Seriously impressed....

[JohnnyT]

I have an 08 SR5 that I love, but yesterday I went and drove a 12 Jeep Grand Cherokee Limited with the v8 just for fun and it is a VERY nice truck. Its more like a crossover so not really comparing apples to apples against my SR5.

It was smooth, the interior detail and quality was outstanding, and it has great class look and curb appeal. Very un-Jeep like.

Making me think of getting one. Anyone out there have one or any experience with one as a second car or through a friend?

The one and only major reservation I can think of is Jeeps history of less-than-good reliability.

Thoughts?

 

[12guns]

Oh no! don't downgrade to a Jeep!!
As with most Chrysler products, they are great and "seem" like a nice vehicle...then you start into the repairs. For every jeep that seems like a reliable vehicle, there are a dozen on the side of the highway broken down for one reason or another.

 

[runner214]

My father actually just got a '12 Jeep Grand Cherokee Overland Summit V8 to replace his '04 4runner and he absolutely loves it. He was considering the 5th gen 4runner, but the lack of a V8 and many test drives in both of them had him convinced to go with the Jeep. I bought the 4runner from him to keep it in the family.

This is actually his second Jeep. The first was a very unreliable '94 Grand Cherokee Laredo V8 that he had until he bought the 4runner, which he then had for nearly as long, but with zero issues. Early reliability reports are good for the new Grand Cherokee but time will tell.

 

[NJshadow93]

a friend said his uncle has a 2010 grand cherokee V8 and he hates it because of all of the work it needed since 4 months after driving it off the lot. and from what I hear, Chrysler is the worst when it comes to new car warranties. Personally, I would never buy a Jeep. But if you think it is worth the risk then the decision is entirely up to you.

 

[12guns]

I don't understand why a person would own one vehicle, have problems with reliability (which is slightly important), then buy another one a few years later? To each his own I guess. My 89' Cherokee was the one and only Chrysler product I'll ever own. My 96' Tacoma was still running strong at
284k miles when I traded it in on the 4runner.
I will agree however that I wish the new body style 4runner offered a V8!

 

[berettashot117]

why are you praising jeeps on this forum?? I dislike jeeps for the sole reason that I drive a Toyota, your preaching to the wrong crowd!

 

[NJshadow93]

why are you praising jeeps on this forum?? I dislike jeeps for the sole reason that I drive a Toyota, your preaching to the wrong crowd!

:iagree: A few months ago an older Grand Cherokee was blocking traffic at a stop light. He had smoke coming out from under the hood. I would laugh because of the people in Jeeps around me, trying to ignore the fact that one of their own nearly exploded in traffic. Someone I know bought a 1997 Grand Cherokee used. 2 months into owning it, he blew two spark plugs on the highway and he was left stranded. He discovered other engine troubles when he was getting it fixed. My boss at work has a Grand Cherokee and I hear him complain about the expenses it is costing him. No matter what people say about Jeeps, Chrysler in general, they are poorly designed, bad quality vehicles. I even hate being behind them in traffic because of the toxic fumes they give off. The only reliable Jeeps are the older Cherokees, as ugly as they are.

 

[JohnnyT]

a friend said his uncle has a 2010 grand cherokee V8 and he hates it because of all of the work it needed since 4 months after driving it off the lot. and from what I hear, Chrysler is the worst when it comes to new car warranties. Personally, I would never buy a Jeep. But if you think it is worth the risk then the decision is entirely up to you.

It was the 2011's where the redesign and "improvements" started. Not surprising to hear about issues with '10's and older.

 

[JohnnyT]

I don't understand why a person would own one vehicle, have problems with reliability (which is slightly important), then buy another one a few years later? To each his own I guess. My 89' Cherokee was the one and only Chrysler product I'll ever own. My 96' Tacoma was still running strong at
284k miles when I traded it in on the 4runner.
I will agree however that I wish the new body style 4runner offered a V8!

So I guess with your mindset, once something is subpar, it can never ever improve no matter what. That's sad, bud.

What about the other way around? Do you think todays 4runner is built as well as a gen4? If you do, you're out of your mind. Go around the current model and open and close all the doors and really pay attention. It is nowhere near as solid a vehicle.

 

[JohnnyT]

why are you praising jeeps on this forum?? I dislike jeeps for the sole reason that I drive a Toyota, your preaching to the wrong crowd!

