Topic: Cherokee's success out of gate sparks a recipe hunt

[Jeffy]

Cherokee's success out of gate sparks a recipe hunt

Read more: http://www.autonews.com/article/20131226/BLOG06/131229942/cherokees-success-out-of-gate-sparks-a-recipe-hunt#ixzz2p5c7HSKM
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I'm spending this holiday week hunting for recipes, preparing for a year-end meal of crow, thanks to the Jeep Cherokee.

Dealers tell me that in this, its second full month on the market, the 2014 Cherokee is headed for sales that will top November's 10,169 units and rival those of the Wrangler or Grand Cherokee.

Cherokee sales are "strong as death" this month, one dealer told me.

If that's the case, that's a much healthier reception than I thought the Cherokee would receive when I first stared blankly at its polarizing front clip a year ago, and wildly more successful than I thought it would be after its launch was delayed last summer.

Don't get me wrong. I never thought Cherokee would flop. After its first public photos showed up in February, I predicted that it "would probably sell when it appears in dealerships," even as I sided with Jeep enthusiasts over the vehicle's name. I've owned a handful of the previous Cherokee XJ SUVs over the years, and loved every one.

I finally got to spend a day driving the latest generation Cherokee in September. I spent hours mulling over my conflicting thoughts before concluding that the Cherokee had evolved into something different, but I had not.

I've seen them in the wild now on the roads of southeast Michigan for weeks. I really like the SUV's interior, and from the A-pillar back, it's a winner on the roads.

I'm still turned off by the front light stack, grille and nose, but styling is always subjective and tens of thousands of others appear to have a different opinion. Good for them and good for Jeep and Chrysler Group.

What is good for me -- and for those like me who live near Chrysler's Toledo Assembly complex where the Cherokee and Wrangler are made -- is that Jeep plans to build about 300,000 Cherokees in 2014 to meet global demand.

By my math, that means the automaker will have to add a third shift and hire about 1,100 additional workers early in 2014 to hit the number, and that is never a bad thing.

When it happens, it will be the first time since late 2007 that Chrysler's newest and largest assembly complex will be running full-out.

So I'll continue to look for the best recipe for my coming dish of crow.

As a native of Toledo whose family and friends mostly live within 30 miles of that plant, I've never been happier to be so wrong.

[SDWE61988]

When I was buying my new Wrangler, the wife mentioned to me that she really likes the Cherokee's styling.  She said she never like the old style.   I guess people like her were the target to bring more customers to jeep.  She will likely never go off road anywhere, but she wants to have that option and be able to drive in any weather.   The Durango is getting a little long in the tooth, and has always been very expensive to drive.  I can seriously see one of these in our driveway in the next couple years.

[Jeffy]

When I was buying my new Wrangler, the wife mentioned to me that she really likes the Cherokee's styling.  She said she never like the old style.   I guess people like her were the target to bring more customers to jeep.  She will likely never go off road anywhere, but she wants to have that option and be able to drive in any weather.   The Durango is getting a little long in the tooth, and has always been very expensive to drive.  I can seriously see one of these in our driveway in the next couple years.

Well, not liking the old style isn't saying much.  Even with the update in '97, it still had it's roots firmly planted in the 80's.

I actually like the new Cherokee, at least in the Trailhawk iteration.  I know there are a few others who secretly like it as well.  It's  a little funky but I think that's what Jeep needs.   A lot of people are looking at them because of that.  Look at every other car on the road they they all tend to blend into each other.

The Trailhawk is better spec. then some of the Wranglers.  If you're not rock crawling or mud bogging, a Trailhawk would be an excellent expo vehicle.  And lets face it, 97% of the new Wranglers sold today probably aren't going offroad ever.  They're just buying them for the look because they are easily identifiable as a Jeep.

[chardrc]

I am very close to being able to say I like the new Cherokee. It looks a lot better on the street, like a smaller grand Cherokee until you see the grill. haven't gotten a chance to look at one that isn't moving so can't totally say I like the looks.

[Jeffy]

I am very close to being able to say I like the new Cherokee. It looks a lot better on the street, like a smaller grand Cherokee until you see the grill. haven't gotten a chance to look at one that isn't moving so can't totally say I like the looks.

I think that's one of the problems.  It doesn't look great in pictures.  Especially if it's not a Trailhawk.  Even the Trailhawk for some reason looks strange in pics.  On the street it looks a lot different.  It has better proportions and the 30's and 1" lift do look good.  All the blacked out plastic also helps.  The only downside to is is there is no manual option and the 4WD is not truly 4WD but rather FWD till the tires slip.  I'm sure that's a software issue and I'd hope someone would 'fix' it but it's not a deal breaker.

I don't like the Grand Cherokee's anymore.  They pulled the Trailhawk edition off the lineup and now the top of the line is the SRT.  I did liked the Trailhawk II Concept but it doesn't look like they're going to do anything with it.

[chardrc]

The last grill / headlight change on the grand Cherokees made them look gooffy. They are darn expensive these days too. Just gotta keep my wj going for another 5 to 10 years without turning into a complete rust bucket. solid axles front and rear and the fancy limited slips (quadra-drive) surprises me what it can do on street tires. Buddies truck was high centered on a ice ridge and called me for a pull after another truck couldn't get him out. a few good yanks and the truck was free. gotta love driving a jeep.  . Wish more vehicular would have a manual option these days. They just assume no one knows how to drive a stick anymore then only make expensive or very low end cars with a manual so less and less people actually drive them further reducing the number of people that can drive a stick. 

[sharpxmen]

anyone knows if the new GC (i think) with 8 speed trans has paddle shifters or some manual shift option?

[Jeffy]

anyone knows if the new GC (i think) with 8 speed trans has paddle shifters or some manual shift option?

It has paddle shifters.  I'm sure the shifts are slow as they usually are.

[SDWE61988]

The last grill / headlight change on the grand Cherokees made them look gooffy. They are darn expensive these days too. Just gotta keep my wj going for another 5 to 10 years without turning into a complete rust bucket. solid axles front and rear and the fancy limited slips (quadra-drive) surprises me what it can do on street tires. Buddies truck was high centered on a ice ridge and called me for a pull after another truck couldn't get him out. a few good yanks and the truck was free. gotta love driving a jeep.  . Wish more vehicular would have a manual option these days. They just assume no one knows how to drive a stick anymore then only make expensive or very low end cars with a manual so less and less people actually drive them further reducing the number of people that can drive a stick. 

I actually was having problems on hills in the new wrangler, until I turned off the darned " Hill assist"      I kept thinking" I know how to drive a stick, why does it keep hanging on the hills?  Sure enough the f!@@#$ hill assist.   Now it drives fine.  Worthless feature.  It is frustrating how vehicles come with a stick shift anymore. 

[sharpxmen]

It has paddle shifters.  I'm sure the shifts are slow as they usually are.

that's cool, if it has dual clutch should shift quick.

[Jeffy]

that's cool, if it has dual clutch should shift quick.

  That's not going to happen.  The biggest issue would be cost.  And while the dual-clutch gear box is great for on the track they tend to suck at low speeds.