[rumrunner]

why wouldn't someone research (a certain feature) BEFORE buying a car, if it's something you want? especially when so many units have (that feature). I don't get it. I had certain criteria for what I wanted. I didn't even look at cars that didn't have those things. was it a high pressured sales situation? ppl really need to take a step back during the buying process. take your time. drive a bunch of cars from different dealers & different manufactures. then make a short list of stuff you want. then keep looking until you find the right vehicle, at the right dealership for the right deal. it's a great way to weed out the bad dealers & focus on what's really important to you. especially when shopping for a preowned car. yes, you might have to make a compromise, for example, I couldn't find a 4cyl w an OEM hitch so I had to add one. but honestly, I thought I was done carrying 4 bikes & wouldn't need it, so it was a grey area & not a must have

 

[taatmk]

I agree. I was on this site for a good six months researching features of the Cherokee before pulling the trigger. But not only here, I was likewise researching competing brands before finally settling with Jeep.

 

[Toecutter]

Thanks dad. LOL.

 

[Racenut]

Sometimes, lust happens.

 

[goobnav]

I used this site and the Jeep site and the vehicle magazines before pulling the trigger, of course wifey had approve first as well, .

 

[Toecutter]

When I get into car buying mode I research the bejeesus out of it. The entire process takes me several months. Even the haggling with the dealership takes several weeks.

An acquaintance recently texted me, "How do you get a good deal when buying a car?" I replied with advice about where to get true market value, competitive pricing, etc. Her next text an hour later was, "I just bought a Subaru!!!" So much for being methodical, LOL.

Recently my parents bought a new car and their process was so haphazard and unfocused that it drove me nuts. They couldn't decide which make to look at yet were sending emails all over Florida to salesmen with bids. WTH?

 

[SkipW]

@rumrunner: Your thoughts are exactly why I ordered mine. After, of course, a thorough search of makes/models and then landing on the KL when it came out.

 

[Montaska]

I researched pretty heavily before buying my Cherokee. I knew there wasn't a lot of aftermarket support available but it had all of the gadgets and horsepower I wanted. The salesperson tried to steer me towards some other vehicles but I knew what I wanted.

However, the car-buying process is really intimidating for some people and a lot go into it already in fear-mode. I think that's when they're the easiest to be manipulated. I went with my girlfriend to look at trucks and the salesperson tried to sell her a used truck that was way overpriced and seemed shady. On the test drive I fired up the GPS and noticed that all the points were farms in Canada - it was a farm truck for hauling hay and grain. I called him out and he gave her a deal on a new Tundra which she has today and loves.

 

[josh6025]

I did about 6 months of research on and off, and 2 months of solid daily research, on the Cherokee before I purchased mine and I also scoured dealers across Ontario for a 2016 model that had all of the features and colour that I wanted and nothing that I didn't want, it was hard to find one without a sun roof. The only concession that I made was the interior colour, I wanted the Indigo/Brown but I ended up getting Black/Black, but overall not a huge issue for me at least it wasn't beige.

I read all the reviews that I could find about the KL from 14-16, I knew about the trans issues so I ignored those when I read the reviews, did multiple test drives as well. I spoke to a few people that used them as a daily driver and used this forum as well to read over everything.

Overall I'm extremely happy with my purchase and have no regrets in my decision to buy the KL.

 

[Toecutter]

I also scoured dealers across Ontario for a 2016 model that had all of the features and colour that I wanted and nothing that I didn't want

I'm no longer willing to compromise either, so my last three vehicles have been special order from the factory with every option and color I wanted and none that I didn't. I'm willing to wait for my car to be built. I find it's easier to get a good price too since each dealership would be competing to sell me the exact same vehicle.

