Considering purchasing a 2014 Jeep Grand Cherokee

[pinetar]

Weird...it's almost as if they gave you the option to use that feature to make that kind of terrain easier. Kind of like it was there on the GC to use.

The only proof I need that it had a functioning 4LO was the difference it made in getting me out of situations I otherwise would have been stuck in or wasted my time trying to get out of with over extended effort.

This thread has dragged on way too far already, so I'll leave it with actual first hand experience, as the person who brought it back from the dead requested.

 

[bluecollarjock]

So some do not like the GC and think its too wimpy to really off road...we all seem to agree compared to the 4runner reliability is an issue....but for those who do not have problems with their GC, its interior and ride quality is wonderful.

Too bad you do not live close enough to go on a trail ride together and forget about trying to prove which rig can do what off road or not....different strokes for different folks. Looks like plenty of people wheel the GC and what was news to me but cool to see, is some folks wheel the piss out of Subaru's as well.

 

[Muzzle of Bees]

I test drove a 2015 Grand Cherokee. It was still on the lot in January 2016.
As others have written here. They sure are comfortable, the interior materials are nice and they have many creature comforts. I was not comfortable with all of the features being dependent on electronics. I dont want to be stranded off road where the electronics are faulty. I like to have a way to manually engage my 4 wheel drive system too.

 

[bluecollarjock]

I test drove a 2015 Grand Cherokee. It was still on the lot in January 2016.
As others have written here. They sure are comfortable, the interior materials are nice and they have many creature comforts. I was not comfortable with all of the features being dependent on electronics. I dont want to be stranded off road where the electronics are faulty. I like to have a way to manually engage my 4 wheel drive system too.

I have not even test drove either yet....but sure do see tons of GC in my yuppie town and they look really nice (FYI I am NOT a yuppie hah, live in a shoebox month to month here). I was swayed for a minute to consider the GC when I was under the impression folks were getting major mpg advantages over the 4runner even with the gas engine, and that it had more power, and a better interior. The red Trailhawk edition coming out this summer made me think hey why not check it out, the Jeep forum has lots of GC guys who love their rigs. BUT after this thread I am back to wanting a 4runner if I pull the trigger this summer on a new SUV. I want ZERO reliability issues, now or ten years from now. Just will need to time selling the Rubicon and doing my car shopping with these pain in the rear salespeople in LA. Long shot I have a hookup with employee pricing, and if that is the case and they can get me a silver (whatever it technically is) TRD Pro I would be all over it hah. I saw one the other day and did my best to catch up to it at a traffic light and it looked sweet.

 

[e60ral]

The V6 will have better mpg, it just won't have better performance. Rent a 4Runner for a weekend trip and see if you like it

 

[bluecollarjock]

The V6 will have better mpg, it just won't have better performance. Rent a 4Runner for a weekend trip and see if you like it

Honestly at this point I am sold on the 4runner. I LOVE my Jeep TJ Rubicon...gonna break my heart to sell it, I literally just put a new stereo system, LED lights, on top of a BRAND NEW custom built tranny, and I have full skids, sliders, Warn 9.5ti never used, fancy bumpers, the list goes ON and ON and ON....BUT at around 90k miles its like I had to throw all kinds of money at it, just lots of minor stuff but enough that it is a pain in the rear. My girlfriend jokes she has PTSD from the amount of time my Jeep has to go to the shop, and my neighbors always ask "do you need to borrow a car? is the Jeep running?" I mean its a 2005 and its MINT, and I am anal retentive on upkeep, and when I spend money I buy the high grade whatever it is and go to the top mechanics the Jeep clubs say to use, etc....I have pampered this TJ but as a DD its a nightmare. To hear that brand new GC can have quirks, no way, forget it. I just cannot deal with that, and the Jeep dealers in my area are AWFUL. I mean AWFUL. I had a warranty TSB issue that is a half hour job, one dealer kept it for 3 days and just reflashed the computer, the next dealer kept it over a week and then tried to do all kinds of extra work on it I did not ask for. I even mentioned it to my girlfriend today that lots of guys say the GC has to go in for service a lot potentially, and she was like "with the dealers around here that would be bad!"

