Going jeep shopping

[Allen]

Kept my 2003 Jeep Grand Cherokee Overland with 4.7 HO engine, bought new in early 2003. Real 4WD with low range. Have owned others since then, but kept it for 4WD just in case. Rolled over on 100,000 recently with really no problems at all except the crappy blend doors in the heating/AC system. Entire dash and console has to come out the get to them unless you cut through the air duct behind the glove compartment. I haven't drummed up the courage to cut into it yet.

Use it to pull out my Kubota diesel zero turn, because when they stick, they are stuck.

Best to just pay someone to do it, otherwise if you're like me, we'll just never get around to it. I mean, really, who wants to even start a project like that? Blend doors, actuators and evaporator core replacement normally involve having to pull the dash out. I had to have it done to my F-150. Cost for the evap core and actuators was around $1300 but worth it to me. I have a/c and no clicking actuator noises.

Problem is finding someone who is willing and competent enough to do the job. You may have to take it to a dealer.

[Johnny P]

The last time I had it done the dealer wanted $1000 labor and an independent garage did it for $600. Since then they have come out with aftermarket aluminum doors instead of the soon to break plastic doors, but in the past 5 years probably haven't put 500 miles on it so just may let it stay that way.

[Allen]

At least Ford issued a recall and will fix it. They warranted a headlight problem on my wife's 2004 Mercury Grand Marquis with over 120,000 miles on it and long after Mercury was gone.

Some auto manf get raving reviews over never issuing recalls but it is mostly because they don't/won't or can't cure the problems. Remember the infamous Toyota sticking accelerators that they excused as carpet getting bunched up around the gas pedal?

Also, some manf lie (big time) to make sales.

I remember Honda lying for years over MPG data. Their speedometers registered faster than the vehicle was traveling to make it look look like they had more performance and also to log additional miles to impose longevity and better MPG than actual.

VW lied for many years over the emissions of their diesel eng vehicles.

With Toyota there was the mentioned sticking accelerator issue than was never admitted to and now this:

https://www.yahoo.com/finance/news/toyota-apologizes-cheating-vehicle-testing-102117211.html

[tmark]

Do you remember the problem some car manufacturers had with air bags?

[Allen]

Do you remember the problem some car manufacturers had with air bags?

Yes. I didn't bring this up though because so many manf were involved and did not make these bags. The last I heard recalls were issued but the dealerships could not get the replacement air bags so the hopes are people will just forget about it and eventually trade in the affected models.

Check the list on the bottom to see if your vehicle is involved if need be.

This was a global issue and should have been dealt with more severely than it was.

https://www.consumerreports.org/cars/car-recalls-defects/takata-airbag-recall-everything-you-need-to-know-a1060713669/

[S.A. Boggs]

Checking out a 2019 Jeep Compass Trail Hawk with all the bells and whistles for 17,500 and <65,000 miles. Color is blue and the pictures appear good, not stock pics. Local dealer has it, along with another with higher mileage and lower cost.
Sam

[Allen]

Checking out a 2019 Jeep Compass Trail Hawk with all the bells and whistles for 17,500 and <65,000 miles. Color is blue and the pictures appear good, not stock pics. Local dealer has it, along with another with higher mileage and lower cost.
Sam

Read the reviews/complaints. I've read about a lot of problems with these and they don't have good resale value.

But, history constantly changes and all the reviews now may be "great".

Upon further reading the 2019 was among the best of the 2nd generation as far as reliability goes. I'm sure your mechanic will advise you one way or the other.

[lyman]

JEEP

Just
Empty
Every
Pocket,


so says a friend that has a relatively new one,

[S.A. Boggs]

This is not my first radio and there are NO cheap Jeep's, but man are they fun! F150 are expensive to maintain and gas. 18mpg/10 in 4x4 with the habit of blowing plugs and having to have the plug relined. Lost two @ $100 a pop!
Sam

[Allen]

Sam, we wish only the best for you and yes, there are faults with most every make vehicle.

Chrysler/Dodge/Jeep has NOT been an American owned/engineered product since 1998 so don't bank every thing now against how good (or bad) your previous Jeeps were.

Glad you found something that interested you. Good luck with it.

[S.A. Boggs]

I have had some good ones and ones that were less than stellar. I know there will be problems, that is a fact of my life, and I will deal with what I am dealt. I take care of my vehicles and do a great deal of preventive Maintenace to keep them running. From day one, my vehicles have a logbook that I keep in the vehicle to record Maintenace and or any issues.
My first major purchase are better tires suited for snow, which we often get in abundance. The tires I have, if the tread is still good, will be put into my shed for warm weather use. Vehicle has Penzoil and I will continue with this brand, as I have used it in my F150.
Sam

[jon_norstog]

My old friend Grog had an M-38 with a 289 V-8, 4-speed, transfer case and positrack. THAT was a Jeep!

jn

[Allen]

My old friend Grog had an M-38 with a 289 V-8, 4-speed, transfer case and positrack. THAT was a Jeep!

jn

Sounds like it.

A time proven reliable engine, no computer, no a/c, probably no heater even, no smog crap, basic vehicle.

Back when AMC was in business and owned Jeep at the time, they made a model (CJ-5) with an optional 304 V8. The bodies were bad about rusting then but the ones that survived are in demand now.