Really? Thats too bad about the LR4. :/ At least you'll have a nice car though! The Grand Cherokee is really nice just like the sport. Its just my personal preference on the electronic shifter etc so dont let it bring you down on it!
Because of your thread here, if you didn't notice by all my questions, I was seriously considering a 2010-2013 RRS as a replacement. Of course the lack of aftermarket accessories was a detractor and difficulty of 18" wheels. Main drawbacks was mileage as we travel quite a bit and that's why the diesel for us looked like a good option but also just the overall experience I had at my local dealership with the issues around my LR4 made me want to leave the brand for a while.
If you really look at the new Grand Cherokee from a dimensional and optional point of view you would see that it has a pretty nice mix of LR4 and RRS DNA to it. It has options and size of a RRS with dimensions of an LR4. Plus the aftermarket is much larger thanks to Jeep themselves (sliders, skid plates) and other companies that are coming out with more products on a regular basis (Front Runner just came out with a great roof rack replacement for the stock rails) and all the wheels that carry over from the wrangler models give cheap unlimited wheel options. Plus with the diesel I am already seeing 5-7 mpg better than the LR4 and paying within $0.30 of a gallon if not the same price or less than premium gas. Went 220 miles on 1/4 tank of diesel where the LR4 I would have easily been over half if not 2/3 of a tank. Only real loss seems to be the interior capacity that he LR4 gives you.
IMHO, the main thing is to not add functionality that serves no purpose other than showing off, especially to a component that could leave you stranded if that showy feature fails. That's exactly what Land Rover did with the shifter that goes up and down on the center console on the full size Range Rover. It's sort of cool looking, but it would really SUCK if that useless feature failed when you're out in the middle of nowhere or just need to be somewhere on time, and that has actually happened to a few people. I was able to get mine fixed before it actually left me stranded somewhere, but it left me wondering "what if it acts up again and does leave me stranded?".
That's too bad about your LR4, epiccosmos. I hope you enjoy your Grand Cherokee.
I agree with greynolds about the shifter as its the same in the LR4 and was a worry of mine. Supposedly from the other forums people are having issues with it and it is deciding to go into park while at speed and go down. Couple people have had the issue. Plus between my issues and a couple others issues I am just not 100% sold on getting another new LR at the current time. While the Jeep isn't as prestigious as the green oval I am hoping it serves its purpose just fine.
I will have to derail this thread more with a picture attached at some point but it is currently fully stock with no mods. I was told we would not be modding or taking this one off-road as I did with the LR4 as it was scary as I should just get another wrangler to do that.... Hmmm.....
Congrats greynolds on the G. Didn't mean to imply I was taking away from that purchase as I have always loved those vehicles as well. I would love to have one of those too but with the mileage we put on vehicles it just isn't an option at the moment.