 

[007]

Yep, I used this site, as well as others, to do a good amount of research before I finally found my gently used 2014 Cherokee. The only thing I didn't realize was an option... the Mopar warranty. :-( I'm coming up on 36k miles and am worried sick that I'm going to get screwed by my 3rd party warranty the dealer (not a Jeep dealer) sold me. Unfortunately, I cannot get out of this warranty, or I would do that and buy the Mopar. Oh well... we shall see. At least the powertrain warranty is longer on the 2014! Heh

 

[Spookster]

I always research to the Nth degree. Usually involves spreadsheets comparing everything from dozens of makes and models and then weeding out down to a half dozen before test driving and deciding. That's what I did when purchasing our first KL which made buying the second one much easier. I didn't have that luxury though when I bought my 2007 Mazda3 new off the lot. Wifey totalled my 2003 Toyota Corolla while I was away on business trip. Had to find and buy a new car in a weekend but I did enough research to at least know a reasonable offer when I went in. Of course when the dealer started with an offer lower than what I was going to offer that really threw me off. Wasn't until I traded in that Mazda for my TH that I figured out why they made such a low offer. It had been wrecked a month before I bought it. Sleazy dealer didn't even disclose that.

 

[Jeepster1]

I do my research first before even stepping into the dealership. I have a list of the model and options that are must have. These are uncompromising options. Then there is price range which is narrow to what I priced out to what I should actually pay. That is using a service such as "True Car" and/or actual going prices on e-sites or ads. Actually a call back and e-price from the dealer{s} gives a pretty good idea of the range. I can work out the % from that on a dealer purchase if needed.
The issue I had was the tow group and AD2 on my '14. In November 2013 there were none to be had with tow and few with AD2. At one point they found one, but it had no Tow group. Oh we can add tow for you.
I had a bad feeling about that and I declined. I landed up factory ordering the "14 Cherokee to my specs. Probably paid more but actually I never looked back even after 3 years of ownership on this '14.
The tow was a major issue in 3 of the last 4 Jeeps I have had and all required a factory order to get what I wanted.
Actually my previous jeep and the only one not factory ordered, an '04 Grand Cherokee SE loaded, was off the dealer's lot and was the only one with Tow on it. I really did not want the V8 and some of the options on it but at 30% off msrp I could not let that pass.
So with me its my minimum required options on a specific model. With Price I can adjust to more option options but not less than required.
It works for me.

 

[NScherry]

Always have researched thoroughly before committing to any of the Jeeps I have bought. About two months studying the KL. When I took delivery, the sales manager said "I'm not going to give you a walk around to explain features, you already know way more than I do", and he was actually quite knowledgeable on the Cherokee. I knew I wanted the 8.4 screen, but my wife complained it would be distracting, even after I showed her it could be turned off. Since we weren't financing, I think she just wanted to save $$$. Originally we were going to downsize to one vehicle, but she ended up buying a new Elantra, so she never drives the Jeep. I added the 8.4 option after purchasing. All good.

 

[HoosierJeeper]

All of my Jeeps thus far have been spur of the moment decisions. Well, the KL, I had been looking for about 2 weeks after the WK had gone into limp mode and then found mine and got it. Didn't research anything, knew it was a Jeep and therefore I'd like it and would willingly put up with any issues just to have the 7 slots. Same for my WK, KJ, WJ and XJ. They happened to catch my eye, drove them and that was that. It's a Jeep thing!

 

[dhh3]

I do not do any research, as well. I know what I want, and just go for it. The only thing I research is what my trade in is worth, so that I know what to expect. I also check for any rebates/offers going on at the time. Two years ago, last June, I went to my local FCA Dealer (I only buy from them). I wanted a TH (2014) but they did not have one at the time, and the Salesman tried to get me into another Cherokee. No dice. All of a sudden, I noticed a new Journey Crossroad in Copperhead Pearl. Awesome color. I purchased it instead of trying to find a TH. The thought never occurred to me to order one. I drove it for two years; all the time yearning for a TH. With all the transmission problems written about on the Forum, I am now glad that I waited out the two years! This past August, after many numerous attempts, I built my TH on the Jeep site, and went the final step: assigning to my Dealer. I was pre-approved by Chrysler after I submitted my build. Within an hour both Chrysler and my Dealer were calling me, and I made an appointment to see the Salesman the following Monday. First thing, he asked me if the color would be a deal breaker. I told him Mango Tango, or nothing. He had submitted my build to the Factory; 2017s were being built, and Mango Tango was no longer being offered. So, he had done some researching and found two sitting on other dealer's lots. One had less than I wanted; the other more. I settled on the one with more, not knowing that it had all of the Factory Options except the Remote CD player, which I wanted. Two days later, I was driving my Jeep.
I have done some research on adding the CD player, but I see that the inside of the console is different. My power port and USB port are in the front of the console bin, where the CD player is supposed to be. With the CD player, the ports are moved to the back of the bin. So it may be a tougher job than I originally thought to add the CD player. I'm still working on this.

