2100 Grand Cherokee opinions please

[widman]

I love my 2009 Grand Cherokee Laredo and only have about 24,000 miles on it (at least half in mud, rock or sand) but last night at the auto show I saw the 2011 and there are a lot of tempting features. Aside from the comfort and convenience improvements, the smaller more potent V-6 is attracting. (no, I don't want the Hemi)
Mostly positive comments on Edmonds.com, but one guy was bad-mouthing the V-6 for vibrations. I find it hard to believe there would be anything like that on a production vehicle like this. Especially one that is selling like hotcakes with a 3 month waiting list.

Any experiences?

 

[xxch4osxx]

2100 futuristic model?

j/k

 

[PF52]

Nice, but its no Crown Victoria.

 

[ChiTDI]

That engine is being used in a number of Mopar vehicles, so if there is a problem it should be hitting the fan rather soon.
Saw the two Grand Cherokees yesterday at the auto show and thought they were stunning. Friend who has an '08 suggested the camera option because of blind spot in the rear. Other than that, I thought it was a really sound and beautifully fitted vehicle. I buy cars every ten years or so and I'm itchy towards that one.

 

[BGK]

I believe Consumer Reports gave excellent reviews to the new Grand Cherokee, rating it far above many Japanese and domestic competitors. It's German heritage has apparently made a big difference this time around!

 

[Kuato]

Read a leading auto magazine's review, they said the new engine has plenty of power but needs to rev to get the most out of it, and that when it revs it's a bit loud. Nothing about vibration.

 

[Brons2]

This is the new 3.6 liter Pentastar, there's some articles online about it if you do some searching. It is indeed going to be used in a lot of Chrysler vehicles.

 

[NHHEMI]

Originally Posted By: widman
I love my 2009 Grand Cherokee Laredo and only have about 24,000 miles on it (at least half in mud, rock or sand) but last night at the auto show I saw the 2011 and there are a lot of tempting features. Aside from the comfort and convenience improvements, the smaller more potent V-6 is attracting. (no, I don't want the Hemi)
Mostly positive comments on Edmonds.com, but one guy was bad-mouthing the V-6 for vibrations. I find it hard to believe there would be anything like that on a production vehicle like this. Especially one that is selling like hotcakes with a 3 month waiting list.

Any experiences?




The owner of the local Dodge/Jeep dealer actually is driving one right now. I talked to him about it about a month back. It is a loaded top model but actually has the new 3.6L vs the HEMI he usually gets in his vehicles. He said he wanted to try out the new engine.

His words exactly were I LOVE IT! He really likes the vehicle itself but he was really impressed with the new V6. More than adequate power and he really liked the MPG( 19-20 MPG average with upwards of 26 MPG highway and he is a self admitted lead foot ). His wife is actually asking if they can keep it she likes it so much.

I am a big guy at 6"3" and 300lbs+ and I found it roomy and comfortable to sit in anyway. My only gripe is, IMO, they are way over priced. You can buy a full sized Ram 1500 4WD with a HEMI and a LOT of options for less than a modestly equipped Jeep GC. A loaded GC is over 40K and that is NUTS!

The dealer owner and I also talked about the new Durango which is very similar to the GC. Guess the Durango is a little longer but overall looks about the same. Big difference there is the Durango will be AWD vs 4WD. TO me that is a negative but I guess to most it is not. You may want to look at a Durango unless you really need off road 4WD ability. According to the owner of the dealer the base and mid level Durangos will be cheaper than the GC's but the top of the line loaded GC's will be cheaper than similar Durangos.

 

[rslifkin]

Loaded GCs aren't cheap. The sticker price on mine was $39,215 for a loaded top end trim package in 98. I haven't personally driven one of the new ones, but a friend that has loved it. Should be a pretty solid vehicle.

 

[meep]

As a jeep fan I have issues with this vehicle. It's probably a [censored] good car. Jeeps get mad when you call them a car. but this has nothing to do with jeep. it's highly electronic, has full independent suspension.... no solid axles... as a jeep owner I just can't do it. It's like a pilot, or an mdx, or an explorer.

That said, the v6 shows a lot of promise. a lot of work has gone into it and i would not hesitate to own one. my last-gen 3.7 is a great engine.

If you have an 09, you are likely familiar with the AT.. "love it or hate it" opinions surrounding the different transmissions.

It IS a lot of $ for an american SUV that still gets thirsty at the pump, depreciates FAST (it's a chrysler product), and you'll be losing a good chunk of change trying to offload your 09, also a chrysler product.

I like the looks of it-- very sleek, but it also now looks like the rest of them. lexus/acura/yota.... all inbred. But the interior seems worlds ahead of the hard, plastic WK, the bubble-faced WJ dash, and the spartan (my favorite) ZJ.

Me, I'll buy used before I buy the current-gen cherokee.

 

[SteveSRT8]

Nicely civilized daily driver with decent off road capability. More than almost anyone needs.

I drove one about two weeks ago and thought it was tight and quiet. Chrysler is getting better.

 

[widman]

Thanks for the opinions. I normally would not consider changing in 2 years. Kept my 99 4Runner for 10 years (the 09 GC is light-years ahead of that one).

I'm not trailering anything yet, but I'm going to buy one to haul around the Corvair when I need to take it over the dirt roads, so the extra power will probably help.

And thanks for suggesting googling the engine. A world of information on allpar.

Of course we have 54% import, VAT, and luxury tax, to the 09 Laredo was $41,000 (although he gave it to me at 38.5) and the 2011 comes in at 49,000 (I doubt there will be as much room to play with). The Limited is $59,000.

They bring in only two versions, sometimes with the Hemi option, but the rest are set up for here. All have 18" wheels, 4x4, limited slip, low range, full spare, and most of the options (no gps as there are no maps here).

The Laredo they bring in has everything the Limited has except:
Chrome handles and trim
blue-tooth
cameras and sensors
sun roof
heated leather seats

He says he can get me $29,000 for my 09 (which I've taken $1200 VAT credit and $15,000 in depreciation).

Since I sell him the oil for his dealership network, I can pick up the car and for him it means 3 months of him not paying for oil.

 

[addyguy]

If you can, I'd wait for a year or two to make sure the new 3.6 is reliable and has all the bugs worked out - not a great idea to go with the first year of a brand-new model.....

 

[Kuato]

If you don't add a lot of options, you can get a Laredo for around $32k.

 

[widman]

Originally Posted By: Kuato
If you don't add a lot of options, you can get a Laredo for around $32k.


That's in the US. Add $3000 freight and 54% taxes.

 

[Kuato]

Originally Posted By: widman
Originally Posted By: Kuato
If you don't add a lot of options, you can get a Laredo for around $32k.


That's in the US. Add $3000 freight and 54% taxes.



Yowtch. Very painful to export, I see!