In what way shape or form is it a minivan? I've never heard of a minivan with a 5.7L V8, or a SRT Hemi. Hell, a true minivan is FWD, has 3 rows of seats and a mini-trunk. the GC doesn't fall under any of those categories. I happened to see one in person today, and it really does resemble a monderized, streamlined ZJ to me. It has a rounded front and rear end, with sharp body lines and an aggressive look. Oh and PLEASE find me any stock minivan thats rated to tow 7,400 pounds. I could go on, stating facts such as the option for several different transfer cases, an optional suspension system that can raise the ground clearance by 2" on command.


Bottom line is: It doesn't compare to a minivan at all, other than its looks somewhat resemble those of minivans made in years past.

 

Which were cross over vehicles anyways not minivans. Any mini van I seen still looks like a mini van.

 

where my dad works they just picked up a new GC and I got to drive it a little bit yesterday. Talk about a killer daily. sire it wont run the trails like my XJ can but its a nice ride. Comfortable and well laid out interior I'd love to have one for a nice every day ride.

 

Besides all the hubba about it being "American" (even though roughly 60% of it actually is), its the last dinosaur from the Daimler era. Chrysler isn't a bad company, they were just a company of no ideas. Then when they partnered with Daimler, they became a company of bad ideas.

The problem is you cannot categorize Jeep. It is, and always has been, a nitch market. Just like a Smart Car or Mini. Not for everyone, but a specific group who's into it. When Bob Nardelli was in charge, he listened to the clowns and bean counters too much, and tried pushing for vehicles to reach a broader customer basis. In turn all he did was water down a marketable name, and use resources and funds wastefully.

The "New" Grand is mundane at best. Still retains the same WK platform but with new pieces of shiny plastic, air ride suspension (which always presents issues years later) and a 3.6L Pentastar. (Heard good things thus far about it, but until I can drive one and tear one apart, I'll keep an arms length).

Jeeps target demographic now is aimed at those who would otherwise be shopping for a Land Rover. They are trying to clean their image up to the point Jeep is considering not licensing it's name on products anymore, from the Jeep bikes to the Power Wheels, all in an attempt to make it seem "Pristine".

 

take it you never saw a gmc safari? another all wheel drive minivan that can tow... So it's got a couple catchy gimmicks like "does that thing got a hemi?" and a higher two capacity than what was common back in the mid 90's. You can go ahead and keep on loving the idea of "Jeeping" in that, that's your opinion and more power to you. Me? I'll stick with Jeeps that'll do the Jeep thing.

 

those are not minivans. They're the people hauler versions of the Chevy Astro midsized van. Its basically the equivalent to an E150. They had longitudinally mounted engines, and most were RWD. Basically a truck drivetrain in a a midsized van. Oh, and to boot they look nothing like WK2.

FWIW, the GM vehicles that were a step below the Astro, and are true minivans were the Chevy Venture and Lumina APV.

Here's a definition of what a minivan is from Wikipedia: Minivan is a type of automobile similar in shape to a van, designed for personal use. Minivans are typically either two-box or one box designs for maximum interior volume — and are taller than a sedan, hatchback or a station wagon.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Minivan <-thats the page. Nothing on there more than slightly resembles a WK2, nor does a WK2 fall under the definition of a minivan.

Calling the Kettle black when its obviously not, still isn't going to make it black. Just like calling a WK2 a minivan still won't make it a minivan. WK2s, really are refined modernized ZJs. Designed to perform well in moderate off-road terrain, be comfortable, luxurious yet still have a ruggedness about them.

You can have your opinion and I'll have mine, I know what the facts are and aren't. I'm done debating about this topic, its not productive to the forum.

 

I appologize, and bow down oh expert of vans....

Seriously dude, let it go. How old are you anyway? I got no problem with you personally, told you if you do, send me a pm. I still feel the new grand is nothing more than a glorified minivan and you're just gonna have to get over it.

I was serious about the age thing... not trying to take a shot, just wondering who I'm debating with here.

 

I some what agree about the new grand cherokee. I'm not sure I'd call it a minivan but its only marginally more capable than a minivan.

Jeep is Jeep, the new GC isn't a jeep. ZJs and WJs can both be pretty capable off road, until I see this thing on 33s and doing a real trail in real life and not just in a Jeep commercial running through a puddle I wouldn't call it a jeep.

WJs are on the FAR edge of what I would still consider true to the Jeep name, everything past that(lower capability) in my eyes may as well be a minivan.

 

 

Is it seriously that big of a damn deal that about the grand cherokee that your going to fight over it? Everyone's entitled to there own opnion but seriously enough. and once agian,

isnt this supposed to be the cherokee FRIENDLY fourm?

 

I like turtles

 

Combo Breaker!

 

The Jeep SRT8s are indeed badazz, and have been so since their inception in 2006. They are part of the Street (and) Racing and Technology group, and have a completely different purpose than 'simply' offroading and handling well in the muck. They are specially designed by that group to be capable 4WD vehicles that can blow away Mustangs and Camaros in a straight line off the light, out corner, outrun, and basically make pony cars look silly. All while handling the snow and muck relatively good (read - not great, or trailrated) and seat 4-5 persons.
I've driven a few at the SRT Experience (used to own an SRT8 Charger), and even back in 2007 they were monsters. You put the brand new 6.4 (392 CI) Hemi into one and you have a snow capable, drag strip dominating, screaming piece of American art. About 500hp right out of the factory box in a Jeep? It won't crawl over a boulder, but it will do the 1/4 mile in under 13 seconds...

 

i think this thread has run its course.