Vehicle Disappointment

We are considering a different vehicle here. It must be a Chrysler product. I've been looking at a large Jeep Grand Cherokees on line since they are sturdy and have 4 wheel drive. Today we went to look at one at the dealer and discovered I can't get in because the roof is too low. I'm long through the back and at close to 70 years I just don't bend the way I use to. The mini van works fine, but I thought after 20 years that maybe we should get something different. A big Dodge truck works as well, but sure don't want to park the thing in the middle of the city.

If I may be so bold, why does it have to be Chrysler?

Maybe after 20 years you should REALLY mix things up a little.

Once a Chrysler man/woman always a Chrysler man/woman!  It's in the DNA.  I know of what I speak being married to one for almost 30 years.  I just breached protocol by purchasing a Kia Sportage .....oh the shame of it all.  Shame I tell you!  SHAME!!!!  The response from hubby...mutter...mutter .... mutter "as long as I don't have to drive it".  I have to say it has ample head room for hubby....IF he were ever to grace the Kia with his person that is.

But it's not 20 years. We've had mini vans for that long and they have served us well. I've had Chrysler products for 45 years and just not likely to switch. I bought a Chevy once which increased my resolve to not repeat that experience (Sorry Uno). The Chrysler hemi is 50 years old this year and I'm hoping to bring a closely related engine back to life this summer.

Have to say that we've been really impressed with Kia as well. Started with the Rondo a few years back and now we've got a Sorento.

I have driven Fords and Chevys and neither were reliable or long lasting. Mazdas rusted. The Olds Cutlass was nice, but do they even make Oldmobile any more? My best van was a GMC Safari. Miled that baby up real good with nary an issue. Loved my Toyota Echo until it was t-boned. The Matrix was OK. And the Tacoma is my current vehicle. Very comfy, spacious and reliable. Good gas mileage with the five speed too.

We are loving the nissan..last one went 360K miles...yes miles

I'm not changing from Fiat Chrysler, but I am disappointed with the 2010 design of the Jeep Grand Cherokee. The 2014 Caravan that we looked at was real nice and does suit our needs.

Even though I am a dedicated Chev/GMC girl, I understand Rosewood. Part of our dedication to this make is that we own a wrecking yard of interchangeable parts. I suspect Rosewood has a few spare parts kicking around the back 40, and they're for a Chrysler product.

Rosewood, can the Jeep be modified?

If the roof is too low when you're standing next to the truck and you have to crane your head at some awkward angle to get in, can you put a lift in the Jeep? Raise the roof level? Add a small running board to help you step up? Or maybe just on the Mrs's side to help her?

Is it that the seat is to high and you have to get too high up to get your butt in the seat, thus crowding your head room? Can you modify the seat? CUt it down?

It's amazing what a man with a cutting torch can do to a vehicle.

Rosewood, my Hub, now having shrunk in his old age, is 6'5" (used to be spot on 6'6") He also has had issues with room inside vehicles. For him, older vehicles had less dashboard. Not all this plastic junk that crowds his knee space. We do find that our old Chevy pickups are roomy enough for him. But I sympathize with your plight.

Quite right! You can always modify.

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this is hilarious...i am imagining the pope mobile where this fellow has a plastic bubble surrounding his head for inclimate weather

Fowler's solution would work, but the old T-roofs they had in the 80's. Uno is right that we do have a collection of parts and are familiar with the vehicles. The dealership has at times gone an extra mile (km?) for us. I think the low rooflines are an attempt to get fewer litres per 100 km. Lift kits would not help and the power seat does not go low enough.

Have you test driven the Journey? [You must be registered and logged in to see this link.]
Or Durango? [You must be registered and logged in to see this link.]
Maybe they will thave the head room you are looking for?

Hi Rosewood, I have been trying to remember the name of my neighbors vehicle that he just bought to replace his huge old truck which had become too big for him (really a massive vehicle) and difficult to get in and out of, had bad steering lock and pretty much no suspension - but he loved it none the less. Just very high and hard for him to get in and out. In the end I phoned him, every time someone posted on here it nagged at me to find out. It is a Honda CRV. Not a Chrysler but I thought I'd mention just in case it was useful to you. He tried a huge range of different vehicles and this one met his needs. It has 4WD, no blind spots and he is very pleased with it. The other vehicle he was looking at was a Subaru Forrester. He loves his new vehicle though. Mostly because he can get in and out easily. I daresay you are by far more able bodied than he is but thought I'd share with you in case you don't find anything in the brand you favor. Myself, I'd find it hard to let go the Toyota Corolla, the most amazing work horse of a car I've ever driven, runs on the smell of an oily rag, handles the snow and ice pretty well. My husband was making noises about a Toyota 4wd something or other and of course I'd go with it if it is his must have. Just can't fault the corolla for our needs. My 6 foot son would probably choose something bigger though.

Rosewood, you are correct that a lift kit would not help with gas mileage. However, you can't beat it for looking cool. I still suggest a monster lift and then those automatic running boards that fold down from the sides of the truck when you touch the door handle, then fold back up after you close the door. AWESOME!

We have been happy with all the Dodge Caravans except the second which had an engine without enough power for the mountains here. I haven't driven the Journey and I have driven the previous generation Dodge Durango. I would find a Durango if it had a diesel and even if there was an easy diesel swap. I have toyed with a Ramcharger diesel swap but would need to swap axles as well. Uno, I wasn't think mileage when you suggested a lift kit, but rather getting in an out. I have a lifted Dodge truck sitting waiting for some rebuilding. I do like the new Dodge Caravan and the right solutions will appear.

Well, when you get the lifted Dodge on the road, keep in mind that we have a selection of tires ranging from 33 to 35 to 38 with a variety of rim sizes, 15 inch, 16 and 16.5. Just sayin.

After much debate and consideration right up until the evening before a new vehicle was selected we have a fourth Dodge Caravan. We like the added 100 plus horsepower and the 2 litres less per 100 kilometers. The stow and go is wonderful as is the media system that stored our own music. Also has bigger brakes and a transmission that uses engine braking. The new Caravan is the same colour as the old Caravan so we're not getting the "you have a new vehicle comments".

The old truck is getting some needed repairs and may get started soon. We're going to use 17 inch wheels from the new Dodge trucks.