If you were shopping...would you give the Grand Cherokee Diesel a chance?

[2003Can4runner]

Just outta curiosity. I drive a 3rd Gen and someday hope to move up into a 4th gen V8...but the Grand Cherokee Diesel just seems so appealing. I know its quality isn't quite there, but 3.0 CRD sounds like it'd be a great motor.

what do you guys think?

 

[RonMAIDEN]

Questionable reliability isn't worth the motor IMO.

 

[Northof49]

What advantages will this motor give over the 4Runner's current engine choices?

- More power? No
- Quieter/smoother? No
- Tow/haul more? No
- Fun to drive/throttle response/acceleration? No
- Better sound characteristics? No
- Less expensive maintenence? Not sure...doubtful
- Reliability/durability/longevity? Even if it was top notch, it won't be any better, as the 4R's motors have always been great.

So are we're left with a likely a few mpg advantage, which is yet to be real world tested by a large consumer group.

Why does it sound so appealing again? If fuel economy is your number 1 priority, you are looking in the entirely wrong vehicle class. It's a mid-teens to mid-20mpg rig no matter what....V6, V8, diesel, whatever.

Now, a big-boy turbodiesel like a Duramax/Cummins type setup with 600lbs torque that could pull your house...that'd be a different story, and definetly one I'd put some thought into.

 

[2003Can4runner]

What advantages will this motor give over the 4Runner's current engine choices?

- More power? No
- Quieter/smoother? No
- Tow/haul more? No
- Fun to drive/throttle response/acceleration? No
- Better sound characteristics? No
- Less expensive maintenence? Not sure...doubtful
- Reliability/durability/longevity? Even if it was top notch, it won't be any better, as the 4R's motors have always been great.

So are we're left with a likely a few mpg advantage, which is yet to be real world tested by a large consumer group.

Why does it sound so appealing again? If fuel economy is your number 1 priority, you are looking in the entirely wrong vehicle class. It's a mid-teens to mid-20mpg rig no matter what....V6, V8, diesel, whatever.

Now, a big-boy turbodiesel like a Duramax/Cummins type setup with 600lbs torque that could pull your house...that'd be a different story, and definetly one I'd put some thought into.

haha OK you win.

I just always like the thought of a diesel. I need an SUV because i tow a camper, and tow my girlfriends two horse trailer. I like the idea of a fullsize chevy with a duramax, but i like the size of the 4runner.

thanks guys!

 

[Bill3508]

Considering the Cherokee has been just about the worst vehicle reliability wise for the last 10 years, a big no would be in order.

Bill3508

 

[Mark86]

Definitely not because of reliability.

 

[Thai]

No...is this the Bluetec diesel from Mercedes?? If so, then it's still unproven in my book. I would wait a few more years before jumping on the bandwagon. IF the motor does not fall apart, the Jeep will.

Not in this lifetime would i ever buy a Jeep not named Wrangler Rubicon.

 

[<<<<]

Even though I like how they look, I wouldnt buy Jeep. Poor fit and finish puts them below Toyota or Nissan quality.

 

[TheBlueWave]

If I bought one now I'd likely be sad when the better manufacturers come out with a better diesel powered product. :sobbing:

 

[greasefingers]

I bought my first new Cherokee in 1988. It was a 2-door with a 5-speed. I put 140,000 miles on her. Then I bought a new Grand in 1994 which I still drive to work everyday. It has 206,000 miles on her.

It has been a long relationship but I will not buy another one. Their motors are great but it is everything that is bolted to the motor that fails. Common issues after 100,000 miles are: crankshaft position sensor, fuel pump, ecu, warped rotors, fan relay, power steering pumps, HVAC blend doors snapping off ( a$1,200 fix at the dealer) and poor quality suspension parts.

So over the 19 years it has been fun but it has also taught me more about auto mechanics than I wish to admit.

A great truck to lease or just keep for a couple of years. The diesel may prove to be great but give it time. Do not be the guinea pig!

 

[Jeff Kleb]

A GM Duramax 6.5L, Cummins 5.9L or Powerstroke (Navistar) 6.4L would never fit under the hood of the Grand Cherokee - no way. Besides, a powerplant that large & heavy would probably just tear the Jeep to pieces anyway.

If you are really dead-set on a diesel, hold out until Toyota puts a small Caterpillar engine into the 4Runner or the Tundra. Since they are a sponsor of TRD racing, I would suspect that some type of deal is in the pipeline.

I test-drove an '07 Tundra, and I know that a diesel block would definitely fit under that hood. The 5.7 iForce V8 actually looks small in there!

Since Toyota offers oil-burners in other markets, it is only a matter of time before they sell them here. The '07 emissions and lower sulfur content of diesel fuel were tough obstacles, but are being conquered as time goes on.



FYI: When I cruised by the local Ford stealership last weekend to check out some Mustangs, I noticed they had several of the 2008 Ford Super Duty trucks on the lot. Nice vehicles, but they went all the way up to $56,000 for a loaded F-350 dually with the new 6.4L Powerstroke diesel. Yikes!
:bash:

 

[KimoSan]

Nope....

Having now owned a Toyota and my wife's CR-V, I can honestly say that I don't see myself owning another domestic vehicle again. And especially not a Jeep (mostly due to past reliability).

 

[iLLWiLL]

I've had a 95 gr cherokee for the last 7 1/2 yrs. For a 12-yr old, it has fairly low mileage (150k). Yet already at the 110k mark, i had to get the transmission rebuilt (got screwed by AAMCO for $3000) -- i've hated jeeps ever since. It's riddled with electrical problems -- rear brake light stays lit once every 5-6 weeks, the driver-side automatic door locks don't work, the passenger side window does not roll up/down. And now the muffler makes it sound like a lawnmower, and it is just as powerful as one...

Granted, i've been told the engine on these are "bulletproof", and i've never had a single engine problem, or have it break down on me.

I'm now trying to get rid of this P.O.S. -- Carmax offered me $1200. I'm now debating whether i should make a few fixes and sell it on the street (which includes smog repairs, cuz i know it won't pass), or take the money from carmax...


Long story short -- i'll never buy a jeep or anything Chrysler again...

 

[Indy4Runner]

If I were shopping the Grand Cherokee diesel against a domestic SUV then I'd go for the Jeep. If I were shopping the GC against a 4Runner or a Pathfinder, then there's no way I'd choose the Jeep. The 3.0 diesel is a hell of a motor (Merceded builds great diesels) but it deserves a better vehicle than the Jeep. Jeeps can be lots of fun but as you've already read, there are too many annoying problems with them that you don't get with a 4Runner. Some would argue that with the diesel you'd easily get 200,000 miles of trouble free service but we already know that's the case with any Toyota engine.

 

[pipspeak]

If it's anything like the diesel that was in the European Cherokee a few years back then I'd avoid it like the plague. My dad had one and that thing drove like a tractor. Sounded like one, too.

 

[jacal]

Not directly related, but I've known too many people (4-5) who bought the Liberty diesel and really really disliked it. For all the engines downfalls they didn't even get to realize the fuel savings that they were promised.


J

 

[greasefingers]

From what I have read, the Liberty diesel gets really poor mileage (like in the high teens). What a shame if it is true.

 

[Camprunner]

I just tonight noticed a jeep ad on TV that said they now have a lifetime warranty on the drivetrain.

I then saw the same ad for Dodge

I have had my fair share of Jeep's and my fair shair of problems with them as well ............ I would have to think long and hard about another one.