What a cheap shot. I wasnt the one who brought up the computers. Hence the off topic comment. If you got a problem with me, take it up with me in pm. As for the second part of your post, kudos for getting back on topic. I don't care if you like minivans, that's cool man. I just don't like when people try to make a vehicle out to be something it isn't. I'll keep wheeling my jeep. And if I'm in the market for a new vehicle I'll get a new to me older one, when "american" vehicles were still somewhat american.. I don't care for plastic and aluminum in something I have to depend on. You want to buy a new grand, more power to ya. To me it's a joke. And that's that. This is a jeep forum. Not a politics forum.

 

My friend, there are plenty of American-made vehicles out there, and many of them don't say Jeep on them. Don't use some silly chest-thumping rhetoric of "Buy American!" to try to justify a mediocre-looking vehicle.

Also, language like STFU is not helpful. Chill out.

 

Personally I HATE minivans. I can't stand driving anything that is bland and boring. If you want to talk about aluminum and plastic, they've been used in every vehicle extensively for at least the last 20 years. I'll explain my point further down in the post.

Lets see, I can count all of the American car makers on one hand Chrysler, Ford, GM. Given most "Imports" are now made here in the US, but they are still designed and the company is based elsewhere. Chrysler, Ford, and GM are all based here in the US, yes Chrysler is now owned by Fiat. But the big three all design and build their vehicles here in the US.

I'm not saying that the new GC is the greatest vehicle out there, or even that I would buy one. The point i've been trying to get across, albeit off-topic is this: There are only 3 big car manufacturing companies left in the US, which is quite a few less than there have been in years past. IMO we need to support them, and give feedback on what we like and don't like(This thread is a GREAT example of that). If we don't and don't buy their vehicles, we're going to end up stuck buying foreign made cars that take money away from our economy(Kinda like how things happened with oil, we were the single biggest exporter at first and now we hardly produce any of our own)

 

Hate to burst your bubble pal, but alot of your so called american cars now days sport foreign parts, right down to whole engine assemblies. I think the hondas they build here in ohio have more american parts than alot of the "american" cars on the road. Not that I'm interested in owning a honda either.

 

I already know that, almost EVERYTHING thats "built" here in the US has foreign parts. However my point still stands that the companies are based here and pay American workers to put them together. I say thats a whole lot better than a Japanese company who pays mexican workers to assemble them and then sells them here. You gotta figure that for every one of those sold, thats about $16K going into some other country's pocket.

 

Thats not the point. The companies are based here which in return the money is flipped back into our country. Period.


And I dont remember anyone saying anything about giving up an XJ or Wrangler for a GC. Or that anyone said its the next best thing to off road. I believe people are defending that its not just another POS. If I want class and comfort to drive my famialy around in I sure would rather take a GC then a XJ or a xterra or what ever else from these foreign makers.


Off topic: Your computer dont need all that crap to function but you updated it anyways. You pretty much proved my point.

 

Guys, this has been true since the late 70s-early 80s when Japanese cars started coming to the U.S. in greater quantity (and quality.) This is not a revelation. And this is why I wish people would patronize their mom-and-pop, locally-owned retailers instead of places like Wal-Mart. But that's not really an appropriate topic for this forum, and I don't think the "Buy American!" rhetoric is either.

The question is, is there really enough difference between a 2011 Jeep Cherokee and a 2011 Ford Edge AWD, or a 2011 Dodge Durango, to make that GC compelling, aside from the question of what it's called.

Are you aware that the Durango and the Grand Cherokee are coming out of the same factory now? It's not like they're building these things in Toledo any more.

 

The only "mom & pop" locally owned places I know of are convenience stores owned by Immigrants. The one last big locally owned supermarket chain in my area(Ukrops) just recently was sold to a Nationwide chain. I do support my local economy incase you're wondering. I could've bought a Gas Cylinder empty online, had it shipped, and filled for cheaper than what I paid by going to a locally owned and run company(Arcet). Its all about priorities, I'd rather spend a couple extra bucks to help support my fellow american, buy a quality product and know that I have support there if I have any issues with it.

Same reason I bought a Lincoln Welder and not some chinese knock-off. I could've saved a solid $400 had I not bought a Lincoln.

And who the hell are you to tell me that I'm not allowed to voice my opinion about buying local and buying american here?

I would say yes there is enough of a difference. At the very least the GC is probably going to be better equipped, more comfortable and you'll have far more control over the 4wd system than in either the edge or Durango. Even though Dodge and Jeep are practically one in the same.

 

There probably is a difference in them, I dont know what they are exactly. But cars are built better then others. Thats the thing, GC has proved itself to be a good SUV. Like the Exploder is for ford.

And BUY American is what this country needs. We need to not outsource, and we need to give breaks to American based companies to keep them here. But like you said different topic.

 

Pretty funny, coming from the person saying STFU at people.

You are welcome to hold whatever opinion you wish, and say it as much as you want. I think the "Buy American" argument is irrelevant to the issue at hand, and probably not relevant in a forum dedicated to Jeep Cherokees, but you're welcome to say whatever you'd like.

I'm very comfortable letting other people decide for themselves if you're embarrassing yourself with an irrelevant argument or not. All I ask in return is that you allow me to think the 2011 Grand Cherokee is not a worthy successor to the heritage of the Jeep name. I'm not even asking you to agree with me, my friend.

 

honestly, I don't really give two ****s whether you think I'm "embarrassing myself" and wether or not my argument is irrelevant. Good for you, you're not a mindless drone.

 

Listen, if we want to debate politics, we can do it in another thread. Buying a jeep minivan is not going to put money in anyone's pocket but the people who really have more than they'll ever spend anyway. We all have our own views on the union of america government. That kind of talk is likely to start a war on a forum that has nothing to do with that. This isn't about who's making the most money and blowing smoke up our ***** about how boosting the economy will help our middle class and poor folk. This is about calling a minivan a jeep.

 

I don't care either. Peace, man. I'm not trying to be a dick or an enemy. There's no reason for us to argue or just because we don't agree on something.

 

Guys its just a damn GC stop arguing over it, isnt this supposed to be the cherokee FRIENDLY fourm? Theres no point in arguing over this. Its redundent.

 

Back to the actual topic, The new GC is a great improvement to what they have been pumping out for the last 10 years. This thing has some pretty impressive features. Jeep really knocked one out of the park with this one.

But, if you dont think there is a market for the XJ, why are there Patriots on the road. That thing is a low rider XJ. They are all over the road. Replace that with the XJ and they will be all over the road again.