[MRM331]

Hi Everyone,

I'm currently seriously considering replacing my 2011 Soul with a new Renegade. Hanging with the hamster crowd was fun for a while but I think it's time to move on.

I'd buy a Trailhawk if they came with a manual. I have never owned an automatic and never plan to. I think the next best thing may be to pick up a 4x4 Latitude 1.4T and upgrade the wheels, tires and maybe even eventually front and rear fascias to Trailhawk-spec. I figure this would get me just about everything a hypothetical 1.4 Trailhawk would give me sans the terrain-selecting ability which probably relies on the automatic to work anyhow.

I'm holding off committing to one until I pay the Soul off in a few months and get the chance to drive a 1.4 with 4 wheel drive and the My Sky roof. There are a few 1.4 FWD and 4 Wheel Drive ones in stock within 50 miles but none with the roof which I imagine may add a significant amount of weight to the thing. I know from my Miata experience that a few hundred pounds can make a big difference with a small engine.

I look forward to getting to know these new Jeeps and the community slowly building up around them.

-Jason McCully

 

[Antipope]

Welcome

We too are in SE PA. We just, funny enough, traded our Kia Soul in for a Renegade. We went with the Latitude. It was our second Kia and we loved it but we are absolutely in LOVE with the Jeep. I wish you all the best in your upcoming purchase.

 

[MRM331]

That's really good to hear.

Honestly I loved the size, look, fuel economy and price of the Soul but feel that with it's wanna be SUV stance it should have had 4 wheel drive. I know they are working on a "through the road" hybrid system for the future but judging from the price that they are asking for the full electric version the price will likely be higher than the Renegade. I have to say that the unique styling that attracted me to it in the first place is also starting to wear off.

I really want with my next vehicle purchase to have something that I can slightly modify to my tastes, pay off completely and then keep for the next decade or so. I could tell with in the first year of ownership that I do not want to own my Soul when it's 10 years old. Not only will it be horribly out of style by that point but I just don't think the quality is there to withstand 10 consecutive PA winters living outdoors.

-Jason

 

[twospirits]

laughing at the "Hanging with the hamster crowd was fun for a while" comment.

Welcome Jason to the forums.