Jeep Grand Cherokee test drive since 2010 SUV
A wide look
At one time, Jeep Grand Cherokee was considered a 100 % bandit machine However, the times are now different: racketeers who survived in the 90s have become businessmen, and Grand Cherokee is gradually being cleaned of a negative image.
Today, the most popular is the second generation of the grads, produced from 1998 to 2004.
Almost all of the Grand Cherokee presented in the Russian secondary market were brought from America. If desired, you can find European cars, as well as SUVs with Russian registration. However, there are very few of them, and the price of Europeans is usually noticeable than Americans.
Buying Grand Cherokee, first of all, you need to decide on the configuration. Most likely, you will have to choose between LAREDO and LIMITED (other limited series were produced). A simple Grand Cherokee Laredo can be distinguished by black bumpers, the presence of an ordinary air conditioner and most often the lack of a leather decoration of the cabin. Such a car in 90% of cases has a 6-cylinder engine with a volume of 4.0 liters, which produces 190 hp. (197 hp according to American standards). But if you need all the traditional bunches of a leather cabin or an electric drive of seats for American cars, then you need to take Grand Cherokee Limited. It is he who has a V8 engine with a volume of 4.7 liters, issuing 223 hp. (238 hp in the USA), and in 2002 a 258-horsepower version of this unit was released. Grand Cherokee Limited not only has a high level of comfort, but also thanks to the engine, it has amazing dynamics.
As already mentioned, under the hood of Jeep Grand Cherokee can stand with 4.0 and 4.7 liter gasoline engines. But lovers of exclusive can look for diesel faces (they were sold exclusively in Europe). Moreover, there are two diesel power units. First, the engine of the Italian company VM-Motori with a volume of 3.1 liters was put under the hood, which produces 140 hp. It is better not to buy cars with such a diesel engine. Firstly, 140 horses are not enough for the large and heavy Grand Cherokee. And secondly, problems may arise with the repair of this engine. Therefore, if we take diesel grandi, then only with a 2.7-liter Mercedes-Benz development engine, which appeared on the market in 2002.
But we repeat once again: the diesel Grand Cherokee is more of exotic. Therefore, only a 4-liter in-line six and V8 with a chain drive of timing is seriously discussing. An unpleasant feature of these engines is a decent fuel consumption. Even a 4-liter engine requires about 15 liters in the city. With the V8, the consumption is at all 1820 liters, and if you should burn on the gas pedal, then 23 liters. Given the constantly rising fuel prices, you should think tightly whether it is worth buying such a gluttonous car.
The main thing for these engines is oil. It should always be fresh. It would seem that an elementary recommendation, but in the US, drivers do not always follow the advice of experienced. As a result, the channels are clogged with deposits, which leads to oil starvation and increased pressure in the ventilation system of crankcase gases. Therefore, if when checking the engine you find oil in the air filter case, do not buy such a machine.
The current oil seals/gaskets are not the best signal (although the rear crankshaft oil oil seal flows in many cars, its replacement costs about $ 300). In addition, I would like to advise the holders of Grand Cherokee not to pour any flushing into the engine: there are many chances that the motor after that is fasting. It is more careful to be with modern synthetics, especially if earlier in the Lily motor is mineral water. However, even if the engine has broken, its repair will cost relatively inexpensive: as a rule, the capital with a bore of the block costs $ 1200. And you can generally order the so-called short block (a head engine), which costs $ 1,5001800.
Another of the problems of Grand Cherokee a gasoline pump. It is not the most reliable here and is often clogged with dirt. The new costs about $ 250, but usually it can be repaired for $ 150. We will also advise cleaning every 30,000 km nozzles, and after 10,00020,000 km to change the spark plugs.
