4x4 purchase(NGC)

[cali]

Hi all,
I'm looking at buying a 4x4 as cars are getting a bit low for me to be crawling out of (I want something higher so I can climb into and fall out of).I'm looking at the Jeep grand cherokee v8 around the 99-02 models,do any of you guys own one,if so are they reliable,whats the fuel consumption like,what should I be looking out for when buing one(bearing in mind most of it's use will be on road.

[Kent in Upstate NY]

Grand Cherokees usually have full time  4 wheel drive. We have an 08. Mileage is not a selling point four Jeeps unless you get the 4 cylinder motor. Figure 20 mpg at best. We get around 16-18 in the Grand Cherokee.

[rodekyll]

I've had my sister's GC out for a few runs.  Mileage is ~20 on the highway.  Power is good.  Steering gets a little twitchy in 4wd.  Her unit has selectable 2/4/4lo/lockup modes.  I've used them all in various situations.  The big problem with hers seems to be temperature control, but that could be because she's not getting it fixed right.  In my opinion it has more power options than a body needs -- windows, door locks, mirrors, 6-way seats, etc.  My old wagoneer had power nothing, got better mileage and was a stick shift. 

[father guzzi obrian]

Isuzu Rodeos and Troopers were pretty nice vehicles, did well off road, had a V6 and mine got decent mileage on the highway. Pretty much dead reliable for all the years I had it

[rboe]

As a counter point, the newer Subaru Foresters have a decent height seat (and are quieter and ride nice to boot). Jeeps seem to suffer from QC problems which have soured me on the brand (had a 68 Kaiser Wagoneer in college that was a bit fragile but a hoot to drive) but they seem to be popular never the less. Guess they do the 4X4 thing extremely well. But then I've seen Foresters on YouTube just spank some good off road 4X4's.

That said, the older Jeep pickups (the smaller one before they were bought by Chrysler) were excellent off road trucks. But very long of tooth today (but hey, we're a Guzzi crowd so I figured some of you were not that put off by older iron. :) )

[rodekyll]

In my town Isuzu has no presence at all.  Lots of subarus and lots of jeeps.  I have an awd van.  it's a nice alternative to an suv or pickup.

[Kev m]

Bought a 99 GC LAREDO, 4.7L V8 Quadra-Drive new back in 99.

It was arguably my favorite 4x4 ever. That particular powertrain was a full time system with selectable low range and three variable locking points (transfer case and both diffs). There was also a traditional part time system available in models with the 4.0L straight six.

It drove more like a luxury car than a truck and handling was suprisingly nimble.

I forget exact fuel mileage but I'm thinking 20 was rare with the small V8 and my throttle control.

In contrast though it was a MUCH BETTER vehicle in just about every way I can think of than my 98 Jeep Cherokee Classic.

We currently have a 2012 GC Limited with the Pentastar V6 (3.6L VVT and more power than that 99 V8) and it's a great truck though pretty different from the 99. It's more luxurious, much larger and heavier, and not as nimble. But ironically we manage 18-20 mpg around town and 22-26 on the highway.

All that said, if you don't need a traditional 4x4, then Subarus are my pick for more economical but still very capable AWD.

[bratman2]

I'll second the Forester unless you need hard core 4 wheel drive. My wife has a 011 XT and it is awesome. The NA versions get decent mileage.

[LowRyter]

I have an 99 Trooper.  It's been reliable and near trouble free (100k+ miles).   It's been scratched and and dented.  Near luxury for its day.  Not super gutsy but it will keep up with traffic.  Don't go around corners too fast.  Don't expect great mileage.  Great to have as winter car.

Since it's an orphaned car, I would guess they are pretty cheap. 

[Loftness]

Always been a Jeep guy...went away for a little bit and now I'm back (Wrangler this time).  I think my favorite thing about them is that when issues do arise, they're affordable to fix.  That said I've never had major Jeep issues.

[cali]

Bought a 99 GC LAREDO, 4.7L V8 Quadra-Drive new back in 99.

It was arguably my favorite 4x4 ever. That particular powertrain was a full time system with selectable low range and three variable locking points (transfer case and both diffs). There was also a traditional part time system available in models with the 4.0L straight six.

It drove more like a luxury car than a truck and handling was surorisingly nimble.

