We try to provide a public service on these pages sometimes, not only recommending what you should buy but also suggesting the motors to avoid. Or at the very least be extremely cautious about. The Jeep Grand Cherokee from 2005 is pretty much exhibit A.
The Jeep is attractive for all the obvious reasons, mainly being a large, well-equipped SUV with a credible badge. The reality is that it is only okay to drive (but decent enough off road), seats just the five despite being huge and has issues as a used buy.
In theory, it should have been a lot better because the Grand version of the Cherokee was overdue a wholesale revamp to bring it into the current year, rather than be left stuck in the 1980s. The price for that was a lot more technology to go wrong – and it can and does. Probably the biggest downside is that running costs can be very premium, because the 3.0 V6 CRD diesel is a Mercedes-related unit with attendant servicing needs and the 4.7 and 5.7 V8 petrols do teens to the gallon…
Most new buyers opted for the CRD so those make up the majority in the classifieds. From 2006, there was the fairly absurd 420bhp 6.1-litre SRT-8. In the background, the rest of the range got an upgraded interior, but the petrols have a one-spec-sits-all leather, air-con and cruise format.
The diesels came in optional packages but still with an absolute ton of equipment, whether you chose the Predator, Limited or Overland.
On the downside, some were parked in fields for years unsold. Beware of lots of electric malfunctions, some rust and related issues. Certainly, the diesels can leak oil when poorly and the suspension can be squeaky. So be careful.
2010 Jeep Grand Cherokee 3.0 CRD Overland, 117,000 miles, £4490: Here is a late example with sat-nav, a reversing camera and electric seats and in apparently fine fettle. It seems like a reasonable price for a tidy example with no outstanding issues.
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