What does everyone think of the Jeep Grand Cherokees?

Here is a link to see exactly how it is:
http://www.familycar.com/RoadTests/JeepGrandCherokeeLtd/Photos.htm

Do you think that the previous one is better than this new version?

And if you had to choose, would you rather have a w126 or a Jeep Grand Cherokee?

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99 C43
98 S420
99 C230K
01 C240

Since you asked for opinions here, and seem willing to take my totally unqualified, biased statement, I'll make it:

Avoid all Jeeps.



I say this having watched my brother go through four.

I still cant understand though about all these comments that are negative abotu Jeeps. My dad has the 95 Jeep Grand Cherokee and hasd put barely any money into the thing.


Any more opinions of what I asked above?

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99 C43
98 S420
99 C230K
01 C240

Check out www.jeepsunlimited.com, they have a very helpful forum there. Admittedly, interior quality may not be up to W126 standards, but if one gets the 4.0 liter Six, Selec-Trac (more reliable than the always full-time Quadra Trac, Selec-Trac can be full-time, locked center diff high/low range, or 2wd) and avoids the '93 model year, a Grand should be mechanically quite reliable. Parts are very cheap, too.

OTOH, they do have electrical problems, though. With the support of an owner's forum like this one, I'd be willing to take on ownership of a JGC. Why? Powerful engines (190 and 220 hp) doesn't have a tall, tippy profile like the Land Rover Disco, Isuzu Trooper, or Mitsubishi Montero, and has excellent onroad/offroad performance.

And pre-owned prices are quite reasonable. I'd take one over a used Explorer, Blazer, Tahoe, 4Runner (V-6 head gasket problems, part-time 4wd only) and Range Rover (everything breaks, check out a Land Rover board sometime).

Also, the 99 and later MY have many more problems than the 93-98 ZJ-series Grands.

-Sam

But I'd still take a W126 over a Grand Cherokee, unless I couldn't use studded tires here in WA and it was perpetually winter.

-Sam

I have two jeep grand cherokees, and am satisfied with both. I have the 4.0 L six in both as well as in my wrangler, it is one of the best engines in terms of durability made today. The 93 is starting to experience some minor problems but it already has 150,000 on it, more than my 90 300 e. I have spent far less money in maintenance on the jeep than on the mercedes. My 2001 Grand Cherokee has about 30,000 miles on it and is infallible so far. It had some minor rotor problems but they were fixed by my dealer, and have been problem free ever since. I have a very good dealer here in muncie, IN, they really take care of you. I do not know anything about the W126 but I know that you will not be dissatisfied with the jeep.

Howdy All,
The GC has been a hit or miss thing. Some people have had very good luck with theirs and other people can't wait to get rid of them. The Cherekee and the Wranglers have had better service records. It's a little early to tell about the Liberty.

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Frank X. Morris
17 Kia Niro
08 Jeep Wrangler 4 door unlimited

my friend just sold his 1 owner 96' Grand Cherokee Laredo with the 4.0 and selec-trac for $4500. It was a one owner and had 256k miles on it. He is a sales manager for Mohawk carpets here in the south and does a LOT of driving! He had every reciept, gas fill-up, mpg, everything on file! The A/C was gone and it started to leak a little oil, but other than that it ran like brand new.

He got a 02' Grand Cherokee Laredo w/ 4.0 and selec-trac. If well maintained anything can last!

later

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Current stable......
17' Rogue SV 70k
11’ Saab 9-5 NG 94k
10’ e550 4matic 185k

sold
02' e320 210k
00' e430 167k
01' e320 171k (regret sale)
91' 300d 2.5t 300k (sold to ecoofidaho)
79' 240d 177k (old yellow my avatar)
87' 300d 169k (junk but fast)
85' 300tdt 261k (RBM parts delivery)
85' 300dt 68k (one owner cream puff)
82' 240d 250k
84' 300dt 198k (sold to diesel don)
91' 190e 2.3 61k
88' 260e 140k

I had an 89 jeep cherokee laredo - not alimited or grand cherokee.

