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2005/2006 Jeep Grand Cherokee & Wagoneer
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Grand Cherokee remind me of the first generation Range Rover. For those of you who have seen the new Jeep in person, do you see any resemblance?
Thanks.
-- Mark
Reg. Frank R.
I can't wait to see the real deal. I like it from the photos.
Why can't manufacturers put some nice meats on their trucks? There should be a tire option that's the biggest you can fit, without rubbing.
Personally, I'd wait for the Wagoneer, unless you're completely in love with the Durango. I don't care for the new droopy front on the Durango, and Dodge still neglected to add the "Sport" to Sport-Utility by giving it a column shifter, instead of a floor shifter. Also, some of the interior plastics are a little too cheap-feeling, compared to the 4Runner, and others. It's a great truck overall, but I'm picky about details. I think the Wagoneer will be a step or two up, offering more refinement.
Just my 2¢...
July 2005
Production startup for a new 7-passenger Jeep ("Wagoneer" or "Commander"). To be based on the 2005 Grand Cherokee platform but with very different sheetmetal.
Anyone know the real story from Jeep/DC on this?
"...the company will produce a separate nameplate with its own identity and sheet metal. That vehicle will debut in the fall of 2005 as a 2006 model."
"There was strong agreement that the important characteristics of the Grand Cherokee are its nimbleness and compact dimensions," Zetsche said. "We definitely did not want to sacrifice those." The plan is for both vehicles to share the same platform, he said. "Rather than having an extended version like some competitors, we will go with a stand-alone nameplate," he said. "We will have a much wider scope with two vehicles having different characteristics than just short and long wheelbases."
Ok, on to the current topic. My votes not in on the 2005. I’m a little late to this discussion board and I’ve only had a few days to look over the pictures of it. Didn’t make it to any auto shows that featured the 2005 GC, so I haven’t seen it in person either. From what most of you have stated, I guess you really have to see it. I have to say that I’m a little disappointed with the design, some of the changes and the elimination of some important standard features. I guess I’ll have to see it. We all know the little quirks with the Grand. Every vehicle has them, including Toyota and Nissan. My 2001, as many have said before, is the best looking and most distinctive SUV, on or off the road. It is luxurious and elegant yet masculine. It is a near perfect example of form following function. The design flows from its distinctive grill to its sculpted rear end. Every piece of it fits together I don’t see that on many other vehicles and not yet on the 2005. Where the hell did the 1999 design team go? I’m afraid now that the 2005 looks like everything else
I have been waiting, like most of you, for a long time to see where Jeep will go with the design. A Few years ago, I started writing down my ideas, I thought they should keep the Grand in the same size range and make a larger vehicle to compete with other manufactures. Over the last two years, I actually sent in several letters to DC with suggestions that included many safety, mechanical, and operator oriented enhancements (well over 100) that would benefit the NEW Grand Cherokee and keep it well ahead of the competition never once did I get a response.
I even asked if Jeep had ever sent out questionnaires to current and past owners to gather input? Have any of you ever received one? I know that other automobile manufactures have, because I have received them and answered them and I have witnessed the changes... (weather I influenced the change or not...). Many of the items in my letters are in the 2005 GC. However, most of my ideas were just common sense to me and some were features in other SUV’s as well.
Oh, I’ll buy one cause it’s a Jeep, what the hell else is there
Question! I’ve read everything I can find and have had no luck locating any towing info. Does anybody know the figures? It had better be a big improvement my fingers are crossed.
Jeep Tread lightly and go your own way!
BM
Anyway... I've not heard any towing figures for the Jeep yet. In fact, Edmunds.com doesn't list any of the specs yet
I have a Chrysler vehicle, and I haven't received surveys on future models. But, my brother-in-law works in the biz/marketing branch of Chrysler, and he does ask around, informally, for opinions, and says his supervisors want these comments. I don't know what their formal consumer insight plan is, though.
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TF
The thing is 5" longer, with a 3" longer wheelbase, and is an inch wider.
BUT, ground clearance is down to 8" at the rear axle, cargo volume is down 10 %, and legroom is virtually the same, and headroom is the same! The only increase will be the price!
Seems the Hemi is all that changed! Where is this thing going? The interior volumes aren't all that different from the cheaper Liberty!
DrFill
There is a LOT more that has changed than just the addition of the Hemi engine. Electronic Limited Slip Differentials, new transfer cases, new NAV system, new Boston Acoustics audio system, new rack-and-pinion steering system, a new hydraulic-controlled active stabilizer system for significantly reduced body roll and smoother ride (DHS), Electronic Stability Program (ESP) for maintaining vehicle directional stability, a new more powerful V6 engine, and the list goes on and on. Ride, handling and power will be a night-and-day difference over the current generation.
