5 Gifts Under $100 for Car Enthusiasts

The holidays are among us and that means it’s time to start thinking of gifts for loved ones. Whether you procrastinate for gift purchases or like to give yourself some time to ‘shop ‘til you drop’, JT’s Chrysler Jeep Dodge is here to help with five gift ideas under $100 for car enthusiasts.

From branded gear, to parts and accessories, there’s something for everyone.

1. Gear: Whether your family and friends are fans of Jeep, Dodge or Chrysler, there is ample gear for each brand! From mugs, to hats, key chains and clothes, consider purchasing branded gear for your loved ones this holiday season.
2. Parts: While parts may not be the most personal of gifts (or romantic for that matter), more than likely your loved one’s car could use a new set of wiper blades, heated mirrors and splash shields. These parts, believe it or not, can be purchased for $100 or less.
3. Gift Certificates: If you aren’t a big fan of shopping, gift certificates make for excellent stocking stuffers and presents. Loved ones can use these types of gifts however they see fit, while you can choose give the amount that doesn’t break the bank. For dealership service gift certificates, visit JT’s Chrysler Dodge Jeep.
4. Model Cars: Fun for adult car enthusiasts who are kids at heart, model cars come in a variety of makes and models, ranging in size, color and price. If you have a loved one who collects model cars for a hobby or simply enjoys a certain model car, be sure to add this option to the top of your gift giving list.
5. Accessories: From gas tank covers, to license plate frames, cargo nets and shift knob covers, there are a plethora of accessory options available that would make for great holiday gifts. For accessories specifically for Jeeps, be sure to check out a recent post on budget-friendly ways to customize your Jeep.

To help save even more this holiday season, be sure to visit JT’s Chrysler Jeep Dodge online to view our latest parts and service specials.

Happy Holidays from JT’s Chrysler Jeep Dodge!

  

Sources:

http://www.gear.jeep.com/welcome.asp

http://www.life.dodge.com/welcome.asp

http://www.collection.chrysler.com/welcome.asp

http://mopar.snaponeasy.com/en-US/default.aspx?DivisionId=3&VehicleId=302&Year=2014&EASyID=60510

2014 Jeep Cherokee: Mid-Sized SUV for the Masses

In the blockbuster movie “Taken,” character Bryan Mills warns his enemies that he has “a very particular set of skills.” If a Jeep could talk, it might say the same thing. Jeeps are built to tackle rocks, trails, sand, mud and even water—unconventional terrains that most drivers would rather avoid. And while a Jeep’s robust capabilities are beloved among off-road enthusiasts, they haven’t yet won the hearts of the masses.

2014 Jeep Cherokee Exterior

Comforts for the masses

The masses may fall for Jeep soon enough, however. The brand’s latest offering is the all-new, 2014 Jeep Cherokee. The Cherokee is a mid-sized SUV that’s as comfortable parked in a spot at the soccer field as it is exploring a desert trail. Unlike its predecessors, the 1974-2001 Cherokee and the Jeep Liberty, this new vehicle has the perks mainstream mid-size SUV owners demand, including:

• Impressive fuel economy of up to 31 mpg on the highway
• More than 70 safety and security options such as park assist, lane departure warning and forward collision warning
• Premium upholsteries in the cabin
• Touchscreen info-entertainment system
• Configurable digital instrument cluster
• 60/40 split-folding second row seats
• In-seat storage
• Quiet cabin
• Optional heated, leather-wrapped steering wheel
• Optional heated front seats
• Optional wireless charging pad

2014 Jeep Cherokee Limited Interior

Off-road prowess for thrill seekers

Being a Jeep, the 2014 Cherokee is also built to hit the trail. Features that will appeal to adventure seekers include:

• Selectable, terrain-based traction control with modes for snow, sport, sand/mud and rock
• 4,500 lb. of towing capacity
• Up to 56:1 crawl ratio
• Choice of three 4×4 systems

Hardcore off-roaders will be drawn to the trail-rated Cherokee Trailhawk, which has:

• Approach angle of 29.8 degrees, departure angle of 32.1 degrees and breakover angle of 23.3 degrees
• One-inch factory lift
• Jeep Active Drive Lock with locking rear differential
• Tow hooks
• Skid plates

Industry-leading innovations

Rounding out the Cherokee are some first-time innovations for Chrysler that will attract drivers who tend to support emerging industry standards:

• Nine-speed automatic transmission
• Adaptive Cruise Control-Plus that can bring the Cherokee to a full stop without driver involvement
• Forward Collision Warning-Plus, which prefills the brakes when sensors detect a fast-approaching obstacle
• Lane Departure Warning-Plus, which warns the driver when the vehicle drifts from its lane

2014 Jeep Cherokee models

This new Jeep is available in four models: the Cherokee Sport, Cherokee Latitude, Cherokee Limited and Cherokee Trailhawk. Based on their “very particular set of skills,” these Cherokees should appeal to several types of buyers. Examples include: families interested in a vehicle that’s comfortable both on and off the road, off-road enthusiasts with a taste for luxury, and mid-size SUV drivers who want more functionality.

