'07-'08 Grand Cherokee

[David in VA]

Looking for something to tow an open trailer to the track. I like the size of the Grand Cherokee's, not too big but good tow capacity with the V8's. Test drove two today and liked them, an '07 Overland with the Hemi and an '08 Limited with the 4.7. Considering the Limited as it is a CPO with another two years drivetrain warranty on it.

Any feedback on reliability issues with either of these? I've had a Wrangler for many years and had no issues with it, don't know that this translates to the Grand Cherokee though. Also considering a Sequoia but prices seem a bit higher for similar age and mileage.

Thanks
David

[kaisen]

The 5.7 Hemi is a way better motor than the 4.7 SOHC, and not just because it has more power.

Also, most 2007's had a 7 year / 70,000 mile transferrable powertrain warranty, where most 2008's had the non-transferrable lifetime warranty. It changed July 2007, so anything 2007/2008, you need to check. IF it's important to you.

Consider other V8 SUVs as well. There are lots of good choices out there. Almost everyone makes a good one.

[David in VA]

Thanks very much, that is good to know. I've also looked at 4Runners, Pathfinders and Sequoias but they all seem to be either older, higher mileage and less equipped for the same money or $5K more for something similar.

[kaisen]

Originally Posted by David in VA

Thanks very much, that is good to know. I've also looked at 4Runners, Pathfinders and Sequoias but they all seem to be either older, higher mileage and less equipped for the same money or $5K more for something similar.

And those won't tow as well. The Sequoia is close to what a 4.7 Jeep would be, but the 4Runner and Pathfinder are not nearly as good.

Have you considered other American SUVs? Or just Jeep Grand Cherokees? How about the Commander?

How about a Touareg or Cayenne?

A Durango or Chrysler Aspen with the 5.7L?

Why not the step-up into a full-size US SUV, i.e. Tahoe, Expedition if you're considering the full-size Seqouia?

[David in VA]

Thanks Eric, we did consider larger ones but a large part of the attraction of the G. Cherokee is it's smaller size. Don't really want or have a need for something big other than towing. It won't really be used very frequently, track days, bad weather and sitting at the airport mostly which is why I'd rather not spend Cayenne money on it. We considered the Sequoia as my wife liked the looks but after comparing interiors and bells and whistles we ruled it out unless quality/reliability was far better but that doesn't seem to be the case.

[Scott R]

My Cayenne has been much more reliable than my 06 GC was, and I never expected it to be.

[David in VA]

Scott, any particular areas where the GC was not reliable? Which one do/did you have?

Thanks

[kaisen]

Originally Posted by Scott R

My Cayenne has been much more reliable than my 06 GC was, and I never expected it to be.

Scott, haven't you owned your Cayenne for about ten weeks?
Is that enough time to make statements about reliability?

[Jared at Pelican Parts]

Avoid the 4.7L.

[CurtEgerer]

+1 on 5.7 Hemi. I've got one in an '04 Durango I bought new and now has 120K on it. Runs beautifully with LOTS of towing miles (both an open car trailer and a large travel trailer).

[Scott R]

Originally Posted by kaisen

Scott, haven't you owned your Cayenne for about ten weeks?
Is that enough time to make statements about reliability?

Yes in 10 weeks it's already been more reliable. I'll elaborate.

The first thirty days of ownership my GC spent almost 90% of that time in the shop. It died at stoplights and until the day the lease was up they never figured it out. One of the regional guys for Chrysler even drove the thing for a few days to confirm that it died, however they couldn't ever figure out why.

After we gave up on that problem it was a series of other issues to follow in the first six months. Front axle seals were leaking and the front diff went dry, the truck was locked in place in the garage while I was out of the country. They had to tow it away squealing as it was pulled across the floor.

These are highlights which don't include the issues with the radio/nav unit that they never corrected after several "antenna upgrades" to the SAT antenna. static in the radio that required a new wiring harness to the amp under the passenger side rear seat.

Later that year the following was replaced or diagnosed and not corrected:

Gauge cluster died entirely - replaced took a week to get parts

Computer died during reflash process - three weeks to get correct computer from Chrysler.

Exhaust leak from union between downpipe and CAT, fixed multiple times, finally gave up.

Tire pressure monitor system updated several times without resolution

Rear drive line replaced twice for vibration

Brakes done multiple times due to warping ( was told this was normal)


I'm sure there was more to this list as the wife also took it in a bunch of times. Out of the whole mess I really feel bad for whoever owned it after me.

And yes his was a 4.7l

[kaisen]

And you bought both of them brand new???

[Scott R]

Mine was new.

[kaisen]

Originally Posted by Scott R

Mine was new.

But your Cayenne was not.

You bought it as a Certified Pre-Owned Vehicle through a Porsche dealership. That dealership reconditioned your Cayenne and had the opportunity to address any issues it may have had before you took delivery.

The person that bought your Grand Cherokee was probably pretty happy with it the first ten weeks they owned it too, as you had the misfortune of working out all of the bugs.

Apples to Oranges anecdote.

[Scott R]

Originally Posted by kaisen

But your Cayenne was not.

You bought it as a Certified Pre-Owned Vehicle through a Porsche dealership. That dealership reconditioned your Cayenne and had the opportunity to address any issues it may have had before you took delivery.

The person that bought your Grand Cherokee was probably pretty happy with it the first ten weeks they owned it too, as you had the misfortune of working out all of the bugs.

Apples to Oranges anecdote.

Well with the Cayenne I had all of it's service records in hand before I purchased it. It had a headlight replaced due to a track/motor issue, and of course the coils. But it was nice to see that the previous owner seemed to have very few issues with it. Well that and I got to meet him as well.

EDIT: I also wanted to add I'm not advertising for a Cayenne, just making a comparison. The Cayenne is probably never a good idea for anyone looking for a low maintenance vehicle. I doubt you can get out the door for less than $1500 on most repairs.

[asphaltgambler]

I have an '01 GC limited - every option including the 4.7 - we bought it w/60k on the clock, it now has 178k and still going strong. The one problem was the trans left town @130k - but other than that, we love it.

It is my wifes daily driver and she's hard on it, me I give it regular love and maintanence. When it expires we'll buy another. MO is the 4.7 is a good engine, when there was failures it was because someone neglected and abused it.

I would buy a Jeep waaaaay before the other domestic choices, I see all the others in my shop far more frequently than Jeep GC

[David in VA]

Great feedback, thanks. So try to find one with a Hemi, I tend to like buying towards the end of a life cycle. Seems to me they've worked out most of the bugs by then. I really like the Overland with the brown interior but they're hard to find.

[RWebb]

looked it up on Cons. Reports for you and all reliability scores are > avg. except elec. which is just avg. in '08, below avg. in '07

"Used Car Prediction" is poor, but not sure what that is (maybe resale value?)

[David in VA]

Thanks very much, the one I'm looking at now is an '08 so that's good. Used car prediction probably refers to depreciation, these things seem to sink like stones once they leave the dealership, good if you're buying used I guess.

[tcar]

The 4.7 is maybe OK if it has ALWAYS had ONLY synthetic oil in it. They historically have had a sludging issue.

The 5.7 is a better motor.

I like GC's, especially what you get for the 'perfect' size IMO.

I actually like the old 5.2 / 5.9 V8's better, and for that reason have an older one at the present.