The new GC will be "Best-in-class" in a lot of areas and will be one of the best mid-size SUV's out there. Better than the Toyota 4Runner, Ford Explorer, Chevrolet Trailblazer, Nissan and everyone else in the mid SUV segment.
A longer vehicle, longer wheelbase, and lower ground clearance all damage the off road capability. I have to agree, what is the point in a bigger vehicle with less cargo room?
Well, if it's better than the 4Runner that'll be an accomplishment.
DrFill
First off, I need to fix a typo. I didn’t buy my first Jeep when I was 10, the “30 years” should be 20. Sometimes I can’t type worth a damn anyway
Please let me know where the other Jeep discussions are I’ll look for tsjay’s comments.
I’m still looking for towing info, so I’ll post it when I find something please do likewise. The new 4x4 Durango, with the Hemi, can pull 8,700 lbs. That is minus the weight of all occupants, cargo, and options. That leaves it around 7,400 lbs. I’m hoping that after all the adjustments in payload, the 2005 GC will have a towing limit of between 7,500 and 8,000 lbs hopefully.
TF I could post my ideas I guess. If anyone wants to see them, just let me know, its not like they are patented Ha. It would be interesting to hear some of your opinions. Most are just simple little things like your interesting window switch...I like that one. I have an engineering and mechanical background. Just like every average guy, I really enjoy going to auto shows and dealers just to look at all the new stuff and ideas. I have to laugh at some manufacturers and wonder what were they thinking. The heated rear seats and a rear seat armrest are on my list. The rear seat armrest was standard on the 1998 5.9 Limited. I have seen an armrest in a few pictures of the 2005. Hopefully, my ideas will make it to the Commander or Grand Wagoneer. Most of my ideas are simple enhancements and I also included a lost of what NOT to change.
Don’t get me wrong. I truly love my 2001 GC. I have almost 80,000 miles on it and put over 45,000 on my 97 GC. I’ve driven them a lot. When I travel, I rent the competition to test them out as well.
As for the nice rumble you gota have that. I have a Camry and sometimes I can’t tell if the things even running.
B
It has more room and groung clearance than the GC, and has HDC and Uphill Assist. I thing the Runner is better looking, and of course, will hold it's value better.
The GC has the Hemi and Quadra Drive. I like it, but lets calm down.
And what's up with those headlights? Talk about Queer Eye!
DrFill
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True, the 4Runner has a little more ground clearance, but not by much - less than 3/4".
As far as the interior, the new Jeep is equal or larger in headroom, legroom, shoulder room and hip room - both front and back. The new GC will also have a much better towing rating due in part to the high-torque Hemi engine (370 ft.-Lbs vs the 4Runner's 282)
And while the V6 is rated at 282 lbs/ft, the V8 is rated at 320 lbs/ft. Granted it's not as much as the Hemi, but it's closer. So lets match apples to apples, shall we?
I'm really confused by your "outdated" statement, though. It really makes no sense. The 4Runner is one of the most contemporary, up-to-date SUVs on the road, for the money. It has won all types of off-road awards, and has set the benchmark for SUV standards. Will the new GC have more features that will surpass those of the 4Runner? Maybe. About the only features I'm impressed by are the new 4x4 system and the cylinder reduction system of the Hemi. Will that push it ahead of the pack, making the 4Runner "outdated?" I highly doubt it, because, as callmedrfill stated, it will not have the build quality or resale value of a Toyota. Will it force GM and Ford to step their SUVs up a few notches? You betcha.
Again, let's compare apples to apples. The 4Runner is in another league.
It wasn't intentional that I inadvertently gave the V6 torque ratings. But even +50 ft.-lbs. more of torque is very significant. Looking at power, the 4Runner with only 235hp vs the Hemi's 325, almost 100hp difference. Night and day.
"as callmedrfill stated, it will not have the build quality or resale value of a Toyota. Will it force GM and Ford to step their SUVs up a few notches? You betcha."
No one knows what the resale value will be on the new Grand Cherokee, so who can say that it will or will not be "better" than comparable 4Runner models. The new V6 4Runner has suffered with many quality problems, not to mention the severe sulphur problem on both V6 and V8 models, factors which will affect the 4Runner resale value. And who really cares about the difference in resale value between vehicles such as these? I would never base my buying decision on that factor at all as the difference after 5 or 6 years is really negligible. There are a lot more important things to consider when buying vehicles.
And not only will GM and Ford be forced to "step their SUVs up a few notches" for future models, Toyota will be forced to as well. I'm sure the Toyota engineers are already hard at work trying to design a more pleasant-looking 4Runner as well as a more modern and more powerful engine. Hopefully they are also working on redesigning the interior. Fixing those problems certainly would result in a noticeable increase in sales. The 4Runner is a decent vehicle with some great features, too bad it's so poorly designed.
