlander Limited that would shudder on off on off every time, followed by a "what is wrong with this car?" reaction. Jeep, never notices, and likes it.

Just now, Drew Dowdell said:

Yeah, we've mostly given up on the Intellilink NAV in our Buick and just use Waze or Google Maps now. 

The entire system was a mess, and in both the Terrain and Traverse, whether USB, Bluetooth, or FM, would repeatedly crash, freeze, black out or lock onto Pandora by default at start up. This is a different world, however.

After putting 5,500 miles on a 2017 GC Limited rental I had, all over NYC, update NY, western PA, etc. repeatedly, definitely one of my favorite new vehicle packages. 550 miles to a tank, getting 23-26 mpg effortlessly in something silent and perfectly sized doesn't hurt either.

Mom, who was terrified of Start Stop, and I said "you can turn it off" now says "absolutely not. It's so cool. I'm in traffic or stuck all the time. Is that why it never needs gas? It's better than any of my cars...and so fast". Boom.

Name: 2018 Jeep Grand Cherokee Limited 4x4
Category: Vehicles
Date Added: 2019-02-23
Submitter: caddycruiser

2018 Jeep Grand Cherokee Limited 4x4

On 1/22/2019 at 9:33 AM, Drew Dowdell said:

I thought you could customize the row of buttons at the bottom of the screen.  Make it so the heated seat button is always there. 

This is possible on 2018's and newer. Although the screens and buttons "look the same" on a 2017 vs. 2018 model, as an example, 2018 and newer UConnects are all new, from graphics to hardware to CarPlay, and have the drag & drop.

We have the "base" 7.0" UConnect in our 2018 Grand Cherokee, with drag & drop. Helps, just like a smartphone, to put what you want where you want it.

It was time to do something...but between slashing these products, maybe there's a glimmer of hope they can remake and re-do the remaining set of plebian, out classed and "why isn't it even as nice as the last gen?" current mix of crossovers, embarrassing full size trucks, etc. they have. The shocking "what the heck is THAT thing?" of the current full size trucks intro should have been a visible "UH OH" to days and years to come to everyone.

Interesting news day. Just one of those...time to rip the bandaid off and stop 45% "kinda look we did it" with a too large mix of products. Things got better after 2009-2010 cuts, then went downhill fast again recently, so hopefully these cuts help...something...🤔 They always struggle to stay on point, somehow.

Those times as someone above mentioned..."can we borrow Bob Lutz for 3 years as a consultant for everything out now?" Something. Anything. When you can't come out with an all new full size truck generation that makes anyone take a 2nd look, and most laugh, it's a red alert zone.

The Pacifica oozes "well done and luxurious" with styling everywhere, and makes the Odyssey/Sienna feel tinny, flimsy, and clunky in comparison.

This is an example of FCA design done right, through and through. Any other takeaways a few months in now? They definitely feel more than a decade more advanced than the old T&C.

How to do things right and keep raking in the cash...

19 hours ago, frogger said:

Basically a Subaru Honda Pilot.  I'm guessing the new Forester will just be a slightly downsized version of this but with a sad combination of NA 4 banger mated to a CVT like most of their vehicles.

Though thankfully less awkward, and far higher quality than the current mess of a Pilot Honda has been pushing, and far nicer interior, trim, features, technology, etc. This is the package Honda only wished they had right now.

The turbo will take people getting used to, but if Mazda, Volvo, etc. can pull it off, Subaru will have no issue. Powertrains are now the odd piece next to no modern consumer cares about, instead asking for CarPlay and Emergency Braking...

I've been around the Ascent for a while now, and it's a winner. Right package, right time, right features, they spent endless time benchmarking every right category needed, and with Subaru appeal, and brand love. You have to see it in person to understand just how large it is, more lower step Tahoe "size look" than normal crossover.

12 hours ago, smk4565 said:

The new naming structure is the best move Lincoln has made in 10 years.  The problem is this is still just a Ford Edge and the Continental is just a long wheelbase Fusion.

Most valid point and the strangest one Lincoln keeps overcoming...despite this. Read long term reviews, see build quality issues people have, yet...the "it's a Continental!" recognition has odd crown appeal to it. The kind of cred other brands wish they could figure out. I like this new name. MKX was the only one with recognition, but this is better.

Heading from Detroit airport & staying in Birmingham, MI this past week...

2018+ Jeep Cherokee prototypes masked over, cruising the highway

2018 GMC Terrains, all around, look great, especially the nose from the front

Bentley Bentayga...in light gold...being driven by an elderly lady

Always enjoy the car sitings in Michigan.

I've used CarPlay a few times, and even debated putting a touchscreen unit in my 4Runner to have it.

Then realized, why? I always have my iPhone plugged in, and always use a clip mounting it beside the steering wheel. Even in my 2-3 years of driving Acura TLX's with Nav, USB, Bluetooth, and 2 screens...I always used the iPod USB link, but otherwise simply touched on the phone, used the phone nav, etc.

CarPlay can't replicate Waze, just Apple maps. Many functions are limited. It's an awesome system, and I loved using it in a new Cadillac XT5 loaner car once, but for me...it's limited, as I want ALL the Apple features ALL the time, and can see them on my screen already without taking an eye far off the road.

Awesome ride!