ThermonMermon

Had a long debate with my brother on this (he needs to pull the trigger next month). We never came to a conclusion, as these were all tied for first. Were both stumped.

wondering what everyone's thoughts are. i know shoofin has/had a glk.

his priorities are panoramic roof, luxo fun for him, and utility (stroller capacity) for her. this is a one car meets all needs for couple with newborn.

I think the Q5 is all around great. Same could be said for JGC, however, cheaper plastics are a let down in comparison. The GLK is best looker, and wants to be loved, but has questionable trunk space and lacks some basic luxo items.

Chief F1 Fan

mind if I move to Car talk Thermon?

ThermonMermon

yeah, sorry. put it here accidentally

Yumcha

Thanks. Thread moved.

1StGenCL

JGC - seems to be the best overall value and very nice looking, followed by the Q5. The GLK seems so small but that is just me.

:ibmercedeswinsbecauseofname:

007Acura

If you're considering the GLK look at the bluetec. Its about $500 cheaper than the gas 4matic and gets close to 40 mpg on the highway.

cjTL

iTrader: (2)

Jgc.

neuronbob

JGC is clearly the best value here, so is worth considering.

Saintor

I would go with the JGC. I prefer the Q5 but to buy the luxo things (packages and options) can get expensive quickly.

AirForceFX

Love our JGC. That said, has he looked at the SQ5... That truck makes me itchy with anticipation...

ThermonMermon

SQ5 opens up to whole new territory.

thanks guys, hes headed to jeep today

juniorbean

iTrader: (5)

Consider the Porsche Macan? If he's looking at a Q5, may want to look at this as well. That said, it really depends what he wants. The JGC will have more room then a Q5, but I'm an Audi/Porsche guy so would always look there first. As for the GLK, we've had one when the wife's E350 was in for scheduled maintenance and it was great vehicle.

I'd say drive them all and see what he likes best...

SamDoe1

JGC Limited EcoDiesel. Gets 30+mpg on the highway, can tow 7k lbs, and cheaper to maintain in the long run. All for the same or less money than the Germans. What more do you want?

When I'm ready for a new daily driver, I'll likely be getting the JGC diesel. Gets better gas mileage than the TLS...

Acuraluvr

iTrader: (2)

Im an idiot. Took me forever to understand JGC hahah.

Dad went from a Lexus LX 470 to a 2013 Jeep Grand Cherokee V6 Overland. He loves it. 26 MPG on the highway on regular gas, more space than the other 2 luxury options, cheaper with as good options (radar cruise, auto high beam, etc). I wish my dad listened to me when I told him to get the new 2014 though, the refresh interior is that much better.

+1 for the JGC, no problems here.

ThermonMermon

thanks. i think the jeep is by far the best value.

he doesnt want to buy german. it would be a lease. however, with the jeep, i told him to either heavily negotiate, or go CPO, as it is a great car to grow into for the long term now that he has a newborn.

if Q5 / GLK, it would be a lease. The CPO market is close to sticker for a new base model, as most of the Q5 out there are loaded to the gills. and for the Macan, it sounds amazing. but the leases are absolutely horrendous. I mean like $1,000 a month horrendous. i checked the boards, and there are people that are jumping ship left and right to get into a Sq5 for hundreds/mo less.

the problem is with the Macan, is that is doesnt fill a void of dream car status. people fullfill their goals by buying a 911, Boxster, etc. But those shopping for a Macan are quicker to lease, and its a hard pill to swallow. who the heck wants to own a Macan and pay porsche maintence for a family hauler.

neuronbob

Just looked at tithe JGC Eco-diesel on the Jeep site out of curiosity. The diesel is a pricey option at $4500 but of course, no one buys these at MSRP. 30 highway MPG + HUGE tank=730 miles of range. Not to mention, it looks good. It's certainly worth looking at. I'd test drive one for fun.

Marcelechka

GLK.

Drive one and you'll understand.

You won't be disappointed.

Sarlacc

Jeep Cherokee Limited (NOT Grand) > GLK for features, drive, and price

Drive both and you'll understand.