I do not know what else I would really want at this point. Any other SUV is going to be too big for my needs and parking space. I would not mind a single cab short bed Chevy Silverado, as I owned Chevy/GM 4x4s all my life and they've always treated me GREAT even when I beat on them hard. Heck I bought my dad a 2004 Silverado 4x4, only things I did was put a leveling kit on it, got the engine and tranny custom tuned, an exhaust, rims, toolbox, floor mounted gun rack (key for my old man and me doing lots of shooting and hunting when I am home)....he now has 210k miles on it and still drives it daily to work 45 minutes each way with NEVER any major work. Its needed new exhausts (but in Pittsburgh the salt chews them up in no time), wheel bearings, and a u-joint. That is IT. BUT if I get a single cab short bed pickup its kind of useless with the girlfriend and her kids, or if I have family, etc. Basically a 3 seater. But I do love the power of a V8 and the cab room as I am a big guy. Which makes the Tacoma not appealing as the interior seems small, and I liked the old ones better than the new ones (and have read the new ones have quirks).

I need a reliable DD, and in my daydreams something that can trail ride if I get the time, as well go camping and hunting when I have the time....and the other daydream is whatever I buy new now I would want to be able to modify and wheel harder once it gets older and the warranty runs out. The 4runners seem to have such a plethora of aftermarket accessories, reliability, and fanatical following so lots of you guys to get help from IF there are issues and IF I ever do want to build one up.

 

[Danimal]

It sounds like a 4Runner is a good candidate. However, I agree with the suggestion above; go rent one for a weekend and drive it around and hit some dirt roads, etc. Most rental 4Runners are SR5s and there are other models that ride/handle differently, but at least you get to spend a weekend determining if the platform is right for you. That's what I did, and I loved the thing (but preferred the on road manners of the KDSS optioned one I test drove).

Dan

 

[bluecollarjock]

It sounds like a 4Runner is a good candidate. However, I agree with the suggestion above; go rent one for a weekend and drive it around and hit some dirt roads, etc. Most rental 4Runners are SR5s and there are other models that ride/handle differently, but at least you get to spend a weekend determining if the platform is right for you. That's what I did, and I loved the thing (but preferred the on road manners of the KDSS optioned one I test drove).

Dan

Thanks...once it looks like I pull the trigger on selling Jeep and have time to car shop, that will be next decision KDSS or not (unless I go for broke with a TRD Pro). Renting one and hitting trails would require I have a full weekend to drive far as I am right on the coast in an LA beach town, no trails or dirt roads for hours...

What little I have skimmed, its half dozen one way and the other KDSS or no KDSS...I've read how everyone that likes it says its totally the best thing since sliced bread for ride quality....but where I get confused is that if you plan on lifting it or doing more stout coilovers at any point then its not that big of a difference KDSS/no KDSS, and if you do a full lift its more a hassle and labor.

And since we are talking about reliability, the negative posts will say we don't know if KDSS will go the long haul and if/when it does fail even if its way way down the road, is a dealer the only option for repairs that will be out of sight? Those will be my next concerns, that is unless I can score a TRD Pro (which seems hard to find plus no wiggle room on negotiations if not above sticker in these parts).

 

[Koddo]

TJ Rubicon....unlimited? My dad has a 2005 TJ Rubicon Unlimited and the thing is a beast on the trails. Its pretty much the perfect size for AZ trails/mine roads. It's had a few things minor go wrong, but nothing major...actually been real reliable. I think his has about 80k on it. If it's a unlimited I would think twice....that vehicle is rarity and people will be lining up to get it.

 

[bluecollarjock]

TJ Rubicon....unlimited? My dad has a 2005 TJ Rubicon Unlimited and the thing is a beast on the trails. Its pretty much the perfect size for AZ trails/mine roads. It's had a few things minor go wrong, but nothing major...actually been real reliable. I think his has about 80k on it. If it's a unlimited I would think twice....that vehicle is rarity and people will be lining up to get it.

