Used Jeep Grand Cherokee - I need your thoughts

[Atrus]

I am considering a KJ also, but probably would have to be an '05-'07 with six speed manual. Would def be a little peppier than the 4 speed slush box.

On the 4.0, if you have a mind to there is considerable aftermarket support for mods, turbos, etc. The 3.7 there's about nothing you can do with them.

I'm with you on the 4.7. I hate to pay for all the stuff I don't need that comes with the Hemis. The 4.7s do have a bad rep, but I think the later ones are OK. Like everything else, maintenance is very important. BTW, this is hearsay. I've never owned a 4.7.

Yeah, unfortunately, the 3.7 has no aftermarket, and I don't believe there is much for the 4.7L (at least, the pre-'08 version). I really did think the KJ was a decent DD. I'd like something a little larger like a WJ/WK or XK.

Any experience with the XK's overall? These are built on the WK platform. Any thoughts on the pre-2008 4.7L on the XK/WJ/WK? Is there a good way to check if they've been maintained? Problem is, most of these are at ~100k miles, so it's tough to say if it's been properly maintained. I feel like the 3.7 was barely enough in the KJ, so in a WK or XK it'd be underpowered. The early 4.7L wasn't much better though, at 235hp/290tq. I think the 3.7 was 210hp/235tq.

Part of me just wants to bite the bullet and just order a WK2 Hemi Trailhawk and maintain the shit out of it for the next 10 years so I know the history and all. Then I see the payment and come back to reality.

 

[lone racer]

I think they actually get along great, even better on the freeway. 4.0 is surprisingly strong feeling passing or just taking off. Somebody take him for a ride!

 

[Beigg]

4.0L has just enough torque to compensate for the lacking HP numbers. Downside to highway use for the 4L imo is the low mpg. Any heavy brick with 4x4 awd going down the road will suffer mpg.

 

[DeFormula]

Yeah, unfortunately, the 3.7 has no aftermarket, and I don't believe there is much for the 4.7L (at least, the pre-'08 version). I really did think the KJ was a decent DD. I'd like something a little larger like a WJ/WK or XK.

Any experience with the XK's overall? These are built on the WK platform. Any thoughts on the pre-2008 4.7L on the XK/WJ/WK? Is there a good way to check if they've been maintained? Problem is, most of these are at ~100k miles, so it's tough to say if it's been properly maintained. I feel like the 3.7 was barely enough in the KJ, so in a WK or XK it'd be underpowered. The early 4.7L wasn't much better though, at 235hp/290tq. I think the 3.7 was 210hp/235tq.

Part of me just wants to bite the bullet and just order a WK2 Hemi Trailhawk and maintain the shit out of it for the next 10 years so I know the history and all. Then I see the payment and come back to reality.

Yeah the WK2 Trailhawk is fantastic, but no way I'm paying for one. Regarding the XK I bet they would be pretty sluggish with the 3.7 and 4 speed auto. As far as well maintained besides inspecting it and looking for service records there's not much else you can do. I'm starting to lean toward one of the older ones with 4.0L or if I get a WK I'll probably just get the HEMI and try to find one without the sunroof and anything else that adds cost. If there is a nice JK manual for sale at the right time I'll check it out.

 

[DeFormula]

4.0L has just enough torque to compensate for the lacking HP numbers. Downside to highway use for the 4L imo is the low mpg. Any heavy brick with 4x4 awd going down the road will suffer mpg.

Yeah I know the mileage is pretty bad, but whatever I get it will be a second or third vehicle, probably like 5,000 miles a year, so fuel economy is not a huge issue.

 

[DetroitStyle]

The good thing about a 4.0 XJ... particularly if you go somewhere dry to buy a rust free one... is that you can drive it for five years and sell it for what you paid. A rust free XJ pulls a premium up here.

 

[DeFormula]

The good thing about a 4.0 XJ... particularly if you go somewhere dry to buy a rust free one... is that you can drive it for five years and sell it for what you paid. A rust free XJ pulls a premium up here.

