Jeep Grand Cherokee Laredo- Thoughts

[deckstar]

actually you can...as for parts prices they are pricey, but then again so is Jeep. Dont anyone mistake a Toyo (modern one) Cruiser as a cheap car to own. They are good but not a bargain. What they do have is a very good dealer network - everywhere - so that adds big time to their popularity particularly in the bush.

Cheers

not all of there parts are pricey most of the stuff is pretty reasonable, you do find a few things that are WAY out there but most of the time they're good. I have seen the sums done before in sales training they're not cheap to buy but cheap to own.

not trying to say they are the be all end all of 4wd's but dollar for dollar pound for pound taking all things into account they stack up well. hence why they are the best selling brand in australia.

[hoodunnit]

The last decent Chrysler/Dodge was built 35 years or so ago same goes for Fords and Holdens ...just sayin,

[Adam_G]

I don't own one but have spent a bit of time in a mate's while towing a 6m glass boat, was a bit sceptical at first (I own a GQ Patrol TD), but now I would pick the Jeep over the Patrol for towing any day. The V8 has bucket loads of power and economy isn't to bad either.

Adam

[wrxhoon]

I don't own one but have spent a bit of time in a mate's while towing a 6m glass boat, was a bit sceptical at first (I own a GQ Patrol TD), but now I would pick the Jeep over the Patrol for towing any day. The V8 has bucket loads of power and economy isn't to bad either.

Adam

My 4.5 lt TTD Landcruiser will eat the Jeep towing anything and she will use a lot less fuel too. With 650 nt of torque she ticks over at 1600 rpm at 110 kmh .
Not towing anything I can go Sydney to Brissy on one tank of fuel , she holds 93 lts . Try doing that in the Jeep doing 110KMH+.

[MyWay]

if you looking to buy one now is time some good deals around

if you end up getting one you will love it and your family very nice car

i had jeep xj sport for 8 years was one hell of towing car and thay drive nice not like trucks (Toyota , patrol,etc)

for 8 years 240k;
2 set of tyres
distributor $78.00 from USA
5 shocks $ 8.00 each from ( Monro gt gas)from USA
and had to do re do roof lining it cam down on me but for 95 noting unexpected

myway

[gtphantom]

hey fella -------if your happy to buy a vehicle that is still running around with technology that appeared in the late fifties or early sixties -- generally sub-standard build quality, high fuel consumption and no resale value --- you'd be on a winner with that machine!!
as well I would be surprised if any of the general day-to-day bits and pieces are available readily locally? see how long it would take to ---say--- get the tranny repaired if it went south!! I reckon you would be waiting months
fully imported Jap 4WD --- best cars available -- Toyota and Nissan set the benchmarks everything else is a compromise
have a look at any minesite and see what vehicles they use generally Toyota's -- and not because they're cheap
check out the fleet hire companies --- mostly Toyota's cos they usually get more money back for them when they sell them than what they initially paid for them!
I've worked on minesites for the past 20 years thru-out the west and I've seen some trials of different brands -- including Chrysler,GM/Isuzu ,Ford, Land-Rover, Hummer,Nissan and a few orphans like PJ Berryman ,Getman , Normet and OKKAS--- invariably they all go back to Toyota's
If you could see the abuse that these vehicles will take and still keep going !!!
we've had six or seven landcruisers from 60-series to our current 100V8 and three or four Hi-Lux and never been let down!
If you can do the servicing on your own vehicle then they are not expensive to run/maintain IMO the dealers and repair shops see them as cash cows -- if you can afford one of these then you can afford to pay and pay!! it costs more to buy the special oil for my Falcon -- and it takes more -- than the cruiser!!!
the comment about they're like a truck to drive ??? I don't know what Cruiser or Patrol old mate's been driving -- but we own a BA Falcon as well and I don't think that we'd be as fresh at the end of 8hrs behind the wheel in that over the Cruiser
P.S> love the youtube vid has anyone else seen the E-tec vs Yamaha tractor-pull same set up -- can be rigged to look convincing no real objective or conclusive evidence in any of those things IMO
something to ponder ?:
cheers

[wrxhoon]

i had jeep xj sport for 8 years was one hell of towing car and thay drive nice not like trucks (Toyota , patrol,etc)

I don't know what Toyotas you have been driving , I can assure you mine drives like a car , Its quieter than a limo inside with windows up and its a strong as a heavy duty truck. Did I say she pulls uphills with a 2.5 t boat better than a lot of 4WD'S that don't have anything behind them .

Why do you think Toyota make and sell more vehicles than any other car maker ? It wasn't always like that , they have earned their reputation over the years .
I know Jeep was the first 4WD and Toyota copied that and improved over the years..

[ozscott]

Lets not get too carried away with brand patriotism folks. Toyotas are good vehicles...bit boring for my taste (and that is a personal thing!) but good. They dont drive like trucks, but certainly don't handle as well as a Discovery (year against year for the last almost 20 years).

