Community Forums

S-n-L · 06-19-2015, 10:40 PM

Mike and Cha,

I am certainly not sorry I have the Cherokee. I love driving the car and it has the most comfortable seats I have ever been in. The ergonomics are terrific. As for a Cherokee vs the Wrangler. This could only be answered based on your interests and driving likes/dislikes. I did not consider a Wrangler compared to the Cherokee for these reasons: gas mileage, comfort, quietness, drivability. The only advantage the Wrangler would have for me is more off road capability and I do not need this as I do not intend to do aggressive offroading. I would only take the Cherokee on rough dirt/gravel roads, no rock crawling for this car as I do not want to beat it up. If I do want to go rock crawling or do some rough offroading I will rent a Rubicon for a day.

The Wranglers are just too uncomfortable and rough a drive for me. That being said there are loads of folks who own tricked out Wranglers who will never see dirt or rocks, they just love the look and the image. There is nothing wrong with that if it floats your boat.

So far, even with needing the new transmission, I would buy the Cherokee again. Time will tell if this continues to be the case. I have not any of the shaking issues and hope I do not. If I did have the reported shaking issues I would be very unhappy and upset. With our tow setup the performance while towing has been outstanding.

I do wonder if the shaking issue could be caused by the tow equipment or the installation of the baseplate. I made sure to have my tow bar setup so that is exactly level while towing. I see lots of people towing with tow bars at ridiculous angles, either sloped up or down.

Stuart

Mike and Cha · 06-19-2015, 10:53 PM

Thanks Stuart, that's our dilemma with the two vehicles, we really like the Cherokee(this would be my second one) for the ride and use as the everyday driver, and I'm sure it would handle any kind of 4 wheeling we would do as I'm not into the rock crawling or aggressive type of stuff either. We just started considering the Wrangler due to the potential transmission issues with the Cherokee. Thanks for the reply and additional info.

HavingABlast · 06-19-2015, 11:46 PM

Hi Mike and Cha,

My wife and I currently drive HER Jeep Wrangler Unlimited (4dr) Sahara Edition (JKU). We bought this so we could tow it four down. Our 2000 Grand Cherokee (my second car) is 2WD, and could not be towed....plus DW REALLY wanted her JKU. We've also owned a 4WD 1999 Grand Cherokee. Our daughter had a 1994 2 door Wrangler. Now that car road like a...er ... jeep.

We were so impressed with the smooth ride of the '14 JKU. We are by no means rock crawlers. We do however thoroughly the solitude of driving fire break and old logging roads without the worry of getting stuck. We went with the 3 piece hardtop. It is fairly quiet...but not as quiet as our Grand Cherokee. As far as mileage, I get 16 in the city and 22 freeway with the JKU. Curb weight is 4,290 lbs.

I do not know anything about the reported problems with the '14 Cherokee.

Good luck with which ever Jeep model that you choose.

- Jerry

2015 Newmar Ventana 3636 (in production), Cummins ISB,
2014 JKU Wrangler, SMI AF1, Blue Ox Baseplate and Tow Bar

Mike and Cha · 06-20-2015, 12:00 PM

Thanks Jerry, that is about all the 4 wheeling we would do too, is the fire roads/logging trails, in Mammoth(Sierras) or out in the desert. We are considering the Wrangler Unlimited Sahara, what is the JKU?

HavingABlast · 06-20-2015, 02:04 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mike and Cha

Thanks Jerry, that is about all the 4 wheeling we would do too, is the fire roads/logging trails, in Mammoth(Sierras) or out in the desert. We are considering the Wrangler Unlimited Sahara, what is the JKU?

JKU is Jeep nomenclature. JK is the current product with then Wrangle name. This basic model has been around for many years. Prior models (not a complete list) were CJ, TJ, and now JK. These major model change happen about every 10-14 years. I read somewhere that the next major model change is expected in 2017. The "U" part stands for Unlimited. This is nomenclature signifying 4dr, as opposed to the 2dr model.

We went with the Sahara upgrade because DW wanted the leather, heated seats, with side curtain airbags. I wanted to have the differential ratio that would give me a good compromise of torque and mileage. You get three choices on differential ratio.

True story... We took our dog crate (for our 80lb Yellow lab mix) to the local jeep dealer to see if it would fit in the 2dr. It wouldn't. So, we put it in the 4 door.. And it fit "just right". I think to some degree, the comfort and pleasurable ride that we experience in driving our JKU is due to the fact that the car is just a bit heavier.

From prior posts, I know that we both live in Southern California. We both purchased our Newmars from the same dealer. I live about 30 mi North of San Diego. When it came time to purchase our JKU, we drove to Corona Jeep. Their internet sales manager (Jason) arranged for vehicle that ticked all of our boxes to be available for us. We drove up after work. He stuck around to give us time to get there. We quickly settled on a price...and DW got to drive her new JKU home that night. The thing that stick is in my mind is that she could maintain an ear to ear grin for 90 miles. 😃😃😃😃😃😃😃😃😃😃😃😃

I am 65 years old and have done my fair share of auto purchases. This by far, and I mean by REALLY far, was the most pleasurable auto purchasing experience that I've ever transacted. It was as if this guy (Jason) and Tom Lindstrom went to the same school of Civility and Respect.

Sorry for the long post. Just wanted to answer your question fully. I am available by PM if you have more questions.

Good luck with your search for a toad.

- Jerry and Leah

2015 Newmar Ventana 3636 (in production), Cummins ISB,
2014 JKU Wrangler, SMI AF1, Blue Ox Baseplate and Tow Bar

Mike and Cha · 06-20-2015, 02:24 PM

Thanks Jerry, we would definitely go with the Unlimited. I will give your guy in Corona a call when we decide which way we are going to go. If he is anything like Tom, that's who I want to do business with. We live in Fullerton, so a drive to Corona is no problem. Thanks for the info....Mike

HavingABlast · 06-20-2015, 02:36 PM

Correction...it was Ontario Jeep. Sorry. All of those communities blend together for me.

Here is the contact info:

Jason Keene
Ontario Jeep
1202 Auto Center Dr,
Ontario, Ca. 91761
888.430.0193

Jasonk@je-cpofontario.dealercrm.com

2015 Newmar Ventana 3636 (in production), Cummins ISB,
2014 JKU Wrangler, SMI AF1, Blue Ox Baseplate and Tow Bar