Well the Grand Cherokee made the final two cut (most likely) for my wife's next vehicle. We're looking at an 11 or 12 Overland. Like the features, love the true 4wd, love the ability to cut exterior "bling" to a minimum (all terrain tires, normal size wheels, decent ground clearance, skids, etc, while maintaining a nicely equipped interior. Not sold on their reputation (Jeep that is). I've heard a lot of mixed things from personal friends, and people I've read reviews from online. So, Jeep owners (past and present), sell me on their reliability. How many have you owned? How many miles? How many years of ownership? What problems (if any) did you have, and what time period of ownership did these issues occur? How was Jeep about honoring warranty work? These are just some of the things that are of concern. Oh, and you have to convince me this is better than our number 1 choice right now (11 or 12 4Runner Limited):D
We have an '07 grand Cherokee Laredo. We bought it new and it has been my wife's daily driver and the family truckster on weekends. The only issue that we have had is the engine light coming on (had to reaplace the gas cap). Its got close to 70k miles on it. The 4wd is as good as you will find on any comparable SUV. The bad..... The interior just isn't made to last. The leather seats are already cracking, Lots of interior wind noise, gets absolutely horrible gas mileage (less than sticker), acceleration is not impressive, and lastly but not leastly, it a Chrysler product.
MGH, I've had 2 jeeps in my life, my first was an 1985 cherokee, it ran pretty well, but at that time they were putting the General Motors V6 - 3.8L engine in that truck. At about 115,000 miles, I had a rebuilt engine put in it, because the engine just plain wore out, had trouble keeping up to highway speeds with a load in the truck and the foot to the floor. After the rebuilt engine, no real problems except it was getting old, body was going, you know those early AMC products, rust buckets the day you drive it out of the showroom, and then it was nickel and diming me to death with the small stuff. I sold it for $300 to some guy and I saw it driving around for another 2 or 3 years. I had that one myself for 15 years. I now have a 99 cherokee with the 4L six. That engine is indestructible, althought I've had to put a fuel pump in , it's in the gas tank, I had to replace the air vent system behind the dash... both of those repairs cost me 750 each. Other than normal wear and tear, brakes, tires, etc, nothing major wrong with the engine.I now have 114,000 miles on that Jeep, nad I only put on about 3,000 a year on it now, since the wife doesn't drive anynmore. I think I will run this one till the wheels fall off, or something really major hits it, like engine or transmission, although my mechanic says the engine gpoing bad on that one is almost none existent. Now, to get to answer your question, either the Jeep or the Toyota.........BUY THE TOYOTA !!!! The resale value will be far greater no matter what the age of the vehicle will be.... and of course, Consumer Reports will not recommend any Chrysler product that last I saw.
I had a '97 Grand Cherokee, I think it was... I almost bought a 4-runner instead the day I bought it (in 2001 or something like that...). Sure wish I would have... it was a couple grand higher, but I assure you the repair costs more than made up for it. Two transmissions, two rear ends, three radiators, feul pump, water pump... brake rotors constantly needing to be replaced... Those are just some of the first things to come to mind. You've heard me say it before, but I've had like four Nissans and still currently have a Maxima SL and a Lexus. I've put close to 300,000 on each of them (with the exception of my current Maxima, because it's newer) and did nothing but change the oil and drive. Change the oil and drive. Repeat, ad nauseum. Jeep... drive, take to the repair shop. Repeat ... well, you get the picture.
All of you are terrible salesmen, :D Actually, most of you reaffirmed my concerns. Greg, we really liked the Murano SL and Platinum, but I just don't trust the CVT and the part-time (automatic) AWD. What Lexus do you own?
For what its worth, my '99 Grand Cherokee left me on the side of the road this morning. Its either a blown piston skirt or bad lifters and cam shaft. Either way it wont be cheap. I think figured out the "Jeep thing" Just Empty Every Pocket. Go Toyota out of the 2 choices.
Grand Cherokee's are JUNK!!! But jeeps are awesome!!! If its not a stick with dana's and a 4.0 in line 6...DONT BUY IT.
Just remembered... mine was a '99 Grand Cherokee. We've got a Lexus ES Platinum Coach Edition (car)... we'ver run the wheels off it and it's been flawless.
I drive a Jeep cherokee for a living... It is a 2000 model, with 144k... I've put 45k on it and I could write you a book on the problems it's had... and a 10 volume collectors set for all the things that need fixing right now as I type this... But delivering mail is absolutely BRUTAL on any vehicle... and it gets the job done day in and day out...
The Totoya... hands down. Curious though; why your wife needs a 4X4? Why not buy her a nice 4X2 that you both like and enjoy and use the difference to get yourself a good used Rubicon?
