Used Gran Cherokees, Pros and Cons ????

[fishnwHim]

We are needing to buy a newer vehicle to replace a chrys. Mini van and we like the Jeep Gran Cherokees 1999 or so, but know virtually nothing about them. So I am asking my fellow ifishers for input. Dangerous move I know, but as many of these vehicles that are out there , some of you must now or at one time owned one. So please tell me your likes and dislikes. Thanks, FishnwHim.

[fortywinks]

Jeep is mighty proud of their parts, so when repairs are in order pack a hefty wallet unless you know a good and friendly mechanic. Nice but overpriced IMHO.

For my money I would recommend the same vintage Explorer. Better price and better rig. I bought a 99 9 months ago, and it is a good solid rig even with close to 100,000 miles on it. Just my .02!

Good luck in your search.

[Gus Orviston]

I had a 95 Grand Cherokee...loved it, never had issues in 70K. Not sure how they faired since, but worth the money to go to consumer reports and sign up.. I think crash tests on all the Jeeps are not so good.

gus

[Fshklr]

I went to look at one from a private seller.

One the phone he said runs great, good shape. 92? or 94?

When I arrived the passenger side floorboards had 3 inches of water..Winshield or other leaked
the drivers seat had and electric controled seat mount adjustment..forward, back, up, down, but
the wires and control joystick had broken out of the mount and were laying on the floor and the bracket mount that retained the seat in place was broken too!!(seat wobbled)
He said he had replaced it already 2 times before and they were famous for this problem.
On the test drive the 4X4 was unable to de disengaged as it had linkage problems.
I didn't buy it.

[James in Idaho]

My brother in law is a very large dealer in the midwest (not Jeep). His comment was that they try not to take Jeep's in on trade unless still under warrentee. That says a lot to me.

[CATCH AND EAT]

Gus is right, they do not take a rear end collision well. Seen many of them total because the frame rails kinked. If you do consider a Jeep have it checked by a professional for mechanical issues. Like others have said, parts are pricey. One last issue is that many of these vehicles have fuel pump problems. If you hear a medium to loud buzz from the back guess what? Good luck on your search.

[WyEm]

I own a 1995 Jeep GC and at 120K miles, it run like a champ. I've replaced the radiator and the compressor, but that's it, other than routine maintenance. My boss recently sold his 2001 Jeep GC and it always seemed to be in the shop. Some years are better than other years.

[RODACTION]

Hi, the Jeeps are good rigs. Some of them seem to have some real mechanical promlems. They are famouse for rear differential noise, wear. They also are known to have electrical promlems. The engines V8 or 6cyl are good. Any used vehicle has issues, you just need to find a good one.

If I were you, do 2 things if you by a Jeep Grand Cherokee.
1. Take the Jeep and have it mechanacialy inspected before you buy it. this way you will know what you are getting. It maybe the best $50.00-$100.00 you can spend.

2. Purchase a good "vehicle service contract" make sure you full understand what it covers, the deductable, where you can use it, and what it "REALLY" covers. there are so many different ones to choose from. If you can afford it get a 3year/36000 mile. Remember you can negotiate the price of the VSC too.

P.S. I have been a independent used car dealer for 17 years.

[SlipKnot]

I owned a 1998 Grand Cherokee and it killed my family with mechanical problems. It got to the point near the end where we were basically spending a grand a month repairing that vehicle.

The 6 cyl motors are bullet proof but the differentials and electrical components are very iffy. Ours also leaked very badly when it rained hard. It was not uncommon for there to be an inch of water on the floor of the passenger side. I had it in for the leak at least three times under warranty and also spent about $1000 trying to fix the problem after the warranty ran out.

My advice is to call a jeep specialist and have them look at any vehicle you are considering. They can also tell you what specific problems you are looking at for which years.

I realize you are in Eugene but Erickson Jeepers in Lake Oswego is very good. You might want to at least call them and ask about a particular year and what they see.

The upside to these vehicals is that they ride and handle great for a sport ute. And, they are true 4 X 4 machines.

Good luck.

[Two Fister]

My wife has a 96 Grand Cherokee with the 6 cylinder 4.0. It's been a great rig. I don't think that we've put any money into it in the 6 years that we have owned it with the exception of routine maintenance.

There are only things that I don't like about it. First is having the spare tire in the back. I know that they fixed that in later model years, but it takes up a ton of space in what is already a pretty small rear compartment. Second is that the Jeep came from the factory with the "Up Country" suspension package which is essentially stiffer shocks. It gives it a rougher ride than she needs because it never goes off road.

