Anyone drive a newer Jeep?

[TsPoet]

Never seen one in person, but many people are talking about the new Nissan cube for people who don't like the Honda Element.
I'd be curious to hear anyone's opinions on that option.
http://www.nissanusa.com/cube/

( I think it's ugly)

[Skierchickie]

Not a newer one, but we're on our 3rd Jeep. This is our second Grand Cherokee (1999). Nothing special. We needed something quick, after DH got hit head-on in the Cherokee, and this was available for just a little more than we got for the totaled one. We like to have 1 vehicle that can make it to work in winter storms (which we get a lot of). I way prefer my VW Jetta TDI wagon - wish it had more ground clearance (and 4x4). The Jeep gets atrocious gas mileage. We haven't really had trouble with any of them, so far.

My boss (and his entire family) would drive nothing else, but he also doesn't believe in global warming.

If you don't go off-road, and if you don't live where you need to get through a foot of snow from time to time, I'd look at something else. I've been driving it for over a week straight (DH usually drives it) because last Tuesday we got dumped on with 15" of wet, heavy snow, our driveway is 1/8 mile long, and the road didn't get plowed. After a couple of days DH took my car on a trip (48 vs 17-ish mpg). I am really looking forward to getting my car back. It isn't terrible, it just isn't great.

On the plus side, when we bought this one, I was very "up" on Jeeps, after DH's accident. Head-on collision with an old lady who had crossed into his lane. Totaled the Jeep, set off both airbags, crunched her car quite badly, and he didn't have the slightest injury.

[GLC1968]

I've had many jeeps. My driving career started with a 1981 Jeep Wagoneer. My first car of my own was a 1985 Jeep CJ Laredo. Then I bought a 1993 Jeep Wrangler when the opportunity presented itself. The last Jeep I owned/drove was actually my husband's car. We wanted a 4WD vehicle when we left FL, so we bought a 2004 Jeep Unlimited.

I've been happy with all my Jeeps, but that's because I'm a Jeep lover. They are not practical. They get lousy gas milage (the reason we traded in the Unlimited for our current 2005 Toyota Matrix). They drive like crap (really). They tend to be fairly high maintenance. They do have a personality, and they are fun. I miss driving around without my doors (a common occurance when I had my CJ), but I'm a grown-up now and owning a Jeep is just not practical. If you drive one and love it, then it's worth it. Don't talk yourself into it saying that it will be practical - it's an agrument that you will lose (this coming from a Jeep lover!). This is how we ended up with the Unlimited. We talked ourselves into and then, for the first year, spent entirely too much time trying to talk ourselves into keeping it. We finally gave up after owning it for only a year. What a colossal waste that was!



That Nissan Cube looks interesting. I like it because it's different but I can't say that I'd actually buy one. I wonder what kind of gas mileage it gets? It doesn't say on the website but I can't imagine that it would be good (with that profile).

[Possegal]

Eventually I found the comment that nissan is expecting 35-40 mpg for the Cube (which I'm weirdly attracted to) . May still be too early for them to have the final estimation?

[Tokie]

I have a very honest old-school auto mechanic. He prefers to work only on American make cars, and told me last time I was in "whatever you do, don't buy a Jeep" -they were working on a Jeep in the next bay. Tokie

[ASammy1]

Never seen one in person, but many people are talking about the new Nissan cube for people who don't like the Honda Element.
I'd be curious to hear anyone's opinions on that option.
http://www.nissanusa.com/cube/

( I think it's ugly)

OMG, it's horrible!

[ASammy1]

Ok, so I didn't do it. The dealership offered me $4000 less than KBB trade in value.

So now back to square one. I'm from Detroit, so I'm trying to get back into an American car to appease the family.

Any suggestions?

[Zen]

I'm trying to get back into an American car to appease the family.

Any suggestions?

Who constitutes "the family"?
Who's paying for the vehicle?

There is no American-made vehicle that comes to mind to fit what you're looking for

[crazycanuck]

Why not a Toyota Hilux? Are they available in the US? If so, the diesel, 2 wd, manual versions aren't too bad. Nice tray for the bikes & tons of room in the back to throw all your "stuff".

[Irulan]

Why not a Toyota Hilux? Are they available in the US? If so, the diesel, 2 wd, manual versions aren't too bad. Nice tray for the bikes & tons of room in the back to throw all your "stuff".

Can't get them in the US.

[Tuckervill]

My Element has HUGE blind spots all the way around. I am always rubbernecking to see around them, especially in parking lots and left turns.

Karen

[Tuckervill]

I kinda like the Cube. I don't like that odd window, but I like the thing. I'd like to see if it is as big as the Element. I hate that the website is not interactive enough to see everything inside. I am NOT going to the Nissan dealer to look at it, because I'm not in the market.

Karen

[Zen]

That Cube looks like it has some blind spots, like that windshield/door post.