AlDente67
New Member
- Joined
- June 8, 2016
- Messages
- 4
- Reaction score
- 0
- City, State
- New Jersey
- Year, Model & Trim Level
- 2015 Jeep Grand Cherokee
Hello all, I'm on the hunt for a 3-row SUV and got to take a brief test drive of the 2016 Sport yesterday. I had some questions that I figure the owner community can better opine upon than the salesman (who wasn't really familiar with the vehicle).
I currently am leasing a 2014 Grand Cherokee Altitude, and approaching the point to decide on something to replace it.
I really do like the features of the Explorer Sport - adequate power, all the bells and whistles in the 401A pack, dual sunroof, etc. Lease quote is about $500/mo with a small down payment. List price is $50.5 and final discount price is about $49.5k with sales tax (NJ is 7% on the leased portion), doc fees, and a couple of garbage fees.
I haven't begun any serious negotiations as of yet, so I'm not sure if this price is malleable for an in-stock car at the end of the model year. I hear that the 2017 will not bring much at all in the way of changes, so the '16 would be fine for me.
My questions are more focused on off-road capability. I do sometimes do some surf fishing, which involves driving onto the beach sand and moving a half mile or so through soft sand that could be 8 inches deep (if you wander away from the ruts created by the other guys. The Jeep can do it if I air down the tires to 15psi or so, but it does not have a true 4WD Low transfer case (in the trim line that I have). The Ford has the low gear and the sand setting, but obviously I can't test it during the usual loop around the dealership. One review I found does mention that the Ford is not really intended for off-road, which seems to indicate that a sand setting really means some sand on a paved surface...I'm guessing?
Also, the reviews bring up the NAV/infotainment system as being horrible until it is replaced in the 2017 model year. Is it really that bad or are they nitpicking?
I currently am leasing a 2014 Grand Cherokee Altitude, and approaching the point to decide on something to replace it.
I really do like the features of the Explorer Sport - adequate power, all the bells and whistles in the 401A pack, dual sunroof, etc. Lease quote is about $500/mo with a small down payment. List price is $50.5 and final discount price is about $49.5k with sales tax (NJ is 7% on the leased portion), doc fees, and a couple of garbage fees.
I haven't begun any serious negotiations as of yet, so I'm not sure if this price is malleable for an in-stock car at the end of the model year. I hear that the 2017 will not bring much at all in the way of changes, so the '16 would be fine for me.
My questions are more focused on off-road capability. I do sometimes do some surf fishing, which involves driving onto the beach sand and moving a half mile or so through soft sand that could be 8 inches deep (if you wander away from the ruts created by the other guys. The Jeep can do it if I air down the tires to 15psi or so, but it does not have a true 4WD Low transfer case (in the trim line that I have). The Ford has the low gear and the sand setting, but obviously I can't test it during the usual loop around the dealership. One review I found does mention that the Ford is not really intended for off-road, which seems to indicate that a sand setting really means some sand on a paved surface...I'm guessing?
Also, the reviews bring up the NAV/infotainment system as being horrible until it is replaced in the 2017 model year. Is it really that bad or are they nitpicking?