Looking for an opinion

[upnorth]

Just a shot in the dark, but we rolled our Suzuki Grand Vitara and will be vehicle shopping soon. Anyone have any experience/opinions on the Jeep Grand Cherokee Laredo from say 2004 to 2006?

Appreciate any feedback.

[Jeremy airjer W]

Make sure there has been a heater core/evap core in the recent history of repairs or be prepared for triple digits! Other than that they are one of the more solid "domestic" SUV's! I guy I work with bought 2 this last summer (I think they are '06's) he did his wifes heater core late this last summer and his started leaking about 3 weeks ago!!

[gunflint]

My Son-in-Law and daughter have one. An 05 and we have an 06 Liberty. I'm very impressed with them except with the factory tires. (Wranglers) No heater core issues on these yet.

[Shack]

Are we talking about an 04 or an 06?

Worlds apart as far as T.S.B.'s go and problems that where solved. Still some of them linger.

I like Jeep Grand Cherokees. They where (IMO) the first true luxury SUV. But!!! They have had their concerns over the years and A/C-Evap was a big one. Drive train, front end, some of the old 4.0l where major pooch’s. The Jeep Grand Cherokee has had some major plague’s in the past as far as concerns go, but the owners seem to stand behind them.

I would say they fall into the some concerns or no concerns category.

[upnorth]

Thanks Guys!! Basically what I was looking for. Don't want to just go shopping on the manufacturers press releases.

Shack just looking at a range, but I sure you are just getting a little picky

We are probably going to look at a few others, that one is catching our attention more than others though. I have yet to test drive one, but the wife did and really liked it. Nice mid size, seems to have quite a few options and has been around for a while to fine to things.

[The_Duckslayer]

I would not buy one on a double dog dare. Nothing but trouble from the people that I know that have them. Take care and N Joy the Hunt././Jimbo

[Jeremy airjer W]

I would not buy one on a double dog dare. Nothing but trouble from the people that I know that have them. Take care and N Joy the Hunt././Jimbo

Can you give us specific problems?

[upnorth]

Yeah kinda interested in what that actual issues were?

[The_Duckslayer]

blower motor, alternator, wheel bearings, radiator, engine oil leaking, and water pump, elec seat quit. Granted the Grand Chereoke was 5 or 6 years old but that is still a lot to wrong in less than 2 years. Seems like there was something each month. Then again I suppose there is a bad one in every make and model some where along the line. Just really turned me off of them. Take care and N Joy the Hunt././Jimbo

[Jeremy airjer W]

blower motor, alternator, wheel bearings, radiator, engine oil leaking, and water pump, elec seat quit. Granted the Grand Chereoke was 5 or 6 years old but that is still a lot to wrong in less than 2 years. Seems like there was something each month. Then again I suppose there is a bad one in every make and model some where along the line. Just really turned me off of them. Take care and N Joy the Hunt././Jimbo

I would bet that was a 4.0 straight 6!

[upnorth]

There are such things as lemons. And or it may have had a lot of miles.

But any input is worth looking at. I don't expect to find a vehicle of any kind that everyone agrees on, everyone has their favorites.

I was hoping the wife would go for a mid sized front wheel drive, but she is stuck on the SUV. I really don't want one of the giants, but that Grand Vitara and its very short wheel base made it very squirrelly on the ice. That thing would swaps end in the blink of an eye So we are looking at the mid sized SUVs and that model seems to fit what we are looking for fairly well. But still trying to do a little research before we plunk down the $$$.

[The_Duckslayer]

We have an Envoy. Love it! We got the extended version and it has a real nice ride, the shorter wheelbase model is a bit rougher ride. I have not taken it 4 wheelin as the Lil Mrs would have my butt but we are very satisfied with it and when it's runnin right will get about 20 MPG on the open road. Mama gets tween 17 and 18 with it most of the time... she works about 12 miles from home and does some in town driving with it for her work. So far she has been very happy with it and the ride is a lot better than anything you will get that says something like Jeep on it. Just my humble opinion. Good luck! Take care and N Joy the Hunt././Jimbo

[deadeye]

I would look at these AWD suvs too if thats what your after. Toyota Toyota Highlander, Honda Pilot, Chevy Equinox, Ford Escape, Subaru Forester ect. They are based off of a car platform so they would be less likely to do the fun stuff on the ice that your talking about. Some you could get it in front wheel drive only if spinning out has been a problem.

That being said, I do love Jeeps too. I have been wanting to get one but cant bring myself to get rid of the stuff I got. (way too many vehicles as it is). One of my freinds have a 00 Grand Cherokee with the 4.7ltr v8 and it is pretty decent. The only problems they have had with it have been bad seals. The rear end has had 2 sets of pinion and axle seals. The front end has had them swaped once and the front seal on the motor has been changed. That being said it has been very reliable overall. The motor is pretty tough and has plenty of power. It has never left her stuck anywhere cause it died.

[Jeremy airjer W]

Those are all good vehicles to consider but in upnorths case he is limited to a handfull of dealers. Subaru and Honda are out of the question as the closest dealer would be Duluth. Toyota wouldn't be bad with a dealer in Virginia. I think from a service point of view you would be better off sticking with the domestics. Personally I would have the wife take a Forester for a drive anyways. As much as I hate to say it I have been pretty impressed with the v-6 ford escape as well. Its a little smaller than the jeep but I would have to say they are right up there on the top rungs of the SUV ladder!

[deadeye]

Subarus are technically a GM vehicle so they should be able to do the service at any GM dealer. U might want to check that, but I know they are owned by GM. They are pretty tough so like airjer said it would be worth a shot.

Also, maybe look at something with traction control. It may help a little with that problem. I think stability control has more to do with sliding, but with a rwd vehicle it will help limit wheel spinthat causes a lot of spin outs.

[upnorth]

Isn't the envoy the GMS version of the Chevy Trailblazer? I did take a peak at those too. We have yet to completely make up our minds, just started shopping.

I spent a few minute chatting with St. Louis County Officer who showed up and the tow truck operator later and both said those short wheel base SUVs are known for doing what happened to us. So we are looking at the mid sized range.

[deadeye]

It is a Trailblazer under the GMC name. They are pretty decent trucks too.

[hondavxr]

Subarus are technically a GM vehicle so they should be able to do the service at any GM dealer. U might want to check that, but I know they are owned by GM. They are pretty tough so like airjer said it would be worth a shot.

Also, maybe look at something with traction control. It may help a little with that problem. I think stability control has more to do with sliding, but with a rwd vehicle it will help limit wheel spinthat causes a lot of spin outs.

Actually Gm has sold off all their stakes in Subaru, they only owned like under 10% of Subaru's stakes. I think Toyota owns a chunk of Subaru now. Be careful taking your Subaru to a Gm dealer because GM has never had a horizontal flat four motor. Some of the GM techs might look at you funny.

[upnorth]

I am sticking with something that I can get serviced locally if need be. We did have to take the Suzuki to Duluth to have the fixed. We didn't really think about the service point of things when we bought it. Probably going domestic this time.