Need vehicle opinions - Jeep Grand Cherokee

[Bugeater]

So I'm thinking about breaking my streak of buying minivans at 5, and am considering a small SUV. I like the style of the 99-02 years, and they're in my price range.

Anyone have experiences with these? There seems to be a lot of them out there. I'm leaning towards one with the IL 6 cyl since it probably does better on gas and the V8 is really crammed in there and likely a bitch to work on.

Thoughts?

[Bugeater]

Originally Posted by Buehler445

My biggest problem with Jeeps is they never have enough room to cram my big ass in them. I've never once ridden in a Jeep with adequate leg room. IIRC, you're not that much shorter than I am. Make sure you drive one good and far before you cut the check.

Yeah, that's a concern of mine. I kinda wanted some feedback before I spent the time looking at and driving them. I drove a Durango the other day and I loved it, but I don't like the engine choices that are available in them.

Originally Posted by gblowfish

On my 2002, I usually get about 18 city, about 21 highway. Mine is leaking a little bit of oil now, lose about 1/2 quart every 5,000 miles. No biggie.

Oh, that's not terrible. My V6 Dakota doesn't even do that well.

[kaplin42]

Bought a Jeep Wrangler Sport last may. I have to be honest, I was expecting the stereotypical bumpy ride, "it's a jeep, deal with it" type of scene. I am so pleasantly surprised at how comfortable and roomy the Jeep is. It rides smooth, and with the Penstar v6, it has quite a bit of power. On top of that, 4x4ing is a lot of fun. You can get it with nav and power everything, remote start, engine block warmers and all kinds of stuff. If you haven't, take a look at a Wrangler.

I should make a note. The suspension and engine were re-done in the 2012 models. Do not get anything less than a 2012.

[kaplin42]

Originally Posted by Bugeater

Ugh. How bad of gas mileage are we talking here?

I get 18 and 22 mpg living in Los Angeles (important, because traffic lowers mpg).

[Bugeater]

Originally Posted by Frosty

On the regular Cherokees, the auto tranny is an Aisin transmission and is really solid (also used in some Toyota pickups of that vintage). Don't know if that's the case with the Grand Cherokees with the 4.0L, though.

Can't do the Sport. I have driven them and the doors are too small, I have trouble getting in and out of them.

[kaplin42]

Originally Posted by Buehler445

My biggest problem with Jeeps is they never have enough room to cram my big ass in them. I've never once ridden in a Jeep with adequate leg room. IIRC, you're not that much shorter than I am. Make sure you drive one good and far before you cut the check.

Get a JKU.

U = Unlimited = 4 door. Tons and tons of room in those.

[gblowfish]

Mine is 13 years old now, and I've been replacing a lot of stuff on it. Driver's seat I had shipped from a salvage yard in Lebanon, MO. I've replaced both headlight assemblies because the clear plastic lenses were shot. It would cost more to have them "buffed out" than just replace with new. I've also replaced both tail lights from rocks and parking lot dings and cracks. I have hood and tail hatch lifts coming this week to replace those. They wear out eventually. I'll need tires all around later this spring, trying to coax another 5,000 out of the current ones. I have Uniroyal Laredos. They've been great. My trip odometer has been out for a long time. That's in the roof above the dashboard. Has outside temp, compass, etc. Anybody had that go out on them before? Is it an easy fix?

[Buehler445]

Originally Posted by kaplin42

Get a JKU.

U = Unlimited = 4 door. Tons and tons of room in those.

Grand Cherokee Unilmited?

[Ace Gunner]

I've got a '99 V8 that I don't use much anymore. The turn radius is great, but it's hard on the axles. Had a tranny go in '06 but the thing has been good to me.

[gblowfish]

Grand Cherokee has the basic Laredo, then Limited, then the super nice one is the Overland. I don't think they made the Limited or Overland with the straight six. I think both of them were V8 only.

