Jeep Cherokee (Liberty) test drive since 2007 SUV

Indian liberalism

Jeep Cherokee sample of 20012007 in Russia was sold very sluggish. However, in the secondary market these machines are enough, and the prices for SUVs are very attractive. Is it worth taking this jeep with a funny face? What problems can he cause? And in general, what kind of beast is this?
In Russia, the new Jeep Cherokee had recently been too expensive, especially given the simplicity of the salon decoration materials. And there is nothing to be surprised that sales of the model were completely insignificant. As a result, prices in the secondary market are dictated by cars brought from the United States that are cheap in their homeland, especially given the current low dollar. Motorists who once bought the brand new Cherokee in Russia, of course, are very suffering and do not have the opportunity to sell the car for normal money.
Do not think that Cherokee 20012007, which bore the name of Liberty in the USA, is another stupid SUV. Although this is what many people think, looking at the front of this machine with two tidy headlights. In fact, Cherokee (we will call the car this way) a real SUV. Yes, he does not have a frame, but the carrier body has powerful spar and numerous amplifiers. Plus, do not forget about excellent geometric cross -country ability, large road clearance, long -flowing and rather soft suspension. The all -wheel drive system here is also not bad, and it can be of two options (we do not take into account the rear -wheel drive cars from the USA, which are actually few). A simpler, called Command-Trac, requires driving on dry asphalt only on the rear-wheel drive, and when driving off-road manually, using a lever in the cabin, tightly connect all-wheel drive or lower gear.
But cars with the most powerful 3.7-liter engine could already have a Selec-Trac transmission, which is distinguished by the 4WD Full-Time mode. Having turned on it, the driver gets the opportunity to use the advantages of all -wheel drive all year round (not constant, however, but automatically connected) without risk to break the car. Well, if you often plan to drive on heavy off-road, then look for a car with the rear self-locking differential Trac-Loc (it was also placed only on 3.7-liter cars). In addition, when studying the car, pay attention to the presence of an additional Skid Plate Group package: protection of the fuel tank, hand -gearbox, front suspension. He was in the list of options, so some of the particularly economical ones refused him. And in vain for driving on off -road, the thing is extremely useful. Many experts are convinced that this car is the best in patency in its class. Can a full-wheel drive system break on 37-year-old Cherokee? Alas, there are such cases, and with both types of transmission.
However, the masters note that the CHEROKEE all -wheel drive systems were very reliable and the breakdown, if they happen, then with a run of more than 100,000120,000 km. Moreover, rarely when repairs are very expensive: with serious problems, the owners usually find used elements. Well, the need to change the Crown of the Cardan or Easters with a great run of the crosses should be perceived for granted all owners of all -wheel drive SUVs. Replacing a pair of crosses will cost $ 300, the installation of a new gear sector will require $ 120. When buying a car, carefully examine the anterior cardan antenpers, and also check on the service book, how often the oil in gearboxes changed (this must be done strictly after 40,000 km, and if you drive through the mud and 20,000 km). Otherwise, you can get to a very expensive repair.
Officially, four engines were put on Cherokee. Among them was a 2.5 liter diesel (143 hp), which was replaced by a 2.8-liter unit very quickly (first 150 hp, and since 2004 163 hp). However, it must be said right away that finding diesel Cherokee on the Russian secondary market is almost impossible.
America, not Europe became the main supplier of the used Cherokee to Russia, making the price of 35-year-old cars very interesting (as already mentioned, in the states the model was sold under the name Liberty). Still, because in the USA the easiest Jeep Liberty cost only $ 16,000. New! Such a car will not have all -wheel drive transmission, and bells and whistles too. But $ 16,000! And steep cars with all pies were sold for $ 25,000.
That is why the vast majority of Cherokee in our secondary market have gasoline engines under the hood. There were two of them: a 4-cylinder with a volume of 2.4 liters (147 hp according to European power standards and 152 hp according to American) and 3.7-liter V6 (204 hp or 214 hp . respectively). The 2.4-liter engine was combined only with the mechanics and simple transmission of Command-Trac, and the V6 cars in the vast majority of cases had an automatic and transmission of Selec-Trac (could be commander and even mechanics).
Do you think Cherokee 2.4 is much more economical than a car with V6? You are mistaken. If you slowly move from point A to point B, then, of course, a 2.4 -liter engine will spend a little (although everything relates to 15 in the city here in any case will leave). But it is worth showing activity on the road, as the consumption will grow to about 1820 liters.
In addition, do not forget that the 2.4-liter Cherokee do not differ in outstanding dynamic characteristics and, most importantly, do not have an automatic gearbox. And to ride an American jeep with a pen is a bad tone. So it turns out that the best engine for Cherokee V6. In addition, according to mechanics, he is the most reliable. V6 has a proven design, and instead of a timing belt it has a reliable chain, which can easily withstands more than 250,000 km. Although it should be noted that the timing belt on a 2.4-liter motor was also very strong, but its replacement costs a total of about $ 500700.
Perhaps the only relatively weak engine location of 3.7 liters can be called a gasoline pump, which over time is clogged due to our best fuel in the world. It is necessary to change the entire pump assembly, which is expensive, so the masters offer to put separately a pumping pump ($ 400). And the pump resource is truly limitless.