I forget exact fuel mileage but I'm thinking 20 was rare with the small V8 and my throttle control.

In contrast though it was a MUCH BETTER vehicle in just about every way I can think of than my 98 Jeep Cherokee Classic.

We currently have a 2012 GC Limited with the Pentastar V6 (3.6L VVT and more power than that 99 V8) and it's a great truck though pretty different from the 99. It's more luxurious, much larger and heavier, and not as nimble. But ironically we manage 18-20 mpg around town and 22-26 on the highway.

All that said, if you don't need a traditional 4x4, then Subarus are my pick for more economical but still very capable AWD.

Did you ever have any major problems with it,I also heard the gearbox in the wj was actually a 5 speed with overdrive but jeep thought 4 gears with overdrive was enough and that 5th gear can be unlocked.

[Kev m]

Did you ever have any major problems with it,I also heard the gearbox in the wj was actually a 5 speed with overdrive but jeep thought 4 gears with overdrive was enough and that 5th gear can be unlocked.

I'm a car whore, so I only kept it 50k miles and had no problem, but wouldn't have expected to.

Transmission was really a 4 speed (IIRC), but it had two different 2nd gear ratios, one for heavy load (throttle or tow) and one for light load.

This is probably the one car that got away. I'd buy another.

[bouts]

Toyota 4runner, great looking, great reliability, mid-size SUV, body on frame design, 4x4, very comfortable. 

[Offcamber1]

I bought a well cared for 2004 GC Limited with the 4.0 six and the full time 4wd about 6 month ago.   I understand that the 4.7 does not get much worse mileage than the inline 6 but the six is all cast iron, pushrod motor and is stupid simple and a lot easier to work on in my opinion.  I get about 19mpg usually.

Mine had 93K on it when I bought it and now has 117K.  Parts are cheap.   I'd buy another if I could find another as well cared for as this one was.  Like any vehicle, that is the trick.

Kip

[rboe]

Fellow Griso owner here has a Taco (Toyoto Tacoma) twin cab in 4x4. Many insane additions (my favorite, red hand prints sliding off one side). A very capable off roader. A little cramped for my long legs and my pet peeve is a flat floor. I want a foot well. So I got the F150.

The Taco does not get as got a mileage as I'd like to see; but it's very popular with a well deserved rep for being tough.

If you don't mind an orphan, I hear a ton of good stuff about the FJ Cruiser.

[Muzz]

Cali, we still have the 95 Nissan Mistral that we bought when we were still in Golden Bay.  TD27 turbo in it.  29mpg. Very comfortable. Reasonably powerful. Very easy to get in and out of. 7 seater if you want it to be.  Other than a rear axle with the wheel still attached flying out the side in the Motueka Valley it has been bullet proof.  3 speed auto with OD on 2nd and top.  Kept it because it is such a useful vehicle.

[Kev m]

The Tacos are nice trucks, but they and the FJ had horrible mileage if you're buying used. FWIW the new ones are decent at something like 19/23 EPA ratings. Similarly the new Chevy Colorado is returning 17/24 ratings.

But I get the impression you're only looking at used and a good bit older.

[Dean Rose]

Isuzu Rodeos and Troopers were pretty nice vehicles, did well off road, had a V6 and mine got decent mileage on the highway. Pretty much dead reliable for all the years I had it

Got an '02 Trooper, bought it new, had a '98 heard they were going to stop production for USA, still going strong.


Dean

[Noguzznoglory]

Have owned a couple of the 99-02 grand Cherokees you mentioned but not a 4x4. 4.0 engine is rock solid and will last 4ever. Overall very dependable and economical.
They are prone to have the torqu converter clutch fail so I it doesn't already have one add an external oil cooler.

[drw916]

I've got 2003 Landrover Dosvovery that gets about 13 mpg, requires premium, doesn't have much power and isn't particularly reliable.

Just a counter point to all the recommendations.

[blackcat]

Got an '02 Trooper, bought it new, had a '98 heard they were going to stop production for USA, still going strong.


Dean

I purchased a new 88 Trooper and it was the underpowered 4 cylinder but it ran forever even with Sears screwing up the front hubs. At around 150,000 miles I sold it to a friend and he proceed to kill it by running it without oil or it would have kept going and going.