I wouldnt say the best off road in stock form because that title has always gone to LR, but still very good off road. Their success comes mainly from having been savy enough to establish an excellent dealer network at a time when LR's dominated the bush - and were the legend of the Snowy Mountain Scheme - see for eg http://www.4wdonline.com/Places/Au/SMHEA/LandRover.html. What LR didnt have was anything like a good dealer network. The vast majority of farmer turned away from LR because when they broke they had trouble finding a dealer...then they got Toyota and they broke too, but at least they could get them fixed. The other reason for their success is an amazingly adept advertising department with a budget to match...so good vehicle - check, great dealer network - check, great marketing - check. And that is the winning combo for getting sales.

Cheers

[wrxhoon]

Lets not get too carried away with brand patriotism folks. Toyotas are good vehicles...bit boring for my taste (and that is a personal thing!) but good. They dont drive like trucks, but certainly don't handle as well as a Discovery (year against year for the last almost 20 years).

I wouldnt say the best off road in stock form because that title has always gone to LR, but still very good off road. Their success comes mainly from having been savy enough to establish an excellent dealer network at a time when LR's dominated the bush - and were the legend of the Snowy Mountain Scheme - see for eg http://www.4wdonline.com/Places/Au/SMHEA/LandRover.html. What LR didnt have was anything like a good dealer network. The vast majority of farmer turned away from LR because when they broke they had trouble finding a dealer...then they got Toyota and they broke too, but at least they could get them fixed. The other reason for their success is an amazingly adept advertising department with a budget to match...so good vehicle - check, great dealer network - check, great marketing - check. And that is the winning combo for getting sales.

Cheers

I would have to agree with most of the above Scott . I'm sorry but I can't agree with you on the discovery bit mate , without going in to the handling bit , you can't compare Discos with any Landcruiser and the used market reflects that.

As an ex motor mechanic I worked on all kinds of vehicles so I have some idea on what is reliable and what is not . I can tell you I have found Jap vehicles to be the most reliable, even more so than the most expensive German makers . Ah and I own one of them too a 911 Turbo and I love it . I may tell you that the only Toyota I own now is a Landcruiser, I have a Subaru Liberty GT as my run around so you can't say I get carried away with "brand patriotism".
I don't know how you can say that Toyota had a dealer network when Theiss Brothers imported the first trucks to work in the Snowys, Toyota was unheard of then in Australia (same with all Jap crap,as they use to call them) . At the same time Land rovers and Rover dealers were everywhere.
It just happen the Theies bros realised they had a much better vehicle than the Rovers and decided to import and sell them here and as they say the rest is history.

[ozscott]

Mate - I didnt mention reliability - but of course the Japs have that in spades. I have 2 Discoveries (95 and 02 - both V8s) and a CU2 Honda Accord Euro. I also like the liberty as my close second favourate mid sizer.

Having said that from my own viewpoint and that of a number of people I know their Land Rovers - mainly Discoveries - and mine have been very reliable and I think that proper servicing is the key. Their parts prices are usually as cheap and often cheaper than the jap 4wds (a fact that is misunderstood out there). They still get a bad rap from 20 years ago which is a pitty but hard to shake. They usually contain higher tech levels than the contemporary 4wd's which lead to higher risk of reliability issues also.

As for handling (cornering) the Discoveries have always been quicker through corners and remain so in the newer ones also. Ride wise the Cruiser is better because it has more compliant springing.

I guess what I am saying is that I like Toyota's product - not for me but generally speaking - but I like people having a proper and fair try of products too. I am not a fan of Jeep, cracking firewalls being just one of the big dramas (and structural issues are not an issue for LR) but I like seeing people driving and appreciating their qualities and individual characteristics. And one thing Chrysler do do very well is a big fanging V8....

Merry Christmas.

[wrxhoon]

We have to agree to disagree here , from my humble experience as a motor mechanic knowing and talking to lots of other mechanics in the trade Discos have nothing on Cruisers never had for that matter, sure they got better , the original Discos were nothing but troubles, filling with dust and the gaps in the panels you could measure in inches.
As for going around corners no 4WD will corner at any speed my friend , they are not meant too , they are built for a different purpose if you want to go around corners fast you buy a sports car , if you want to tow or go offroad you buy a Landcruiser .
I use my Landcruiser for the purpose it was built but not to its full potential and the 911 Turbo for the purpose it was built as well and sometimes to its full potential , the Liberty GT does the day to day duties.

Maybe Rover will impove now that Indians own it . I forget count how times it changed hands in the last few years, let me see, Rover , BMW, Ford , Tata , who is going to be next?? It goes to show you that nobody can make a go of it .
I can't see Toyota changing hands anytime soon, not the way they building market share world wide

In any case you stick to your Disco and I stick with my Landcruiser, I can't think of a better vehicle to tow my 2.5t Trophy , when I do I will buy it .

As for Chrysler building V8s they did but the problem is they very old tech, no match for a modern engine . Jeeps of today don't use Chrysler engines though only the old 6.1 pushrod V8 still in use, the rest are Merc engines . Their built quality is not any better than Discos either.

