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Jeep Grand Cherokee

2505 messages,  Last post on Apr 18, 2013 at 1:51 PM

You are in the Jeep Cherokee and Jeep Grand Cherokee Forum.

What is this discussion about? Jeep Grand Cherokee, SUV

Messages Page 181 of 251

#1799 of 2505 Traded in my 03 Limited by jefferson1964

Apr 13, 2004 (4:49 am)

I must say i still own a trouble free 98 grand cherokee thats become part of the family. My wife and I purchased the 03 limited back in May 2003. From the start we had small problems. Bearings were left out of the rear end so there was loud grinding noise on the highway and especially when turning. The airbag light would go on and off. Found it to be a loose connection behind the airbag and was told the airbag would probably not have worked in an accident and had to leave it at shop for over a week. They also managed to melt a portion of my console when removing the screws under the cup holder which i did not catch until later and they said they did not do it, yea right. The AC did not cool adequately IMO in the texas summer had to run it full blast all the time and it never really got cold like my 98. Had am intermitten loud ticking noise that came from the engine a v8 H.O. which they said was normal, sure it is on a new vehicle. It was so loud we would get strange looks from others at stop lights, totally unacceptable. Then just last week a loud whinning noise was starting to come from the power steering on any left turn. This was the last straw for me. As much as i liked this grand, the ride, power, look, comfort and jeep brand I had to trade it just because of the reliability issues. I purchased a 04 Envoy thats nice in every respect so far but does not have the agressive look, feel and quick off the line power as jeep. Lucky for me my wifes father works for GM was able to buy it at his cost minus rebates which kept our payments the same and no money out of pocket all rolled into note or i would have been heavily upside down. We came out owing the same as what was left on the Grand limited which i put nothing down on as well, not even TT&L just rolled it in. Got lucky i guess. I will one day have another jeep but in at least 3 year from now, until then the 98 GC will have to do which is going to Jeep Jamboree in May. Will be back for the new version Grand or even the Liberty if the reliability issues have been corrected.......

#1800 of 2505 Re: 2004 Grand Cherokee MAJOR Problem [deepsix9 #1783] by mikeyp53

Apr 15, 2004 (3:40 am)

Replying to: deepsix9 (Feb 10, 2004 3:26 pm)
That sand cast problem used to be a problem for GM also. Its not common but does happen. I suggest you take the new engine and run with it. I had a Chevy do the same thing and the engine block was replaced. Drove it 110,000 miles and sold it. no problems with new engine.

#1802 of 2505 antiquated JGC (2004 model) by markus5

Apr 23, 2004 (11:36 am)

I recently rented the above vehicle (8000 mile on the odometer) It was absolutely awful. Poorly designed would be the most generous comment I could make.
I was traveling in the mountains (above 5000 ft) and that might explain its terrible performance. I mean one needed to floor the accelerator to get the kickdown. But almost as annoying was the poor response of the steering. It really lets you know in a hurry that this is not a car. The drivers seat was to soft for me. ( Perhaps the designers think that they need to compensate for a "firm ride")
The huge transmission tunnel between the front seats was ridiculous.
I would just say that my wife's Explorer which is several years older with 150k is a more pleasant ride.

#1803 of 2505 2wd - and fishtailing -- should I be concerned? by sylvia42

May 09, 2004 (9:03 pm)

My daughter wants nothing less than a JGC. Unfortunately, we can only afford an older model. We've found a 1996 Laredo w/ I6 and 131k, one owner. Seems to be in good cond. The only prob. is it's 2WD. Husband seems to think this will be a problem in wet/icy weather - the RWD will not hug the roads as well and the vehicle will fishtail or skid. And since daughter is an inexperienced driver, he's concerned she could lose control/wreck a RWD more easily.
 
Are his concerns valid? Any other potential problems that I shold tell my mechanic to look out for?
 
Thanks!

#1804 of 2505 RWD concerns by erickpl

May 11, 2004 (9:48 am)

Personally, no Jeep is a Jeep unless it has 4WD.
 
But in regards to RWD, it can be as safe as FWD but it depends a LOT on the tires.
 
My 2002 BMW has all seasons on it and handles great in the snow. If I had performance tires on it, it would be lousy in the snow.
 
Snow or all terrain tires work well to keep the car straight. In my Wrangler, I have never had to put it in 4WD to go through snow. I have BF Goodrich All Terrains on it and my tires do not spin in the snow unless I gun it.
 
My daughter was driving our 2000 Grand as her first car. We took her to a driving class where they learned how to drive defensively in their cars. She knew what the Jeep could and could not do and as a result, was safer in it.
 
If you are concerned about fishtailing in the Grand, put extra weight over the rear wheels (in the back storage area). Cat litter or a bag of dry cement works great. That should help the rear wheels maintain good contact into the snow.
 
Just my .02.
 
-Paul

#1805 of 2505 2wd and fishtailing by nikiblue1

May 11, 2004 (7:32 pm)

I definetly would not get a RWD vehicle to use in a snow/ice type of country. FWD, AWD, or 4wd is the only way to go especially for a young driver. A slight lead foot and it would land her in trouble. In my opinion, DO NOT get a RWD vehicle.
  Not only that, but I would recommend to sit down and read all the posts from start to finish in re: reliability of JGC. You may change your mind.

#1806 of 2505 My experience by janz

May 12, 2004 (9:03 am)

with front wheel drive in the slush fishtailed me into a tree. IHMO, front wheel drive in the snow is no better, just different than rear wheel drive. I do agree about importance of good appropriate tires.
 
I love how my Quadra Drive w/ full-time 4WD handles in the slippery weather and we just bought our sons a '92 Dakota with 4WD for that reason. However, our price limit was $3-4K for their first vehicle.

#1807 of 2505 snow & ice and RWD by evaddave

May 12, 2004 (1:28 pm)

Frankly, I think everyone should learn how to drive in snow and ice in a RWD vehicle. Preferably in a large field or on a frozen lake--NOT on the roads. Winter driving with RWD teaches the driver about the balance of the gas, brakes, and traction--it teaches the driver how to pay attention to what's happening with the vehicle.
 
Learning how to drive in the slippery stuff with AWD or 4WD doesn't really teach the driver much. You have more traction, sure, but that just leads to higher speeds, like taking turns faster. Then, when that driver is driving a 2 wheel drive car, they no longer have the luxury of the additional grip, and often wreck.
 
-I'll get off the soapbox now.

#1808 of 2505 Re: 2wd - and fishtailing -- should I be concerned? [sylvia42 #1803] by mf15

May 20, 2004 (1:21 pm)

Replying to: sylvia42 (May 09, 2004 9:03 pm)
I have had 3 GC's since 1996 all 4 wheel drive. Do not get a RWD only GC, they will spin out easily when making a turn from a stop in the rain, while trying to merge into heavy traffic.
PS Forgot to mention this problem in my 02 Laredo I6, I am probably 1 in a million who has had a warped head in this engine, but they did fix it quick and right. Mike F

Messages Page 181 of 251

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