Other than that it's been a nice rig for her. Gets decent mileage on the highway and feels pretty solid. She wants a new rig because...well...just because I guess. I'm trying to talk her out of that, but you know who is likely to win that debate.
TF

[mandinga]

I had a 96 grand cherokee until it threw a rod. Driving along...everything seemed fine and then...the jeep overheated, lost power and died, right on the freeway.



Worst vehicle I have ever purchased.

I have had wranglers and a liberty..the wranglers were trouble free for the most part. I had to have the transmission swapped out of my liberty last year 4 days after I bought it...it had 123 miles on it. After the swap everything seems fine.

[BrianMaguire]

I have a 98 Grand and love it, HOWEVER be careful there are a number of problems with them. The differentials go, and the brake rotars warp. If you here a differential whine, pass because it is a $1500 to $2K repair. Both the front and read diffs can have problems. I heard the 99's were the worst and Jeep has since addressed the problem. They are fantastic off road trucks and you have to love the V8 which has been more than solid for me and they are quick and fast. Aside of a water pump, the differential and oil changes I have not had and problems and would still buy another with all the faults since the rest of the truck is great.

[Lured In]

yet another opinion..

I bought a 95 Grand Chke LTD in Sept of 1997 with 25K miles on it. It had the 4L 6 cyl and it had 250K miles on it when I sold it to my folks back in Nov.

Let's see all told over the 7 years i owned it I put 225K miles on it. Took it offroad while hunting. Drove back and forth all over the northwest. Towed my 19' Northriver with it. It was still getting 22mpg and only burning about a quart of oil every 3K miles. Compression was solid.

As far as maintenance some of it could be considered routine, others just a function of running a vehicle up to 250K miles. Key things to watch are the seals, oil pan gasket and most of all the engine mounts. The engine mounts should have been a factory recall as they will likely fail within the first 100K miles or so on certain years. The result is a broken exhaust manifold.

Aside from that, alternator, water pump and brakes were all I ever had to do. (All of which I did myself).

Let's put it this way, the only reason i got rid of it was we needed a bigger rig for the family and towing. If at some point we can afford to get me another work rig, my first choice will be a low mileage 95 with the 4L engine. That block has been around for nearly 30 years and is just rock solid workhorse.

[Tilla]

Our '97 with the 4.0L seems to have served us well at 130K. We do see the wet passenger floor. A few things here and there but we were commenting today that it has been a good rig.

[Fish_N_Russ]

Dont think I would buy anything Jeep used......my dad once said JEEP stands for Just Exchange Every Part and my experience has lived up to that :grin:

[Penobscot]

I worked at the Jeep factory(Jefferson North Assembly Plant) Detroit in '92, when they first came out, as a subcontractor for Burlington Northern. First vehicle off the assembly line,media, press,Executives,Lee Iacocca, etc. did not start. First V-8 off the line, did not start, . I owned a '93 Wrangler, loved it but at 70,000 miles, had engine problems. 3 different mechanics said the oil was not getting to where it needed to go in the engine, and it was going to seize any day. Ready to trade it it before any trouble, I took it to NW Jeep, and tested a brand new Grand Cherokee-2001. During the test drive, vehicle stalls on Beaverton-Hillsdale Hwy, big plume of black smoke. Salesman tells me he can have that fixed, as the tow truck and courtesy vehicle come pick us up, and that he can offer me a great deal on the truck. Next day after 3 Nissan Dealerships, I bought an Xterra. Not as much luxury, but runs great.

[seabass]

I had a jeep cherokee and dumped it off after 60K miles. Spent more time in the shop than on the road. Never again.

Seabass

[The Chub]

I have owned 2 Jeeps and I love them to death! The only real issue is how you take care of them. My Wrangler with a 6cyl had 140,00 on it when financial troubles forced me to give it up My 4cyl jeep had 100,000 on it when I sold it. Heck, I towed my 19 ft Bayliner with my 6cyl Wrangler

[gimmeumpqua]

Every one I have known with a jeep has had problems with them. You would be much better off buying a new GMC or Chevy with 0% financing...will end up costing the same as a used vehicle with interest charges in 5 years.

Kurt

[fishnwHim]

Thanks for everyones input , it has been informative and helpful. In fact I have started a new post for input on explorers. Thanks again, fishnwHim.