Sarlacc

The Q5 is nice, damn nice. Driven one many times. The SQ5 Im sure is dreamy.

In the end, I'd go JGC. Its got more space, its got tons of features. Its comfy and safe. The engine choices are great. I love the diesel but its pricey. The Ram version of diesel can't be kept in stock on dealer lots.

For family hauling I just got rid of my wife's 2012 Highlander SE lease and went smaller to the new Jeep Cherokee Limited (GLK size)...Its been 3-4 months now and we love it. No, its not as big as out highlander...but its more engaging, has tons of tech, and is way better on gas. We went with the V6 which is a blast with nice little exhaust note. And it suits our toddler twins just fine. Space hasn't been an issue.

ThermonMermon

^^ and this is coming from someone that has the pre-refresh interior, which says a lot. (the difference of the 2012 to 2013 is similar to the G35 interior refresh). I am not contesting your opinion, but what is so great about the drive?

IMO, the new GLK with the sport package looks STUNNING. 300+ HP, 20 inch AMG wheels, big chrome outlined aftermarket bumpers, and chrome trim. imagine below, but with chrome side rails? this is about as pimp as a CUV could get.

Sarlacc

better

Marcelechka

^ Looks like a Pontiac Aztek..

SamDoe1

I test drove it and had to be drug out of the dealership by my wife for fear that I'd buy one. The thing is awesome. I looked at a JGC Limited EcoDiesel with lux package and off road 1, MSRP was ~$50k and they were offering it at $45k plus whatever incentives they had and 0% financing. The diesel is quiet at idle and the torque is explosive when you stand on the go pedal. Doesn't have a huge top end but this is a mid size SUV not a race car. Tow capacity was 7k lbs which is the same as my expedition.

The interior is spectacular, the exterior is timeless, and the tech is hands down the class leader. Why anyone would spend an extra $20k on an X5 or ML or even the same amount on a GLK is beyond me.

I drove one when we were looking at Jeeps. It definitely comes with a lot of places to put your purse while you drive.

The GLK had good quality and a good ride and that was about it. The interior is blah. The exterior is good but getting dated. The tech is blah, the engine is blah. And on top of that they have the nerve to charge $50k for it. Honestly the only reason to buy a GLK over the Cherokee is to say you have a Mercedes. And then proceed to pay a ton in depreciation right away and a ton in maintenance after the warranty expires.

+10000000

The new Jeeps are killing it. Even the new Durango is fantastic on the interior. The Germans are really going to need to step up their game here soon or be left behind.

Sarlacc

looks like a putz

Marcelechka

Here's my write up from a previous post / thread on here:

"GLK350 w/ 4Matic, & AMG package; LOVE IT! It's probably the best vehicle purchase we've ever made... I was never a fan of Benz, but after one test drive.... SOLD!

As far as power goes, it's moves for a heavy ass truck. But then again, it's not meant for bobbing & weaving in & out of traffic.

Don't let the AMG package fool you though, it's just lipstick (cosmetics)... 19's, dual-zone automatic climate control, power front seats, a panoramic sunroof, and Bluetooth connectivity, a six-CD changer, Sirius Satellite Radio, twin-screen DVD entertainment system, a power liftgate, a navigation system, bi-xenon headlamps with washers, LED fog & taillights.

Ok, I'll stop being a salesman - but, you WON'T be disappointed!"

In regards to the newer model; I drove the 2014 as a loaner while mine was in for servicing and TBH, I didn't care for it. Felt less refined... I wasn't into ECO feature either. I'm not a fan of a car starting & stopping on it own to save gas... Shifter also was deleted in 2014's model. The list goes on... end rant.

Marcelechka

I'll agree to that; the Durango is a mean looking truck!

juniorbean

iTrader: (5)

Well if you can't afford to play in the sandbox, you'll need to stick to the ball pit. Seriously, if that's even an issue, then definitely don't consider a Porsche (or high end "S", "AMG", or "M" SUV). If you've ever driven one of those you don't question it, you just ask where to sign. Almost all the fun of a sports car with the perks of being able to carry people and stuff. Total win/win...


