Anyone have an experience owning a Jeep Grand Cherokee?

Forums › Transport (cars, bikes and boats) › Anyone have an experience owning a Jeep Grand Cherokee?

phanw

10 posts

Wannabe Geek

#215348 23-Jun-2017 16:09

Thinking of buying a used one (2012 - 2014) 3.6cc or 3.0cc diesel engine, as I really like the look of them.

I've been trawling the Internet for the info in terms of their reliability and their lovable factor (Google, Reddit and number of car sites). I am getting mixed opinion about them.

Thought I would reach out to the NZ community to get the 1st hand (or 2nd) experience of owning one of these.

Also, I'm keen to know whether they cost as much as European cars to service and maintain.

Thanks!

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11424 posts

Uber Geek

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Lifetime subscriber

#1805750 23-Jun-2017 16:32

https://youtu.be/5sVmoOZRypk

Linux

mrdrifter

576 posts

Ultimate Geek

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#1805780 23-Jun-2017 17:08

I would recommend you search for Jeep Cherokee rollover tests. I first saw these a few years ago and it appears the problems continue to exist in every model.

solutionz

589 posts

Ultimate Geek
Inactive user

#1805781 23-Jun-2017 17:09

Had a 4.7L (petrol V8) for a while, didn't find mileage too bad considering. From memory around 16-19L/100km depending on how you drive.

It's obviously a fairly big vehicle to drive but found it super comfortable.

It started developing really random electrical issues which I finally traced to a broken wiring loom in between the drivers door hinge (design flaw) which I repaired myself.

Servicing was not cheap and decided to get rid of it after being quoted $5k to replace a broken passenger side wing mirror as apparently essentially a whole new door was needed.

If you're happy to burn money on it go ahead it's a nice vehicle, otherwise would not recommend.

Kiwifan

169 posts

Master Geek

Lifetime subscriber

#1805910 23-Jun-2017 22:26

Google alexonautos as he reviews a JGC 2015. He does a great review as well as a mini review on trunk space and child seating in seperate segments. He is based in San Francisco and does both on and off-road tests. I found him very fair in his review.

Disclaimer: I have just purchased a 2017 Overland. I love it, it is economical and although I haven't had it off-road yet I will do so within the next few months. One thing I did dislike on my first drive was the position of the park brake. It is horrible but the after whacking my shins a few times I have learnt where to put my resting leg and haven't had any trouble since.

Good luck whatever you buy.

surfisup1000

5288 posts

Uber Geek

#1805928 24-Jun-2017 00:06

solutionz:

was not cheap and decided to get rid of it after being quoted $5k to replace a broken passenger side wing mirror as apparently essentially a whole new door was needed.

I thought they said it was a jeep not a ford haha.

I just had my ford serviced, cost $4000. Ball joints needed replacing for the 8th time, plus a full oil change for everything.

smalltrader

174 posts

Master Geek

#1805951 24-Jun-2017 05:55

Disclaimer: I do not own a Jeep but did lots of comparative research when I bought my Crossover/SUV.

Jeep Cheerokee - Loveable Yes. Reliable - You better run for the hills now. Dr Google can share experience on Jeep's reliability. I had a colleague who need a complete auto transmission replacement on a 2010 model just outside of warranty. Latest model might be more reliable but when you look at US Consumer Report on car reliability, it still pay to have deep pocket to own a Jeep outside of warranty period.

phanw

10 posts

Wannabe Geek

#1806049 24-Jun-2017 13:41

Thanks for that...

What would you guys suggest as an alternative?

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surfisup1000

5288 posts

Uber Geek

#1806112 24-Jun-2017 17:01

The modern korean cars are very good . Look into them , (sorrento/santa fe).

I'm looking at a mazda cx9 at the moment ( but it doesn't have apple carplay!)

check this website...the guy is quite funny too.

http://autoexpert.com.au/

scuwp

3885 posts

Uber Geek

#1806120 24-Jun-2017 17:32

Santa Fe would have to be the top of my to-look-at list. Even the older shape were award winners.

Lazy is such an ugly word, I prefer to call it selective participation

scuwp

3885 posts

Uber Geek

#1806122 24-Jun-2017 17:36

I posted earlier but seems to have disappeared into the ether.

We looked at the Jeep and Dodge Journeys when we upgraded last year. Reliability, high fuel use, and high servicing costs quickly eliminated them for us. You may like to look at the reliability stats put out each year at JD power.com. Jeep is usually at the bad end of reliability indexes.

Lazy is such an ugly word, I prefer to call it selective participation

smalltrader

174 posts

Master Geek

#1806154 24-Jun-2017 18:16

Assuming you can live with Asian brands, Japanese and Korean usually will give you much more reliability. The latest Mazda CX9, Hyundai Santa Fe and Kia Sorento are good lookers too.

Remember Peter Schreyer is Chief Designer of Hyundai-Kia. You only only have to look at a Gen 3 Kia Sportage and the latest Gen 4 Sportage to know how far Kia has come along since Peter became the chief designer. Same thing with the Mazda CX9, it is a head turner, right up there with the Euros which cost 2 - 3 times as much plus you get the reliability with Mazda.

blakamin

4431 posts

Uber Geek
Inactive user

#1806156 24-Jun-2017 18:28

In-laws have a Santa Fe and are looking at getting a newer Santa Fe.

My brother bought a jeep to tow his caravan/boat. Hates it.

phanw

10 posts

Wannabe Geek

#1806743 26-Jun-2017 08:26

Thank you all.

I have decided against getting Jeep and possibly European secondhand cars for that matter (unless someone can convince me otherwise).

But damnnnn Euro cars are damn sexy from a design perspective compare to their Jap counterpart!!!

driller2000

935 posts

Ultimate Geek

ID Verified

#1806755 26-Jun-2017 08:53

phanw:

Thanks for that...

What would you guys suggest as an alternative?

Considering this as the next car for the family:

http://www.skoda.co.nz/models/kodiaq/kodiaq/?gclid=CjwKEAjwvr3KBRD_i_Lz6cihrDASJADUkGCaYLYtmLdpvA6AzGtRV9_Bt0b-yTUZHWCVPSDlC_tRyBoC1bjw_wcB

https://www.whatcar.com/awards/best-large-suv/2017-overall-winner/skoda-kodiaq

BlueShift

1692 posts

Uber Geek

#1806765 26-Jun-2017 09:13

We test drove a couple of the US beasts while SUV shopping. Not a Cherokee though. Our general impression was that there's a good reason the big US car makers went broke during the GFC - even the americans weren't buying the US made cars. They look good in a macho 80s action hero kind of way, but inside they're plasticky and they drive like a whale. We ended up with a Hyundai and are very happy with it.

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