I bought the car with 69k on the odo.

In the time I owned it, I did the following repairs.

Differential
Differential and housing
Water pump
Alternator
Brakes - everything except calipers.
Shocks
Suspension bushings
Harmonic Balancer
Tires
Idle control valve
Neutral safety switch
Park Shift interlock switch
Thermostat
some hoses

All this between 69k and 140k miles, so roughly 70k miles.

Differential went bad after towing my 5500lb boat, housing got bent.

After replacing the differential, the rearend noise it had came back after a few thousand miles. they replaced the housing and the differential with new units under warranty from the first time they did it.

Towed the boat several more times, with no problems after that except the brakes and bushings and shocks getting really worked by pulling and having to stop 5500 lbs worth of boat and trailer.

Engine had minor valve cover leak I never fixed and car used hardly any oil.

Oil was changed every 5k miles give or take.

Car is still running today, in use by my mom, and is still going ok. has 160k on the odo now I believe.

The older cherokee was much better built than the grand cherokee's.

A Friend had a 1993 grand cherokee that spent most of its time in the shop, and after 70k miles was on its 2nd tranny, and the car always had problem after problem all fixed under warranty.

After the grand cherokee, he got a volvo wagon for his wife, then got her a new landcruiser. The landcruiser has never had a problem besides his wifes little parking lot/garage door mishaps.

All in all, if you geta good one, they are ok.

But in my opinion, a toyota landcruiser, or a nissan pathfinder are better vehicles. Or of course a new SUV like BMW or Benz. I love the range rovers, but too problematic and expensive to repair.

Friend had a pathfinder, he never maintained it, and all it ever needed were shocks once, brakes a couple of times, and tires. He never had to do anything else to the car in the 6 years he had it and 100,000 miles he drove it.

Car was still running and driving great when he got rid of it, interior was well worn though.

Do some research, jeeps aren't that bad, but there are better trucks out there for the same money.

Alon

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'92 300CE - Sold
2004 C240 - 744 - C7 Wheels - Android Radio
2002 C320 - 816 - Sport Wagon

I heard the Jeep commands a very high maintanence cost. But you really can't compare a 126 with the Jeep. 2 totally different classes.

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... Kerry

126 tailed by a 203, 129 leading the pack.

Folks,

We had two new Grd Cherokee's, a 96 and a 99 that my wife was the sole driver / rider of. she put 80K on the 96 in three years and 40K on the 99 in three years. Both had annoying little things go wrong like power windows not working, interiors falling apart, bumper covers cock-eyed and hanging. Worst of all the lousy, lying dealers to have to deal with, they just suck...

They did perform well in the snow and never left us on the side of the road, but it could've of done it with alot less of a hassle for a $30K car.

Go for an ML instead, we are...

~George~

The Jeep I really like, but if I had the choice..
I'd take the W126.. especially if I was rich and the 126 is the 560SEC... ~~~~~dreammm.....~

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2008 BMW 335i Coupe

Howdy George,
Before you get your ML I hope you come to the ML,G &Unimog forum We can use more voices in our friendly little group

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Frank X. Morris
17 Kia Niro
08 Jeep Wrangler 4 door unlimited

My thoughts on the Jeep Grand Cherokee......... I'll keep my Samurai. The Jeep GC is nothing more than a tall, overweight station wagon. I'll keep my "goodies" for the car, and my 4X4 as stripped down as I can get 'em.

My 2000 Wrangler 4.0 I-6 has been trouble free.
My sisters 1999 Cherokee 4.0 I-6 has also been a good 4X4.

I think if you maintain these 4.0 I-6 Jeeps, you can get 150K easily out of them.

Ive heard good, but mostly bad about all of the Grand Cherokees however. Opinions from my neighboor and mechanics tell me to stay away from them.
A W126 or a Grand Cherokee? Only if it was a 300SD W126, would i get the Benz