As for the GLK, my problem with it has been that I always see a shoe when I look at it. A nice shoe, yes... but still, the shape just reminds me of a shoe. As nice as the one we had to use was I just couldn't get over the exterior. Then again looks are subjective, so if your brother likes it... go for it...

Marcelechka

Nissan Juke looks like a shoe

ThermonMermon

$4,500 premium is a lot of gas...especially considering diesel costs more than regular.

Sounds like it's really worth a look.

Regular V6 4x2 Limited - 17/20/25 mpgs
EcoBoost 4x2 Limited - 21/25/30 mpgs

So a combined basis, thats a 5 mpgs delta (20 v 25), which is generous, considering this is for NYC area.

Average diesel in NYC is $4.40/gal, average regular is $4.00/gal.

Regular V6, on regular gas is $0.20/mile @ $4.00/gal, 20 mpg
EcoBoost, on diesel gas is $0.1760/mile @ $4.40/gal, 25 mpg

You would have to drive 187,500 miles to offset the $4,500 premium. Assuming that the car depreciates 40% after a 6 year hold, then the EcoBoost true cost would be $2,700, which is still 112,500 miles, or 18,750 miles/year on average.

oonowindoo

is he buying or leasing?

Lease Germans and buy... MDX!!!

I dont know where i should put Domestic cars, because leasing a fully loaded JGC will not be much cheaper than Germans and i am still not sure if i wanna spend $50k hard earned cash on Domestic cars when i can have proven Japanese cars.

Chief F1 Fan

I don't care if a Juke came with 1000 BHP, I'd never own one merely based on the stupid-ass name

Chief F1 Fan

This is my personal problem with your math: I haven't driven a non-premium gasoline car since 1991 so for me, the difference should and will always be figured premium vs. diesel and the difference being approximately .10 cents locally, I'd always buy diesel first if I could (and will A7 tdi vs. 535d xDrive to be cont'd)

ThermonMermon

very true. what your saying makes sense...on a whole...as its the germans that take premium, and its the germans that offer tdi. so most would be quick to compare the advantage of diesel vs premium, as you are doing so in your two examples. if most luxo german cars took regular, the U.S. demand for TDI would be very limited.

but in this instance, for the jeep, the non-diesel counterpart takes regular fuel. which totally destroys the cost benefit when the diesel engine is a $4.5-5k option...and if someone was fuel savings-oriented, and considering the ecoboost, then i doubt that same person would consider putting premium fuel in a non-diesel jeep that accepts regular. so in the case of the jeep, you should be comparing regular vs diesel.

albeit, what i am NOT factoring is the extra torque and towing capacity.

ThermonMermon

EDIT: Ecoboost has 420 lbs of torque, 20% more than the V8!

ill go hide in the corner now.

SamDoe1

I get all of this but what you're missing is the immediate realized cost in terms of fuel savings. If you drive 12k miles a year, you save at least $300 on fuel costs per year if you get the combined rating and I've heard from a number of people with the diesel model that get far over 30mpg when cruising on the highway.

Also, please don't buy the 4x2. It will kill the resale value and what's the point of a 2WD Jeep?

EcoBoost = Ford turbo gas engine
EcoDiesel = Chrysler turbo diesel engine

Sarlacc

Just depends on what part of the country you live in.

SamDoe1

Doesn't matter what part of the country you're in for the resale value to decrease. Also, in NYC the 4x4 would be handy in the winter and/or for trips upstate.

Sarlacc

You're right...but it does matter if where in the country 4x4 or 2WD has the bigger decrease.

In So Cal, 2WD is the most popular choice as 99% of them will never go off pavement and 4WD is worse on mpg.

And if you look, JGC in general hold their value pretty well in both trims.

ThermonMermon

just to reiterate...this is not for me...my brother is looking....but its turned into a very detailed conversation

charliemike

What? You mean different people in different parts of the country want different things in a vehicle? Get the fuck out of here!