[Bugeater]

Originally Posted by kaplin42

Bought a Jeep Wrangler Sport last may. I have to be honest, I was expecting the stereotypical bumpy ride, "it's a jeep, deal with it" type of scene. I am so pleasantly surprised at how comfortable and roomy the Jeep is. It rides smooth, and with the Penstar v6, it has quite a bit of power. On top of that, 4x4ing is a lot of fun. You can get it with nav and power everything, remote start, engine block warmers and all kinds of stuff. If you haven't, take a look at a Wrangler.

I should make a note. The suspension and engine were re-done in the 2012 models. Do not get anything less than a 2012.

Appreciate the advice but that new of a vehicle isn't possible. I'm strictly a cash buyer.

[COchief]

Boiled down legit advice from owning several jeeps and other makes:

- 4.0 only, no exceptions, one of the best engines ever produced.
- Everything around the engine and drivetrain is crappy and will probably break, you want the least amount of bells and whistles possible, cause that is all crap you'll need to fix.
- Drivetrain will rarely if ever, let you down if maintained.
- Best value and honestly ten times the vehicle would be Xterra/Pathfinder/4runner of the same vintage, disagree? Eat shit, I have gone from Cherokee/Xterra/Wrangler. You haven't so . Also drive them, you'll see.

[Exoter175]

Originally Posted by Bugeater

Ugh. How bad of gas mileage are we talking here?

Honestly and realistically, if you're in the city, don't expect more than 16-17 MPG. On highway road trips, expect 20-24 depending on how well she's running.

If you want a fuel efficient 4wd smaller suv, get a Honda CRV.

Originally Posted by Frosty

On the regular Cherokees, the auto tranny is an Aisin transmission and is really solid (also used in some Toyota pickups of that vintage). Don't know if that's the case with the Grand Cherokees with the 4.0L, though.

The WJ (99-04)grand cherokees are all Chrysler transmissions. In the ZJ grand cherokees (93-98) there was an Aisin automatic offered, but there were also 5 other Chrysler transmissions offered in that body style, and I'm pretty sure the Aisin was a mid model change over to Chrysler so up until about mid 94 they were Aisins, and the rest were chryslers.

In the regular cherokees the only Aisins were Manuals, the Autos were Chrysler. Actually I take that back, I think there were a few model years with the 4 series aisin in it, probably the 92-94.5 model years, somewhat similar to the grand cherokee.

The transmissions aren't super terrible honestly, you have to remember what they are mated up to.

You've got a 4.0 liter inline six mated to a 4 speed auto chrysler transmission, running power to some Dana Axles , life isn't so bad when you've got Danas in there which almost all of them have.

[COchief]

Originally Posted by kaplin42

If you want a real Wrangler, buy nothing newer than 2006, if you're a pussy and want to look tough but need heated seats and can't put a key in a door, get a JK

FYP

[burt]

Originally Posted by COchief

Boiled down legit advice from owning several jeeps and other makes:

- 4.0 only, no exceptions, one of the best engines ever produced.
- Everything around the engine and drivetrain is crappy and will probably break, you want the least amount of bells and whistles possible, cause that is all crap you'll need to fix.
- Drivetrain will rarely if ever, let you down if maintained.
- Best value and honestly ten times the vehicle would be Xterra/Pathfinder/4runner of the same vintage, disagree? Eat shit, I have gone from Cherokee/Xterra/Wrangler. You haven't so . Also drive them, you'll see.

I have owned Pathfinder, 4Runner, Wrangler....all fine experiences....but the Wrangler was the best!!! BUT NOT 10 X's.... Just sayin'.....

[Bugeater]

Originally Posted by COchief

Boiled down legit advice from owning several jeeps and other makes:

- 4.0 only, no exceptions, one of the best engines ever produced.
- Everything around the engine and drivetrain is crappy and will probably break, you want the least amount of bells and whistles possible, cause that is all crap you'll need to fix.
- Drivetrain will rarely if ever, let you down if maintained.
- Best value and honestly ten times the vehicle would be Xterra/Pathfinder/4runner of the same vintage, disagree? Eat shit, I have gone from Cherokee/Xterra/Wrangler. You haven't so . Also drive them, you'll see.

Don't disagree. But the decent ones are waaay out of my price range. Those damn things just don't lose value.