Nope not unlimited...and yes, its a beast on trails. I have not had time to wheel it as much as I planned, but with such a short wheelbase, front and rear lockers, super low transfer case....yea if I was wheeling all the time and could keep two vehicles I would not get rid of it. Other than the tranny nothing major, but if he is lifted and has the auto tranny I hope he regeared. I thought 4.10s and 33s would be fine which is one reason I got a Rubicon thinking I would not need to regear so save that cash plus factory lockers. With that year auto tranny and 33s, the OD is nearly useless if you drive on grades, and can smoke your tranny. I went to 4.88s but I think it was too late, as the tranny did crap out around 90k.

Right after the tranny it started nickle and diming me on stuff, heater core (labor is pain), rear main seal (known issue on those TJs/XJs), radiator, water pump, some computer issue with smog that is a known issue and covered under full warranty but no dealers want to do it, then if your dad has not changed his ODPA to a Crown or Dorman I would get on that now. Mine never had any issues other than the sensor, but the computer is picky about sensors, so you need to keep the stock sensor and throw it on the Crown or Dorman OPDA, if the stock sensor is bad like mine was, need a Mopar sensor. Many people who did not change the ODPA roasted their cam gear necessitating an engine rebuild. There are probably other things, all "minor" but when it all starts happening near 100k miles its like what the heck, especially when its your only wheels. The sensor things are a pain, because even if nothing is wrong, it will throw your engine light on and/or put the Jeep in "limp mode" and then you need to chase down the gremlin. Whatever he does to it, always use Mopar sensors if anything needs replaced, the computers in those are picky picky. But yea, now that I have replaced all the minor things and the major tranny, I just want a reliable daily driver with no hassles.

 

[golfpunks]

my previous jeep sahara unlimited on 35's,, loved this jeep, and I do miss it, but after 8k miles I had to get rid of it, because I got worried about the long term reliability, the engine was getting louder and louder,, yes it was under warranty but just too soon to have major issues.. I would love to purchase another one, loved opening the top, but ill wait until it will only be my weekend warrior.. I cant see myself using a jeep as a DD.. until then I am loving my one week old 4runner

 

[bluecollarjock]

my previous jeep sahara unlimited on 35's,, loved this jeep, and I do miss it, but after 8k miles I had to get rid of it, because I got worried about the long term reliability, the engine was getting louder and louder,, yes it was under warranty but just too soon to have major issues.. I would love to purchase another one, loved opening the top, but ill wait until it will only be my weekend warrior.. I cant see myself using a jeep as a DD.. until then I am loving my one week old 4runner

Yes....if I lived somewhere I could wheel easier, I would not let it go. However its at least a 2 hour road trip for me to find dirt or rocks....so the chances of using the transfer case, skids, winch, blah blah blah are slim to none for the next few years. If I was living in Colorado like I planned and could go wheeling regularly, and hunting regularly, the Rubicon would be my lifetime hunting companion. However, I have 3-5 more years in LA....and since I had to sell my 3rd Gen, the Jeep is my DD.

My game plan would be if I get a nice brand spanking new 5th Gen, when I move or if I have more time to wheel, I seriously will look for a under $10k YJ or TJ that is bone stock or slighly modified. I will be a SMALL lift and bigger ATs on it. I will not drop all the cash on gears, skids, winch all that stuff until I am actually regularly wheeling and need them. Truth is at least in my lifetime, I can do all sorts of fun off roading with minimal modifcations. I grew up in Ohio and PA with a Chevy K5, 2.5 inch lift and 33 BFGs. nothing else other than pipe bumpers....and I wheeled the snot out of that thing!!! Not even sure if it had a limited slip or not...but 33s, a 4 speed with granny gear, and a 350 fuel injected V8, man I have a lot of good memories hammering on it as well hunting with my dad. Now I have a fancy Rubicon loaded to the gills and have only mildly wheeled it 4 times.

If I get a 5th Gen I hope I can contain myself and remember how little I go wheeling, and leave it alone. Bumpers are the only must have for me, stock bumpers are pointless these days. If I got a TRD Pro that lift would be plenty, has a locker, get some bumpers and sliders and leave it ALONE...

