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I’m looking real hard at a 2015 Cherokee Trailhawk. I own a 99 Cherokee. Anyone have any advice, pros or cons about the new Cherokee models. The XJ is still going strong (with some maintenance), in 29 years, will the Trailhawk?
Good friend of mine used to work at the local jeep dealership. He said the newer cherokees were probably one of the worst in the lineup, which isnt shining it very good at all because honestly, jeeps lineup now isnt great. I'm going to have to ask him for the fine details later. Hes on vacay atm.
i dont think no newer cars were really built to last as long as the xj or other older vehicles. Example, theres been times when we have an older and newer version of a vehicle parked side bu side in the shop and yoi can just tell how well built older vehicles were made. Sure new cars have more tech and stuff, but it all just looks flimsier.
Newer vehicles are designed to be efficient, durable and dependable in factory form and protect their passengers well in crashes, i.e. absorb impact, until they wear out. They are not designed to be rebuilt or restored economically and stand the test of time. You could describe this as "planned obsolescence".
Here is a picture I took when I was replacing a radiator in a 2012 Ford Focus. Rather than being bolt-together metal core supports, etc., it is like a plastic snap-together puzzle. The new generation of Cherokee (and most any other new vehicle) is really no different:
Thanks for the input. As an owner of an XJ, I know too well the necessary TLC needed to keep a vehicle going! 😂 I don’t have any grand illusions of finding a “modern” vehicle on the road as long as an XJ. I was just wanting some feedback as to whether the Trailhawk’s were worth buying. Again, I appreciate the feedback.
It's a matter of relatively insane government regulations. More crash protection, more fuel economy, less emissions, mandatory electronic gizmos, but keep the price down. Something has to give and hence the plastic. I think getting more than 10 years out of them is unreasonable. I've got a good bit of experience with the latest in electronics and powertrain in the industry - and I drive a two decade old XJ.
For instance Europe banned lead in solder and many boards in the US are lead-free since they are shipped to both regions. I expect I giant fallout of dead automotive modules in the near future.
By comparison NASA and the Dept of Defense has banned lead free solder because they know you shouldn't have brittle connections in vibrating vehicles.
Still doesn't say that it shares any parts. A platform general design share is not the same. An ATS is the same platform as a Camaro but may not actually share a single part, meaning one could be very reliable, the other, be terrible. A chassis shape wont make or break reliability these days.
i went ahead and bought the 2015 Trailhawk. I’m loving it so far. Of course, it’s not like my XJ but I can’t complain about it’s performance. I live in remote area, 1.5 miles from a paved road. During a recent 3 day downpour, I got to test the 4x4/select terrain transmission. I had no issues at all. Steady traction, nice torque. My new girl handled the soaked sand/mud/red clay roads as advertised. I even had the pleasure of pulling out a stuck 4x4 F150. I’m glad she has the weather tech floor mats. The backup camera has a nice feature which shows a tow hitch guide line. Also, the side mirrors automatically tilt down for blindspots when reverse is engaged or in this case, rear wheel traction. While I’m still getting used to looking at a camera to backup, All the new tech gadgets take a bit for an old school person like me to use proficiently. I’m really loving this vehicle.
04-09-2018, 12:03 AM
2015 Cherokee Trailhawk
