Jeep Grand Cherokee Laredo- Thoughts

[levinge]

Anybody have any info, thoughts good and bad about them

I see they have specs for a 3+ tonne tow rating...

[Tinlegs]

Hi Levinge,

My neighbour has one that he tows a fibreglass 24-ish ft gin palace with and he loves it.

They look nice for the money too - lots of goodies and comfortable.

I'm going through the same thoughts at the moment for something to tow my 20ft Lightning platey. I'm not close to a decision, but for the money you can get one for, they look alright.

Good luck - I've been struggling to make a decision about the towing vehicle issue for ages, and i'm no closer to an outcome. The price for a good 2nd hand 100 series cruisers is just too high for my tastes.

Cheers,

Tinlegs/ Mark

[Noelm]

just my personal thought, I reckon the Jeeps seem to be OK, but they are stuck in a time warp as far as looks go, remember my thoughts only, Jeep owners please do not take offense.

[Robbo76]

I once read in a 4x4 mag a shootout with all the big name 4x4's. From memory the laredo spat the dummy first, stopped in shallow water. I guess it depends on what you do with it, on road- Great, towing-Great, my old boss used to tow a large glass boat with it. Off road-I read not so good.

My bro in law was looking at them and turned away, he went for a Range Rover in the end ($75,000) second hand.

Each to their own I guess, good luck.

Rob

[levinge]

I totally agree Mark, I too am in the hunt for a good tow vehicle form my 6M boat.

They seem to rate pretty good for the tow and thats primarily my option.

I don't do the offroad stuff and minimal beach work. The 2.7L Deisel looks pretty good for the dollars outlayed.

I too would love to get a 100 Series but can't justify the inflated price....

[CharlieH]

The Jeeps are great aslong as you never use the Stealership for anything outside of warranty. You can get parts cheap as hell drop shipped from the US as there's a crapload more 4x4's on the road over there and ... well .. they like buying American.

The Grands need a bit of work for water crossing generally, just things like sealing up electronics and raising diff breathers but then a lot of new 4x4's do. The normal Cherokees seem to be better for things like water crossings etc as they're made more for the proper off-road market.

Edit: They need more bits replaced to do larger raises then the Partrols/Cruisers but like I said bits are cheap from the US and in my experience they get more clearance from lower lifts then the Jap ones.

Double edit:

I've replaced the tailgate struts, one front wheel hub assembly, two cv boots, park brake shoes (4w discs but has a drum for park brake), recharged the Aircon, replaced two tyres, bought a stronger transfer case with 2hi instead of full time 4wd, ordered a new set of upper and lower trailing arms, lifted the car with springs and shocks and have probably spent under $1200 if I went to the stealership it'd be probably 6x that. Mine is a 98 grand though.

[sid_fishes]

dont
cheers

[levinge]

Not very constructive there Sid.

"Don't" ------ Why and for what reasons?????

Don't, doesn't make me anymore informed about Jeep at all...

[CharlieH]

Not very constructive there Sid.

"Don't" ------ Why and for what reasons?????

Don't, doesn't make me anymore informed about Jeep at all...

He's probably a jap fan I guess haha

[Kevaclone]

Yes we understand, It's a Jeep thing, That why we drive Toyotas


Mate has a Grand and loves it, mostly for it's 4.5L(?) V8, Tows his boat along the beach much better than his old 1Hz powered 80 series. It's pretty well fitted out, leather interior, electric everything. But like all things imported from LH drive countries, everything is on the wrong side

I think it's pretty outdated looking inside, Jeep love holding on to a design for a long time, like 20 years, so a brand new one looks 20 years old, which doesn't do much for resale

[levinge]

I know what you mean, although asthetics aren't my main concern, as long as she pulls good and has moderate age, klm and the price is good. I'll be happy whether its a jeep, Toyo or a Niss

[CharlieH]

Yes we understand, It's a Jeep thing, That why we drive Toyotas

Hey hey, remember last time the Japs threw some 'dems fighting words' at the yanks

I think it's pretty outdated looking inside, Jeep love holding on to a design for a long time, like 20 years, so a brand new one looks 20 years old, which doesn't do much for resale

I doubt the asthetics effect the resale. That's part of the whole Jeep thing. Though the new ones have departed a long way from the older.

And c'mon. If these look old :





What does this look new? Retro?

[levinge]

Standby for the Toyo broadsides......Ouch

[lampuki]

ok ill bite.....

paticularly because I am contemplating buying the toyo....I too am looking for a new tow vehicle.

The difference is, one will still be running in 20 years, and the other one wont be.

[levinge]

Good point, but, I don't think I'll be owning the same vehicle in 20 years, let alone the same boat!!!!