 

[Roadkill]

Stopped by the forum to see what the intervening years had brought in terms of advancement to the 4Runner line (*ahem*), and I saw the notifications that this thread had another burst of activity. Heh.

Here's some insight into the life of Grand Cherokee owner... [gas pump]

Haha, not really with the diesel. In the summer I can get no-shit >600 miles between refueling. Best hand-calculated tank average was 36 mpg. Year-round I refuel probably once every two weeks when the tank gets to about half full, and this is my daily driver.

I like to have a way to manually engage my 4 wheel drive system too.

I admit occasionally wishing for the ability to manually disengage the always-on 4wd system in order to further enhance my fuel economy beyond what I mentioned. If you're referring to 4LO, then obviously that's manually engaged, with a dedicated button.

Grand Cherokees have decent off-road ability, but they don't give any impression of that to the driver. You sit lower than in a 4Runner

Did you have the air suspension on your Overland? (I forget if that's standard in that trim). Regardless, in Off-Road 2 mode, the ground clearance is 10.8 inches. I don't mind that it automatically enters the Aero mode at highway speeds (that is 3.6 inches lower than OR2).

I took my 2014 Grand Cherokee Summit EcoDiesel wheeling on Bolam Pass last summer. Never had tried off-roading before, but at least I managed a few knee-high water crossings and was able to put the Hill Descent Control computerized 4-corner control to good use. That really worked well to maintain a steady speed even on slick rock+mud descents. Later models have Selec-Speed that provides the same function regardless of ascent, descent, or level terrain. I look forward to working my way up the challenge level, but there's really no opportunities close to home.

I own a 2014 Jeep Grand Cherokee Limited with 51,000 miles and its been excellent; not a single problem. I also own a 2016 4Runner SR5 with 17,000 miles and it has been excellent. The Jeep is definitely more comfortable than the 4Runner. The 4Runner is much more spacious. I may be the exception, but, for what its worth, I love both vehicles and am very happy to have both.

USER WAS BURNED AT THE STAKE FOR THIS POST
(haha)

Anyway, I still love the hell out of this damn Jeep. It always puts a smile on my face. I'd choose it over the 4Runner again without hesitation. Cheers to all the great users here on t4r.org, though!

 

[FoozGrind]

Holly Hell DONT GET THE JGC. Biggest garbage on the road. I had a 2008 4runner I got rid of it last year in July for a 2015 JGC limited. I couldn't make a deal on a new 4runner and I fell in love with the technology in the Jeep. 1 Week after I bought it the tranny blew and they couldn't fix it. Had to fight with them to give me another new Jeep. 6 months later the fuel system had an issue and they kept replacing the same tube 3 times until they figured it wasn't that. Also if you ever had a 4runner going to a JGC is totally different in ride. I hated it. I hated every day paying for something I did not want. 2 Weeks ago I canned the Jeep and got my a 2016 4runner SR5. Never letting go of it!

 

[GeekinZombie]

Holly Hell DONT GET THE JGC. Biggest garbage on the road. I had a 2008 4runner I got rid of it last year in July for a 2015 JGC limited. I couldn't make a deal on a new 4runner and I fell in love with the technology in the Jeep. 1 Week after I bought it the tranny blew and they couldn't fix it. Had to fight with them to give me another new Jeep. 6 months later the fuel system had an issue and they kept replacing the same tube 3 times until they figured it wasn't that. Also if you ever had a 4runner going to a JGC is totally different in ride. I hated it. I hated every day paying for something I did not want. 2 Weeks ago I canned the Jeep and got my a 2016 4runner SR5. Never letting go of it!

Hello! I started reading this forum about 3 weeks ago. I just now realized that there were very recent posts and thought I would post as well. I bought a 2014 JGC Thanksgiving week. Having serious regrets as the fan sounds like a squeaky wheel in cold weather (I live in MN, so pretty much 75% of the time here). I know it sounds stupid and ridiculous, but what would you do in my position?

I want to get a 4 runner and have been working with a fabulous salesman from Toyota. He is trustworthy and more of a friend than a salesman. I'd like to trade it in, but I'm obviously going to be "flipped" quite a bit of money on my current loan.

