Forum Discussion

bhivetravels's avatar
bhivetravels
Explorer
May 04, 2015

Time to get a new toad

We've been towing our Honda Element (aka "the toaster") and have had absolutely no problems with the car but with cracked seats, mileage, age, it's time to look for a replacement. We want a vehicle with a few more bells and whistles so we've been considering two based on weight/cost/mpg/body style. Chevy's Equinox and Chrysler's Jeep Compass. If you have one of these vehicles have you experienced any issues with them as a toad? On the Equinox, I don't really see where the tow bar would go?
Class A
  • deandec's avatar
    deandec
    Explorer
    May 11, 2015
    Tow one of either a 1999 or 2005 Jeep GC. Both have been excellent with over 70,000 towing miles and clock miles of 180,000 between them.
  • Pogoil's avatar
    Pogoil
    Explorer
    May 11, 2015
    70,000 on my 4 door JK. Another 30,000 towing for a total 100,000 on drive train. Front end has been rebuilt as it is raised 3 inches. I have gone places sedans and mini vans will puncture the gas tank.
    This vehicle has never left me stranded.

    I will drive it till I cannot climb into it.

    Pogoil.
  • Mr_Mark1's avatar
    Mr_Mark1
    Explorer
    May 10, 2015
    et2 wrote:
    First Jeep we owned drove 299,000 without any major issues. Loved that Cherokee. Had a Grand Cherokee without any issues. Jeep Liberty - someone hit my wife head on, most other cars she would have died in from the crash. Never had problems with it. Now own a 2014 cherokee Trailhawk - no problems.

    Good thing I don't believe everything I read. We will be buying another Jeep Grand Cherokee this fall. It's one of the best selling SUV's on the road.


    Yep, sometimes you get lemons and sometimes lemonade.

    MM.
  • OutdoorPhotogra's avatar
    OutdoorPhotogra
    Explorer
    May 10, 2015
    Mr.Mark wrote:

    Vegasfoodguy, well, my brand spanking new 1996 Grand Cherokee Ltd had to be towed to the dealer three times in less than 36,000 miles. Not very exciting.

    Then I traded for a brand spanking new 1999 Grand Cherokee Ltd, 4x4 with Quadra-drive..... was towed once back to the dealer during the warranty period as it left me stranded. It also had to have a whole new 4x4 system installed as it kept binding.

    I guess my two Jeeps were made on a Friday....... but, I do believe that the newer Jeeps are probably better. My brother and his wife both have Jeep Liberty's bought new and have been reliable.

    My Honda's have been so reliable that I'm afraid to try another Jeep with my previous luck. I do like the new Cherokee.... right size for towing. I'll just check around in a couple of years when I will be changing out the Honda.

    MM.


    I the Grand Cherokee had problems in the 90's. My sister had one and had issues. I've read on a Jeep forum to avoid the older Grand Cherokees but regular Cherolkee was fine.

    Subcribed because DW is looking at an Equinox short-term and I want to switch to a Jeep JK when its my turn to buy in a couple years.
  • et2's avatar
    et2
    Explorer
    May 10, 2015
    First Jeep we owned drove 299,000 without any major issues. Loved that Cherokee. Had a Grand Cherokee without any issues. Jeep Liberty - someone hit my wife head on, most other cars she would have died in from the crash. Never had problems with it. Now own a 2014 cherokee Trailhawk - no problems.

    Good thing I don't believe everything I read. We will be buying another Jeep Grand Cherokee this fall. It's one of the best selling SUV's on the road.
  • Mr_Mark1's avatar
    Mr_Mark1
    Explorer
    May 10, 2015
    Ro"n"Joe wrote:
    Passin Thru wrote:
    Jeep is rated lowest in quality by Consumers Report. I wouldn't buy one for that reason. I'm a Honda or Toyota fan. On our 6th Toyota and only one was ever in the shop and they paid the repair bill for a new engine. Have run most 230K and 2 Prius or Priii which I guess is plural, 70 K ea and our third is going to go to whatever mileage wears it out.


    DW and I own both a CR-V and a Jeep Liberty. We both prefer the Liberty for better ride, seats, quite ride, handling etc. The only downside is that the CR-V does get about 5mpg more that the Liberty.


    I think your Jeep weighs about 1,000 lbs. more than the CR-V. The Jeep has a 6 cylinder, the Honda a 4 cylinder. Not really apples to apples.

    They are both good towing vehicles depending on your need.

    Safe travels,
    MM.
  • Sully2's avatar
    Sully2
    Explorer
    May 10, 2015
    ScottG wrote:
    rk911 wrote:
    Passin Thru wrote:
    Jeep is rated lowest in quality by Consumers Report. I wouldn't buy one for that reason. I'm a Honda or Toyota fan. On our 6th Toyota and only one was ever in the shop and they paid the repair bill for a new engine. Have run most 230K and 2 Prius or Priii which I guess is plural, 70 K ea and our third is going to go to whatever mileage wears it out.


    I stopped paying attention to consumer's report ages ago. I found that their reviews and ratings did not match up to my actual experience. we usually tow our '10 Jeep Liberty but occasionally will tow our '03 Jeep Wrangler. for 7-years the Wrangler was the only toad. both have performed admirably. if the OP is looking at Jeep just be sure that there is a manually selectable neutral position in the transfer case.


    X2.
    I have no faith in them what so ever.


    Make that X3.
  • rfsod48's avatar
    rfsod48
    Explorer
    May 10, 2015
    I got rid of a Toyota RAV4 to get my jeep and I have not regretted it. Jeep is much better product in my opinion.
  • Ro_n_Joe's avatar
    Ro_n_Joe
    Explorer II
    May 10, 2015
    Passin Thru wrote:
    Jeep is rated lowest in quality by Consumers Report. I wouldn't buy one for that reason. I'm a Honda or Toyota fan. On our 6th Toyota and only one was ever in the shop and they paid the repair bill for a new engine. Have run most 230K and 2 Prius or Priii which I guess is plural, 70 K ea and our third is going to go to whatever mileage wears it out.


    DW and I own both a CR-V and a Jeep Liberty. We both prefer the Liberty for better ride, seats, quite ride, handling etc. The only downside is that the CR-V does get about 5mpg more that the Liberty.
  • rfsod48's avatar
    rfsod48
    Explorer
    May 06, 2015
    I love my 2015 jeep Cherokee latitude 4wd. The drive II auto trans tows 4 wheel down. There is more than enough room for 4 adults to ride comfortably.

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