Where’s my Jeep Renegade Review, Longevity & Personal Choices and International Reviews? [Ask Nathan]

2016 Scion iM

In this edition of Ask Nathan:

  • Long-term longevity & personal choices?
  • International reviews and tee shirts?
  • Where’s my Jeep Renegade review?

Today’s first question comes from a viewer who wants to know about our (possible) long term reliability choices and what our very own rides are.

2014 ford raptor svt

Q: Hi TFL,

My name is Isaiah, from Minnesota, and I am a big fan of the various TFL series. I have been watching for a few years and as an avid car and truck fanatic, you videos have been helpful, fun, and just well done.

With that said I was just curious about a couple of things. In terms of all the vehicles that you test and review, would you guys ever do a video in terms of long term reliability? I know TFL reviews new cars, but if you looked back on some of the trucks and cars you have done, which ones are good to buy used or retain the best value (power, price, capability) or along those lines. I know Ford pushed the reliability factor when the 3.5 ecoboost engine came out, so how would that compare with the 11 ram and gm.
A second question, as automotive reviewers I know you push the positive on every vehicle, but what are your guy’s personal vehicle choices. Are you suv/truck people, or car? Brand preference? In other words, what do you actually put your money on? (Feel free to ignore that question if too personal, for whatever reason).

Thanks for doing what you guys do. I love TFL

2013 Lexus Hybrid vs 2008 MINI Cooper S MPG Mashup Challenge & Review
2013 Lexus Hybrid vs 2008 MINI Cooper S MPG Mashup Challenge & Review

A: Hi Isaiah!

Great questions. As we rarely get a vehicle loan that lasts for over a week, we cannot theorize what kind of longevity the test vehicle may display. Also, we rarely get vehicles that have zero miles on them. Often, these vehicles have been hammered by other journalists, multiplying wear-and-tear beyond the average consumer.

Now, we do have a few vehicles that we can do a long-term evaluation on: our Ford F-150 SVT Raptor, Jeep Wrangler (used in MMUSA) and our Dodge Challenger Hellcat. These cars can be evaluated for extreme-use quality and long term reliability. I wish we had more.

As for our subjective point of view? Most of the TFL crew agree, Toyota’s overall quality is no myth.

N.

By the way, here’s our count on some of the automakers we (the TFL crew) own: Acura, Chevrolet, Dodge, Ford, Jeep, Lincoln, Mazda, MINI, Porsche, Subaru, Toyota and Volkswagen

2015_wrc_vw_rally_monte_carlo

This next question comes from a fan from Mexico. He wants to know about our international aspirations for testing cars and covering races. He’s curious about our popular tee shirts too.

Q: Hello Andre, Nathan and Roman.

My best wishes to you in this new year, I really appreciate the work you do and the current efforts you make in order to keep the show always fresh. Here on this side of the border I continue as the fan number one of TFLCar website, it is always exciting to wait for the latest videos.

Again I would like to recommend you make your show more international, why not to come to Mexico and test cars we have and you don´t or even cover the Baja 1000 or the WRC when it comes to Guanajuato, those are only examples of things you can do here.

I would like to have a TFLCar shirt.
Thanks
Abraham A

Beijing Gt Wall and Fbd City 017

A: Mucho gusto Abraham!

You’re right, we truly desire the ability to review cars from around the world. We have traveled quite a bit. We covered auto shows in Germany, China, Canada and Switzerland; not to mention every major city in the United States. We have reviewed cars and viewed manufacturing plants in Italy, Spain, China, Puerto Rico, Canada, Germany, the Czech Republic and Iceland, among others.

Still, we haven’t even scratched the surface when it comes to international rides. Between my love of small cars, Roman’s love of exotic cars, Andre’s love of high tech rides and all of our passion for trucks – there is a multitude of interesting vehicles for the TFL crew to review.

As for Mexico? You’re absolutely correct, we should head there to cover cars and races. It will be on our wish list for sure.

One day; maybe, we’ll take on the world!

As for TFL shirts, we’ll sell our next batch of shirts in the spring of 2016.

Thanks for the great questions!

N


Jeep-Renegade-Trailhawk
Jeep-Renegade-Trailhawk

The last question comes from a fan who wants to see a Jeep Renegade review.

Q: What’s up TFL guys?!

Usually, I like your videos. I like how you follow a car from its preview at a car show (or is that a debut?) to its first drive at the launch and then to your real world and off road reviews in the Rockies. The one car I wanted you, (“the” Colorado off road reviewers) to review, the 2015 Jeep Renegade was never reviewed! What the hell?

I waited all year and nothing happened! Jeep, where have you gone!?

Can you please review one this year? I want to see the base model manual and Trailhawk reviewed. Can that happen? Can you ask Jeep to send them to you? I’m tired of the rest of the Jeeps, I just want you guys to review the Jeep Renegade IN Colorado!

By the way. I love the Motor Mountain USA series. I hope you do something like this in 2016 too!

Thanks guys.

Bill N

Jeep-Renegade-Trailhawk-LSF

A: Great question Bill!

Every once in awhile, we receive a vehicle at the end of its loan-cycle from our local fleet reps. That is to say, a vehicle will make its way through several journalists before we get it. Usually, it all works out. In this case, we simply never had a chance to test the Jeep Renegade in our backyard in 2015.

Rest assured, we all think that every model of the Jeep Renegade is too important, and we need to do real tests here. We have a great relationship with Jeep and FCA and we will make direct requests to them for access to all things Renegade.

Regarding Motor Mountain USA (MMUSA), we still have a bunch of new episodes heading through 2016 too!

Thanks for the question!

N

Nathan and The Fast Lane Car team are here to answer your (reasonable) questions. Interesting and/or entertaining emails will be posted to this column. If it’s relevant in the automotive universe, there’s a chance we may know something about it. The author’s email address and name will be omitted – leaving your initials or nickname, your preference.

From day one, The Fast Lane Car has made it our policy to answer as many questions and comments as we can. We get thousands of emails and comments and feel that, as part of a tight-knit automotive community, having an open dialogue with you keeps things fresh and exciting.

Got a question for Nathan? Drop him a line at: asknathan@tflcar.com


nathan adlen Easily amused by anything with four wheels, Nathan Adlen reviews vehicles from the cheapest to the most prestigious. Wrecking yards, dealer lots, garages, racetracks, professional automotive testing and automotive journalism – Nathan has experienced a wide range of the automotive spectrum. His words, good humor and videos are enjoyed worldwide.