Any suggestions are much appreciated. I hope I don't get flamed too badly. This is quite honestly the first time I've ever made such a huge car purchase and I'm having major regrets.

Thanks much.

 

[FourEyedWilly]

Hello! I started reading this forum about 3 weeks ago. I just now realized that there were very recent posts and thought I would post as well. I bought a 2014 JGC Thanksgiving week. Having serious regrets as the fan sounds like a squeaky wheel in cold weather (I live in MN, so pretty much 75% of the time here). I know it sounds stupid and ridiculous, but what would you do in my position?

I want to get a 4 runner and have been working with a fabulous salesman from Toyota. He is trustworthy and more of a friend than a salesman. I'd like to trade it in, but I'm obviously going to be "flipped" quite a bit of money on my current loan.

Any suggestions are much appreciated. I hope I don't get flamed too badly. This is quite honestly the first time I've ever made such a huge car purchase and I'm having major regrets.

Thanks much.

Take comfort knowing you are not the first, nor will be the last. I bought the GC with the Hemi and hated it about a week of ownership. It burned one quart of oil every 700 miles. I was told that oil evaporates in the dry desert heat. Completely normal. Window switches began to fail. I was told it was user error. The transmission hunted something fierce. Honestly felt like driving a CVT. It handled poorly, and didn't do any one thing great. The only way I could stave off loosing too much money was to find a "demo" vehicle that was essentially new but marked down. I ended up taking about $8K in the shorts.

I still like the way they look and I do like the Brodozer (Wrangler Unlimited) but will never buy a Chrysler/Jeep/Fiat product again. I do still have a Jeep, but it's the 1969 variety. If you have the means, make yourself happy.

 

[GeekinZombie]

Take comfort knowing you are not the first, nor will be the last. I bought the GC with the Hemi and hated it about a week of ownership. It burned one quart of oil every 700 miles. I was told that oil evaporates in the dry desert heat. Completely normal. Window switches began to fail. I was told it was user error. The transmission hunted something fierce. Honestly felt like driving a CVT. It handled poorly, and didn't do any one thing great. The only way I could stave off loosing too much money was to find a "demo" vehicle that was essentially new but marked down. I ended up taking about $8K in the shorts.

I still like the way they look and I do like the Brodozer (Wrangler Unlimited) but will never buy a Chrysler/Jeep/Fiat product again. I do still have a Jeep, but it's the 1969 variety. If you have the means, make yourself happy.

Thanks for your reply!! I'm still hopeful that I can trade it in at Toyota and get a decent amount of money toward my loan... but I really think that I'll be too far negative into the next loan and would have to put an additional $4k onto my 4runner loan. I totally agree with you though. I fell in love with how the JGC looks but definitely not how it drives.

I didn't notice the slippage in down shifting from gear 8 to 1 when coming to a stoplight when I test drove it. Now I feel as though I lunge forward from gears 5-2 when coming to a stop, if it's a gradual one. I may be stuck driving this thing for a year. I really hope not, though. I'm with you - I won't be buying another Jeep until the reliability is higher. I wish I would have let my mind have more say over my initial "oh wow it's so pretty!" instinct. Lesson learned! Expensive lesson.

 

[CC4R]

My sister and brother in law came down from Virginia to Florida for Christmas in their 2013 Jeep Wrangler Unlimited Rubicon. They left this morning in a rental because the motor blew not 5 miles from my parents house. This just finalized that my girlfriend will NOT be getting a jeep...

 

[mkeegan27]

FWIW.... I have seen a lot more 4runners being driven in last few years here in CT.....maybe people are catching on!

 

[GeekinZombie]

My sister and brother in law came down from Virginia to Florida for Christmas in their 2013 Jeep Wrangler Unlimited Rubicon. They left this morning in a rental because the motor blew not 5 miles from my parents house. This just finalized that my girlfriend will NOT be getting a jeep...

Oh man, that's awful Mine isn't blowing up yet... but I'm trying hard to get into a 4runner quickly. It's going to cost a lot seeing as I just bought a JGC.