Yes good point! I still think one of those with a manual would be a blast, maybe I'll go that route. Just that the GCs are more comfortable and roomy. Hmmm...

 

[loosenut]

I bought a 01 GC. 99k miles. 4.0 4x4 for my niece. Found it at auction. $1500 Couldn't beat it. Hopefully she doesn't kill it. :lol:

 

[lone racer]

Not even a girl can hurt the 4.0 !

 

[DeFormula]

I bought a 01 GC. 99k miles. 4.0 4x4 for my niece. Found it at auction. $1500 Couldn't beat it. Hopefully she doesn't kill it. :lol:

Sounds like an excellent buy. How was it for rust? Online auction or in person type?

 

[loosenut]

Sounds like an excellent buy. How was it for rust? Online auction or in person type?

A friend of mine works for a group of dealers and he auctions off the trade ins that won't be retailed. There's some bad bodywork on the read passenger door but other then that its clean. No rust on the rear wheel well like most.

 

[DeFormula]

Looks good for $1,500. Nice score!

 

[loosenut]

Looks good for $1,500. Nice score!

Thanks. I bid 1800 on it the week before but they had a reserve of 3500 on it. When I saw it listed the next week I bid 1500 for shits and giggles. They let it go. Worked out for me. :lol:

 

[YLWFVR]

One of the Chicago guys on Corvette Forum is selling this if interested

https://chicago.craigslist.org/wcl/cto/d/2002-jeep-grand-cherokee-awd/6386480703.html

 

[DeFormula]

One of the Chicago guys on Corvette Forum is selling this if interested

https://chicago.craigslist.org/wcl/cto/d/2002-jeep-grand-cherokee-awd/6386480703.html

Man that looks really nice. Thanks for posting, but not gonna be ready to buy until next spring/summer.

I know the 4.7L has a bad rep, but if you do some internet research seems like there are tons of them out there that have been problem free for upwards of 300K miles.

 

[twotwoturbo]

Isn't it pretty doggy though with the 4.0? Especially passing on the e-way. I was thinking about one of these too.

I think it moves out pretty well....

 

[DeFormula]

I think it moves out pretty well....

OK a friend just bought an '03 GC with the 4.0. The engine has amazing throttle response IMO, and plenty of down low torque. I didn't get the chance to try it out on the highway, but it definitely seems to have the low end punch I would need. I am not worried about the 4.0 being a dog anymore. So what it boils down to is that I'll go down south and see what's for sale in southern Tennessee, north Georgia and North Alabama, and just buy whatever is the best maintained machine in my budget. The top candidates will be, not necessarily in this order:

ZJ with 4.0 or 5.2
WK with HEMI or 4.7
WJ with 4.0, maaaaaybbbeee 4.7 with right documentation of maintenance, etc.
XJ with 4.0, manual or auto
KJ with 3.7 manual

Should be able to find something in awesome shape down south with $5,000 budget.

 

[dline]

Yeah my 4.0 pulls a heavy popup

 

[Atrus]

There was a very clean '02-'03 WJ 4.0L with like 80k miles up in Imlay City for $6k IIRC. It was on craigslist, at a dealer. That lighter blue color. I was really eyeing it.

I just picked up a very clean and well maintained/documented 2008 Laredo 4.7L with 57,650 miles on it. It's a very base vehicle, but it's a great starting point with the 4.7L and Quadra-trac II.

 

[DeFormula]

There was a very clean '02-'03 WJ 4.0L with like 80k miles up in Imlay City for $6k IIRC. It was on craigslist, at a dealer. That lighter blue color. I was really eyeing it.

I just picked up a very clean and well maintained/documented 2008 Laredo 4.7L with 57,650 miles on it. It's a very base vehicle, but it's a great starting point with the 4.7L and Quadra-trac II.

Congrats! That is looow mileage! Sounds like a nice find!