[gtphantom]

Maybe Rover will impove now that Indians own it . I forget count how times it changed hands in the last few years, let me see, Rover , BMW, Ford , Tata , who is going to be next?? It goes to show you that nobody can make a go of it .

nice way to say you can't polish a turd!! LOL-------- sorry.......... the temptation was just too great---- like trying not to eat the whole block of Dairy Milk once it's opened !!

[ozscott]

Funny how it keeps selling an enormous amount of vehicles worldwide and those turds keep winning 4wd of the year awards and hearts....Motor mechanics like any trade have different views from others. My family are all mechanics and one has owned for many years a 4wd business servicing only off roaders and modifying them - including comp trucks...in ALL makes...and I have worked in that shop and we have seen reliability problems on all makes...so I am not talking from the perspective of an owner of a 4wd only.

Anyway I have said my bit and the LR knockers WILL come out of the woodwork - often never having owned one - so you go for it and I will catch you on different threads...

Cheers

PS. The D3 has consistently won the tow test in Overlander Magazine for many years...now that the D4 has moved to a twin turbo 3.0 V6 TD with 90% of 600nm of torque AT idle that isnt going to change any time soon...normally I wouldnt post up quotes but I just dont want people reading this thread to believe the posts above about towing ability for example...this is from the 06 tow test between Disco 2.7 single turbo TD, V8 and the V8's and diesels from Patrol and Cruiser:

"The verdict
From the intelligence of its removable tow bar to its relaxed freeway cruising to exemplary rough-road behaviour - once the rig is set up right - both Discos stood hat, head, shoulders and chest above any other vehicle on test. The 4.4-litre petrol V8 was quicker than the two Japanese biggies and would possibly use less fuel when driven more gently. But the Disco diesel almost matched the Toyota and Nissan petrols for grunt - and their diesels for frugality - with far better towing ability. Combine that with a cavernous and versatile interior and the diesel Disco - here we go again - stacks up as the best on the planet."

WRXhoon -I think I may have found that better tow vehicle for you matey

And surely I dont have to dredge up all the articles on comparing the cruiser to the disco off road...we are all sick of the magazine covers that state what is now clear about how the Disco hammers the cruiser off road - and on.

[gtphantom]

hey Scott -- sorry that you took offence ! I thought was just some friendly ta-te-ta?
I'm a mechanic and have been in the industry for 30+ years. I've have worked in areas from small engines/ lawnmowers , transmission repairs - specialist chassis/suspension brake and clutch , minesite light vehicle mechanic,to where I am today fixing 250ton dumptrucks and big earthmovers
people still ask me advice on this car ,and that 4WD ,and honestly ,I ask them what they like, listen to what they have to say and generally they have already made there minds up -- for one reason or another!! and lets not forget a lot of people base purchases like this emotionally!!
in todays auto field all cars and SUV's are pretty well tarred with the same brush -- they all are generally within a price bracket carry the same accesories and standard equipment , the warranties are all about the same --- and remember we're talking new vehicles! -- they'll all do what you want within the warranty period !
when they are over five years old thats when we seem to see this sort of discussion raising it's ugly head--- all the nasties start to appear for one reason or another whether it be from poor design & manufacture or environmental issues !
we own three cars --03 cruiser 100 GXL V8,purely as a tow car for the boat --we do 2-3 trips to the north-west of WA from Perth over the course of the year, an 03 BA GT-P, a big boys toy -- mid life crisis stuff, the one on the avatar , and an 07 Getz , daugters run-around for uni etc, as well a Suzuki VL 1500 Intruder cruiser motor cycle, another mid-life crisis-- for the wife, and our boat has Suzuki DF 115's , apart from that over the years we've had Nissans other Fords and Toyotas ,Honda's ,Yamaha's Subaru to mention a few, as well Mercury, Evinrude/Johnson and Yamaha O/B's --- so I have no real brand loyalty AND they all have their problems and faults
my assesment of Toyota's has come from working in the mining industry for 20 years, and as I said before if you could see the assault and punisment the Cruiser's an Hi-Lux's will endure ,the decision is smple
don't get me wrong --I've been looking lately at updating the Cruiser with a Triton or a Hi-Lux --probably be a cost based decision for the reasons mentioned above, and remember not many people knowingly drive their own car like they stole it! so the minesite R&D I'm talking about never usually enters into most peoples decision making
just another piont, although the glossy mags are a great source for viewing all the latest stuff for us consumers --- just remember these Journo's are paid to write articles and when was the last time you read a scathing review on any vehicle?? as well if you read one journal they tend to lean to one brand and it's opposition is biased the other way -- classic example of this is Wheels and Motor magazines-- probably the same publisher but different editing teams one is definitly biased to GMH and the other to the blue oval! IMO
again--- Scott I apologise, I thought it was all a bit of friiendly ribbing! Land Rover is certainly an iconic marque in the industry and has been a player for many years
cheers Kim

[ozscott]

Kim - dont apologise mate I am not taking offence. I do like a bit of back and forth on the Toyota v the rest and LR knocking etc...its all in fun...like my quip above to WRX about finding him a better tow vehicle.

Thanks for the well written post mate.

Cheers