03_4x4Runner
Senior Member
I only like Consumer Reports when they like something I bought. It makes me feel smart and helps me justify my purchase. I write them off as losers when do not like something I bought.
4runner reliability, Consumers Reports
- Thread starter 03_4x4Runner
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FrontRange4Runner
New member
When you consider CR's market, can you blame them for not recommending a heavy ass, BOF SUV with (mostly) part time 4wd that has little pickup and gets 20 mpg on a good day? We don't live in the Atacama desert, Siberia or anywhere near Africa so what would their point be? Spend a bunch om money on something you don't need and will never use, just because you can? That's just dumb, and they make no money on dumb. The strange thing is that I don't give a flying **** about their recommendation. I'm not a 25 year old soccer mom. I am one of the few people left that values overbuilt things. It's clunky and awkward at times, but it will always get me there no matter what - and that's all that matters.
1engineer
Moderator
Truth.
Bourbonator
New member
Unless you're Tesla. Their sedan literally set the bar on consumer report's initial judgement, scoring more than 100 points on their 100-point scale (I guess their math skills need some work, too). Recently, they've reevaluated the car, docking it significantly for long-term quality issues.
I'm sure consumer reports, like most entities today, has an amount of political influence. Gotta love green, gotta love American.
gm350reratliff
New member
I agree with this.
At least that is exactly how it seems. I laugh that the Kia beat Toyota. A couple families I know have Kia Sorentos and both of them are always in the shop with various issues. I have also fallen victim to CR with a dishwasher and an oven I purchased. Both of them are probably the worst appliances I have ever owned.
DesertCanyons
New member
Reliability and COnsumer Reports
I agree that today's Jeep GC are unreliable. According to consumer reviews their complicated systems break down often and the dealers can't or won't fix them, even under warranty.
It sounds like the 1995 Jeep you had with a 4.0L flat six was a Cherokee, not a Grand Cherokee. I still have my 1995 Jeep Grand Cherokee Orvis Edition. It's been a very reliable car. I have over 210,000 miles on the original 5.6L V8 engine. Repairs are fairly easy and it's much easier to repair than the complicated 1999 and up model years. The components and systems are much simpler and more basic than the later years. The reason I replaced it with a new T4R TE is because the parts for the 1995 Jeep are getting hard to find and are very expensive when I do find them.
IIRC, CR based it's reliability ratings on reviews by consumers from a large sample of owners. That's fairly accurate but also depends on consumers being able to provide accurate, objective reviews. JD Powers bases it's resale value on actual sales prices after 5 years of ownership and is a fairly good source for confirming that the Toyota 4Runner and Jeep Wrangler both have good resale value, that is, they hold their value. Balancing both reports, CR can tell you the T4R TE is more reliable than the similarly priced Jeep Wrangler Unlimited Rubicon but for some reason, both retain their original value well. You can take parts of the info you get from CR and JD Powers to understand the relative value of cars in general. But none of the reviews I read for either of the above vehicles was very detailed or objective.
I agree that today's Jeep GC are unreliable. According to consumer reviews their complicated systems break down often and the dealers can't or won't fix them, even under warranty.
It sounds like the 1995 Jeep you had with a 4.0L flat six was a Cherokee, not a Grand Cherokee. I still have my 1995 Jeep Grand Cherokee Orvis Edition. It's been a very reliable car. I have over 210,000 miles on the original 5.6L V8 engine. Repairs are fairly easy and it's much easier to repair than the complicated 1999 and up model years. The components and systems are much simpler and more basic than the later years. The reason I replaced it with a new T4R TE is because the parts for the 1995 Jeep are getting hard to find and are very expensive when I do find them.
IIRC, CR based it's reliability ratings on reviews by consumers from a large sample of owners. That's fairly accurate but also depends on consumers being able to provide accurate, objective reviews. JD Powers bases it's resale value on actual sales prices after 5 years of ownership and is a fairly good source for confirming that the Toyota 4Runner and Jeep Wrangler both have good resale value, that is, they hold their value. Balancing both reports, CR can tell you the T4R TE is more reliable than the similarly priced Jeep Wrangler Unlimited Rubicon but for some reason, both retain their original value well. You can take parts of the info you get from CR and JD Powers to understand the relative value of cars in general. But none of the reviews I read for either of the above vehicles was very detailed or objective.
