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Offline El Hair

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Buying a Grand Cherokee
« on: January 17, 2007, 22:21:37 »
Hi,

I'm new to Mud Club, but have already caught the 4x4/Off Road bug courtesy of a friend.

I'm looking to buy a 2000 Grand Cherokee (WJ I think) in the non-too-distant future. However, would like some advice on what to look for/look out for.

Although initially for day-to-day use (mostly motorway driving), I'll be doing some green laning and general off roading with the intention of modding it in the future.

Regarding fuel costs I'm not too sure about petrol or diesel, but think diesel may be a false economy.

Any suggestions would be gratefully received.
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Offline offroading.net

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« Reply #1 on: January 17, 2007, 23:05:32 »
a friends 2.7 crdiesel does 27mpg (3.1td's are worse), my 4litre does 24-5 mpg, so a 4litre petrol is cheaper to run with fuel prices at the mo. (v8 does 16!)

The best IMHO is the 4litre, with quadra-drive if you can (self locking front & rear diffs).

I paid £4100 for a 2000 V with 100k & full history just before xmas. MAKE SURE IT HAS FULL HISTORY, and has reciepts to go with it. There are some real bargains on ebay. WG's don't tend to break, mainly trim issues and normal wear & tare. Just keep looking as its a buyers market for the 4 litres
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Offline El Hair

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« Reply #2 on: January 18, 2007, 09:49:47 »
Thanks for that. Certainly agree with the buyers market comment.

Have I got the WJ/WG thing right?? Get a bit confused by all this  :?
What's the true list?

Fuel comment also matches what I was thinking.

Any other suggestions?
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Offline UKJeeper

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« Reply #3 on: January 18, 2007, 11:09:55 »
IIRC, WJ is the model name for the septic version, WG for the Euro version.
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Offline Bishops Finger

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« Reply #4 on: January 18, 2007, 12:40:13 »
One thing to be really careful about is checking the rear diff....make sure its not noisy or if there are bills for the Jeep check if there are any for diff work
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Offline tim_aka_tim

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« Reply #5 on: January 18, 2007, 16:19:47 »
I used to have a 3.1TD. This engine is much maligned, VM indirect injection engines are pretty troublesome and noisy. Mine behaved perfectly, however. In the 8 months I had it, I had the bonnet dampers replaced, rattles seen to numerous times only for them to re-appear, oil seal on tranny replaced, a new radiator and a new battery. Good job all but the battery were warrantied. The battery was £166. Rad came to £600, leak came to £300, dampers, dunno. For what it's worth, it had a FDSH. I lost a lot of money on that vehicle. Good riddance to bad rubbish.
My experiences are pretty common btw.
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Offline El Hair

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« Reply #6 on: January 18, 2007, 22:11:39 »
So petrol engines are the ones to go for, eh?

Not that I have a problem with diesel or petrol, but I thought post 1995-9 diesels were a lot better?

I suppose any difference in spec is personal choice?
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Offline Bishops Finger

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« Reply #7 on: January 18, 2007, 22:20:56 »
Quote from: "tim_aka_tim"
I used to have a 3.1TD. This engine is much maligned, VM indirect injection engines are pretty troublesome and noisy. Mine behaved perfectly, however. In the 8 months I had it, I had the bonnet dampers replaced, rattles seen to numerous times only for them to re-appear, oil seal on tranny replaced, a new radiator and a new battery. Good job all but the battery were warrantied. The battery was £166. Rad came to £600, leak came to £300, dampers, dunno. For what it's worth, it had a FDSH. I lost a lot of money on that vehicle. Good riddance to bad rubbish.
My experiences are pretty common btw.


Must have bought a POS then...... :lol:

In 12 months I've had a mysterious lost headlamp glass, O2 sensors pack up and  handbrake shoes replaced.....err probably driver error...Oh and rear door dampers replaced....from Lighthouse

Mines now on 89k from 80k, A ZG 4l, bags of space a great motorway cruiser and its rather good off road :wink:
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Offline offroading.net

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« Reply #8 on: January 18, 2007, 22:51:10 »
4litre is the way to go
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Offline Bishops Finger

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« Reply #9 on: January 18, 2007, 23:03:49 »
Oh yes.... :lol:
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Offline tim_aka_tim

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« Reply #10 on: January 19, 2007, 08:45:44 »
Yep, I agree. If you absolutely must have a WJ, the diesels just don't get much better mpg to warrant the extra money, and the 4.0 straight six is tough as old boots. Same engine in my XJ, which I love. Having said that, the different between the 4.0 and the V8 mpg wise isn't that great either.
The exhaust note off of the 4.7 is sweet!
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Offline tim_aka_tim

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« Reply #11 on: January 19, 2007, 08:53:04 »
Quote from: "The Hairy One"
Have I got the WJ/WG thing right?? Get a bit confused by all this  :?


