Help Buying a Jeep Grand Cherokee.

[dewolf]

Has anyone got an '05 or later Grand Cherokee and have you had any probs with it. I'm looking at the 3.0 CRD model. But any stories good or bad are most welcome. Any info would be greatly appreciated guys.

[livi]

Sorry, perhaps not relevant for your investigation, but I have had a Grand Cherokee V8 96 as a daily driver the last six years. No issues at all apart from the extreme fuel thirst. I donīt feel particularly environmentally conscious driving that car 15k miles per year.

[vanwyk4257]

My wife drives a 2005 Grand Cherokee Laredo with the 4.7 V8. She just turned over 50,000 miles and the only problem we have had was the relay for the fan speed switch for the HVAC burned out a few weeks ago. I think it cost around $100 with labor to fix. Other than that is has been very reliable. As Markus pointed out, mileage leaves a bit to be desired, but it is great in the snow, and I have towed a 5500-6000 lb. car/trailer combo down the highway at 75mph with the cruise on (fact. tow pkg.) with no drama whatsoever.

[Zef]

Consumer report is your friend...

[Rot 911]

The 3.0, which is not sold in the U.S. (maybe this year) is a bulletproof engine and ups the mpg over the gas engine. I would probably avoid the '05 model as it is the first year of the WK line and had a few bugs to work out. As with any year Grand Cherokee, they tend to have problems with the blend doors on the heat/ac. The drive train will be around long after the rest of the vehicle has fallen apart.

[Z-man]

My friend has a 2007 V8 Grand Cherokee. We caravaned to Mid-Ohio from New Jersey a couple of years ago. I got around 14mpg in my 2007 Ford Explorer Sport Trac, he got 10-11mpg. We were both pulling an open trailer with a Porsche on it. My trailer is a steel trailer with an all wood deck, he has an aluminum trailer with an open deck.

Why the disparity in the mpg? I think it has a lot to do with the fact that my friend's Jeep has an antiquated 4-speed automatic transmission, while my Ford has a 6-speed auto. For highway cruising, those extra two cogs can make a difference.

So if gas mileage is a concern for you, check to see if the new Jeeps have a newer transmisison with more gears.

-Z-man.

[tcar]

I've heard the first year of the diesels here had problems (friend had the diesel Liberty). Said it was wonderful, great mileage... except for the 'first year' problems.

I think Chrysler took it back.

[dewolf]

Thanks guys, I appreciate your feedback. I guess I'll be owning a Jeep shortly.

[vanwyk4257]

FWIW, I think the blend problems Kurt mentioned were on the '04 & prior limited models mostly, and I haven't heard of that problem on the newer WK models.
Also, the new GC's have a 5-speed auto trans. I get 10-11 towing 5500lbs at 75mph in tow mode. Cruising down the road at 55-60 will get around 20mpg if you set the cruise.

[BlueSideUp]

The previous generation also has a 5 speed auto, the feature was disabled on the 98, 99, and some 00 models. If I remember correctly they had two 3rd gears, one used only during kickdown and another used for normal driving. The owners of the earlier Jeeps can get their 5 speed trans enabled at a dealership through some reprogramming for better mileage.