The return of the Grand Wagoneer

Mustangfan2003 · January 11, 2011, 08:34:41 AM

http://jalopnik.com/5730506/jeep-to-resurrect-grand-wagoneer-name

Maybe they will bring back those sweet wood panels too.

Atomic · January 11, 2011, 07:13:16 PM

always liked the name and "status" the jgw exuded growing up. i heard that this, the new durango and jgc will be offered with diesels within two years. that would be awesome.

Mustangfan2003 · January 12, 2011, 03:58:21 PM

I haven't heard about diesels, but that would be a good thing. Does that mean the diesel for the Ram 1500 is back on?

cawimmer430 · January 13, 2011, 01:22:24 PM

Great photoshop here.

ifcar · January 13, 2011, 01:23:58 PM

I'm surprised to have seen so much excitement over this across various sites. It's just going to be a Durango with a Grand Cherokee face, and the Grand Cherokee is already dangerously close to being a Durango with a Grand Cherokee face.

hotrodalex · January 13, 2011, 04:03:41 PM

Quote from: ifcar on January 13, 2011, 01:23:58 PM
I'm surprised to have seen so much excitement over this across various sites. It's just going to be a Durango with a Grand Cherokee face, and the Grand Cherokee is already dangerously close to being a Durango with a Grand Cherokee face.

Yeah, I don't see much of a difference. Maybe if they market it as an extended GC w/ a third row it could work, but other than I think most people will just get a GC.

Hachee · January 14, 2011, 01:54:02 PM

As someone who "needs" a car with a third row (and I've already debated the minivan issue with myself, and basically, I've said, "fuck it, I don't want one, no matter how practical and sensible it is"), I totally see the appeal.

There's a big market for both the 5 seat and 7 seat "SUVs" (do we still call them that?), and I've always thought Jeep should play (again) in this arena. Yes, the Durango is the 7 seat version, but based on badge alone, I think there are a lot of people who would get a Jeep but wouldn't get a Dodge. Silly or not, it's true. With a good diesel in a JGW, I would definitely get one of these.

CJ · January 14, 2011, 05:59:43 PM

Quote from: cawimmer430 on January 13, 2011, 01:22:24 PM
Great photoshop here.

That would be awesome.

Atomic · January 15, 2011, 08:57:32 AM

Quote from: hotrodalex on January 13, 2011, 04:03:41 PM
Yeah, I don't see much of a difference. Maybe if they market it as an extended GC w/ a third row it could work, but other than I think most people will just get a GC.

have they released any sketches? i heard that it will look for like the old wagoneer than the '11 jgc. i have been hunting, but (aside from the photoshopping), nothing more.

the new dodge durango and grand cherokee actually look quite distinctive and i do not see a lot of cross shopping among the two. jeep loyalists hardly stray.

hotrodalex · January 15, 2011, 09:30:10 PM

Quote from: CJ on January 14, 2011, 05:59:43 PM
That would be awesome.

No one would buy it. I guarantee that. It's one of those things where everyone sees a picture and says "whoa! that's so cool!" yet when it comes to buy, they want something more "normal".

omicron · January 16, 2011, 05:12:59 AM

Quote from: cawimmer430 on January 13, 2011, 01:22:24 PM
Great photoshop here.

That's fantastic!

Quote from: hotrodalex on January 15, 2011, 09:30:10 PM
No one would buy it. I guarantee that. It's one of those things where everyone sees a picture and says "whoa! that's so cool!" yet when it comes to buy, they want something more "normal".

But annoyingly, you're probably right.

Atomic · January 16, 2011, 07:43:15 AM

brilliant and stunning! just a few clever tweaks here and there and it's good to go. not my thing, i will take a grand cherokee, but for a large family or hauler of a boat, camper or trailer, this should pull in plenty of buyers. a nice look (if it resembles the older model) that jeep loyalists and higher end suv types should gravitate towards.

r0tor · January 16, 2011, 08:58:46 AM

Based on the amount of coworkers who asked me if I had a wagoneer, I'd say the name still has a lot of appeal left in it for the 40yr and older crowd.... so this is probably a good move

CJ · January 16, 2011, 12:04:40 PM

I still lust after one in dark blue with the faux wood siding and atan leather interior.