Look for all four Cherokee models at JT’s Chrysler Jeep Dodge of Lexington and Columbia later this year. We’re here to answer your questions and help you select the Jeep Cherokee that suits your lifestyle! For more information, visit http://www.jtsjeep.com.

The Road to 2014 Lit by the Headlights of Jeep

With so much buzz about the 2014 Jeep lineup, we decided to investigate what it was all about… and we struck gold!  Only time can truly tell, but here’s the clearest crystal ball one can find when it comes to loving the family-friendly, performance-oriented evolution of the Jeep lineup…

Jeep subcompact

The 2009 announcement that Jeep would sell a subcompact (B sized) SUV made by Fiat raised eyebrows and hackles among the Jeep community. The two-year delay would be explained if the original plan was to use a lightly modified Fiat, but Jeep successfully argued for increased uniqueness. The car shows up on Chrysler’s North America plan; it will be built by Fiat and imported.

Jeep Compass and Patriot

For their final model year, 2014, oh2o said (correctly) that Jeep Compass and Patriot get a six speed automatic, sourced from Hyundai, and a high-performance Magna all wheel drive system, also sourced from Hyundai. The combination has been used for three years on Hyundai and Kia SUVs. This setup replaces the JATCO CVT, which was disliked by most buyers and critics. The new AWD system responds more quickly than the CVT-based one.

The 2014 Compass also gets a tailgate refresh. Both have an early 2014 model year; Patriot ends a few months before Compass.

2014 Jeep Compass Rendering

Launching in 2014 as a 2015 model, the new Compass expands on the mini-Grand Cherokee look and feel, with even more higher end appointments. The Compass is built on the same basic platform as Dodge Dart, but with more ground clearance and optional AWD goodies. We believe it will have a choice of turbo-Fiat or 2.4 liter Chrysler four cylinders, coupled with a nine speed ZF automatic at the high end and the six speed Hyundai at the low end (the turbo 1.4 might not be used at all, given critical reception on the lighter Dart).

Jeep Cherokee (KL)

Launching in June 2013, the new 2014 Jeep Cherokee replaces both the Liberty and the Patriot in Jeep’s lineup.  Traditionally, Liberty/Cherokee have been a step higher than Patriot off-road; Ralph Gilles and Sergio Marchionne have told the public to be impressed with its capability. Given the Jeep JJ, Chrysler might indeed hold surprises.

Other Jeeps

The 2014 Grand Cherokee has a revised front end, with a revised set of shorter grilles, different bumpers, and probably different headlights; both interior and exterior were refreshed, and all engines get the eight-speed automatic. There are both 5 inch and 8.4 inch touch-screen stereos, and a VM 3.0 diesel in North America. The Wagoneer appears to be delayed until 2015.

2014 Jeep Trailduster Rendering

Supposedly, Jeep’s Wrangler carries on essentially unchanged until 2016 when it bursts onto the scene in three different forms.

Again, none of this can be confirmed nor denied… but you can rest assured that JT’s Chrysler Jeep Dodge will be the first with everything from the trim levels to the lease specials!!

The Jeep Cherokee – The Most Awarded SUV in Automotive History

In their original incarnation, SUVs were chiefly owned by folks who valued “utility” above “sport.” A four-wheel-drive, station wagon-like vehicle was just the thing to transport five (or more) adults to remote areas, handle bad-weather driving or pull heavy trailers. Trouble was, they required the skill of a limo driver to park in the city and a gas card with a generous limit to keep them moving. Consumers who wanted something more reasonable in terms of size and fuel usage were out of luck.

