2005 Jeep Grand Cherokee (3.7/4.7) - Any reason to avoid?

[master_shake_]

i've replaced more a/c compressors on those thing than i can remember.

also the front drive shaft's cv joints break and 4 wheel drive becomes non existent.

and they rot like crazy.

 

[mvbighead]

I've had several Jeeps, I've just known a few people with Grand Cherokees that were plagued with problems with them, from personal experience.

No they weren't Hemi's, the wife is still driving my old 1996 Cherokee Sport with a 4.0 HO in it below 100K, she actually had the non sport version we sold last year that had almost 200K on it with the same engine.

I've just known people that have owned some of those Grands in that time frame I guess.

My two cents.

Yeah, and I can get that.

Heck, of the two Hemi's I drove, one the AWD system was shot at about 120k miles, the other appeared to be accident damage so not a Jeep problem per se. And actually, on one the window motor couldn't decide whether to go up or down.

The nice thing about Jeeps however, is they have a HUGE following so darn near anything I encounter will have a thread or forum somewhere giving me a how to on fixing it. I had that with a 2000 Jeep and ended up fixing a blend door problem for the dual climate control.

At this point, my primary concern is a capable AWD system and relatively good MPG 17/18 or better. That, and something with enough room for 4 large adults (myself being 6-3).

I've considered some other models, but nothing seems to touch the Jeep following nor the Jeep AWD systems. The wife has a Subaru Tribeca that we really like, but I don't want two of the same vehicle in the garage. Gotta have something to change things up somewhere.

 

[MongGrel]

i've replaced more a/c compressors on those thing than i can remember.

also the front drive shaft's cv joints break and 4 wheel drive becomes non existent.

and they rot like crazy.

This.

 

[mvbighead]

i've replaced more a/c compressors on those thing than i can remember.

also the front drive shaft's cv joints break and 4 wheel drive becomes non existent.

and they rot like crazy.

I've definitely seen the rust/rot on the WJ variety. I haven't seen it on any of the WKs around here. Not sure if that can be attributed to a change in design, or they just aren't old enough yet. However, my SIL/brother had an 02 that was rusted pretty bad, but I've yet to see that on any of the WKs I've looked at. And the WK style came about in 05, so I suspect they should now be old enough that I would start to see rust on some of them, but I simply haven't.

You guys are tearing this option down pretty hard, do you happen to have an alternative that would be better?

 

[MongGrel]

Master would probably know more than I would, I'm just sending a warning for what you were looking at.

I haven't lived in snow country for almost 25 years now, I used to have a GMC High Sierra 3/4 ton shortbed 4x4 when I lived up there.

 

[master_shake_]

in the suv range?

i honeslty have no idea.

i really like the ford edge/lincoln mkx

but after the story i heard from a jobber today i wouldn't touch one.

lets just say 4600 for a gas tank.

i like the santa fe too.

 

[mvbighead]

Well, my biggest concerns on fixing a vehicle are around the items that I would likely not touch. I can likely deal with CV joints and probably air compressors, and for some stuff that may be out of my range, I know a guy who has a private shop that does very good repair work for little out of pocket. Parts I buy at whatever price I find them for, and he'll do the work for a very reasonable price.

And, when it gets beyond that, I can deal with a repair bill every once in a while as whatever vehicle I get will most likely be paid for entirely up front, so I treat repairs more or less as the one car payment I get stuck with every now and again.

To me, if a few lesser odds and ends are going to give me trouble, I'm ok with that. It's the major stuff that I want to avoid trouble with. Transmissions, complete engine repair, differentials, etc.

Only trouble I have with Ford Edge/MKX is they also seem to have a very small rear diff making their AWD solution weak.

 

[master_shake_]

i should throw this in too.

may not worry you though.

the fuse panels on all newer chryslers is not sealed from underneath.

can cause issues in the future when they start rotting off.

