00 Cherokee vs 05 Grand Cherokee

[tblack]

I finally got time to take my 2000 Cherokee Sport in to get the oil leaks fixed. It has the 4.0L with the AW4 trans. I must say I am not happy that this is the second time in 69,000 miles that I've had to get oil leaks fixed, but that's another story. I picked up a new 2005 Grand Cherokee as a loaner. It has the 3.7L V6 and probably a Chrysler trans, Anyway, the same set up that's in the Liberty that replaced the Cherokee. I know, I moan about that stupid decision by the Chrysler boys all the time to anyone who will listen. The Grand I must say has a lot smoother ride and at 45 years old with a bad back, that's a plus. It has all the creature comforts and I almost considered trading in the Cherokee for this much more luxurious ride. But I won't and here's why. Any vehicle that tops the $30k mark has got to be comfortable. It doesn't have to be powerfull. My old Cherokee would run circles around this Grand Cherokee any day of the week. They have certainly not improved on the torque with this new 3.7L. Plus, the new Grand Cherokee's styling is too overstated and Japanese-trendy looking. What's with those clear plastic covers on the headlights. After a few washes those covers are going to turn a muddy shade of yellow. I know the 4.7L V8 engine offered would give you more confidence, but who wants to spend $45k on something that is supposed to be a Jeep and take you through muddy creeks and washed out roads? I would be too paronoid. I think Jeep will never again repeat the success of the plain old Cherokee with the 4.0L/Aw4 set up. Even if it leaks oil. It's kind of like a DC-3 airplane. Those things are classics and have been leaking oil since the 1940's.

tb

[xj31]

Very true,I miss the old XJs.But you are right the Grands do ride a lot nicer.I'm pushing 40 myself,so I can appreciate that. The 3.7 is pretty pathetic in a WK(Mercedes designed the trans by the way)but why settle for the 4.7 when you can get a hemi?And next year there will be a Grand Cherokee SRT-8 with a 6.1 hemi.Sounds expensive.

[tblack]

[Grand Cherokee SRT-8 with a 6.1 hemi.Sounds expensive.[/quote]

I think the 6.1 would be a monster gas hog. On the west coast, the gas I get here is at $2.85 a gallon. And Jeep is also launching the "Commander" which I think is very sharp looking (see Thinments earlier posting) but is going to be pricey.
Jeep is starting to price working guys like me out of the market and forget the Wrangler and the Liberty, those are for rich kids, hard-core off-roaders (Wrangler) and women ( Liberty). But why not? Daimler Benz has taken over and their marketing department thinks everyone makes a million a year.

tb