OT: Jeep Grand Cherokee

[RuLaw2004]

I'm considering purchasing a Jeep Grand Cherokee. Any insights folks could offer (good and bad) would be appreciated.

Any suggestions on alternatives in the same price range that I should consider would be welcomed ($35k-45k) too. I'm going to look at the Ford Explorer, and I'm also considering an MDX (my wive had one recently, and it was a great car).

Thanks!

 

[zappaa]

GMC Acadia?
Or are they one step above your price point?

 

[RutgersUnion]

GMC Acadia?
Or are they one step above your price point?

Big fan but I hear they are going smaller with the new models. My vote would be 4runner.

 

[RUBigFrank]

Chevy Equinox LTZ model

 

[FanuSanu52]

Jeeps usually score at the bottom of the reliabilty studies. Persinally, I wouldn't touch one.

I'd go 4Runner in that price range.

 

[Myrtleknight]

I traded in my wrangler for a grand in January and loving it. The spring shift sucks but other than that it's a good ride. I looked at a lot of different cars and it came down to the edge or the grand. But the jeep dealership I deal with is very aggressive and gave me a very good deal on the last day of the month.

 

[RU4Real]

Grand Cherokee killed Ensign Chekhov.

 

[daneman100]

Don't. Completely unreliable garbage. Start saving for a new transmission the second you buy one.

4runner is a good way to go.

 

[BROTHERSKINNY]

I've owned three jeeps in my life. wrangler was ok, Grand Cherokee #1 ofter 35k miles one of the power windows would not work, lots of rattles behind the dash, lots of annoying shit happening but nothing major. that would come with Grand Cherokee #2- buy it brand new, after 35k- 40k miles tons of annoying shit going on. power windows that do not work, Engine that broke off one of the engine mounts and the kick in the balls is the engine blew up...just stopped dead cold on the side of the road. Luckily it was covered under warranty but even then I had to pay $780 bucks out of pocket to pay for "incidentals". I said, "never again" I down scaled and went and bought a 2004 Toyota rav4 off the lot. I am still driving that car today with 300k miles on it and it has never gone to the shop for an unscheduled service! Best car I have ever owned by far! Good Luck.

 

[zappaa]

Don't. Completely unreliable garbage. Start saving for a new transmission the second you buy one.

4runner is a good way to go.

Grand Cherokee's lead the league in towing costs and the need for hydraulic lifts

 

[Rutgers1]

I'm considering purchasing a Jeep Grand Cherokee. Any insights folks could offer (good and bad) would be appreciated.

Any suggestions on alternatives in the same price range that I should consider would be welcomed ($35k-45k) too. I'm going to look at the Ford Explorer, and I'm also considering an MDX (my wive had one recently, and it was a great car).

Thanks!

I have an MDX and 2 other Acuras before it. Great car. No problems at all. I think the rule of thumb is buy Japanese, lease anything else. Koreans are making some good cars these days too.

Best Acura dealership is in Montclair. Price shop and see for yourself.

 

[rutgersal]

Get the MDX. You'll be happy you did. Great vehicle and reliable.

 

[MYHATINTHERING]

Have a Jeep and right out of the gate the transmission had to be replaced. Other than that, it's been great, have had it for 10yrs, abused the living hell out of it, still looks new, goes through everything regardless of how deep the snow or water/flooding is (within reason). I'd buy another

 

[Crazed_RU]

Highlander is a nicer 4 Runner. Driving a 2016 right now and it's great.

 

[CERU00]

Take a look at the GMC Acadia. Got a 2015 and I love it. It has tons of room and much much better infotainment controls than the Explorer.

 

[Alaska_Dawg]

2017 Ford Explorer with Sync 3.

 

[PSU_Nut]

If it was 1995 I would say buy one but run far far away from them. The reliability is terrible.

 

[c_husk]

Jeeps usually score at the bottom of the reliabilty studies. Persinally, I wouldn't touch one.

I'd go 4Runner in that price range.