 

[MongGrel]

You seem a bit set on the Jeep.

And yeah, the Grands seem to have always had electrical and things shaking and rattling problems.

It might be a good one, have at it I guess, but if things happen I'll have to remember to bite my tongue later

 

[master_shake_]

shifters seize up

 

[mvbighead]

You seem a bit set on the Jeep.

It might be a good one, have at it I guess, but if things happen I'll have to remember to bite my tongue later

Well, I was narrowing down my search, and this is where it took me. There are a few on this forum that are happy with the WKs, so to me it would seem like a decent decision.

I've got a neighbor that has one, a relative, and numerous others that I've known that all seem to love their Jeeps. I do know the WJs rusted quite a bit, so unless you got one from Texas, it likely was rotting underneath.

To me though, when I compare the number of Jeeps I see on the roads to, say, the Santa Fe, I can only imagine the number that mechanics see in their shops just due to sheer volume. That'd be like saying Lamborghini is a reliable brand because you don't see them in your shop. And I am not trying to suggest that is the case, but I will say that I see TONS of WKs around here. Santa Fes I see a hand full of, so to me, there is going to be a bit more information out there for me when it comes to fixing this or that on a Jeep.

Like I said, I've considered some others, but if I don't like the way something looks, I won't consider it for long. I don't mind RX330/350s, but the AWD system sounded like an after thought.

I dunno, you very well may be right, but I am not seeing a lot of options that I should give more consideration to.

 

[mvbighead]

I'll say that I don't mind the look of the Edge/MKX, but the options are fewer around here and the price seems to be substantially higher (about 50%).

I also seem to recall their AWD system being fairly weak, but I could be wrong there.

 

[mvbighead]

Ugh, so I have been digging to try and find the CV problem/condensor problem, etc. Seem to be a good amount of info for model years prior to 2004, and in some cases prior to 1999, but not seeing much for current models.

Honestly, just trying to make sure I don't make a mistake in purchasing what appears to be a very solid vehicle. From reading comparisons between the Edge and GC, there seems to be some split. There are some with negatives on the Edge, and others with negatives on the GC. I does appear the AWD platform of the jeep is superior to the Edge, which is one factor that is heavily in play.

As it is, the compressor cost is fairly high and the process (pumping out refrigerant and pumping it back in) somewhat involved, that could be a consideration to avoid. Only problem is, that again seems to be common in earlier models. I am just not seeing the same types of comments on the 'newer' models. And as it would likely be around 400-600 if required to fix, it still isn't the same as replacing a 3000 engine or transmission.

At this point, as the Edge/MKX are an alternative, I've looked for some but am finding the price to be a bit higher. They're also a little difficult to find in a decent color (I need to avoid black/dark colors due to rock roads, and also am not terribly fond of the whites/off white colors they seem to be common with). I did find a silver model relatively close by:

http://omaha.craigslist.org/ctd/4766856174.html

Trouble is, the Jeep I have found is a 1 owner, with 91000 miles for around 10k, and I can quite possibly get that a bit lower. Just not sure the AWD is capable enough on the Edge/MKX.

I may start looking back at the RX330 at about a 2006/2007:
http://consumerreports.org/cro/2013/04/best-worst-used-cars/index.htm

May or may not be a good list, but the Jeeps aren't mentioned but the RX is. I may just deal with a lesser AWD system.

EDIT: Suffice it to say, I am not stuck on Jeep. But they are up there due to a more capable AWD system. I may let that go, however. One thing I did not in the Jeep I recently drove was the head space wasn't entirely adequate, and the seat would not drop down much to make it more adequate. I don't have that problem with the wife's Tribeca, so if I go back looking at that Jeep, I'll have to pay closer attention to make sure it won't be a problem.

 

[LTC8K6]

It's hard to believe the GC would be any more trouble than any other 9 year old full time 4wd vehicle...

