Jeep Grand Cherokee - what are they like to live with?

[SVX]

Hi All,

Firstly - I was going to put this into a specific forum, but there doesn't seem to be one for Jeep products (sorry mods, feel free to move if I've messed up).

I was wondering what a Jeep Grand Cherokee would be like to live with as a family load lugger? I know that they aren't the last word in refinement, but at this stage, they seem more affordable than the equivalent products from LR, Toyota, Nissan, M-B et al.

I've also been a patron of Mercedes through the 'Chrysler' years, so was wondering if any of Sindelfingen's influence rubbed off on the boys from Detroit.

I've got between £4,000 and £6,000 to play with. My requirements are auto, 4X4/AWD, decent load capacity. Good on road (if you can call them that) manners, cruise, isofix and if possible parking sensors. Sat Nav I am happy to add as a separate unit.

I've had the 3.0 CRD MB engine in my last 3 cars, and it's a lovely unit, but know next to nothing about the Chrysler diesels. I also happy to look at V8 petrol units, on the assumption that they are pretty unstressed, and the cost of fuel is the only major premium.

So, to reiterate, I'm after real world experiences and opinions - reliability, servicing...

Over to you PH

[richardxjr]

I think they're rated pretty well on here. I'd also look at a pre-06 (tax rate) Nissan Murano. It's got all that kit listed and more, 3.5V6 from the Z, just need to make sure you gel with the CVT gearbox really.

[SuperHangOn]

SVX said:

I also happy to look at V8 petrol units, on the assumption that they are pretty unstressed, and the cost of fuel is the only major premium.

Don't discount the 4.0 petrol. Simple, reliable and goes on forever.

[Roo]

SVX said:

I've also been a patron of Mercedes through the 'Chrysler' years, so was wondering if any of Sindelfingen's influence rubbed off on the boys from Detroit.

Unfortunately, yes.

Some of the build quality when Merc was involved was shocking. It got better under Cerberus and some of it is better again under FIAT ownership.

SVX said:

I've had the 3.0 CRD MB engine in my last 3 cars, and it's a lovely unit, but know next to nothing about the Chrysler diesels. I also happy to look at V8 petrol units, on the assumption that they are pretty unstressed, and the cost of fuel is the only major premium.

Grand Cherokees made since 2005 have the same 3.0CRD engine in them. Jeep actually got to use it before some of the Merc product saw it. The previous couple of years, last of the previous shape Grand Cherokee, used the Merc 5 cylinder 2.7.

If you're going for petrol the only one to have as a 4x4 is the 5.7. Beter performance than the 4.7 and better on fuel.

[SVX]

Roo said:

If you're going for petrol the only one to have as a 4x4 is the 5.7. Beter performance than the 4.7 and better on fuel.

Got any real world fuel economy figures for the 5.7, on a mix of rural (NSL back roads) and the odd dual-carriage way run)? More importantly, will it beat 25.5 combined on a 35 per day commute?

[Roo]

SVX said:

Roo said:

If you're going for petrol the only one to have as a 4x4 is the 5.7. Beter performance than the 4.7 and better on fuel.

Got any real world fuel economy figures for the 5.7, on a mix of rural (NSL back roads) and the odd dual-carriage way run)? More importantly, will it beat 25.5 combined on a 35 per day commute?

Highly unlikely. I used to get mid-high teens round town and low 20's on a run.

But then I wouldn't buy a Grand Cherokee petrol for economy.

[SVX]

Roo said:

SVX said:

Roo said:

If you're going for petrol the only one to have as a 4x4 is the 5.7. Beter performance than the 4.7 and better on fuel.

Got any real world fuel economy figures for the 5.7, on a mix of rural (NSL back roads) and the odd dual-carriage way run)? More importantly, will it beat 25.5 combined on a 35 per day commute?

Highly unlikely. I used to get mid-high teens round town and low 20's on a run.

But then I wouldn't buy a Grand Cherokee petrol for economy.

I wasn't playing the economy card - Mrs. SVX runs a 3.0 Legacy as her daily, I was wondering how a petrol option would stack up against one... She gets between 22 and 25mpg out of the 'Leg. We'll probably look at both. Besides, I *have* to scratch that V8 itch at some point.

[joebongo]

Apologies for ressurecting an old thread, but my latest interest is also Grand Cherokees.

I'm looking at 4.7 in either limited or overland spec levels but on a 3k ish budget, and wondered if any PHers had experience as to whether the difference in spec is worth considering and also what the general consensus on reliability was - what's a high miler with trouble beckoning and is a low miler a much better bet with these?

