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View Full Version : Jeep Grand Cherokee Replacement?



hevysrf
04-19-2007, 05:05 AM
In september I sold my trouble free 150k 1998 4.0 Jeep Grand Cherokee to to my nephew. I replaced it with a 2007 Mazda CX 7. The luxury appealled to my wife, and I liked the dfi, turbo boost,traction control and awd. Although it is a nice car, it really doesn't meet my need to sometimes tow 4500 lbs, and the payment (my first) is a pain.
What would you recommend, used, for about $15k that will seat five, tow 4500lbs, 4wd or awd, at least 20mpg hiway and be good for 100k mile with just normal maitainance? Thanks MartyD

Ziemer
04-19-2007, 03:35 PM
I've had really good luck (knock on wood:p ) with my Explorer Sport Trac. It's a 2002 with the 4.0 V6. Mines a 2wd but has the limited slip rear. Without the boat I'll get right at 20 on the highway. With the smal boat I've gotten between 15 & 16 on the highway, and I've gotten around 12 with the 24'. My Pantera weighs 5600+ on the trailer (we just weighed it the other day ;)) and it managed to tow it to Jungle Den last week 75-80 down the highway.

Only thing I would recommend is the Airlift "helper" air bags for the rear. Oh yeah, mines got 103,000 miles on it too (had it since new)

ScarabEpic22
04-22-2007, 07:31 PM
Im biased, but look at a Chevy TrailBlazer or a GMC Envoy. You can get a slightly used one (think 05 or 06 MY) for 15K easily, especially if you can live with cloth interior and dont need all the gadgets. Only downfall is the 4spd trans that GM is clutching onto for dear life, but throw a $50 trans cooler on it and you wont have any problems. I have an 02 TB with the 4.2L I6 and it tows my 4100lbs Epic with ease, but I would recommend trying to find an 06+ TB with the 5.3L V8 as the low-end TQ is much better.

Mileage is 19-22 on the hwy depending on speed (I get 20.5 easy at 75, more if I go slower). A PCM tune also helps mileage and power for the I6, its the best $150 you can spend on a TrailBlazer.

If you have any questions about a TrailBlazer, let me know.

Daystreamer
08-19-2007, 01:56 AM
"In september I sold my trouble free 150k 1998 4.0 Jeep Grand Cherokee" Sold it too soon, find another jeep with that 4.0 I-6 for 5K, keep it as a tow vechile / back-up unit and rock on, mine tows the Hydrostream anywhere i want to take it and am up to 247,000 miles and it still doesn't use or burn oil and I have yet to hear a lifter tick. It towed the current boat from St Paul Minn to Florida at 225,000, no problem. I am now curious just how far it will go before it blows up, 350-400,000 miles?, who knows. I had plans of a 350 chev for it but now I swear by these 4.0 motors, they just keep going and going and goi...

ScarabEpic22
08-19-2007, 06:48 PM
"In september I sold my trouble free 150k 1998 4.0 Jeep Grand Cherokee" Sold it too soon, find another jeep with that 4.0 I-6 for 5K, keep it as a tow vechile / back-up unit and rock on, mine tows the Hydrostream anywhere i want to take it and am up to 247,000 miles and it still doesn't use or burn oil and I have yet to hear a lifter tick. It towed the current boat from St Paul Minn to Florida at 225,000, no problem. I am now curious just how far it will go before it blows up, 350-400,000 miles?, who knows. I had plans of a 350 chev for it but now I swear by these 4.0 motors, they just keep going and going and goi...

Yep, Inline 6 motors just go and go and go and go, Im not worried about my 02 having any issues at all. Yes, the TB has an I6, everyone assumes its the 4.3L V6 but its a completely different engine putting out more hp and tq and better mileage. I just rolled 80K last weekend after towing my Scarab from Coeur d Alene, ID to Walla Walla, WA, still running strong.

PARKER RABE
08-20-2007, 11:22 AM
the 4 liter is bullet proof , im on my 2nd cherokee , now 1st one had 200 on it no problems, got this 2000 now and is up for sale if any body wants it mint cond , 89 k miles >7grand

stokernick
08-20-2007, 11:39 AM
regular Cherokees[not grand] have pretty good records for durability and towing!