 

[rommelrommel]

It's hard to believe the GC would be any more trouble than any other 9 year old full time 4wd vehicle...

I have an 06 GX470 that begs to differ.

But really... The 4Runner/GX is probably the only thing that I would say is hands down better built and more reliable in this class, and full time AWD is only with the V8 which won't even pretend to get the mileage he's looking for, and will be significantly more money to buy for similar miles. I looked at grands and commanders but the reliability reports scared me off. Seems like little repairs eat you to death.

 

[LTC8K6]

I have an 06 GX470 that begs to differ.

But really... The 4Runner/GX is probably the only thing that I would say is hands down better built and more reliable in this class, and full time AWD is only with the V8 which won't even pretend to get the mileage he's looking for, and will be significantly more money to buy for similar miles. I looked at grands and commanders but the reliability reports scared me off. Seems like little repairs eat you to death.

I have an 08 GC 4X4 that has been trouble free...

 

[mvbighead]

I have an 06 GX470 that begs to differ.

But really... The 4Runner/GX is probably the only thing that I would say is hands down better built and more reliable in this class, and full time AWD is only with the V8 which won't even pretend to get the mileage he's looking for, and will be significantly more money to buy for similar miles. I looked at grands and commanders but the reliability reports scared me off. Seems like little repairs eat you to death.

I had a '00 GC and while I did have to fix a bunch of little problems, once I did I really had no issues with it. It wasn't until I had to have the rear diff fixed that I started getting annoyed as it was roughly 1100 to fix but yet the gears made noise after the repair. I shoud have insisted that they take it back and fix it right, but at that point I was hearing from my dad and brother on exhaust manifold issues, so I just said the heck with it and sold it off for something else.

At this point, my only trouble with the 05+ seems to be head room in the drivers seat. I am moderately tall (6-3) and felt like I was looking down out of the vehicle at all times. I can likely tip the seat back some and get away from it a bit, but at that point I may be leaned too far back.

I did find an 07 MKX 20 miles away that I'm going to try to check out. From what I've read, they have a bit more oomph than the 4.7 while netting 23/24 on the highway. If the head room is better, and if I like the vehicle, that may be the selection. As for the weaker AWD, the only vehicle that really concerns me is the one my wife drives, and that Subaru Tribeca gets around really, really well. If I have to deal with a little bit, I'll be fine. I have been all these years with a front wheel drive Impala.

 

[mvbighead]

It's hard to believe the GC would be any more trouble than any other 9 year old full time 4wd vehicle...

That's also along the lines of what I was thinking. I mean, I am looking at close to 10 year old cars. I know I am going to have to fix some stuff eventually.

The only thing that has me concerned with the GC is the head room right now. If I can't drop the seat low enough to get my head out of the ceiling, that may be enough to drive me away from it.

 

[CombatChuk]

I had a 2005 WK Hemi for about 2.5 years. It was a solid and comfy car. It's still the fastest car I've ever owned. The Backseat is a little cramped.

The Quadra-Drive II system my Jeep had was amazing (electronic limited slips in front and rear diffs) and I never got stuck in deep snow.

The only thing I didn't like about it was I had issues with the starter and electrical gremlins. There were days where this thing wouldn't even start but when I tested the starter it worked fine. Traded it in for new Wrangler.

 

[mvbighead]

I had a 2005 WK Hemi for about 2.5 years. It was a solid and comfy car. It's still the fastest car I've ever owned. The Backseat is a little cramped.

The Quadra-Drive II system my Jeep had was amazing (electronic limited slips in front and rear diffs) and I never got stuck in deep snow.

The only thing I didn't like about it was I had issues with the starter and electrical gremlins. There were days where this thing wouldn't even start but when I tested the starter it worked fine. Traded it in for new Wrangler.

