Cherokee reliability

**Jay4** · 2011/10/13, 03:18 PM

Hi Gents

I am desperatley looking for a 4x4, i have found a nice 3.7l 2003 withing my 100kish budget with 150k on the clock, do these give many issues and should this high milage detur me assuming its been looked after?

Thanks a mill
Jayson

**Jason Marais** · 2011/10/13, 04:18 PM

The KJ 3.7L is an excellent, very capable, comfy off-roader. I had one before my TJ wrangler... I really enjoyed it. My advice is, if the Jeep has been serviced at all the intervals and no major repaires has been done on the engine, gearbox, transfer case etc. No oil leaks or any leaks. Also take it for a spin and let the Jeep run through it gears on the freeway and between stops.

have a good look at the under carriage to see what damage has been done..

At the end of the day you need to make a decision yourself. Loads of the guys will give you advice, but you need to take the final dive.

Where is the Jeep that you are looking at? Maybe the guys on the Forum has seen it or know of someone who owned it.

Jay...

**Jay4** · 2011/10/13, 04:32 PM

Hi Jay

Many thanks, it looks like allot of car for your money and i love the shape, i will not rush it and will do some more research, would you of said in terms of reliability the 3.7 is the way to go, also should any of these engine varients be avoided?

I have seen they get about 9km per l with mixed driving?

Many thanks for your reply
Jayson

**Jason Marais** · 2011/10/13, 04:46 PM

For me personally I would not go the Diesel route. So many out there and not many been looked after very well. Good Diesels are hard to find. If petrol consumption is a concern, this is the secret... All Jeeps are guzzlers.. Its a Jeep Thing. When you finally have one, you will understand that this will no longer be a concern. 3.7L petrol... Better choice.

In your case, I can't recommend really. What do you want to use the Jeep KJ Cherokee for ? Is it more recreational or city driving, or for light off-road and to play in the dunes on the odd occassion? Do you plan to put a lift kit and bigger wheels etc? Or for general vacation trips and holidays?

All the guys will be asking similar questions.

Jeep Liberty's (Cherokees) are great awesome cars. The bug eyed monster was my dream car. Loved it and had loads of fun in it. My wife misses the KJ more.

If it was me making the choice, I would be looking for a petrol.

Jay...

**ThysleRoux** · 2011/10/13, 04:58 PM

All Jeeps are CRAP, expensive to run, unreliable, there are virtually no parts available and the parts that are available must be bought from the dealers at their massively inflated prices. There are no mecchies that know how to work on them, they spend more time in the workshop than off road, they are useless off road, they drive crap on road, they have drinking problems that cannot be solved by AA meetings, they have no second hand value and you will rue the day you laid eyes on one, forever and a day ........................

OK, I think I've covered everything the ANTI-JEEP, Toy-boyz can come up with. If you want to hear the TRUTH talk to a current owner of the model you are interested in. Jeeps are great vehicles.

**Jay4** · 2011/10/13, 05:05 PM

My biggest concern is the reliability, i was due to collect a Freelander with 60k on the clock tomorrow morning, they were just putting the smash n grab on for me, luckily the kind gents in the landy section warned me to steer clear and so i did.

Id love a diesel but as mentioned above reliability is my concern, after doing a fair bit of research i see some of the guys getting well over 150-200 miles on these motors, thats insane!!!!

The 3.7 seems rather bulletprooff? I work from home and will only use it to nip to gym and to play in the sand on the west coast on the weekends, no plans to change anything on the car at this point.

Can anyone confirm what the consumption is like on theirs? and lastly would you agree if it has been looked after 150000kms on the clock should not be a huge concern?

Thanks for your replies Jason

**Jay4** · 2011/10/13, 05:07 PM

Cherokee 3.7 is what im after gents, please be brutally honest

**Aviator_01** · 2011/10/13, 05:32 PM

Hi Jay,

I'll be honest with you.

I owned a 2005 Cherokee 2.8 CRD. I loved driving the car. However, I didn't trust the car. It had 100000 km's on it and it was only ever driven before me by my aunt who was in her 50's. In a space of 6 months I had spent close to R40 000 on fixing little niggly things (Important things I should note) After service plan these cars are hugely expensive to maintain and you cant get parts other than through the stealers.

I am over Jeeps now. I drive a Nissan Pathfinder now and I have so much more peace of mind... I was always worrying about the cars reliability....

**Quiksilver** · 2011/10/13, 08:42 PM

It sounds like you are going to be dong fairly low milage - would a 4.7 Grand Cherokee WJ like Thys has got not perhaps be better - you can find nice ones with similar milage for 120 000km. Those are really bullet proof...

My KJ has had some minor issues - mostly CRD related - the rest i fixed myself with the aid of Mr Google and a basic tool set.

