New Vehicle Advice

Pinecone · 12-30-2010, 09:14 AM

Our Jeep Grand Cherokee is starting to p*** us o**. "Little" stuff, but not cheap. Most recent was the power steering pump and a wheel bearing ($1200 or so). There are a good laundry list of other things that should be done.

It is 8.5 years old, about 90K miles.

Looking for something with enough room to haul the kids (4 feet and fur, and Max can run 135 pounds), 4 wheel drive. Some amount of towing capacity would be nice.

Suggestions?

Most convenient for us is Jeep (nothing tempts me and the service has goen downhill), Chevy/GM (the old service manager from the Jeep place is here), and Ford (no idea about the service).

All the rest of the brands are less convenient from a close to us dealer standpoint, but not outrageous.

ff · 12-30-2010, 10:38 AM

It's been a while since someone requested an NVA.

My suggestion: Toyota 4Runner, last generation: 2003-2010. We're at 47K miles on our 2008, and it's been dead-nuts reliable. Gas and oil changes. That's it.

Has a real truck frame, solid rear axle (hey, one is better than none), 7000 lbs towing, and acceptable MPG (our V8 gets 18 MPG mixed driving, 21 all-highway). And it's freaking awesome in the snow and ice.

bren · 12-30-2010, 10:57 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Pinecone

Our Jeep Grand Cherokee is starting to p*** us o**.

Oh boy does that sound familiar - ours is spending today at the transmission shop.

I'm really digging the new Grand Cherokee, but I think I'd still go with the SRT8.

JST · 12-30-2010, 11:00 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ff

It's been a while since someone requested an NVA.

My suggestion: Toyota 4Runner, last generation: 2003-2010. We're at 47K miles on our 2008, and it's been dead-nuts reliable. Gas and oil changes. That's it.

Has a real truck frame, solid rear axle (hey, one is better than none), 7000 lbs towing, and acceptable MPG (our V8 gets 18 MPG mixed driving, 21 all-highway). And it's freaking awesome in the snow and ice.

Gotta agree with ff--if the problem is "our Grand Cherokee's shitty reliability and expensive repair costs are starting to piss us off," I'm having a hard time seeing how "new Grand Cherokee" is the solution.

SARAFIL · 12-30-2010, 11:03 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Pinecone

Our Jeep Grand Cherokee is starting to p*** us o**. "Little" stuff, but not cheap. Most recent was the power steering pump and a wheel bearing ($1200 or so). There are a good laundry list of other things that should be done.

It is 8.5 years old, about 90K miles.

Looking for something with enough room to haul the kids (4 feet and fur, and Max can run 135 pounds), 4 wheel drive. Some amount of towing capacity would be nice.

Suggestions?

Most convenient for us is Jeep (nothing tempts me and the service has goen downhill), Chevy/GM (the old service manager from the Jeep place is here), and Ford (no idea about the service).

All the rest of the brands are less convenient from a close to us dealer standpoint, but not outrageous.

Are you looking at new? The only new domestic SUV that tickles my fancy is the new Grand Cherokee. I think the only other domestic examples with towing capacity are the Tahoe/Yukon/Suburban and the Expedition, unless you want something car-based (new Explorer or Traverse/Acadia).

SARAFIL · 12-30-2010, 11:05 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JST

Gotta agree with ff--if the problem is "our Grand Cherokee's shitty reliability and expensive repair costs are starting to piss us off," I'm having a hard time seeing how "new Grand Cherokee" is the solution.

but...

Quote:

Originally Posted by Pinecone

It is 8.5 years old, about 90K miles.

Sounds like he has 8.5 years or 90k miles before he'd have to worry about that again.

bren · 12-30-2010, 11:14 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JST

Gotta agree with ff--if the problem is "our Grand Cherokee's shitty reliability and expensive repair costs are starting to piss us off," I'm having a hard time seeing how "new Grand Cherokee" is the solution.

Yeah, I guess I'm a glutton for punishment. They're bound to get it right at some point though, aren't they?

Fixing mine still manages to be cheaper overall than buying anything new'ish....

BahnBaum · 12-30-2010, 11:38 AM

90K on my SRT8 and I'm in the shop for my first repair today, a wheel bearing. It's now paid off and my plan is to drive it till the wheels really fall off.

Although to be honest I am starting to consider what smaller fun car I might want to own while I keep the Jeep.

Alex

rumatt · 12-30-2010, 11:39 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BahnBaum

I am starting to consider what smaller fun car I might want to own while I keep the Jeep.

I've heard E30's are small and fun.

dan · 12-30-2010, 12:39 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Pinecone

Our Jeep Grand Cherokee is starting to p*** us o**.

you can type piss and off here

12-30-2010, 09:14 AM	#1
Pinecone Carmudgeon Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Maryland Posts: 2,717	New Vehicle Advice Our Jeep Grand Cherokee is starting to p* us o. "Little" stuff, but not cheap. Most recent was the power steering pump and a wheel bearing ($1200 or so). There are a good laundry list of other things that should be done. It is 8.5 years old, about 90K miles. Looking for something with enough room to haul the kids (4 feet and fur, and Max can run 135 pounds), 4 wheel drive. Some amount of towing capacity would be nice. Suggestions? Most convenient for us is Jeep (nothing tempts me and the service has goen downhill), Chevy/GM (the old service manager from the Jeep place is here), and Ford (no idea about the service). All the rest of the brands are less convenient from a close to us dealer standpoint, but not outrageous. __________________ Terry Carraway 2002 Topaz E46 M3 2000 Dakar M Roadster 1995 Alpine E36 M3 LTW 1990 Red/White Spec Racer

12-30-2010, 11:38 AM	#8
BahnBaum Tilting Rocinante Join Date: Jun 2004 Location: Havre de Grace, MD Posts: 6,244	90K on my SRT8 and I'm in the shop for my first repair today, a wheel bearing. It's now paid off and my plan is to drive it till the wheels really fall off. Although to be honest I am starting to consider what smaller fun car I might want to own while I keep the Jeep. Alex __________________

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12-30-2010, 10:38 AM	#2
ff . Join Date: Mar 2004 Posts: 13,514	It's been a while since someone requested an NVA. My suggestion: Toyota 4Runner, last generation: 2003-2010. We're at 47K miles on our 2008, and it's been dead-nuts reliable. Gas and oil changes. That's it. Has a real truck frame, solid rear axle (hey, one is better than none), 7000 lbs towing, and acceptable MPG (our V8 gets 18 MPG mixed driving, 21 all-highway). And it's freaking awesome in the snow and ice.