 

[taatmk]

Getting dealers to compete against each other is helpful in getting a good deal; even the same brand dealers. There are several Jeep dealers in the Wasatch Front area (Salt Lake City extended) that I had giving me quotes. I told them that they other told me ".....such and such.." and they were competing against each other until I got the best Cherokee deal I thought I could get.

 

[rumrunner]

why wouldn't someone research (a certain feature) BEFORE buying a car, if it's something you want? especially when so many units have (that feature). I don't get it. I had certain criteria for what I wanted. I didn't even look at cars that didn't have those things. was it a high pressured sales situation? ppl really need to take a step back during the buying process. take your time. drive a bunch of cars from different dealers & different manufactures. then make a short list of stuff you want. then keep looking until you find the right vehicle, at the right dealership for the right deal. it's a great way to weed out the bad dealers & focus on what's really important to you. especially when shopping for a preowned car. yes, you might have to make a compromise, for example, I couldn't find a 4cyl w an OEM hitch so I had to add one. but honestly, I thought I was done carrying 4 bikes & wouldn't need it, so it was a grey area & not a must have

glad to remind myself about a cpl things I spouted 7 years ago ... lol

right now I'm feeling a mix of things, such as excitement & wanting to pull the trigger & get on with it & start driving a newer cleaner unit w/ newer features (even tho my current unit's list of features is perfect) also a sense of anxiety that I might be shopping above my pay grade. meaning are my eyes bigger than my wallet? should I just buy a corolla & live in misery?

it's tough to be patient & wait out the search. just last nite I was thinking how I can afford the unit I don't want. need to take a chill pill

 

[rumrunner]

Getting dealers to compete against each other is helpful in getting a good deal; even the same brand dealers. There are several Jeep dealers in the Wasatch Front area (Salt Lake City extended) that I had giving me quotes. I told them that they other told me ".....such and such.." and they were competing against each other until I got the best Cherokee deal I thought I could get.

once I find a unit I like, I'm pretty good at working the chair until the dealer comes around w/ their best offer. if it's not the right unit, I don't torture them. I'm ALWAYS ready to walk, even w/ the right unit

 

[rumrunner]

I do not do any research, as well. I know what I want, and just go for it. The only thing I research is what my trade in is worth, so that I know what to expect. I also check for any rebates/offers going on at the time. Two years ago, last June, I went to my local FCA Dealer (I only buy from them). I wanted a TH (2014) but they did not have one at the time, and the Salesman tried to get me into another Cherokee. No dice. All of a sudden, I noticed a new Journey Crossroad in Copperhead Pearl. Awesome color. I purchased it instead of trying to find a TH. The thought never occurred to me to order one. I drove it for two years; all the time yearning for a TH. With all the transmission problems written about on the Forum, I am now glad that I waited out the two years! This past August, after many numerous attempts, I built my TH on the Jeep site, and went the final step: assigning to my Dealer. I was pre-approved by Chrysler after I submitted my build. Within an hour both Chrysler and my Dealer were calling me, and I made an appointment to see the Salesman the following Monday. First thing, he asked me if the color would be a deal breaker. I told him Mango Tango, or nothing. He had submitted my build to the Factory; 2017s were being built, and Mango Tango was no longer being offered. So, he had done some researching and found two sitting on other dealer's lots. One had less than I wanted; the other more. I settled on the one with more, not knowing that it had all of the Factory Options except the Remote CD player, which I wanted. Two days later, I was driving my Jeep.
I have done some research on adding the CD player, but I see that the inside of the console is different. My power port and USB port are in the front of the console bin, where the CD player is supposed to be. With the CD player, the ports are moved to the back of the bin. So it may be a tougher job than I originally thought to add the CD player. I'm still working on this.

good lesson. never settle. it will haunt you. thank you