I'm praising what I've seen and experienced in the 2012 Jeep Grand Cherokee. Not "Jeeps". Not the 07, 97, 87, or any other Jeep. Just one, champ.

If the fact that i simply point out that their new vehicle is well made (at least off the lot) upsets you, then that is just too bad.

Get ready to see a lot of them on the road, my friend. How many 2012 4runners do you see? I rarely see one. I've had people actually complement my truck and then ask me if they still make the 4 runner.

 

[03_4x4Runner]

Jeep sells 2 to 3 times more Grand Cherokees than Toyota sells 4runners so I would assume there would be 2 or 3 times more owners with problems. Jeep offers a lot more vehicle and features for the same money at this time.

 

[deedst4r]

Here is my opinion on this car.

I think it is good looking. Very nice looking inside and out. It also probably has great power with the size of engine in there. BUT, it is a jeep. Not a reliable car. My buddy got one and loves it. He has however spent over 1,500 dollars on repairs in 6 months. I would say this, go with what you know you want. I will never drive one over a 4runner. It is cheaper, better looking, and much more reliable IMHO. Good luck!

 

[4RunnerFan]

Someone created a thread recently where he was trying to decide between a couple of used 4th gens and a used 5th. I was considering posting that if he was looking at 5th gens, then maybe he should take a look at the latest gen JGC, but didn't submit the post because the price is probably still too high for him on the newer Jeep.

But if I were looking at new vehicles, I would certainly give the newly redesigned Grand Cherokee a hard look over a T4R 5th gen. I think Fiat has had a positive influence on Chrysler.

 

[Aquabear]

Someone created a thread recently where he was trying to decide between a couple of used 4th gens and a used 5th. I was considering posting that if he was looking at 5th gens, then maybe he should take a look at the latest gen JGC, but didn't submit the post because the price is probably still too high for him on the newer Jeep.

But if I were looking at new vehicles, I would certainly give the newly redesigned Grand Cherokee a hard look over a T4R 5th gen. I think Fiat has had a positive influence on Chrysler.

:iagree:
Hey look I love my 08 4Runner because its UBER RARE of a 4Runner owner complaining about constantly breaking down and being in the shop. I know I had a 2001 Jeep Grand Ch which I traded in for my current 4Runner. Yes I loved it but I don't know which was worse constantly paying my mechanic or hearing my wife b :dammit:tch at me about it.
The new GC maybe better in reliability than before and I even went to a dealer to check it out but I still have my 4Runner and am lovin it. 4 rear ends in my GC still gives me nightmares with only 120,000 miles. SAD SAD SAD.
Good luck whatever you do but remember this site will be biased we are ALL LOVERS OF THE 4RUNNER HERE!

 

[BlackWorksInc]

Ah yes... the new 2012 Fiat... I mean Jeep Grand Cherokee. I like the look and they are nice inside. But the unibody construction and previous Chrysler technology makes me very wary of them.

Granted the '12 might be a great vehicle, but the Unibody is a big detractor (Why Jeep... why woudl you ever make such a thing! THE HORROR!) and the less than stellar (and I am being very very polite here) track record Jeep/Chrysler technology & customer service has makes me very very paranoid.

I'll wait another few years until Fiat has finished sinking their teeth into the carcass of Chrysler and making them actually worthwhile, until I consider a Chrysler Product...

 

[12guns]

So I guess with your mindset, once something is subpar, it can never ever improve no matter what. That's sad, bud.

What about the other way around? Do you think todays 4runner is built as well as a gen4? If you do, you're out of your mind. Go around the current model and open and close all the doors and really pay attention. It is nowhere near as solid a vehicle.

You're way off man...
For starters, do some research. Jeeps suck, did suck and likely always will suck. If the pros start saying they are better and now as good as Toyta, I'll look into one. Until then, no sir. They are great off road, but will leave you stranded on the highway time and time again. Consumer reports and all other reviewers agree that Jeep's suck and have poor reliability...there is someone that gives them "Initial Quality" high ratings, but that's a marketing gimick...Initial doesn't mean jack to me. I would expect any brand new car to perform as such (although not all Jeeps do).
And I agree, my 4th gen is a better vehicle as the 5th gen 4runners (which will improve over time). But the 5th gen is still waaayy better than any Jeep on the road. You won't find any body that disagrees.
Ask a mechanic, ask new model Jeep owners, they will all tell you the same.

