Jeep Grand Cherokee (1994 - 1999) - 98 3.5 Budget 4x4 needed - Jeep??? | Motoring discussion | Back Room Forum

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Sun 4 Jan 2009 17:34

98 3.5 Budget 4x4 needed - Jeep??? - DanG

Need a large 4x4 on a budget. Have come across a Jeep Grand Cherokee turbo diesel on an S plate, 120K and in good nick. This one has the manual box which is more attractive to me than the auto.

Not knowing anything about Jeeps and seeing them go for little money, are they a good purchase? What should I look out for when checking it out in more detail (have only had a brief look on the forecourt). Build quality??

Should I stretch my budget to a newer post 2001 diesel auto model (have seen some very nice examples around the 5K mark)?

Many thanks, Dan

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Sun 4 Jan 2009 17:52

98 3.5 Budget 4x4 needed - Jeep??? - Dave N

They're dogs. For 5K you can get a 3 year old Suzuki XL7.

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Mon 5 Jan 2009 09:20

98 3.5 Budget 4x4 needed - Jeep??? - madf

Car Mechanics did a detailed review.
The VM engine lasts to 80-100k miles tops then cyclinder heads crack and head gaskets go. They suggested avoid it.

(Had that on a VM Rover 825D).

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Mon 5 Jan 2009 09:56

98 3.5 Budget 4x4 needed - Jeep??? - Happy Blue!

"Need a large 4x4 on a budget"

Presumably, with the bottom dropping out of the market at the moment, there are plenty of far better and newer vehicles to choose from than a Jeep. Dreadful vehicles bought only by those who want to pose but can't afford a Disco or Volvo XC90.

Look at the Kia Sorrento

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Mon 5 Jan 2009 10:30

98 3.5 Budget 4x4 needed - Jeep??? - sierraman

Also expensive for parts,a friend has one,the clutch master cylinder started leaking.He had to buy the complete system(sealed unit) at £209 with the cost of fitting on top.

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Mon 5 Jan 2009 10:34

98 3.5 Budget 4x4 needed - Jeep??? - oldnotbold

How about a LWB G-Wagen? Are they a maintenance money-pit?

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Mon 5 Jan 2009 21:08

98 3.5 Budget 4x4 needed - Jeep??? - PhilW

www.honestjohn.co.uk/carbycar/index.htm?md=51
www.honestjohn.co.uk/carbycar/index.htm?md=564

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Mon 5 Jan 2009 22:59

98 3.5 Budget 4x4 needed - Jeep??? - captain chaos

"Need a large 4x4 on a budget"

Presumably with the bottom dropping out of the market at the moment there are plenty

of far better and newer vehicles to choose from than a Jeep. Dreadful vehicles bought

only by those who want to pose but can't afford a Disco or Volvo XC90.

Hmm. I bought a dreadful Jeep Cherokee to tow my caravan. VM diesel, 120k and runs like a swiss watch. Full main dealer service history helped no doubt. I certainly didn't buy it to pose, I bought it to do a job, which it does well. I could quite easily afford a Disco but as I know a friend who bought one and cries himself to sleep every night (obviously hadn't read the numerous surveys re repair costs, poor reliability and joke build quality) decided on a Jeep instead. Agree with comments about the high cost of parts but the same can be said for any import. The only Land Rover worth considering is a Defender IMHO
Kia Sorrento worth a look though

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Tue 6 Jan 2009 11:20

98 3.5 Budget 4x4 needed - Jeep??? - terryb

I had a 2001 3.5 diesel grand cherokee. Lovely car to drive, towed the caravan (1500 kg+) like a dream BUT

A money pit to keep running. 20mpg solo 15 towing (my record was 9 mpg towing on a French autoroute). In the end I spent over £1000 trying unsuccessfully to get a back-end rumble diagnosed and sorted, so I got rid.

Replacement Kia Sorento (2.5) just as able towing, not quite as comfortable but more reliable (so far). The only downpoint is you notice that missing 1 litre!

HTH

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