First car is local and has 110k on it for a 2000 reg one - they want 2400 for it (1600-1800 good private according to one of the car valuation sites). It's in limited spec, bit of patina, all the rest looks ok.

Second is an overland 2003 one, 100 miles away and has 55k on it. They want 3000 for it.

I suspect an airbag light or something to be on one of them, no particular reason for this - just my spider senses.

There's tons of em out there and now I'm living in the proper country I would genuinely appreciate the off road capability not to mention what winter snow is like here sometimes.

Edit: found some good links: http://www.honestjohn.co.uk/carbycar/jeep/grand-ch...

http://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&a...

Looks like recalls were all done by early 2003 so for this model that would lead me to take the car tax hike up the butt and go for this over an older higher mileage one.

Edited by joebongo on Monday 21st May 10:55

Edited by joebongo on Monday 21st May 10:56

[SVX]

We've looked at a couple now, my biggest annoyance is there seems to be a huge gap financially between the WJ model vehicles and the facelift WK versions. I'm stuck with looking at a late WJ with reasonable mileage, or and early WK with intergalactic mileage. It's a tough decision, also all of the SatNav equipped vehicles seem to have problems with the unit itself.

[300bhp/ton]

SVX said:

Hi All,

Firstly - I was going to put this into a specific forum, but there doesn't seem to be one for Jeep products (sorry mods, feel free to move if I've messed up).

I was wondering what a Jeep Grand Cherokee would be like to live with as a family load lugger? I know that they aren't the last word in refinement, but at this stage, they seem more affordable than the equivalent products from LR, Toyota, Nissan, M-B et al.

I've also been a patron of Mercedes through the 'Chrysler' years, so was wondering if any of Sindelfingen's influence rubbed off on the boys from Detroit.

I've got between £4,000 and £6,000 to play with. My requirements are auto, 4X4/AWD, decent load capacity. Good on road (if you can call them that) manners, cruise, isofix and if possible parking sensors. Sat Nav I am happy to add as a separate unit.

I've had the 3.0 CRD MB engine in my last 3 cars, and it's a lovely unit, but know next to nothing about the Chrysler diesels. I also happy to look at V8 petrol units, on the assumption that they are pretty unstressed, and the cost of fuel is the only major premium.

So, to reiterate, I'm after real world experiences and opinions - reliability, servicing...

Over to you PH

The Grand Cherokee has had class leading ride, handling and refinement. This is partly due to being unibody/monocque construction and not ladder chassis like most competitors.

When the original ZJ Grand Cherokee was released it really was a revaluation (although we Brits don't like to admit this ).

They do have live axles still, but personally I'd never found this an issue and it does mean they have superb off road ability should you need to call on it. They are also smaller, lighter and more compact than a Range Rover/Discovery, again helping handling, performance and mpg.

V8 ones are genuinely rapid, although will like a drink as much as any other large petrol 4x4 (you can LPG them though). Diesel are all Merc engines.

The biggest downer with Jeep ownership is Jeep UK is pretty st. So probably best to stick to indi's for parts and servicing.

[joebongo]

300bhp/ton said:

The Grand Cherokee has had class leading ride, handling and refinement. This is partly due to being unibody/monocque construction and not ladder chassis like most competitors.

When the original ZJ Grand Cherokee was released it really was a revaluation (although we Brits don't like to admit this ).

They do have live axles still, but personally I'd never found this an issue and it does mean they have superb off road ability should you need to call on it. They are also smaller, lighter and more compact than a Range Rover/Discovery, again helping handling, performance and mpg.

V8 ones are genuinely rapid, although will like a drink as much as any other large petrol 4x4 (you can LPG them though). Diesel are all Merc engines.

The biggest downer with Jeep ownership is Jeep UK is pretty st. So probably best to stick to indi's for parts and servicing.

Aah, thanks - do you think a 54k miler vs a 110k miler at this age (10 years+/-) is a big factor?

[SVX]

300bhp/ton said:

Posted useful advice.

I have access to a great local indy that currently looks after the Legacy and also is a 4X4 specialist, so am covered on that point. Just need to find the right vehicle now!

[EDLT]

If you can wait, I think it is still cheaper to get parts imported from America instead of buying them from a dealer in the UK. I know someone who bought an entire set of speakers for less than the dealer wanted for one.

[Asterix]

I had a 2004 spec Overland with the 4.7l High Output lump.

Have to say I loved it - very comfy, plenty enough oomf and was 100% reliable for me. The Overland had all the toys and the spec was pretty good.

Road manners weren't exactly to BMW X5 standards but there is a knack of hustling one along - you just need to set the car up earlier.

It was also very good off-road here in the desert and the rocks of the wadis (riverbeds).