Yeah, I can deal with some of that type of stuff... but now that I think of it, one of the earlier jeeps I test drove, the right front window would not go up and stay up without fiddling with the switch A LOT. It'd go up 25%, then start trying to go back down. Then 50%, then 54%, then... it was one of the stranger thing I had seen. This also happened to be the one where the door didn't seal properly. I suspect some damage to the frame or something, but who knows. There was no way in hell I was buying that one.

This other one does appear to be in very good shape. That's not to say something won't break in a few months, but other than headlights, a door handle, and a cap over the rear window wiper, it was pretty solid. If this MKX venture doesn't work out, I may end up in this Jeep so long as I can figure out the head space issue up front.

 

[LTC8K6]

I had a 2005 WK Hemi for about 2.5 years. It was a solid and comfy car. It's still the fastest car I've ever owned. The Backseat is a little cramped.

The Quadra-Drive II system my Jeep had was amazing (electronic limited slips in front and rear diffs) and I never got stuck in deep snow.

It's a shame that QD2 now lacks the front LS diff...since 2011 the front diff is open.

 

[mvbighead]

Dang, I was driving to check out an 07 MKX, figured I would call the dealer to make sure it was there... yep, sure is. Driving in that direction he calls back, sorry, looks like it just sold.

That was the Ultimate whatever edition that was silver in color... probably the color i would prefer to have the most. And there are very few of these in the area. May try to check out an Edge SEL Plus from a local dealer. That'll wait till tomorrow.

 

[mvbighead]

Infiniti FX35? Of course an Infinit forum suggests is mostly reliable. Anyone care to refute that?

 

[ringtail]

I owned a Grand Cherokee for about 1.5 years...

The thing was, I don't tow anything right now (boat gone, alas! Horses no more that chick (actually 3 different chicks) are history), so the Grand Cherokee's 6 cyl gasoline engine was W-A-Y too powerful for the weight of the jeep...tiniest tap on the gas pedal and V-AROOM--experience was like almost a wheelie...toooo much power!

The OVERPOWER caused some problems here when it was entrusted to a novice teen driver for a close-by local run, who totaled it.

I don't know, but suspect that maybe the WAY WAY WAY too much power 6 cyl engine was put in there as a sales gimic or something....(Nobody needs that much ooopmh unless you're towing heavy trailers ladened with gold ingot bars up the Cuesta Grade or the Calif Highway 46 Grade.)

Any day I'd buy an Acura / Honda product over a Jeep. LOVE my Acura (& previous ones) maN Acura is WORTH the price premium...fine cars!!!

 

[LTC8K6]

I owned a Grand Cherokee for about 1.5 years...

The thing was, I don't tow anything right now (boat gone, alas! Horses no more that chick (actually 3 different chicks) are history), so the Grand Cherokee's 6 cyl gasoline engine was W-A-Y too powerful for the weight of the jeep...tiniest tap on the gas pedal and V-AROOM--experience was like almost a wheelie...toooo much power!

The OVERPOWER caused some problems here when it was entrusted to a novice teen driver for a close-by local run, who totaled it.

I don't know, but suspect that maybe the WAY WAY WAY too much power 6 cyl engine was put in there as a sales gimic or something....(Nobody needs that much ooopmh unless you're towing heavy trailers ladened with gold ingot bars up the Cuesta Grade or the Calif Highway 46 Grade.)

Any day I'd buy an Acura / Honda product over a Jeep. LOVE my Acura (& previous ones) maN Acura is WORTH the price premium...fine cars!!!

What you are describing is not too much power, the V6 certainly doesn't have too much, but too much throttle "tip in".

This is sometimes done to make a vehicle with an underpowered engine seem like it has more power.

The throttle opens very quickly in the first little bit of pedal travel to exaggerate the power of the engine.

This causes problems when there is low traction and when taking off around a corner. People not used to the quick throttle will often unintentionally spin a tire.

It also makes it hell in the winter to get going in the snow. You just can't modulate the throttle very well.

On some vehicles there were actually retrofit kits to correct the quick throttle.