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Alexis Khazzam

Owner: Alpha Jeep & Motorsports

2019 Jeep Lineup

2019 Jeep Lineup

Are you looking to purchase a new Jeep in 2019? The following models are some of the best and worst of the newest Jeeps coming to the market in 2018 and 2019.

2019 Jeep Wrangler Pickup

Many Jeep lovers are excited for the 2019 Jeep Wrangler pickup. Those who love both pickup trucks and Jeeps ar even more excited for this release! It is slated to come out before the year’s end. From what people have seen in photos, the Jeep Wrangler pickup truck comes with a fold-down windshield, four doors and a truck bed. In addition, it features LED headlights and fender-mounted turn signals. There has not been a lot of information released on the Jeep Wrangler Pickup, but there is no denying the excitement from Jeep fans!

2019 Jeep Cherokee

This is the fifth generation of Jeep Cherokees, and it was met with some criticism from die hard Jeep fans. The 2019 Cherokee comes equipped with a totally redesigned front end with larger headlights and a slightly revised grille. As far as the interior, it now comes with a touchscreen display equipped with Apple CarPlay. Detractors remind us that the 2019 Jeep Cherokee is still not as fuel-efficient as most of its competitors and it has less cargo room as well.

2019 Jeep Renegade

The Renegade is the smallest of all of the Jeep types. It is European inspired with its design and its subcompact crossover. The 2019 Jeep Renegade comes equipped with a brand new front and rear bumper. As far as the interior, the Renegade comes with a new dashboard with a wider screen and improved heating and air conditioning controls. There is also a rumor about the possibility of brand new interior colors, but that rumor has not been confirmed.

Whether you decide to go with the Jeep Renegade or the brand new Jeep Wrangler Pickup, buying a new Jeep always brings excitement! There have been mostly positive reviews for all of the 2019 Jeep releases. Interiors and exteriors have been redesigned to fit customer’s needs and address their feedback.

Common Car Maintenance Myths

Common Car Maintenance Myths

Owning a vehicle can be a daunting task. There is monthly maintenance, yearly maintenance, and maintenance on anything that may go wrong. With such as important purchase and part of your daily life, you should understand what your car does and does not need. The following are some common maintenance myths that end up costing car owners unnecessary money every year. Let’s debunk them!

Engine Oil Needs Changed Every 3,000 Miles

Under normal driving conditions, most vehicles can travel 7,500 miles or more between oil changes.  Cars that use synthetic oil can go up to 10,000 miles before needing an oil change. How do you know what’s best for your car? Read your owner’s manual. Changing your oil every 3,000 miles will not hurt your engine, but it is not necessary. This become the go to mileage change through quick change lube shops who are out to make money. The only reason you would need to change your oil that frequently is if you are towing things often, travel through mountainous areas or stop and go frequently.

Premium Gas is Best

Most vehicles run perfectly fine on regular-grade, 87 octane, gasoline. Using premium in these cars certainly won’t hurt, but it won’t improve performance, either. Higher octane gas is made for hotter running engines or high-compression engines. If your vehicle does not have this type of engine, there is no reason to pay extra for higher octane gas.

Engines Need Idled to Warm Up

This may have been the case fifty years ago, but today, engines are designed to warm up in about three seconds. They are also built to warm up as they go. Don’t waste your time sitting in your driveway every morning.

Use Tire Protectant

Aftermarket products are not needed to preserve tires. Tires are made with built-in preservents and the shine is merely cosmetic, so there is actually nothing you can do to keep it up.

Oftentimes, people feel overwhelmed by the amount of maintenance a car needs. This causes them to believe anything they hear and not do their own research. This is how myths continue. Instead, do your research and learn what is a myth and what is a fact.

Which Jeeps are Most Reliable?

Which Jeeps are Most Reliable?

In the past, Jeep was known for their excellent engines. Since Fiat has merged with Chrysler, many people are curious how Jeep reliability has been affected. Consumer Reports listed Jeeps as one of the least dependable cars in 2016.  Let’s explore the reliability of two different popular Jeep models, based on customer reviews.

KL Cherokee

The KL Cherokee seems to be more reliable than the Wk2 Grand Cherokee, however it does seem to be affected by the same transmission issues. They are usually software related and have been somewhat corrected by software updates. Some users report having to take their KL Cherokee to the shop more than once a month, which does not bode well for KL Cherokee ratings. Besides the reliability, the base engine in the KL Cherokee is fairly underpowered for the type of vehicle it is sustaining. Most owners recommend getting some sort of extended warranty with your KL Cherokee if you do decide to purchase one.

JK Wrangler

Reports on the JK Wrangler show it to be fairly average in compatibility. The transmission issue that has plagued other Jeep models doesn’t seem to be present in this model. A lot of the issues seem to arise when larger tires and an aftermarket lift kit are installed such as the brakes wearing out faster and issues with the suspension. Many people recommend buying the extended warranty. The JK Wrangler, even with questionable reliability, is still in high demand. If you end up buying one and experiencing these issues, you can always sell it for nearly as much as you paid for it.

The Jeep Death Wobble

You may have heard of the Jeep Death Wobble. This occurs when the front axle of your Jeep begins to oscillate, very violently at times. This causes the Jeep to wobble and shake so hard that it is difficult to control the car. While no deaths have been reported from this, it is still something to look out for across all types of Jeeps.

Stay tuned for the next piece in this series, where we will focus on the band new Jeeps slated to come to the market in 2019!

About Alexis Khazzam

Alexis Khazzam is a dedicated entrepreneur based in Peoria, IL. He is the owner of Junction Ventures, AppsCo and Alpha Jeep & Motorsports.

Recognized both nationally and internationally a leading customization shop, Alexis Khazzam and the Alpha Jeep team provide unparalleled services. Their work has been featured at the 2015 F1 Grand Prix showcase in Montreal, Canada, as well as at the SEMA Show in Las Vegas. Some of their work has also been featured on the cover of Forza Magazine and the subject of a full article in Truckin’s annual “Ultimate Parts Guide” issue.

Alexis Khazzam passion for customizing his own vehicles was what initiated his car customization business. Over time, his weekend passion grew into a budding small business, and now Khazzam and the Alpha Jeep team are customizing Jeep vehicles, high-performance and luxury cars throughout central Illinois and the Midwest.

Alpha Jeep and Motorsports officially opened its doors in 2013.  As a licensed Quadratec- and ARIES-sponsored dealer, the Alpha Jeep team performs many different Jeep customizations. Whether it’s upgrading your engine or installing bull bars or modular bumpers for your Wrangler, they are the best place to do the job. They also customize domestic and import vehicles of all makes and models. As a licensed dealer of APR products, they promise the highest quality products will be used to upgrade your vehicle’s ECU, motor, suspension, exterior lighting or interior style.

Today, Alexis Khazzam prides his business on their exclusive and interpersonal nature of customer service. The Alpha Jeep team goes above and beyond for every client, meeting with you personally and working with you on every step on the customization process. Their small size allows them to truly focus on your vehicle.

Apart from Alpha Jeep and Motorsports, Alexis Khazzam is also the owner of Junction City Shopping Center and AppsCo. Junction City Shopping Center opened in 1956 and is still based in Peoria, IL today. Junction City offers shoppers a collection of locally owned, premier retail boutiques in one beautiful and convenient setting. Another one of Alexis Khazzam’s business ventures is AppsCo, a not-for-profit organization providing a fully integrated business learning experience for public school students. AppsCo is a software application doubling as a learning tool to give students hands-on business experience and, potentially, a paycheck.