As for everyone trying to compare the 4 runner to the JGC, you really are comparing two completely different vehicles. For one, the current JGC has an extremely dated engine in today's standards, the 4 runner is in about the same boat. When I say this I mean their standard engines not the upgraded optional V8's or what not. But tried and true, the older 4 runners are workhorses, not alot of power or torque, but they just seem to keep on going, on and off road. As for trying to compare the JGC to a 4 runner, well you are looking at a true off-road legend in Jeep, and a very adequate off-road capable SUV with luxury standards stuffed in the interior. But when it's all said and done, if you gave me a choice to drive through the most rugged off-road conditions and I had to pick between the two. I would feel capable in both, but have more confidence in the Jeep. Again, this is all my opinion, and nothing more, I speak from experience with my own personal JGC and the travels I have been through in it.
As for everyone trying to compare the 4 runner to the JGC, you really are comparing two completely different vehicles. For one, the current JGC has an extremely dated engine in today's standards, the 4 runner is in about the same boat. When I say this I mean their standard engines not the upgraded optional V8's or what not. But tried and true, the older 4 runners are workhorses, not alot of power or torque, but they just seem to keep on going, on and off road. As for trying to compare the JGC to a 4 runner, well you are looking at a true off-road legend in Jeep, and a very adequate off-road capable SUV with luxury standards stuffed in the interior. But when it's all said and done, if you gave me a choice to drive through the most rugged off-road conditions and I had to pick between the two. I would feel capable in both, but have more confidence in the Jeep. Again, this is all my opinion, and nothing more, I speak from experience with my own personal JGC and the travels I have been through in it.
here is the deal. I owned a 96 GC and a '00 GC. I bought the '00 because i loved the first one and wanted a few extras. Well, I hated the '00 GC. I even turned it in early because I disliked it so much. I had to have an unreasonable number of repairs made for a car with 30k miles. In addition, it never felt safe. I always felt that it was going to tip and that when I went around curves on the highway, it would dip to the front outside corner. Not to mention the extremely annoying axle whine between 50 and 70 mph. My wife, who also loved my first GC, would not drive the '00.
Fast forward to today, we want to know about '05 GC safety: We have been buying GM (Caddy Catera, CTS, etc.)and are looking for a four wheel drive. Had been planning on buying Caddy SRX until I saw that GC had been redesigned. Jeep's site is lousy with respect to the new GC. It only has listed the "nice, nice" features. I want to know the important things: air bags, ROLLOVER protection, etc.
Can anyone help?
Thank you
As far as resale value, that remains to be seen on the new 4Runners. They have been plagued with problems, including unsolveable issues like the infamous "sulphur" fiasco. Even Consumer Reports rated the new 4Runner V6 models "unacceptable" so I wouldn't be bragging about "reliability". Read through the 4Runner boards here and you will find more problem issues on the new 4Runner than you can count.
As far as your 4Runner being "the same as a LX470" that is stretching things a bit. While there are the obvious similarities you are talking apple and oranges. Or, should I say "bananas and oranges"?
As I mentioned, take a look around the 4Runner boards and read about the horrendous amount of problems that the 03-04 models have experienced. If you could report back after that about how "good" Japanese engineering is, I would love to hear about it.
The new 2005 Grand Cherokee will outperform and outclass the '03/'04 4Runner in many many ways. For starters, the 5.7 Hemi will leave any 4Runner buried in the dust. The new GC has a list of superior features a mile long. The 3rd gen 4Runner, designed in 2001, is starting to get outdated already.
Now when trying to learn about the '05 Overland, the other models I am test driving are the Infiniti FX, Cadillac SRX, etc. You will find more than one Overland owner that has gone to or also owns an FX.
Peace,
Bill
Hopefully, this updated offering from Jeep will be as reliable as your 2000 model.
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Just curious;
Magic313
As far as the body changes, I would say I was slightly surprised that it wasn't more drastic but also relieved. I love the current style so I am thankful that they did not hit it with the ugly stick or make it look like the 4Runner or some of the other ugly SUV's out there. I'm glad that they kept the exterior styling close to the last generation, I like everything about it, the beautiful interior, all of the new and improved features. Can't wait to drive one of the Hemi versions!
Bob
For an animated explanation of the current Jeep 4WD systems, go to the official jeeps.com web site. WKJeeps.com has some information on the new 2005 4WD systems.
As for Jeep, one must realize that it is not considered in the same category as any other SUV, by critics or manufacturers alike. Jeep has a well known and well established 4WD system. But realize that with any vehicle, a lemon or two is bound to be purchased, and that goes with ANY make or brand. Bottom line is, buy what you feel is what you need. For me, I like the reliability of Jeep's 4WD systems, and wouldn't trust anything less, except for maybe Land Rover or an H1, granted those are more costly than I am willing to pay for a vehicle. As for the new JGC, I am excited about the new Hemi Powered engine and redesign. I have to agree, I am glad they did not venture too far from the current look, although I think the rear end looks too close to the Durrango.