What small SUV to buy? I have a headache
02-19-16 | 08:05 PM
#46
Lexus Fanatic
Joined: Oct 2003
Posts: 91,624
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From: Virginia/D.C. suburbs
you tend to paint with a broad brush in summarizing the entire back history of any model, including the grand cherokee. but things can and do change quickly from year to year, even month to month. in the '14 gc they put the ZF designed 8 speed auto in and that had some software issues initially, for sure. by the time i got one (a '15, a year ago) the issues were resolved. my grand cherokee has had a sum total of ZERO issues in 14K mi of enjoyable driving. i've only gone to the dealer twice, for free oil changes and a free tire rotation. it's a great luxury vehicle!
On the reliability/broad-brush issues, unlike you and Steve, I have not actually owned a JGC, and don't have personal experience with one outside of a couple of test-drives and reviews. I basically go by what I have read in Consumer Reports, heard Pat Goss say about them on his weekly radio and TV shows, and read from owners in forums.
(Pat Goss, BTW, is Motorweek's Head Technician, and a colleague of John Davis on the show. Besides his weekly auto-talk shows, he also owns and operates an independent repair shop here in suburban Maryland).
02-19-16 | 08:16 PM
#47
Thread Starter
Lead Lap
Joined: Oct 2002
Posts: 4,664
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From: TX
Thanks for all the replies. I am looking for the following:
-Small SUV that fits nicely into the garage
-Small SUV that has decent power and handles well
-Small SUV that rides decently without too much road noise (NX F Sport seems to have some complaints re: ride quality)
-Small SUV with dealer service to back it up (this is where Lexus, Infiniti and Audi come in)
-Small SUV with some luxury touches and a great sound system
-Luggage and hauling room. Back seat passenger room is not as important since it only has to be better than our S5 and G37. Just an extra door would work. I travel all the time and my luggage just barely fits into the trunk of my S5. Every Saturday we take my mother to lunch and everyone has to do acrobatics to fit into my S5.
I know, there is nothing that necessarily fits all the requirements but I will do some test drives and make a decision.
Not sure how large the Jaguar X-Pace is, but I'm looking at that as well.
-Small SUV that fits nicely into the garage
-Small SUV that has decent power and handles well
-Small SUV that rides decently without too much road noise (NX F Sport seems to have some complaints re: ride quality)
-Small SUV with dealer service to back it up (this is where Lexus, Infiniti and Audi come in)
-Small SUV with some luxury touches and a great sound system
-Luggage and hauling room. Back seat passenger room is not as important since it only has to be better than our S5 and G37. Just an extra door would work. I travel all the time and my luggage just barely fits into the trunk of my S5. Every Saturday we take my mother to lunch and everyone has to do acrobatics to fit into my S5.
I know, there is nothing that necessarily fits all the requirements but I will do some test drives and make a decision.
Not sure how large the Jaguar X-Pace is, but I'm looking at that as well.
Last edited by dseag2; 02-19-16 at 08:23 PM.
02-19-16 | 08:24 PM
#48
Thread Starter
Lead Lap
Joined: Oct 2002
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From: TX
recap... 
so you want a 'workhorse' not north of $50k that is about as long as your g37 converible.
from all that, if it's a work horse, i believe you should get a loaded touring cx5. great vehicle nicely refreshed for '16. the rdx would likely be smoother and quieter and for '16 it had a major refresh also. you can get led headlights and all the goodies. edmunds review:
http://www.edmunds.com/acura/rdx/2016/review/
i suspect you won't want these as it sounds like you want a more 'prestigious brand'.
the 'small' cuvs though will NOT 'comfortably' seat 4 unless the rear seat occupants are smaller children or the adults are short, and won't 'haul' much, being more like tall hatchbacks.
if you want to spend more, get a macan.
and i don't think you should rule out bmw x1 or mb glc, etc. without at least driving them.
so you want a 'workhorse' not north of $50k that is about as long as your g37 converible.
from all that, if it's a work horse, i believe you should get a loaded touring cx5. great vehicle nicely refreshed for '16. the rdx would likely be smoother and quieter and for '16 it had a major refresh also. you can get led headlights and all the goodies. edmunds review:
http://www.edmunds.com/acura/rdx/2016/review/
i suspect you won't want these as it sounds like you want a more 'prestigious brand'.
the 'small' cuvs though will NOT 'comfortably' seat 4 unless the rear seat occupants are smaller children or the adults are short, and won't 'haul' much, being more like tall hatchbacks.
if you want to spend more, get a macan.
and i don't think you should rule out bmw x1 or mb glc, etc. without at least driving them.
02-19-16 | 08:30 PM
#49
Thread Starter
Lead Lap
Joined: Oct 2002
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From: TX
For that $35k to 50k price bracket, I'd still go with a Jeep Grand Cherokee. Lot more room than everything else you're looking at, interior is no bs genuinely nice, lots of technology, great off road, can tow a big load. My main thing is the Grand Cherokee has a certain rugged, masculine vibe and style about it, something I can't say of the jacked up station wagons that populate most of this segment. I know its a good bit bigger, but I googled the size, its 6" longer than your old Infiniti convertible, hopefully it would fit in the garage.