Cherokee gearboxes usually do not cause problems. As you already understood, cars with a base 2.4-liter gasoline engine or a 2.5-liter diesel engine had only mechanics. If under the hood there is a V6 or 2.8 liter diesel, then an automatic machine is much more common. The automatic transmission is reliable, although not perfect. If by car they often drove or constantly climb on the road, after 100,000 km, the box may require repairs.
If you notice the disease in time, it will be possible to meet $ 12001500. And if you start the problem, you will have to completely sort out the machine, which is very expensive (usually the owners do not do this and look for used boxes in disassembly).
A separate story deserves a suspension. For the first time in the history of Jeep, the Cherokee has an independent front wheel suspension. As soon as it became known to decide independence, many skeptics began to assure that the new Jeep will break much more often than the old one (at the same time, hopes for the honed handling of Jeep Cherokee did not justify it, it retained its American origin). However, the chassis was quite strong.
Usually, with a run of about 100,000 km, you need to invest in the suspension and this should be remembered by the buyer examining the 5-year car. In addition to the lower ball, by this time the upper levers often wear out, shock absorbers and even the wheel bearings, which go on the front wheels with the hubs. The latest details are the most expensive about $ 400 apiece. Shock absorbers cost $ 110 for each, and the upper levers are still $ 200. So it turns out that in case of unsuccessful layout, the suspension of the suspension can cost $ 13001500. Jeep Cherokee breaks more often than most of the Japanese, but at the same time, the Cherokee sample of 20012007 was noticeably more reliable than the old cars of this brand, which delivered a huge number of problems to their owners. Therefore, it can be bought not only from one love for America.
EXCURSION
The story of Jeep Cherokee, like the entire Jeep company, began with the Willys model.
In 1962, a completely new model appeared called Jeep Wagoneer/SJ, which served as the basis for the first Cherokee, it was shown in 1974. The car had a 3-door body and was, in fact, a more sports modification of the usual Wagoneer. But it can be noted that it was on Cherokee that the first fully automatic all-wheel drive system began to put the Quadra-Trac box for the first time.
The second Cherokee was represented in 1984. It was he who made the name of the Indian tribe famous in the world, becoming one of the most popular SUVs. On Cherokee with the XJ index, they put a wide range of power units. The gasoline had the following volume: 2.5 l (105 hp with a carburetor, 115 hp, 118 hp, 123 hp or 127 hp if there is an injection), 2.8 liters (carburetor, 115 hp), 4.0 l (6 cylinders in a row, from 170 to 193 hp). There were diesel engines: 2.1 l (85 hp) and 2.5 l (113 hp or 116 hp). Cherokee XJ had both 3- and 5-door versions.
Jeep Cherokee XJ was produced in the United States until 2001 (in 1996, the model was restored). And in China it is still done. Well, in 2001, the world saw the new Cherokee, which received a completely different appearance. Moreover, in the USA it was even decided to rename it in America, it was sold as Liberty (in Russia and Europe, the model retained the name Cherokee). In 2004, the car was restored.
Last year, a new generation of Liberty was shown in the US market, which again received a very aggressive appearance. It is a pity that this car has not yet reached us. The model is equipped with two engines: a 3.7 liter gasoline V6 (205 hp) and a 2.8-liter diesel engine (177 hp).
Jeep Cherokee turned out to be surprisingly good a car that, of course, breaks, but not too often. In addition, do not forget that Cherokee is a real SUV. Here he is the best in his class.
Experts
Andrey Lemigov, Director General of the DAX expert company:
In the early 90s, almost the most popular car in Russia was the legendary Jeep Cherokee. Despite the good appetite, these cars were imported to Russia in huge quantities. And now on the roads you can often see Cherokee in excellent condition, despite the 15-year age. Jeep Liberty, which is a continuation of the younger brother’s dynasty, fell into a situation where new customs rules make customs payments for a car with a volume of 3.7 liters significantly larger than for Mercedes ML 320 and BMW X5, although the cost of these cars Almost twice as high. Accordingly, the disproportion between the price of the car itself and the parasitic costs for customs clearance and delivery does not allow the car to Russia in good condition, since it will immediately become an unprofitable purchase compared to analogues.
Dmitry Erokhin, General Director of the Center for Car loans, Ph.D.:
We were lucky to be witnesses to the globalization of the world economy, when the borders are erased, and goods and services are freely moved between countries. With the development of the Internet, the global market for sales of used cars also crossed the boundaries of our countries, and today we, being in Russia, have the opportunity to buy a car via the Internet at automobile auctions in the USA and Canada. Buying a car at the auction allows you to save the buyer from 10 to 20% of the price of a car submitted for sale in the Russian car dealership. Accordingly, for the 2005 Jeep Liberty, saving will be from $ 3,000 to $ 6,000.
When buying a car on an auction on credit, there are features. First of all, this is the need to make payments for a car that is still outside Russia. Therefore, financing the purchase is in two stages. On the first, the buyer concludes an agreement with a credit company and pays 20% of the cost of the car. A credit company takes on the auction value, delivery and customs clearance of a car. After the car passes the customs clearance, the buyer signs a loan agreement with the bank and receives a car. The entire purchase procedure at the auction, delivery and design of the vehicle on credit takes from 45 to 60 days.
Denis Smolyanov
Author photo: Yan Segal
 

Source: Mkobil magazine [April/2008]