That changed with the 1984 arrival of the Jeep Cherokee. Though there was a trim level of the ’70s-era full-size Wagoneer called Cherokee, this new model was completely different. Its compact dimensions, unibody (as opposed to heavier body-on-frame) architecture and classic styling made this junior Jeep an immediate success. So where does the Cherokee sit today? Pretty high, and with arms full of awards:

• Jeep Grand Cherokee, the most-awarded SUV in history, captures the prestigious “SUV of Texas” for third consecutive year. The 2013 Grand Cherokee also won the “Full-Size SUV of Texas” and the ultra-premium Grand Cherokee Overland Summit was named the “Full-Size Luxury SUV of Texas.” The Jeep brand won every category entered.
• The 2012 Jeep Grand Cherokee was awarded a “Best Buy” from Consumers Digest in the Full-Size / Luxury SUV category. According to Consumers Digest, Best Buy award winners deliver the most value for the money in their respective classes. The Consumers Digest concept of value is based on a vehicle’s purchase price and ownership costs relative to subjective factors, such as comfort, performance and utility.
• The U.S. Government awarded 2012 Jeep Grand Cherokee with the 5-Star overall side crash rating, its highest designation, thanks to over 45 available safety and security features.
• The 2012 Grand Cherokee has earned a TOP SAFETY PICK from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety, placing it in an elite class for safety and security. The 2012 ‘Top Safety Pick’ designation recognizes vehicles that do the best job of protecting people in front, side, rear, and now rollover crashes based on “Good“ ratings in Institute tests.
• The 2013 Jeep Grand Cherokee offers an available Forward Collision Warning System recommended by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA).
• The influential Ward’s magazine awarded the 3.6L Pentastar V6 engine as one of the 10 Best Engines for 2012. According to Ward’s Executive Editor, Tom Murphy, “The Pentastar engine is just one of four repeat winners on the prestigious list, which is unusual of late.” Ward’s stated, “Chrysler has successfully demonstrated the breadth of this engine and how it delivers on all fronts including fuel economy, lower emissions and power.” Each year Ward’s recognizes the most technologically advanced engines that set new benchmarks in their respective vehicle segments.
• The Jeep Grand Cherokee has been named the “Official Winter Vehicle of New England” for 2012 by the New England Motor Press Association (NEMPA). The judges lauded the All Winter Package and said, “…it’s ideally suited for what the New England region can dish out, with the new Selec-Terrain system, slush mats, block heater and remote start. The Grand Cherokee is a no muss, no fuss, all-conditions vehicle that is refined and simple to drive.”
• Off-road capability has been at the core of the Jeep brand from the beginning. The 2011 Grand Cherokee has Best-in-Class 4×4 Capability besting eight other competitors for the honor. The new generation Grand Cherokee builds upon its legendary status as the leader in 4WD mastery with unique innovations such as the available Quadra-Lift Air Suspension system and Selec-Terrain system.
• Rising above the competition, the Jeep Grand Cherokee claims Best-in-Class Ground Clearance with the Quadra-Lift Air Suspension system. Quadra-Lift can add an additional 4.1 inches of lift for a maximum height of 10.6 inches of ground clearance, so you can rest assure you won’t be getting hung up no matter where your adventures take you.
• Both the 3.6L Pentastar V6 engine and 5.7L V8 engine feature Variable Valve Timing to help achieve Best-in-Class Driving Range (assuming all highway). A 24.6-gallon fuel tank, combined with the 3.6L Pentastar V6 engine’s improved fuel economy, delivers a far-reaching 500 miles on a tank of gas.
• Best in Class Horsepower: The Grand Cherokee. It is well-made. And it is made to haul.
• The Jeep Grand Cherokee SRT8 was named one of the Ten Most Fun to Drive Cars for 2012 by The Fast Lane Cars (TFLCar). To qualify, vehicles must be available for purchase in North America, available for the staff of TFLCar to evaluate prior to the new year and put a huge smile on your face when you get behind the wheel. According to TFLCar, the SRT8 is special – for those who enjoy driving and is considered to be one of the most interesting cars of 2012.
• Second year in a row! The 2012 Jeep Grand Cherokee was named the MotorWeek Driver’s Choice Award for 2012 in the Best Large Utility segment (shared with Dodge Durango) for the second year in a row. The annual MotorWeek Drivers’ Choice Awards looks at vehicles from a buyer’s point of view, including priorities such as value and reliability, while also taking the latest trends and innovations into consideration.
• The Jeep Grand Cherokee has been named the “SUV of the Year” for 2012 by the Rocky Mountain Automotive Press (RMAP) association. This is the second year in a row that the Grand Cherokee has won this prestigious award. The judges cited unstoppable off-road ability and impressive on-road performance as key points to the victory.
• Strategic Vision has named the Jeep Grand Cherokee its 2012 Total Quality Index winner for the Mid-Size Traditional Utility segment. Grand Cherokee owners should take a bow too. Strategic Vision’s annual automotive quality study is based solely on customer feedback regarding their perception of a vehicle’s overall quality.

If that isn’t enough to convince you, visit JT’s Chrysler Jeep Dodge before Christmas Eve and get triple rebates up to $10,000, or you can take advantage of 0% and pay nothing until St. Patrick’s Day on select new models!