Jeep Grand Cherokee/Wrangler or Ford Explorer

[Uman85]

Just wanted to see if I could get some of your opinions on either of these 3 vehicles. I'm currently in the process of selling my BMW. I love it, but it's cost me nearly $3,500 recently and it's time to part ways with it. I've always wanted a Jeep since I was little and am looking at the Grand Cherokee and Wrangler models. If those don't work out, I'm also looking at Ford Explorers. Any feedback negative or positive would be appreciated if you've had any experience with these vehicles. Thanks guys!

 

[Crystallas]

What year, trim? The devil is in the details.

 

[Uman85]

What year, trim? The devil is in the details.

Probably pre-2005 for the Jeep, don't know the exact specs yet. On the Explorer, the Eddie Bauer edition pre-2008 or so.

 

[Crystallas]

I'm not a big fan of the 3.7L jeeps. The 4.0l i6 is a legend among SUV motors. Very reliable for a SUV gasoline engine.

If I had to rank them in order of reliability. I would rank the 4.0 i6 Wrangler #1. The 4.6L V8 Explorer #2. I would also rank the 4x4 system in the Cherokee #1, Wrangler #1b, then the Explorer. If you want 2WD, the Explorer is more reliable in both engine configurations.

The wrangler is so different from the explorer, it's hard to say what is better. If you want the absolute most reliable of them all, the Wrangler 4.0 i6 will be that, but this doesn't mean the drop off is so great with any of the other options, that it should make it a deal breaker. If you're a tall guy, you might get cramped up in the Wrangler after some time.

But anything can and will happen with an object with so many moving parts, so just make sure the previous owner had taken correct care(and not some lame generic "I took good care of it".) which can be seen with the maintenance records(like if you don't keep maintenance records, you're either a kid, or a neglectful owner.) And do the basic checks on each.

 

[AE23]

i got an 01 JGC. love it. ballsy as ****.

 

[beardown28]

I'm not a big fan of the 3.7L jeeps. The 4.0l i6 is a legend among SUV motors. Very reliable for a SUV gasoline engine.

If I had to rank them in order of reliability. I would rank the 4.0 i6 Wrangler #1. The 4.6L V8 Explorer #2. I would also rank the 4x4 system in the Cherokee #1, Wrangler #1b, then the Explorer. If you want 2WD, the Explorer is more reliable in both engine configurations.

The wrangler is so different from the explorer, it's hard to say what is better. If you want the absolute most reliable of them all, the Wrangler 4.0 i6 will be that, but this doesn't mean the drop off is so great with any of the other options, that it should make it a deal breaker. If you're a tall guy, you might get cramped up in the Wrangler after some time.

But anything can and will happen with an object with so many moving parts, so just make sure the previous owner had taken correct care(and not some lame generic "I took good care of it".) which can be seen with the maintenance records(like if you don't keep maintenance records, you're either a kid, or a neglectful owner.) And do the basic checks on each.

Nailed it. This man knows what he is talking about.

 

[Uman85]

I'm not a big fan of the 3.7L jeeps. The 4.0l i6 is a legend among SUV motors. Very reliable for a SUV gasoline engine.

If I had to rank them in order of reliability. I would rank the 4.0 i6 Wrangler #1. The 4.6L V8 Explorer #2. I would also rank the 4x4 system in the Cherokee #1, Wrangler #1b, then the Explorer. If you want 2WD, the Explorer is more reliable in both engine configurations.

The wrangler is so different from the explorer, it's hard to say what is better. If you want the absolute most reliable of them all, the Wrangler 4.0 i6 will be that, but this doesn't mean the drop off is so great with any of the other options, that it should make it a deal breaker. If you're a tall guy, you might get cramped up in the Wrangler after some time.

But anything can and will happen with an object with so many moving parts, so just make sure the previous owner had taken correct care(and not some lame generic "I took good care of it".) which can be seen with the maintenance records(like if you don't keep maintenance records, you're either a kid, or a neglectful owner.) And do the basic checks on each.

Thanks a lot! I always check the maintenance records and everything of that sort. If someone tells me they don't have them, I tell them goodbye. I'll be looking at them sometime in the next few weeks once my BMW sells. Then I'll check out the specs and everything, probably post them in here as well.

 

[GaelicSoxFan]

Or you could save yourself a shit ton on repair bills and buy a Honda Pilot or Toyota 4Runner