Atomic · January 16, 2011, 12:08:58 PM

Quote from: CJ on January 16, 2011, 12:04:40 PM
I still lust after one in dark blue with the faux wood siding and atan leather interior.

same here, but let's hope for a sturdy veneer and not that horrid contact paper that chevy used on the chevette.

AutobahnSHO · January 17, 2011, 12:18:04 PM

Quote from: Hachee on January 14, 2011, 01:54:02 PM
As someone who "needs" a car with a third row (and I've already debated the minivan issue with myself, and basically, I've said, "fuck it, I don't want one, no matter how practical and sensible it is" ), I totally see the appeal.

Sorry dood. There might be counseling available for that somewheres.

Or better yet, get one but then do some customization to appease your conscience, and to brag to anyone that rags on you for it.

r0tor · January 17, 2011, 04:21:09 PM

Like a lift kit and big knobby muddaz?

Hachee · January 20, 2011, 03:30:26 PM

Quote from: AutobahnSHO on January 17, 2011, 12:18:04 PM
Sorry dood. There might be counseling available for that somewheres.

Or better yet, get one but then do some customization to appease your conscience, and to brag to anyone that rags on you for it.

I'm not really sure what you're saying, but I think you misunderstood. I don't want a minivan NOT because I give a shit about what people think or how they might rag on me - I don't want one because they're big, it's like driving a bus, and a 7 seat X5 totally meets our needs. If you're into cars, and you drive an X5 and ANY minivan, I guarantee you're going to choose the X5.

SVT666 · January 20, 2011, 03:50:09 PM

Quote from: r0tor on January 17, 2011, 04:21:09 PM
Like a lift kit and big knobby muddaz?

Like slammed with gold wire rims and a fart can.

ifcar · January 20, 2011, 04:57:59 PM

Quote from: Hachee on January 20, 2011, 03:30:26 PM
I'm not really sure what you're saying, but I think you misunderstood. I don't want a minivan NOT because I give a shit about what people think or how they might rag on me - I don't want one because they're big, it's like driving a bus, and a 7 seat X5 totally meets our needs. If you're into cars, and you drive an X5 and ANY minivan, I guarantee you're going to choose the X5.

If you're getting something smaller, that makes sense. There's no inherent advantage in driving dynamics of something in the Durango class compared to a van; the Odyssey, for one, drives quite well.

CALL_911 · January 20, 2011, 05:04:40 PM

Eh, I feel like they tried something like this with the Commander. Personally, I thought the Commander was awesome, but as its demise proved, the market did not.

SVT666 · January 20, 2011, 08:46:39 PM

Quote from: CALL_911 on January 20, 2011, 05:04:40 PM
Eh, I feel like they tried something like this with the Commander. Personally, I thought the Commander was awesome, but as its demise proved, the market did not.

It was not awesome. I drove it when we were looking for a new SUV and I was not enamored with it. The cargo area load floor is also really high and the quality of the materials (including the carpeting) is very suspect. It was a half-assed attempt. The Grand Wagoneer will be the Durango wearing Grand Cherokee clothing which is a good thing. Personally, I like the look of the Durango better than the GC though.

Nethead · January 21, 2011, 10:18:48 AM

Quote from: hotrodalex on January 13, 2011, 04:03:41 PM
Yeah, I don't see much of a difference. Maybe if they market it as an extended GC w/ a third row it could work, but other than I think most people will just get a GC.

Agreed. What's really needed is a resurrection of the original (non-Grand) Cherokee in a Raptor format.

Atomic · January 23, 2011, 02:12:06 PM

Quote from: ifcar on January 20, 2011, 04:57:59 PM
If you're getting something smaller, that makes sense. There's no inherent advantage in driving dynamics of something in the Durango class compared to a van; the Odyssey, for one, drives quite well.

i agree, iffy. my sister's new 2011 odyssey is awesome. the dodge is a totally different kind of people hauler that appeals to a different audience. i like both actually but despite carrying the same number of individuals (or close enough) i would buy one over the other for very different reasons.