I had a 1996 Jeep Cherokee that lasted 330K miles. But that may be different from how they make today's models.

 

[theRU]

Take a look at GMC Acadia. If you want a great deal, look at the 2016 model year which you can get some good action on since the new 2017 model is different.

2016 Was a larger size ( LIke the Traverse and Enclave) If you want more size go with this one. Solid Large size crossover. Be prepared for worse Gas mileage though, bigger sacrifices fuel.

Look at the 2017 Acadia if you want something a bit smaller. Its a totally redesigned model that shed 700 lbs. Smaller but still full size with better fuel economy.

 

[ScarletNut]

Don't buy it, Had a 2014 Grand Cherokee, 36,000 mile warranty. At 36,500, the water pump broke, at 38,000, ball bearing in right wheel broke, at 39,000 something broke down (can't remember what). Sold it at 39,500, just over 2 years old. I wouldn't touch another one.

 

[Roy_Faulker]

Bought a 2014 Ecodiesel used...have loved every minute of owning it.

 

[FanuSanu52]

I had a 1996 Jeep Cherokee that lasted 330K miles. But that may be different from how they make today's models.

It sure sounds different. I was just going off the major surveys, but previous owners have cited everything short of "exploded my ballsack" in this thread.

 

[RU4Real]

It sure sounds different. I was just going off the major surveys, but previous owners have cited everything short of "exploded my ballsack" in this thread.

It's funny because generally speaking, Chrysler's cars aren't as troublesome as the Jeep line, generally, and the GC in particular, have been. It kinda makes you think that there's something amiss in the organization that could be course-corrected with a few separation packages in the C-suite.

 

[RUsince52]

Unless you need something right now, save another 5-10 thou and go with a Mercedes M-Class. Leased 4 of them over an 8 year period and each model was better than the previous one. But the maintenance costs are higher. Worked for MB so things were discounted. Still, really reliable.

 

[RU4Real]

It comes to mind that I've owned two (consecutive) Dodge Durangos in the past. They were early examples - a '98 and an '01 - but they were absolutely bullet-proof. Over 100k miles between the two of them and not so much as a faulty switch in six years. I'd be interested in knowing if the Durango is suffering from customer sat issues in recent years, because my recollection of it is that it's a fantastic vehicle.

 

[FrankZ]

I like mine to date (3 years in), but the pick-up is horrible. I'm also an old-school guy who would prefer to open his own trunk, rather than wait 50 hours for the automatic one to open - but I'm sure I'd have the same comment with any automated trunk out there.

 

[CERU00]

I like mine to date (3 years in), but the pick-up is horrible. I'm also an old-school guy who would prefer to open his own trunk, rather than wait 50 hours for the automatic one to open - but I'm sure I'd have the same comment with any automated trunk out there.

The automated trunk must have been intended for women. I laugh when I see men using it. Mine is so slow it's ridiculous.

 

[patk89]

My wife recently totaled our 2011 MDX (don't ask) which I loved. For me, it came down to getting a new MDX or the Volvo XC90. Ultimately I opted for the Volvo but it was a very hard decision, and hopefully not one I'll live to regret.

 

[babbs09]

Don't sleep on Hyundais. The Tucson and Sante Fe are both real decent cars as well.

 

[sherrane]

It's funny because generally speaking, Chrysler's cars aren't as troublesome as the Jeep line, generally, and the GC in particular, have been. It kinda makes you think that there's something amiss in the organization that could be course-corrected with a few separation packages in the C-suite.

Interesting that you say that. I have a 2004 Chrysler Crossfire... which is a Chrysler wrapped around a Mercedes. Well, not really as I'm writing this. Seems the Chrysler parts are falling off / apart while the Mercedes drive train has been solid for 165,000 miles.

We purchased a 2016 Chevy Traverse LTZ for my wife in the spring. She's loving it. It is not a car masquerading as an SUV (ie crossover). I personally HATE Chevys, but she wanted it. I admit it drives surprisingly well with a good amount of power. I think it is a little larger and less expensive than the Acadia mentioned here, but the GMC looks better (and the Chevy logo seems like something a redneck would wear as a belt buckle).