Check where the cars are made - mine was made in Austria which had better build quality compared to the US cars so I was led to believe.

I'm serioiusly considering a new GC in a few months time, I think the new one looks very handsome and has all the usual Jeep of-road pedigree.

Edit: had completely the wrong MY shown.

Edited by Asterix on Tuesday 22 May 07:09

[OwenK]

I was looking similarly late last year, having just moved to the country and needing a family load lugger with 4 x 4 ability for untreated roads in winter. I'd never driven a big off-roader before but went to test drive a 5.7 Overland with LPG. Now this may be par for the course, but the ride was so wallowy I felt sick, and after two low speed corners I had to take it back. It was hilariously quick for something so big, but I couldn't get on with the ocean-like ride.

I ended up with a 2000 A6 Avant 2.7t quattro, which does all I wanted from the Jeep and more, able to hustle down the lanes at quite a pace while never feeling like it's going to capsize.

Edited by OwenK on Monday 21st May 11:59

[edc]

Ride and handling are pretty crap even when compared to our earlier P38 and now L322. If you drive sedately then it is fine but corners cannot be taken with any gusto like the Range. We only kept ours for a few months but it was fine reliability wise. Limited spec and everything bar one heated seat worked. It is not the last word in refinement but quality wise no worse perhaps even better than a P38.

At the age and mileage you are lookin at look for diff and gearbox fluid changes.

[MPShan]

It's worth pointing out that with the older models (WJ shape) the V8 came in two flavours. Up to 2002 was the standard 4.7 V8 (220BHP ish), from 2002 onwards I think the V8 was only fitted to the Overland spec and came with circa 265BHP. If you plan to convert to LPG you'll need to budget extra for Flashlube on a high output engine as the general concensus is that the engine don't like gas otherwise.

Also worth noting that anything registered before 2002 got into a lower tax bracket. Heater systems on WJ's are known to be flakey due to sub standard plastics being used to manufacture the flaps for the blend doors, generally resulting in the doors dropping off and the fans blowing cold constantly. Dealer fix is a dashboard out job which probably runs into a 4 figure bill but a bodge kit is available for about £80 - worked for me!

I'm currently running a 2001 4.0 Limited on LPG & I get on with it very well so far.

Lots of handy information on wjjeeps.com & wkjeeps.com.

[Aeroresh]

edc said:

Ride and handling are pretty crap even when compared to our earlier P38 and now L322. If you drive sedately then it is fine but corners cannot be taken with any gusto like the Range. We only kept ours for a few months but it was fine reliability wise. Limited spec and everything bar one heated seat worked. It is not the last word in refinement but quality wise no worse perhaps even better than a P38.

At the age and mileage you are lookin at look for diff and gearbox fluid changes.

Disagree with the handling comments. They do go round corners quite well...just need to be set up right. Nowhere near as vague as a P38 or a wallowy as an early L322.

I have no problem keeping up with most things in the twisties round my leck of the woods for sure.

4.7 HO Overland is the pick of the range in the WJ, 5.7 in the KJ

Getting bits for them is the only real downside I have come across.

[edc]

Aeroresh said:

edc said:

Ride and handling are pretty crap even when compared to our earlier P38 and now L322. If you drive sedately then it is fine but corners cannot be taken with any gusto like the Range. We only kept ours for a few months but it was fine reliability wise. Limited spec and everything bar one heated seat worked. It is not the last word in refinement but quality wise no worse perhaps even better than a P38.

At the age and mileage you are lookin at look for diff and gearbox fluid changes.

Disagree with the handling comments. They do go round corners quite well...just need to be set up right. Nowhere near as vague as a P38 or a wallowy as an early L322.

I have no problem keeping up with most things in the twisties round my leck of the woods for sure.

4.7 HO Overland is the pick of the range in the WJ, 5.7 in the KJ

Getting bits for them is the only real downside I have come across.

Sure a GC is easy enough to hustle and yes you do have to set it up a lot earlier for a corner than most other cars. It goes round corners fine with no real surprises. There's little squeel from the tyres probably because the GC has rolled over or you have slid out of your seat before the noise begins. The steering is pretty vague and the suspension very wallowy and it will wobble, pitch and dive all in the same corner if you want it to and sometimes when you don't. Let's not kid ourselves that a GC is a good handler. On the handling stakes our P38 and 'early' L322 are much better. Its easier in these to find yourself carrying too much speed into and round corners whereas you consciously have to push the GC for the same speed. In some respects the GC is more 'fun' in the same way a Rover Metro we had was fun as you have to try hard with it and you can get to its limit on the road without even breaking the speed limit. I'd still recommend a GC as for value they are a good buy.