I missed it, but where do you live that you NEED awd?
Get winter tires on a regular car and you will be fine.
Any thoughts on the refreshed Dodge Charger? The SE & SXT are offered in AWD now, which would help in the snowy winters where I live. It's a blimp of the car, but at least it doesn't make the Top 20 complaint list like a lot of FCA's cars...the 200, Cherokee & Grand Cherokee, Renegade, 500 & 500L, Journey, Town & Country, & Wrangler. Plus it has TACC as an option...AWD, TACC, and BT are pretty much my only wishlist requirements in a car.
I did like the Journey, but if I'm able to get credit for a replacement car, there's no way I'm getting something with such a high complaint index. I think the only other car I'd even consider is the Caravan...but no AWD or TACC available.
Can't say to know much about chargers, but they've been refreshed lately, seem to get reviewed ok, and I see a decent amount of them on the road so I'd guess they would be 'ok'.
Journeys have been out for a long time with little to no updates , and have always reviewed poorly. I really can't see any reason to get one unless you've no other choice.
I missed it, but where do you live that you NEED awd?
Get winter tires on a regular car and you will be fine.
Get a 4 wheel drive truck with a strong motor. Plenty of space in cab and a bed to haul whatever you want around. Things hold their value forever. You'll get used to parking them. Its all the vehicle you'll ever need. It can do everything you'll ever want out of a vehicle.
I've thought about it. I actually really like the new Honda El Camino, err, the Honda Ridgeline. But, $30k base + first-year model (full redesign) = meh. I don't like huge cars either (the Charger is a boat!) & don't want a "big" truck. Plus, you know everyone you know will ask you to help them move
Because of this thread, we have persuaded a family member to avoid the Renegade, at least long enough for them to work the bugs out (if they ever do).
I always felt this way too and have traditionally preferred cars (but have owned several mid-size SUVs, never a full size though). Then, at the behest of a coworker, I drove a 2014 Ram 2500 4-door. I was completely sold. I absolutely loved it. I owned the truck exactly 1 month, and was offered a job in California. I knew I would be commuting roughly 60 miles a day, and although the truck did get 17 MPG on the highway - I wasn't willing to pay for the gas, so I traded it. I really, really loved that truck though. My commute in NC at the time was roughly 5 miles each way, so 50 miles per week. 50 miles per week at 17 MPG really isn't a big deal, but at roughly 300 miles per week the cost was just too much. I traded it on a Toyota Sienna *queue Price is Right fail sound track*.
I bought the truck from Carmax, and took it back a month later to trade it on a van. The folks at Carmax were awesome - they basically bought the truck back from me at the exact price I bought it from them so I didn't lose my shirt. :thumbsup:
All that said, here in 2016 I am living in NC and man, I would love to get another one. Honestly, I couldn't imagine driving one of these vehicles before actually doing it. They are not ungainly to drive as people say. The new trucks are very modern, drive like tall cars, easy to park... I just talked myself into it. Hah.
I'm having trouble with the Jeep Cherokee loaner. I believe it has a 9-speed transmission as well. It's thrown three fits so far when pulling out from a complete stop: twice, nothing happened for a good two seconds, then it peeled out (I only had the pedal down a little bit, not to the floor!), and once, nothing happened for almost three seconds and then it finally lurched forward. I was timing traffic to pull out onto a busy 2-lane road; this gave me a heart attack lol - reminded me of driving a Prius with that delay! Ugh. I really miss the standard 5-speed automatic transmissions haha.
I am still working with Chrysler corporate on a resolution; hopefully I can get the machine replaced (and fast!). Every department is separate from every other department, so you have to slowly go up the ladder. It's been over a week of calling already
Yeah, that 9spd trans is known to have trouble.
Yet again, LOL at Jeeps.
CT. I currently live on a very steep hill & have had to park and hike up several times because my previous cars couldn't make it up. My AWD/4WD Renegade has plowed through everything, no problem. I don't think I'd ever go back to having a non-AWD car while I'm living in New England because it makes winter driving entirely too hassle-free. Even when we got 7" of snow (I park outside), I didn't have to shovel - just drove right over it! I love AWD. Plus I don't have to swap out for winter tires...all-seasons work just fine.
I know a lot of people here argue that FWD cars are fine in the snow (and even RWD), but having driven both of those plus AWD, man, it just makes it too convenient. I work on-call too, which means I have to go in no matter what the weather is like, and having AWD in my car made my commutes completely effortless. Sure, nobody really needs AWD, but like keyless entry, it's one of those things that is hard to live without once you get used to it!
Yeah, that 9spd trans is known to have trouble.
Don't give in Kaido! Get your money and get the hell away from FCA products!
dodge charge wont go over 7in of snow.
Ground Clearance - at curb weight - Running Ground Clearance 4.9"
You know, I considered getting a stick-shift Renegade as a replacement, but aside from sitting in traffic, I'm just not ready to risk it again. The only other Jeep I was really considering was the Patriot, but it's pretty sparse & is kinda noisy in the cabin. The minivan would be super handy thanks to the stow & go seats, but I really don't want to drive FWD in the snow ever again after being spoiled by AWD, so if I can get the credit, I'll probably go with an AWD Charger (only available in V6, but that's more than fine!).
Didn't you like the Soul? Just give up on American. Get a Mazda or something.
I feel like such a whiner, but man, that last one where the Cherokee just sat there for a few seconds after pushing the pedal down & then suddenly lurched forward...I barely made my window to slip into traffic & had to gun it. NOT COOL.
The Charger has a Torqueflight 8-speed transmission, which seems to be a somewhat more reliable & better-driving unit. I'll decide when I take a test-drive (if I ever get to that point!).