WJ - 1999-2004 Grand Cherokee, assembled in US.
WG - 1999-2004 Grand Cherokee, assembled in Gratz, Austria. All European Grand Cherokees are WGs.
ZG - 1993-1998 Grand Cherokee, Gratz.
ZJ - 1993-1998 Grand Cherokee, USA.

Thats off the top of my head, can't be bothered to look.
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Offline Legionnaire

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« Reply #12 on: January 19, 2007, 11:38:32 »
You also have to decide how much you want to spend, they are expensive at Jeep dealers but I reckon there will be quite a few good deals around from private sellers.

I would go against all the other posts and advise diesel, I think its a good engine and should be easier to sell.

Andrew
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Offline El Hair

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« Reply #13 on: January 19, 2007, 13:46:00 »
Not going to bother with a dealership (esp Jeep) as the price will be too high.

Estimated budget will be approx £4K (maybe £5K) - that should get me something decent enough.
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Offline offroading.net

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« Reply #14 on: January 19, 2007, 22:25:48 »
£4k is bottom price, some good ones on ebay, I got a mint one for that tho, (I was lucky), just keep looking. BTW filled up the WG last night, 380 miles on a tankful, about 25mpg  :D
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Offline Bishops Finger

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« Reply #15 on: January 20, 2007, 14:12:43 »
Don't disregard a dealership.....
Paid £4250 last Jan for mine..with 3 months warranty, 2 months tax and an oil change :wink:  :D  :D
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Offline El Hair

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« Reply #16 on: January 23, 2007, 09:10:19 »
Appreciate the comment about dealerships. I was mainly referring to Jeep dealerships as their prices will be too high or the range won't be old enough.

Having said that, another quick look at some dealers demonstrates what you've said.
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Offline tim_aka_tim

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« Reply #17 on: January 23, 2007, 09:17:45 »
Yeah, I got mine from a dealer. OK, they're a bit overpriced, but the approved warranty is worth about £1000 and covers you for the same stuff as the original manufacturer one. Mine had a few issues that could have cost more than the price of the warranty to fix. It's Chrysler's policy that approved cars should be no more than six years old or have more than 60,000 miles on the clock though.
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Offline El Hair

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« Reply #18 on: January 23, 2007, 09:52:15 »
Quote
It's Chrysler's policy that approved cars should be no more than six years old or have more than 60,000 miles on the clock though.


Ah! Didn't realise this.  :oops:
That would account for the higher prices I've seen on the Jeep website.

For the moment, still looking round. I've got a few months left to pay for my current car (Ford Focus) then it's all mine  (:evil: all mine!!!  :twisted:).

Intending to sell this privately to get the most money and possible borrow a bit more on top. The rest, fingers crossed, will be just a case of waiting.
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Offline Fat Gaz

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« Reply #19 on: January 24, 2007, 21:59:35 »
Good luck in your search, just dont jump at the first one you see & make sure you drive a few  :wink:
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Offline offroading.net

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« Reply #20 on: January 24, 2007, 22:35:34 »
Quote from: "Bishops Finger"
Don't disregard a dealership.....
Paid £4250 last Jan for mine..with 3 months warranty, 2 months tax and an oil change :wink:  :D  :D


yeah but yours is an ooooooooooold one  :lol:  :wink:
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Offline Bishops Finger

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« Reply #21 on: January 25, 2007, 15:27:18 »
Quote from: "offroading.net"
Quote from: "Bishops Finger"
Don't disregard a dealership.....
Paid £4250 last Jan for mine..with 3 months warranty, 2 months tax and an oil change :wink:  :D  :D


yeah but yours is an ooooooooooold one  :lol:  :wink:


Yes but mines a PROPER one :wink:  :wink:
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Offline KD

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« Reply #22 on: January 25, 2007, 16:31:29 »
Quote from: "Bishops Finger"
Quote from: "offroading.net"
Quote from: "Bishops Finger"
Don't disregard a dealership.....
Paid £4250 last Jan for mine..with 3 months warranty, 2 months tax and an oil change :wink:  :D  :D


yeah but yours is an ooooooooooold one  :lol:  :wink:


Yes but mines a PROPER one :wink:  :wink:


& it does actually go offroad......... :wink:
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Offline Bishops Finger

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« Reply #23 on: January 25, 2007, 21:18:48 »
:lol:  :lol:  :lol:  :lol:  :lol:  :lol:

And rather good it is too :wink:
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Offline daggie

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« Reply #24 on: January 26, 2007, 15:29:54 »
:lol: mine hasn't YET :roll:  :shock:  :lol:
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