I just do not get the appeal of these little tiny SUV's like the NX, X1, Q3, etc. Not enough room and you're paying a heady premium for the badge IMO. Cars like the Mazda CX-5, Rav4, CR-V, etc give you a lot more room. I just feel like you're way over-paying for the amount of room you get in those entry level luxury SUV's.
I just do not get the appeal of these little tiny SUV's like the NX, X1, Q3, etc. Not enough room and you're paying a heady premium for the badge IMO. Cars like the Mazda CX-5, Rav4, CR-V, etc give you a lot more room. I just feel like you're way over-paying for the amount of room you get in those entry level luxury SUV's.
02-19-16 | 08:38 PM
#50
Lexus Fanatic
Joined: May 2012
Posts: 58,120
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From: Maryland
Jeep service is a huge step down from what you're used to. That was one of my main complaints. Quality varies from dealer to dealer, but no loaner cars, etc. The vehicle is so nice though it's worth it IMHO
02-19-16 | 10:17 PM
#51
Lexus Champion
Joined: Aug 2012
Posts: 4,592
Likes: 28
From: TN
The Jeep Grand Cherokee is my favorite SUV on the market right now. I will check it out. I was just more concerned about going from the level of service I receive from Infiniti and Audi to Jeep's service level. But if it's reliable, I guess service won't be an issue. I've read the SRT's have had issues, but the V6's seem to be okay?
Seriously though, maybe google the good dealers in your area for service if you do buy a Jeep.
02-20-16 | 07:14 AM
#52
Lexus Fanatic
Joined: Oct 2003
Posts: 91,624
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From: Virginia/D.C. suburbs
Do you reset the computer (if applicable) when you do the oil changes? Many vehicles today keep track of estimated oil-life in the crankcase by the way the vehicle is driven. The system has to be reset at every oil change.....it's not just a matter of draining and refilling any more.
02-20-16 | 11:50 AM
#54
i have bought a fumitomo quick valve (replacement plug) for my jeep once i'm done with the free oil changes. i've never seen a simpler oil filter replacement either - there's a round plastic cap you turn and remove on the top of the engine and the filter is right there. 
even i should be able to change the oil and filter in 10 minutes except for extra time to let as much as possible drain out into my pan.
even i should be able to change the oil and filter in 10 minutes except for extra time to let as much as possible drain out into my pan.
02-20-16 | 11:53 AM
#55
yes, some of the srt's have had issues with suspension leaks or transmission, etc., but again, seems to be non-issue today compared to early ones. i actually test drove one of those after i got my v6 one on a wild thought that i might trade up, but decided not to after sanity returned.
but man, the srt is seriously fast and sounds great.
yes i have the v6. it's perfectly fine and not slow. if you pull the shift lever to go from D to S there's a definite nice increase in responsiveness as it allows gears to go to higher rpms. normally i drive in D and Eco mode though which is still plenty responsive enough.
but man, the srt is seriously fast and sounds great.
yes i have the v6. it's perfectly fine and not slow. if you pull the shift lever to go from D to S there's a definite nice increase in responsiveness as it allows gears to go to higher rpms. normally i drive in D and Eco mode though which is still plenty responsive enough.
02-20-16 | 02:47 PM
#56
Lexus Fanatic
Joined: Oct 2003
Posts: 91,624
Likes: 89
From: Virginia/D.C. suburbs
i have bought a fumitomo quick valve (replacement plug) for my jeep once i'm done with the free oil changes. i've never seen a simpler oil filter replacement either - there's a round plastic cap you turn and remove on the top of the engine and the filter is right there.
even i should be able to change the oil and filter in 10 minutes except for extra time to let as much as possible drain out into my pan.
even i should be able to change the oil and filter in 10 minutes except for extra time to let as much as possible drain out into my pan.
02-20-16 | 05:01 PM
#57
Lexus Champion
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 3,763
Likes: 6
From: TX
i have bought a fumitomo quick valve (replacement plug) for my jeep once i'm done with the free oil changes. i've never seen a simpler oil filter replacement either - there's a round plastic cap you turn and remove on the top of the engine and the filter is right there.
even i should be able to change the oil and filter in 10 minutes except for extra time to let as much as possible drain out into my pan.
even i should be able to change the oil and filter in 10 minutes except for extra time to let as much as possible drain out into my pan.
02-20-16 | 09:07 PM
#58
(Pat Goss, BTW, is Motorweek's Head Technician, and a colleague of John Davis on the show. Besides his weekly auto-talk shows, he also owns and operates an independent repair shop here in suburban Maryland).
thanks but i expect anyone who changes their own oil knows it.
02-20-16 | 09:08 PM
#59
02-21-16 | 07:20 AM
#60
Lexus Champion
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 3,763
Likes: 6
From: TX
This is how it is done on the BMW.