Sure would be cool if we knew how much Jeep dealerships sold in engine parts vs. Toyota. It would have to be in some kind of ratio/percentage than made it fair based on X number of sales. I bet it would paint a pretty clear picture. Just my thoughts, not trying to argue.

 

[12guns]

JohnnyT
I say you should go buy one and let us know how it turns out after driving it for a while. Who knows, maybe you're right. Maybe Jeep is the new Toyota and it all happened over 1 year of changes to the JGC.

 

[NJshadow93]

I would take a 5th gen 4Runner over a new Jeep Grand Cherokee 100% of the time. I don't care how good the interior of the JGC is compared to the T4R. The 4Runner is a truck and the Grand Cherokee is and was a cross over. As if unibody frame wasn't enough, they took out a solid rear and put in independent rear suspension! Also as far as looks goes, the 5th gen 4Runners are way more attractive on the outside compared to the Grand Cherokee. Although the 5th gen recieved criticism for it's rear end, the rear end of the new Grand Cherokee looks like a mini van. I actually thought it was the other night until I got close enough to see "Jeep" on the back. And Jeep will never, ever catch up to Toyota mechanically. The T4R 4.0 V6 is stronger (torque) compared to the 3.6 L in the GC. Not to mention, much better made and will probably last twice as long. I don't exactly hate Jeeps, I just can't stand how people obsess over these poorly made, overrated vehicles.

 

[JohnnyT]

You're way off man...
For starters, do some research. Jeeps suck, did suck and likely always will suck. If the pros start saying they are better and now as good as Toyta, I'll look into one. Until then, no sir. They are great off road, but will leave you stranded on the highway time and time again. Consumer reports and all other reviewers agree that Jeep's suck and have poor reliability...there is someone that gives them "Initial Quality" high ratings, but that's a marketing gimick...Initial doesn't mean jack to me. I would expect any brand new car to perform as such (although not all Jeeps do).
And I agree, my 4th gen is a better vehicle as the 5th gen 4runners (which will improve over time). But the 5th gen is still waaayy better than any Jeep on the road. You won't find any body that disagrees.
Ask a mechanic, ask new model Jeep owners, they will all tell you the same.

Sure would be cool if we knew how much Jeep dealerships sold in engine parts vs. Toyota. It would have to be in some kind of ratio/percentage than made it fair based on X number of sales. I bet it would paint a pretty clear picture. Just my thoughts, not trying to argue.

I'm not off anything. YOU don't believe that an American company like Chrysler can make anything good, ever. You seem close minded.

I don't disagree with you that Jeep has been very poor compared to Toyota since I can remember. No comparison. And I love my T4R. I also have a 99 Nissan Pathfinder (son) and a 07 Honda Pilot (wife). They are wonderful, solid vehicles - each one of them. No problems with any of them at all.

I'm only saying that may be changing. The recent Toyota products have been less than stellar and the new Jeep products look to be well done. Obviously, the Jeeps still need to prove themselves in the long haul (and only time will tell) but its looking like they may be on the right track where as Toyota seems to have gotten a bit off track.

To say a 5th Gen is way better than any Jeep means that you are closed minded and haven't compared them. I have - and one is indeed way better - but it isn't the 5th gen.

 

[JohnnyT]

I would take a 5th gen 4Runner over a new Jeep Grand Cherokee 100% of the time. I don't care how good the interior of the JGC is compared to the T4R. The 4Runner is a truck and the Grand Cherokee is and was a cross over. As if unibody frame wasn't enough, they took out a solid rear and put in independent rear suspension! Also as far as looks goes, the 5th gen 4Runners are way more attractive on the outside compared to the Grand Cherokee. Although the 5th gen recieved criticism for it's rear end, the rear end of the new Grand Cherokee looks like a mini van. I actually thought it was the other night until I got close enough to see "Jeep" on the back. And Jeep will never, ever catch up to Toyota mechanically. The T4R 4.0 V6 is stronger (torque) compared to the 3.6 L in the GC. Not to mention, much better made and will probably last twice as long. I don't exactly hate Jeeps, I just can't stand how people obsess over these poorly made, overrated vehicles.

You're drinking too much Toyota Kool Aid. I love Toyota but the Jeep is looking pretty good and I'm rooting for it to stay good and reliable and sell alot. American company - Go Baby!!