 

[TMCB]

Trust the Japs, best resale least number of repairs...... Highlander had 2 never an issue and good on gas, rav4 also a good choice, crv and pilot also great

 

[theRU]

The automated trunk must have been intended for women. I laugh when I see men using it. Mine is so slow it's ridiculous.

speak for yourself, i love it. Its efficient. Hit the button walking up to it coming out of costco, unload the entire cart. Hit the button again as you walk away to put the cart away. Makes life easy.

 

[CERU00]

speak for yourself, i love it. Its efficient. Hit the button walking up to it coming out of costco, unload the entire cart. Hit the button again as you walk away to put the cart away. Makes life easy.

Sorry lol! It does work well. I'm just impatient.

The Traverse and the Acadia are essentially twins built on the same line so I don't imagine there significant size differences. I could have saved some money with the Traverse but the Acadia looks much nicer and the interior materials are also much better.

 

[RU5781]

I have a 2016 Rubicon Hard Rock Edition Wrangler. Love it. Perfect in the summer, even better in the winter.
I had a 2010 Wrangler Unlimited Sport before that. Never had an issue, sold at 108k miles for 18k. They have unbelievable resale value.
Have you looked into that at all?

 

[theRU]

Sorry lol! It does work well. I'm just impatient.

The Traverse and the Acadia are essentially twins built on the same line so I don't imagine there significant size differences. I could have saved some money with the Traverse but the Acadia looks much nicer and the interior materials are also much better.

LOL like i said, you gotta work on your timing. I dont ever wait for it. I just time it right so it open when i arrive with a costco cart! And its closed by the time i put away the cart. Try this method and you'll love the feature. Not that it ever rains in Cali but i'd imagine in the NE it would helpful to just jump in the car and let it close in a down pour.

2016 acadia and traverse- YES
2017 acadia will be different. Acadia will size down slightly while traverse (hasn't been released yet) is expected to stay larger.

 

[RUinPAC10land]

I bought a 2013 grand cherokee overland once. I drove it for less than a year and since it was a short time period. I had no problems. Carmax bought it off of me for a really sweet price so my experience was positive. However, I remember getting all these recall notices after the sale. I felt like I dodged a bullet and will probably never buy a grand cherokee ever again. My Infiniti QX60 is awesome! Get this car instead!

 

[gmay8]

My wife recently totaled our 2011 MDX (don't ask) which I loved. For me, it came down to getting a new MDX or the Volvo XC90. Ultimately I opted for the Volvo but it was a very hard decision, and hopefully not one I'll live to regret.

Did you get the 2016 XC90 that is the brand new remodel? It's funny because we're looking at both a 2016 MDX and a 2016 Volvo XC90 at the moment. My wife wants the Volvo, but it is pricey as hell.

 

[theRU]

Did you get the 2016 XC90 that is the brand new remodel? It's funny because we're looking at both a 2016 MDX and a 2016 Volvo XC90 at the moment. My wife wants the Volvo, but it is pricey as hell.

I love the look of the XC 90 but thats actually a good price for a car that is trying to be luxury. Makes me wonder if they cheaped out on the powertrain. You can only offer so much for 60K and they offer alot. Some of the interior parts dont pass the feel test either. You have to wonder about a 4 cylinder in a rather larger SUV, although it is turbo and supercharged.

 

[ck_ruiz]

I have had a Grand Cherokee Overland Hemi since 2008 and have only had to do scheduled maintenance. Only problem I have had is teenagers wanting to race me off of red lights the moment they confuse it with a Grand Cherokee SRT8. If you are going to get a GC make sure it's 4x4 and if you can swing it get the Overland.

 

[RuLaw2004]

Thanks everyone for your insights. I think I'm sufficiently spooked on the Grand Cherokee, so I'll likely go in another direction. May go with the MDX or have some fun with a Wrangler Unlimited (recognizing they're completely different).