Topic: Modern Classics: Jeep Grand Cherokee, 1993 to present

[Autos_Editor]

Though successive Grand Cherokees became more comfortable and luxurious, Chrysler never lost sight of its off-road abilities, says Jeff Burry.

Read More...

[dragonfly]

 The new Grand Cherokee must be seen in person to be appreciated...It's gorgeous...Inside and out...Even the base model, for around 29 thousand, US, is fantastic..You didn't mention the new V-6 , the Pentastar, the now standard engine, with a smooth 290 HP or so, with a corresponding large increase in torque..I've read that it's a very nice engine..Ya gotta see it to appreciate it...dragonfly

[PJ]

"Engine choices at the time ranged between the 2.5-litre inline four to a 5.9-litre Magnum V8, with the most popular being the 4.0-litre inline six. A Country version of the Grand Cherokee was also offered between 1993 and 1997 equipped with the 4.0-litre engine and multiple additional trim levels."



For the record the Grand Cherokee was never offered with the 2.5 inline 4 and the Country version you mention was the smaller original Cherokee.

Double check your research.

[mudgts]

This post is why I registered
I had a 1996 Jeep Grand Cherokee.   That car looked great in the driveway.  It was when it was out of the driveway that the problems occured.
15mpg on the highway with all time 4WD.   Could stop on a roll of dimes if you laid them out on a stretch of road 25 feet apart.
My avg. maintenance for that vehicle when it was 8 years old was $700/mo plus another $125/week in fuel costs.

If you couldn't afford it new, you sure couldn't afford it used.

[newsie23]

Did not note the years when diesels were available!

[PJ]

This post is why I registered
I had a 1996 Jeep Grand Cherokee.   That car looked great in the driveway.  It was when it was out of the driveway that the problems occured.
15mpg on the highway with all time 4WD.   Could stop on a roll of dimes if you laid them out on a stretch of road 25 feet apart.
My avg. maintenance for that vehicle when it was 8 years old was $700/mo plus another $125/week in fuel costs.

If you couldn't afford it new, you sure couldn't afford it used.

Sounds like you had some bad luck.  My 95 Grand Cherokee averages 19 mpg with a 4.0 six (left in 2wd most of the time).  Brakes are great, stops better then our Taurus.  I don't think I've spent $700 on maintenace in the past 3 years, what all we're you having done? 

With almost 300K kms on it I think of replacing it but it is so little trouble I just keep driving.

Great old truck.

[ArticSteve]

I had a 88 Laredo that I traded for an old sled.  The off road ability was the best in world.

However, the whole line; 1993 to present are junk on wheels.  Ask any used car dealer.    They rust prematurely, the motors are pure crap and off course they are 15 mpg tops.

If you can get one for a few k and do the repairs yourself then they do the trick for secondary use. 

[PJ]

I had a 88 Laredo that I traded for an old sled.  The off road ability was the best in world.

However, the whole line; 1993 to present are junk on wheels.  Ask any used car dealer.    They rust prematurely, the motors are pure crap and off course they are 15 mpg tops.

If you can get one for a few k and do the repairs yourself then they do the trick for secondary use. 

I have never seen a rusty Grand Cherokee of any year but then I live in BC.  My 95 is completely rust free with the original paint.  I don't know which dealer told you the motors were crap but he's clueless.  Both the 4.0 and the 5.2 are the most reliable engines you could get in an SUV in the 90's.  Aside from a couple oil leaks my 4.0 has required nothing but routine maintenance for 16 years now. (I've had it for 8 years but it came with a full service history)

As for "15 mpg", depends how you drive I guess.  I average 19 mpg (US) (or 22 imperial) on my daily commute.  About 12.5 L/100km.

[ArticSteve]

The JC wasn't any worse, probably better, than any other of the domestic crap sold in that period until the 2000s then the electrical issues made them JUNK.  However, the general quality was crap.  Constant problems with those things.

The 4l was under powered for the JC.  Endless oil leaks on those things.  Select Trac transfer cases pretty nice though.

Huge amount of body clading really good thing as it hides the rust.   

[PJ]

The JC wasn't any worse, probably better, than any other of the domestic crap sold in that period until the 2000s then the electrical issues made them JUNK.  However, the general quality was crap.  Constant problems with those things.

The 4l was under powered for the JC.  Endless oil leaks on those things.  Select Trac transfer cases pretty nice though.

Huge amount of body clading really good thing as it hides the rust.   

Underpowered?  Compared to what?  I test drove a 94 Pathfinder and a 95 4Runner before I bought my Jeep and they were completely gutless.  I tow a 15 foot travel trailer around BC ( think mountain passes) with my Jeep and it does fine.  A V8 would be faster but mileage is worse.

I've had a couple oil leaks but they are easy to fix.  Perhaps you've had bad luck or perhaps you just have a bias against domestics but they are great old trucks.  I doubt I could change your view though so have a great weekend (sunny day and I've got to get outside )

[Erik]

The JC was the Mustang GT of SUVs of the time. Especially the 5 speed decent power and lots of torque.

[CatsEye68]

However, the whole line; 1993 to present are junk on wheels.  Ask any used car dealer.    They rust prematurely, the motors are pure crap and off course they are 15 mpg tops.

I have never seen a rusty Grand Cherokee of any year but then I live in BC.  My 95 is completely rust free with the original paint.  I don't know which dealer told you the motors were crap but he's clueless. 

Mr. Artic himself is the dealer, so he is either talking to himself or listening to the voices in his head. You are correct in your assessment of the dealer regardless.

[ArticSteve]

The 93-98 where a huge seller.  PPL that didn't think the original Cherokee was hip enough found the GC urban cool.  However, all they were is bloated Cherokees that had essentially the same power train and the same lousy Chrysler quality.

The 99 and later version had terrible quality issues and the brand died.   

[Seafoam]

 My father in law has a 98. He bought it about 5 years ago with 160,000km on it. It now has 250,000km. It has been a good vehicle for him. That ancient in line 6 has been trouble free. He usually gets 26 mpg on the highway at 100 kph. Not a lot has broken on it and the body doesn't look like it is 13 years old.
The present edition seems to be selling well.