So it finally came time to get serious about replacing the family/beach/utility/tow vehicle. As I’ve posted previously, it's a 4th gen T4R, V8/AWD, most options - it has done its duty, been on the beach countless times, pulled cars, boats, trailers, dealt with snow, sand, mud. We loved it.
I’ve made several posts about my thoughts on the replacement, but here’s a [not so] brief recap:
Ruled out up front the new 4R, it’s a solid SUV, but in 2018 it's time for a better transmission, the electronics are kind of dated (no CarPlay).
We really fell in love with the Jeep GC Overland with the High Altitude Package (we dig blacked out trim, dark wheels, dug the 5.7L V8 option, the look, the electronics.
Then, a 3rd row got more priority, JGC off the table.
We considered a land behemoth, Suburban/Yukon / Excursion, but they get stupid expensive quickly, ruled them out also because of their slightly too big size.
Ruled out the German options, they're just silly with option expenses, we owned a X5 4.4i so been there done that, and there are no local dealers (Audi and BMW dealers are a crappy hour drive away ...)
The Explorer Sport isn't a bad option, but there's a few things where it falls short (tranny, 3rd row space, a few other things).
The MDX popped up on the radar, but not the regular model, the Sport Hybrid, it's sporty, quick, has outstanding build/fit/finish, and 3rd row seats, however, it can't tow, and ultimately neither of us was a fan of the design.
My most recent post about this was highly favoring the Durango R/T, it looks great, has nearly the same seating room (3 row) as much bigger SUVs, Hemi is standard, sport lowered suspension, dynamic AWD with an actual low range (2-speed), for MY18 CarPlay and AA, same electronics as the GC (they’re outstanding), lots of passive and active safety (lane control, ACC),heated/cooled everything, inc. the 2nd row, remote start/hatch including smart app control, tows a bunch, easily.
SUVs can be boring to begin with, so we loved the idea of an in-your-face package like the R/T with a Hemi, with all blacked out trim, black chrome interior bits, and a big, bold color. This has the Blacktop package, so the wheels and side mirrors are black, the contrast looks pretty terrific against the exterior we chose.
We originally we're shopping Octane Red, it's kind of the "hot" color right now (see lots of small SAVs in that color), you know, the darker, +almost+ shifting into burgundy-ish type red - I really started digging the more red-red (Redline), it's a 2-stage pearl coat like Octane - plus all the other red highlights (all the interior stitching, etc.) match the Redline. The wife didn't care too much, just loved the overall look of the R/T (new for ‘18 it has the front, rear, over fenders and the awesome ducted/vented hood of the SRT).
Funny how this came together, we're headed OOT, and found this DDRT at a dealer on the way to our destination (Universal)!
So we're drove our "trade", the T4R which was really just a dealer buy since we're not applying any money from it, picking up the new ride, loading it up, continuing on our trip
So the new ride ...
'18 DD R/T Redline Pearl
AWD
Tech
Tow
Blacktop
Capt's Chairs
Redline with black interior. Funny enough my car is black with a red interior ... and the interior option is called Redline (it was meant to be
)
Only got about an hour driving it (highway) but extremely pleased so far. It’s currently just hanging out in the parking garage at the resort while we relax at the pool with some tasty beverages
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