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

[ummduh]

I wouldn't even consider the 4.7l. They're pretty much junk. In my experiences. Exhaust manifolds cracking, oil sludging, bearing spinning junk.

The 5.7 doesn't get that great of mileage, but it'll pay you back by not being a giant pile of crap and by having usable power.

I can get up to 18 ish Mpg in mine on the highway with the mds and flat ground. As soon as it sees city driving it drops like a rock, 12ish city. This is an 07 2wd ram.

Honestly, I'd be willing to take a gamble on the newest gen grand Cherokee, or even the Durango, but only with the hemi, or the 3.6 pentastar. They're pretty nice rides as long as everything works.

 

[CombatChuk]

I wouldn't even consider the 4.7l. They're pretty much junk. In my experiences. Exhaust manifolds cracking, oil sludging, bearing spinning junk.

The 5.7 doesn't get that great of mileage, but it'll pay you back by not being a giant pile of crap and by having usable power.

I can get up to 18 ish Mpg in mine on the highway with the mds and flat ground. As soon as it sees city driving it drops like a rock, 12ish city. This is an 07 2wd ram.

Honestly, I'd be willing to take a gamble on the newest gen grand Cherokee, or even the Durango, but only with the hemi, or the 3.6 pentastar. They're pretty nice rides as long as everything works.

I averaged 13.5 MPG on my 2005 WK... AND IT TOOK MID GRADE! I got 1 MPG less when I used regular. Was a hoot though

 

[mvbighead]

Well, I was dang near sold on the Edge after a test drive. Figured I would mull it over and look for other models that were available, and ended up stumbling on...

http://www.fordedgeforum.com/topic/10914-ptu-leak-failures/

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Px3sC2yCMEo

There are about three videos like the one above, and several in a forum going over it. Sounds like sensor failure in the transmission is somewhat common, and causes some very strange behavior. Also, from what reading I've done, the PTU apparently has poor lubricant which sludges up and potentially causes it to fail.

Granted, this is another one of those things where there are problems thousands of these on the road, so the potential for 5% of them to have problems and show up in shops is higher than, say, a Lexus RX330, but those two things have me a bit leary about dropping the money down for one.

That said, I do feel like the interior room in both the Edge and RX330 were better than the Jeep. I test drove a powder blue Lexus RX330, and, aside from the color, it was a great car. Planning on taking a look at a silver one a bit further away now that I consider it a real option.

Perhaps I have nothing to worry about on the Edge. Half of me wants to ask the dealer to have the fluid changed on the PTU and transmission, and then replace both sensors as 'preventative' maintenance, and then just buy it. It did drive very well and the power it had was pretty nice. But I would be happy in either car. I was definitely leaning more towards the Edge after the test drives (mainly as the interior was just a bit more roomy and slightly more modern), but the information above has me leaning in a completely different direction.

 

[leper84]

Glad you decided away from the Jeep, because they are crap. I just saw one in for melting half of the #1 piston to the head, 4.7. Used engines for those things are so expensive because they are in high demand...

Between the Lexus and the Ford I'd pick the edge. A little more roomy, just as reliable, and parts that cost half as much.

 

[mvbighead]

Glad you decided away from the Jeep, because they are crap. I just saw one in for melting half of the #1 piston to the head, 4.7. Used engines for those things are so expensive because they are in high demand...

Between the Lexus and the Ford I'd pick the edge. A little more roomy, just as reliable, and parts that cost half as much.

On the lexus side of things, it appears it shares the same motor as the toyota highlander (and maybe other models?). I did like the Edge, but I have to find out if those seals are going to be a problem. From what I've read, people are paying about 1500 a pop to get that work done, and some seem to suggest it happens every three months. That's not a bill I want to deal with more than once.

 

[leper84]

On the lexus side of things, it appears it shares the same motor as the toyota highlander (and maybe other models?). I did like the Edge, but I have to find out if those seals are going to be a problem. From what I've read, people are paying about 1500 a pop to get that work done, and some seem to suggest it happens every three months. That's not a bill I want to deal with more than once.

From what I've seen the leaks are only an issue on the AWD models. If AWD is a must then that may be a deal breaker. I haven't seen any huge reliability concerns with the RX330's, its just when they break it will cost you. For example a power window switch isn't just a power window switch, its an entire module that sets you back $500-600.

 

[mvbighead]

From what I've seen the leaks are only an issue on the AWD models. If AWD is a must then that may be a deal breaker. I haven't seen any huge reliability concerns with the RX330's, its just when they break it will cost you. For example a power window switch isn't just a power window switch, its an entire module that sets you back $500-600.

In looking up the switch that you reference, I've found some sets on ebay for under $100 and power window motors on rockauto for $140 or so. While definitely more than I spent for similar items on a Jeep Grand Cherokee, it isn't too terrible. And most of the nickel/dime issues I'll fix myself. It's the major stuff that I'll likely have someone else do.

But at this point, the Edge AWD was close to my #1 option, but having read someone suggest that the PTU blew up, sent metal shavings into the transmission, and the total repair bill was close to $6-7k, I can deal with all of the switches dying on the Lexus and still have $5k left over.

And who knows, the person suggesting that issue with the Edge may have been exaggerating, or using a very costly service center, but there were plenty suggesting the PTU problems set them back $1500 or more, and several suggested dealing with it more than once.

Honestly, for the past several days, I have been trying to sell myself still on the Edge, but if I were to pay 1500 more than once for the same repair, I'd likely ending up selling the car at a loss.