Phew. You don't know your engines to well
The 4.0 in the old jeeps was not a flat six. It was an ohv inline 6. Your grand Cherokee doesn't have a 5.6 liter. It's either a 5.2 or a 5.9. More than likely a 5.2.
RockyMountainT4R
New member
whoa, Jeremy556, it's... it's like looking in the mirror!
Phew. You don't know your engines to well
The 4.0 in the old jeeps was not a flat six. It was an ohv inline 6. Your grand Cherokee doesn't have a 5.6 liter. It's either a 5.2 or a 5.9. More than likely a 5.2.
That 4 liter inline six was stout as shit too. Wasn't the quietest, or best performing motor, but I'll be damned if I ever saw one quit.
My old XJ is still one of my favorite cars.
KidVermicious
New member
Those four liter sixes are good motors, and the transmissions behind them were basically the same Aisin transmissions Toyota used. My only gripe about the old Cherokee is the unibody, but there's no denying their longevity and capability on the trail.
I would rather have the Toyota 4.0. It's under square where the jeep 4.0 was over square. The Toyota has a longer stroke and makes way more power.
You could not give me a Chevy...as much as a Ford man I am, this Ecoboodt BS has turned me off. I like my new TP, but man I miss that F150 Super Crew.
I am looking to purchase a 3/4 ton truck and the new Ram with the Cummins diesel sure is looking good, $15K less than a F250
It was a GC with a EFI in line 6 cylinder, 4.0, may have been a 4.2, but I am almost positive a 4.0. They also offered a V8 that year, I believe...
77
DesertCanyons
New member
4.0L V6 flat top
@Fighht2k
Thanks, I stand corrected. You're right. I'm a civil engineer, not a mechanical engineer. I just went out to the garage to check and it's a 5.2L V8. The 5.9L V8 was rare in 1995. I have seen one around town here, but not many on the road.
My previous mechanic called the 4.0L V6 in the Jeep Cherokee a flat six because of the shape of the engine. It was basically flat on top. I never owned one and was not familiar with the OHV configuration. A durable, reliable engine, they ran forever...
Phew. You don't know your engines to well
The 4.0 in the old jeeps was not a flat six. It was an ohv inline 6. Your grand Cherokee doesn't have a 5.6 liter. It's either a 5.2 or a 5.9. More than likely a 5.2.
@Fighht2k
Thanks, I stand corrected. You're right. I'm a civil engineer, not a mechanical engineer. I just went out to the garage to check and it's a 5.2L V8. The 5.9L V8 was rare in 1995. I have seen one around town here, but not many on the road.
My previous mechanic called the 4.0L V6 in the Jeep Cherokee a flat six because of the shape of the engine. It was basically flat on top. I never owned one and was not familiar with the OHV configuration. A durable, reliable engine, they ran forever...
Blitzkrieg
New member
Meh. I don't put any (or very little) stock in reviews and ratings such as CR or Power.
Remember the turd on wheels called a Pontiac Aztek?
"The Aztek had among the highest CSI (Customer Satisfaction Index) scores in its class, and won the appellation of "Most Appealing Entry Sport Utility Vehicle" in 2001 from J.D. Power and Associates, an independent consumer survey organization which noted: "The Aztek scores highest or second highest in every APEAL component measure except exterior styling."
Decrypted: "I bought the ugliest POS on earth but I am going to rate it outstanding because I am embarrassed".
You want to know what the good vehicles are? Look at resale value and the loyalty of the people who own them. Toyota wins hands down and there is a reason why.
Remember the turd on wheels called a Pontiac Aztek?
"The Aztek had among the highest CSI (Customer Satisfaction Index) scores in its class, and won the appellation of "Most Appealing Entry Sport Utility Vehicle" in 2001 from J.D. Power and Associates, an independent consumer survey organization which noted: "The Aztek scores highest or second highest in every APEAL component measure except exterior styling."
Decrypted: "I bought the ugliest POS on earth but I am going to rate it outstanding because I am embarrassed".
You want to know what the good vehicles are? Look at resale value and the loyalty of the people who own them. Toyota wins hands down and there is a reason why.