See if you can perhaps get the seller to allow you to take it to UA&P for a check up? The are a Jeep indie and will know all the issues under the sun.

Also make sure all the electric windows are working - they all have a plastic holder for the glass that eventually breaks... there is an aftermarket metal fix.

Also check the fan works on all 4 settings - the resistor fails. If it has its only a R400 issue and takes 5 minutes to change...

Its a Jeep - when things break, UPGRADE

**Jason Marais** · 2011/10/13, 09:36 PM

Jayson. As you can see.. The guys are saying stay away from the Diesel. The petrol is the best option between the two. UA&P are good guys when they have time to assist you with your Jeep. Only when they have time. For most parts they are very busy.

I bought my Jeep KJ 3.7L on 2002 on 145 000km. Enjoyed it until 189 000km. Had a few problems which I could fix myself with the help of google and Thys and the guys.

nothing you cant fix if you have a little know how and really good google skills.

Ask the previous owner... Hear what they say.

Jay...

**constantlm** · 2011/10/13, 09:59 PM

Originally Posted by Jay4

i was due to collect a Freelander with 60k on the clock tomorrow morning

That was a lucky miss!

**RichardMiddelmann** · 2011/10/13, 10:03 PM

Originally Posted by constantlm

that was a lucky miss!

amen !

**Jay4** · 2011/10/13, 10:28 PM

thanks guys, indeed a lucky miss regarding the Freelander, i would of been in it this time tomorrow if not for the guys on the landy section, thanks you lot

I am goin to have a look at two KL`s in the am, all sub 140kms, as per the replies they seem good cars, anyone with intel regarding the consumption

?

also, it looks as tho this model is fairly capable offroad, agreed?

Thanks again

**Jeepiscool** · 2011/10/13, 10:38 PM

Originally Posted by Jay4

thanks guys, indeed a lucky miss regarding the Freelander, i would of been in it this time tomorrow if not for the guys on the landy section, thanks you lot

I am goin to have a look at two KL`s in the am, all sub 140kms, as per the replies they seem good cars, anyone with intel regarding the consumption

?

also, it looks as tho this model is fairly capable offroad, agreed?

Thanks again

Hi Jay, your lucky miss on the Freelander may really be appreciated. Unfortunately the same goes for the KJ, its pretty much in the same league as the Freelander. Ask guys like Poen and others. Really, if you want a Cherokee then go for an XJ 4.0L petrol. Otherwise the V8 WJ like Thys's is a very good option if you would prefer something more modern.

**Jay4** · 2011/10/13, 10:43 PM

Really? apart from the odd diesel issues i have read only good review on the petrol KJ, perhaps i should keep on reading.....

**RichardMiddelmann** · 2011/10/13, 10:49 PM

My KJ CRD has 16100km's and I'm as happy as a pig in

I've had no trouble witht the motor etc (I did only buy it at 145000km) I now need to do a complete suspension bush replacement but that's acceptable at the mileage.

Mu KJ also does some 4x4 stuff - I have the 2" OME lift with 245/70/16 Cooper discoverer S/T tires

I love my KJ - they are really good vehicles - just give them some TLC every now and then

**Jeepiscool** · 2011/10/13, 10:49 PM

Jay many guys enjoy good experiences but I have heard some horror stories to the extend that I honestly classify the KJ, also petrol, in the same hands-off catagory as the Freelander. And I would much rather share this with you than later read a similar story to Poen's. I see he now drives a Fortuner. XJ or WJ, if your budget can't each the JK :-)

**RichardMiddelmann** · 2011/10/13, 10:58 PM

Originally Posted by Jeepiscool

Jay many guys enjoy good experiences but I have heard some horror stories to the extend that I honestly classify the KJ, also petrol, in the same hands-off catagory as the Freelander. And I would much rather share this with you than later read a similar story to Poen's. I see he now drives a Fortuner. XJ or WJ, if your budget can't each the JK :-)

Seems I must be one of the success stories

Ek smaak my Jeep stukkend

**Jay4** · 2011/10/13, 11:00 PM

thanks my man, much appreciated

**Bulli** · 2011/10/14, 07:41 AM

The KJ is the most underated 4x4 out there. The 3.7L is bullet proof. The drivetrain is bullet proof. Its got the same gearbox (up to 2003) as the Grands. Most people talk about the KJ without real experience. I've seen beloved fortuners leave the workshop on 120 000km with R40 000 repair bills to actuators, injectors and and and. Navara's with clutches, injector problems, turbo's.... Mostly diesels

All cars need maintanance!!!!

Any way, Fuel consumption, in town 6km/l. Highway with roof rack 7.6km/l @110km/h. Must add that the jeep is running 31''10.5 all-terrain tyres.

It's really nice cars to own and very capable offroad, but the choice is yours. Stay away from any diesel jeep if you are worried about maintenance.