I've also tried to think about getting a FWD Edge, but one site suggest that the FWD edges also experience the problem. Not seeing how this makes sense as I had assumed the PTU was in relation to the AWD system, but maybe those folks were having issues with the transmission sensors that was a part of the other issue.

Nonetheless, those two things just seem to be a bit too common. I have no problem if they chew up wheel bearings or something simple, but one of forum suggested taking a LOT of stuff apart just to fix the PTU problems. At that point, I'm giving up on it. I really liked the car, but I just cannot risk seeing that problem at 1500 when it seems to be fairly common.

At this point, the Lexus makes the most sense. Many seem to think they're terribly expensive to fix. And while it isn't a Dodge, Ford, or Chevy, it also isn't a BMW or Mercedes. I'd put it closer to Dodge, Ford, or Chevy than I would BMW or Mercedes. Most of the mechanical stuff is Toyota based. The electrical components are likely more Lexus specific, but I can deal with an occasional problem at a slight premium over what I give for the parts I need for my Chevy truck or whatever. As long as the motor and transmission are solid, I can get through the rest of it I think.

 

[mvbighead]

In looking up the switch that you reference, I've found some sets on ebay for under $100 and power window motors on rockauto for $140 or so. While definitely more than I spent for similar items on a Jeep Grand Cherokee, it isn't too terrible. And most of the nickel/dime issues I'll fix myself. It's the major stuff that I'll likely have someone else do.

But at this point, the Edge AWD was close to my #1 option, but having read someone suggest that the PTU blew up, sent metal shavings into the transmission, and the total repair bill was close to $6-7k, I can deal with all of the switches dying on the Lexus and still have $5k left over.

And who knows, the person suggesting that issue with the Edge may have been exaggerating, or using a very costly service center, but there were plenty suggesting the PTU problems set them back $1500 or more, and several suggested dealing with it more than once.

Honestly, for the past several days, I have been trying to sell myself still on the Edge, but if I were to pay 1500 more than once for the same repair, I'd likely ending up selling the car at a loss.

I've also tried to think about getting a FWD Edge, but one site suggest that the FWD edges also experience the problem. Not seeing how this makes sense as I had assumed the PTU was in relation to the AWD system, but maybe those folks were having issues with the transmission sensors that was a part of the other issue.

Nonetheless, those two things just seem to be a bit too common. I have no problem if they chew up wheel bearings or something simple, but one of forum suggested taking a LOT of stuff apart just to fix the PTU problems. At that point, I'm giving up on it. I really liked the car, but I just cannot risk seeing that problem at 1500 when it seems to be fairly common.

At this point, the Lexus makes the most sense. Many seem to think they're terribly expensive to fix. And while it isn't a Dodge, Ford, or Chevy, it also isn't a BMW or Mercedes. I'd put it closer to Dodge, Ford, or Chevy than I would BMW or Mercedes. Most of the mechanical stuff is Toyota based. The electrical components are likely more Lexus specific, but I can deal with an occasional problem at a slight premium over what I give for the parts I need for my Chevy truck or whatever. As long as the motor and transmission are solid, I can get through the rest of it I think.

In looking up a few other parts, it seems it shares parts between the Toyota Highland and the Toyota Sienna. I am sure there are several exceptions, but for the most part, I can get through a lot of common wear items with Toyota pricing.

 

[mvbighead]

And, I'm back.

I am narrowing in on a car at the moment, but am starting to reconsider the Edge that I had originally looked at. The car that has my attention at the moment is a 2005 Lexus RX330 with right at 100k miles. Includes a backup camera, navigation, plus other features standard for that model of car. Trouble is, it still runs 17k bucks despite all the miles. I have found a few at 13k or so, but no backup camera, which would be a very nice feature to have. (Granted, I don't think a backup camera should be worth a 4k difference, so.)

After much discussion with the wife, we're getting to the point where we're preparing to have another baby on the way. Nothing concrete there yet, but we're ready. That being said, we're definitely giving consideration to less expensive options a bit more just to have extra $$$ in the bank for whatever might pop up. Which brings me back to the Edge.

The one thing that caused me to steer clear was the PTU seal failure. I've done a fair amount of research on this, and the consensus seems to be that the seal failure is caused by the PTU overheating. The overheating is caused by the 'lifetime' fluid failing and turning to sludge. In the reading I've done, it seems that one can pump out the fluid and replace it with relative ease. So, if I can do that every so often (30k or so seems to be the suggestion), then the likelihood of a problem with the PTU should decrease greatly. I suspect a couple short interval changes of the fluid to get things 'flushed' out, and then regular maintenance.

At this rate, the Edge was sitting at 11k and was a bit more roomy which was quite nice for me at 6-3. I still fit in the RX330, but not quite as well as in the Edge. I could consider a lesser RX330 (and I have), but part of my reconsideration of the Edge is the space in the cabin both for front and rear passengers. That, and it has a bit more power than the RX330, which would also be nice to have. And the MPG comparison seems pretty much even.

Not sure if I am asking any questions above, but just looking for feedback on whether I am crazy to suspect that getting the fluid replaced a time or two sounds feasible considering the information out there about the PTU failures.

 

[mvbighead]

Just checked, and the Edge is now down to 10435:

http://www.siddillon.com/Used-2007-Ford-Edge-SEL-Plus-Blair-NE/vd/22027511

While it does have 120k miles, it does seem to be priced far lower than anything similar out there. And if I went this route, I'd be spending 6k-7k less that would leave money behind for me to use for repairs/new tires/whatever.