The gearbox on Grand Cherokee can only be automatic, and three different types. In pairs with a 4-liter gasoline engine and Italian diesel engine, an old 4-speed automatic transmission goes in its design. 4.7-liter machines already have a box with five steps, but a 2.7-liter diesel is equipped with a 5-speed Mercedes-Benz development automatic. The last automatic transmission is considered the most reliable, but, we repeat once again, buying a 2.7-liter diesel engine on the Grand Cherokee secondary market. The boxes created by the engineers of the Chrysler concern also break infrequently, although cars with current gaskets are periodically found. In addition, you need to be careful when replacing the oil (the procedure must be performed every 50,000 km). Different boxes require different lubricants!
Now about the all -wheel drive system. Here, too, is not so simple. It is worth starting at least with the fact that Grand Cherokee was sold in the United States with a drive only to the rear axle. Cars in a simple LAREDO configuration usually have a transmission called Quadra-Trac II (NV247). Such a machine on the asphalt has a drive on the rear axle, and the front wheels are connected to work only when slipping. In addition, QUADRA-TRAC-II has a reduced transmission and inter-ease blocking of differential. The expensive Grand Cherokee Limited in most cases is the same transmission, but with an additional Quadra Drive package, which implies not only an interdosseary blocking, but also inter -coil, both on the front and the rear axle! And in this case, the blocking of differentials is mechanical, and not electronic, as on many modern crossovers.
In addition, there are machines with the SELEC-TRAC (NP242) handout, where the driver himself selects the transmission operating mode (rear-wheel drive, full, on locks, reducing gear). Remember: with Selec-Trac to travel in 4 Part Time mode with a blocked center differential only in slippery areas. Movement in this mode along the dry road leads to increased wear of all transmission details and rapid breakdown of the hand -box.
It is difficult, but nevertheless you can find on sale and simple machines with the Quadra-Trac I transmission (NV147), which was put only on 4-liter grandi. Such a transmission has an inter -long differential, but no reduced. But, I admit, the point of buying such a Grand Cherokee is a little (not to mention rear -wheel drive cars).
Full -wheel drive systems were not the most reliable. All kinds of seals or gaskets often flow. Therefore, the owners of used cars must at least every 5000 km check the level of lubricant in the system nodes and, according to the recommendations of the plant, change oil in the handout and bridges. Otherwise, you can very quickly get to the breakdown of the handout or differentials ($ 1,500,2500, depending on the size of the disaster). Naturally, it is necessary to fill only the oil that is recommended by the manufacturer. And no other other expensive repair. Even when moving, pay attention to the rumble of bridges. If it is present, prepare $ 1300 for repairs.
Cherokee chassis is simple as a drum and relatively reliable. True, if you often drive off -road, you will have to change the front levers almost every year (two lower longitudinal ones per $ 100 apiece and two upper $ 60), shock absorbers (about $ 100 for each) and so on. If you operate the car mainly in the city, then the suspension will serve longer. The steering periodically causes problems. On many cars, almost every 40,000 km change the tip of the steering bipod, but here it is not worth worrying that it will not cost a penny.
Front and back pendants on Grand Cherokee dependent. In many ways, this is why on the asphalt at high speed and in winding turns, this car does not behave in the best way. According to experienced ones, in order to improve handling, it is necessary to install new hard shock absorbers, as well as stabilizers' racks (the latter is on average by 100,000 km).
EXCURSION
Jeep began to produce comfortable SUVs in 1963, which was then the Wagoneer model, which can be called the predecessor of Grand Cherokee. Different engines were put under the hood of Jeep Wagoneer, including a gasoline V8 with a capacity of 150 hp. This was enough at that time to recognize Wagoneer with the fastest serial SUV!
In 1984, Jeep Wagoneer was renamed Grand Wagoneer, and in 1992 a new SUV was born. It was already called Grand Cherokee. The car at first was equipped with two gasoline engines with a volume of 4.0 liters and 5.2 liters, as well as a 2.5-liter diesel engine (it was installed only on cars intended for Europe that was assembled at the Steyr Daimler Puch factory in Austria). Jeep Grand Cherokee had several types of transmission at once, as well as options with a drive only to the rear axle.
