I Can’t say I fully understand the retro appeal that these manufacturers consistently try to revive like the Wagoneer, the Bronco, the Trailblazer, the list goes on. None of them are ‘true to there roots’, but then again, maybe that’s not what there after. Some of these vehicles I think are more modernized mixed with tech and luxury that only inflate the price more, which is what the Wagoneer seems to promote, but ultimately, are these price points really that attractive to the consumers starting at almost $70k for a base Wagoneer? I doubt it. The only people I see driving the Wagoneer would probably be someone in their 60s or older. There’s too many other lucrative options on the market that offers similar tech, convenience and leg space ranging from $45K to $55K.
Well, SUV’s are a big market these days. It makes sense to capitalize on iconic name plates like the Bronco, Defender, etc. GM really messed IMO making the Blazer basically a generic family crossover rather than more of an off-road oriented vehicle.
The new JGW bears virtually no resemblance to the original which btw was produced with few changes for what- 3+ decades. The exterior is pretty generic for a full size SUV and doesn’t look particularly exclusive considering it’s lofty price tag. The interior doesn’t really stand out either.
I think it’s pretty hard to take a classic car as unique as the JGW and making a design that appears to evolve from the previous generation. I would have expected it to look much more like a full size Range Rover. I think the decision to make it a 7-passenger was a mistake too, further distancing it from the original and making it just another full size family SUV.
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In other news my 2009 BMW 535i xDrive is getting old. I planned on replacing it years ago but she’s actually been quite reliable and she’s in very good condition. Besides some very minor scuffs and scratches (surprisingly minimal considering the age) on the bumper from living in Boston, there isn’t even a door ding. The last major repair I had were coil packs. The dealer wanted $2500, I did it myself for like $250 and an hour of my time, very easy. Now that the snow is gone I need to take the snow tires off, but the all-seasons I use in the summer will have to be replaced (I had them recycled when the snows got put on).
I’m not finding a ton of cars super compelling at the moment. I like the new Defender but it’s not worth $75-80k in my mind once you add in the options. Reliability is another concern. The most reasonable and persistent option I’ve liked is the XC60 T6 inscription. I need to do more research into the long term reliability of the engine though (4cyl turbo + supercharger)- seems overly complex.
My sister has a 2019 4dr Wrangler Sahara, which is a much nicer car than I expected considering how awful the older wrangler generations were. I suppose it’s the next best thing to a Defender. Here’s was $55k MSRP, which sounds a bit insane for what it is, but it’s really the cheapest car of (very slight) consideration. From a reliability standpoint, I’m not a fan that the V6 is now a mild hybrid and other option is a Fiat Turbo 4. The diesel is appealing but is $5-6k extra and seems to have some reliability issues, at least in the RAM trucks which probably operate under heavier loads on average.
The updated 2021 Jaguar F-Pace is pretty appealing. I looked at the F-Pace a few years ago but didn’t have a good experience with the dealer. It’s cousin the Range Rover Velar is also of interest. They’re both a little flashier than I’d prefer and as with the Defender, JLR’s reliability seems to be pretty poor these days. My dad has a new Range Rover TD6 which has experienced numerous little electrical issues in the <1 year he’s owned it.
I’m also looking to replace my Fiancee’s 2013 Volvo S60 T6 AWD. It’s been a great car, reliable, and only has about 60-65k, but it’s getting old. She’s finishing her residency very soon so I figured I’d buy her a new car for her new job. A new S60 is the obvious replacement but I’m exploring other options.