I wanted to share some thoughts on my current ride. So here we go ..............
This 99 Jeep WJ (grand cherokee) is 4x4 and was purchased very well maintained from a relative. The vehicle has 143K miles and I am the third owner. First let me say this thing is RELIABLE but not durable. Several suspension parts are shot. These are not the OEM parts either. Almost everything in the suspension has been replaced at least once. It currently needs at least its third set of tie rod ends and the bushings and ball joint in the rear wishbone (yes you read that correct REAR ball joint WTH?) are shot. Also the front and rear drive shafts are moaning and in need of replacement to the tune of $1000 just for parts. Drive shafts are one of the many weak points on this generation Grand Cherokee with several shops specializing in this repair.
I rate the engine (the vaunted I6 of AMC heritage) as tuff but useless in a large SUV such as the WJ. It gets poor mileage and is nearly useless on the highway. A corolla can pull away from the Jeep on any uphill grade on the highway i.e. 60 mph plus.
The trans is so low tech and poorly programmed it is hard to imagine. It is a 4 speed auto with TWO yes TWO second gears. An ECM flash is out there to re-flash it to a true four speed auto but who the [censored] thought up this idiocy?
The 4x4 system is amazing but it should be noted that the transfer case has been replaced by the first owners for an unknown reason.
The small parts quality is horrendous. I have had issues with door hinges, door handles, and numerous trim pieces. Also several weatherstrip are leaky.
If you need a vehicle that goes places normal 4x4's can't go this is the vehicle for you. Off road it drives circles around Explorers, tahoes, any front wheel drive based suv shrivels up in the presence of the Jeep brand off road. To equal the off road capability one would likely need a Rover SUV of some sort.
It may sound as I hate this vehicle and I do. I like a quiet, comfy ride and I never have a need to do serious off roading. The nickel and dime repairs get really old.
In closing here is my pro and con list:
Pro
reliable engine
excellent off road capability
good looks
HUGE online enthusiast presence (makes diagnosis of problems easy)
cons
suspension is not durable
small parts not durable
parts are expensive compared to GM and Ford
horrible highway manners
poor engineering/design choices by Chrysler
I would recommend this vehicle if 4x4 performance is your top priority. Otherwise I think there are much better choices.
This 99 Jeep WJ (grand cherokee) is 4x4 and was purchased very well maintained from a relative. The vehicle has 143K miles and I am the third owner. First let me say this thing is RELIABLE but not durable. Several suspension parts are shot. These are not the OEM parts either. Almost everything in the suspension has been replaced at least once. It currently needs at least its third set of tie rod ends and the bushings and ball joint in the rear wishbone (yes you read that correct REAR ball joint WTH?) are shot. Also the front and rear drive shafts are moaning and in need of replacement to the tune of $1000 just for parts. Drive shafts are one of the many weak points on this generation Grand Cherokee with several shops specializing in this repair.
I rate the engine (the vaunted I6 of AMC heritage) as tuff but useless in a large SUV such as the WJ. It gets poor mileage and is nearly useless on the highway. A corolla can pull away from the Jeep on any uphill grade on the highway i.e. 60 mph plus.
The trans is so low tech and poorly programmed it is hard to imagine. It is a 4 speed auto with TWO yes TWO second gears. An ECM flash is out there to re-flash it to a true four speed auto but who the [censored] thought up this idiocy?
The 4x4 system is amazing but it should be noted that the transfer case has been replaced by the first owners for an unknown reason.
The small parts quality is horrendous. I have had issues with door hinges, door handles, and numerous trim pieces. Also several weatherstrip are leaky.
If you need a vehicle that goes places normal 4x4's can't go this is the vehicle for you. Off road it drives circles around Explorers, tahoes, any front wheel drive based suv shrivels up in the presence of the Jeep brand off road. To equal the off road capability one would likely need a Rover SUV of some sort.
It may sound as I hate this vehicle and I do. I like a quiet, comfy ride and I never have a need to do serious off roading. The nickel and dime repairs get really old.
In closing here is my pro and con list:
Pro
reliable engine
excellent off road capability
good looks
HUGE online enthusiast presence (makes diagnosis of problems easy)
cons
suspension is not durable
small parts not durable
parts are expensive compared to GM and Ford
horrible highway manners
poor engineering/design choices by Chrysler
I would recommend this vehicle if 4x4 performance is your top priority. Otherwise I think there are much better choices.