In 1996, Grand was modernized, and next 1997, a motor of 5.9 liters (241248 hp) began to put under the hood of the car. Well, in 1998, the Jeep Grand Cherokee of the second generation was shown, which is often denoted by WJ letters. Although in fact the second grandi is made on the basis of the first generation of the model. Under the hood of the Grand Cherokee WJ put gasoline motors with a volume of 4.0 liters and 4.7 liters, as well as two diesel engines (2.7 liters and 3.1 l).
In 2004, the time has come the third generation of Jeep Grand Cherokee. Now the car is equipped with four engines: 3.7 liter gasoline volume (V6, 201 hp), 4.7 l (V8, 303 hp) and 5.7 l (V8, 334 hp) and) and With one diesel engine, Mercedes-Benz with a volume of 3.0 liters (218 hp). And recently a unique version of the Grand Cherokee SRT8 appeared. Such machines have under the hood an engine with a volume of 6.1 liters, which produces 426 hp!
The Jeep Grand Cherokee model 19982004 became much better than the previous generation of this model. However, it is still not perfect. Nevertheless, they bought the Grand and will buy: we have enough fans of the American lifestyle. Perhaps the most optimal option for Grand Cherokee modification with a 4-liter gasoline unit. Although if you need a really cool car, then there is nothing left but to take an SUV with V8.
FITTING
This Jeep Grand Cherokee 2003 release, in contrast to the vast majority of their brothers, which are found in our secondary market, was originally bought in Russia. However, this does not mean at all that the Grand Cherokee we study had a quiet and calm life. Nothing like this! The owner does not particularly hide that he often participated by car in all kinds of off -road pokatushki and often went fishing.
According to the owner, he has no special complaints about the reliability of the second Grand Cherokee. Yes, breakdowns happened, but infrequently. There were some problems with an electrician, after one sortie to nature, I had to repair the suspension. But with the engine, gearbox and all -wheel drive system, everything is in order. Now the owner decided to sell his Grand Cherokee for $ 30,000.
Experts
Dmitry Erokhin, General Director of the Center for Car loans, Ph.D.:
The popularity of Grand Cherokee II is possible that the second generation cars have become much more elegant than their predecessors. Finally, the price also contributed to the demand for these SUVs. So, most Grand Cherokee II cars 19992004 can be bought for an amount of 18,000 to 30,000 US dollars.
When buying Grand Cherokee II on credit, the monthly payment for a three -year loan will be from $ 500 to $ 900, which makes the purchase of a car on credit for buyers with a monthly income of $ 1,500 to $ 2500, respectively.
However, by purchasing Grand Cherokee II on credit, the buyer will face restrictions on the age of the car.
For the most part, banks require that at the time of the end of the loan, the car is not older than 10 years. This means that when the 1999 Grand Cherokee II was purchased in 2008, a car loan can be issued for only one year, since in 2009 this car will be ten years and, accordingly, the loan should be repaid in the same year. A loan by one year significantly increases payments. So, when buying the 1999 Grand Cherokee II, the issue of $ 19,000 on credit for one year will be $ 1,500, and with a loan time, it would be $ 560 for three years.
To overcome these restrictions, there are two possibilities: either buy a car of a later year of release, or take a credit program without insurance. Each of the possible options has its own characteristics.
In the first case, when buying a more fresh car, for example, 2001, the price of a car will increase, which will also affect the size of the monthly payment. Say, at the price of the 2001 Grand Cherokee II, $ 23,000 will be $ 678 a monthly payment. Another option is to buy a car on credit program without CASCO insurance. With this option, the amount of the initial payment should be at least 30%, and the loan rate will be at least 14% per annum in the currency, which clearly worsens the loan conditions compared to the classic car loan, which can be obtained with the initial contribution of 10% and the rate of 11 % per annum.
Therefore, if you buy Grand Cherokee II on credit, it is still better to focus on buying a car of 20022004, so as not to encounter restrictions on the age of the car and not worsen possible lending conditions.
Denis Smolyanov
Photo author: Alexander Polunin
Source: MKOMBILA magazine [June/2008]
