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Comments
I'd start with the simple stuff: K&N filter and maybe a Borla exhaust. Not sure if they're available yet. Try googling K&N and Borla and see what you come up with.
I'd also be careful about any chips while you still have a warranty left.
Calipers should be a standard socket; most likely a 10mm. I'm not sure though, I don't own an '03.
It looks like the caliper slide pins may require an allen wrench to loosen them. I'm going by a service manual and it's kind of hard to tell.
Just make sure you put some anti-squeal on the back sides of the pads and lube up the slide pins.
You may want to consider buying some aftermarket rotors also. They're normally pretty cheap and will fix any shudder problems you may be having.
1 - I thought the GC was supposed to be more upscale, the interior was really cheap to me. Hard plastic everywhere. Black plastic around radio looks really downscale. Admittedly the version I drove was a rental stripper (cloth), but they don't improve the dash in the more upscale versions, do they? Is this the best Chrysler can do for $30K?
2. - Not very spacious for the mileage. Not very inexpensive for the lack of economy.
3. I had the base engine. Lots of noise accompanied by some acceleration.
4. The door releases are way too low, I always found myself reaching for the handle area but the release lever is 6 inches lower! - blocked nicely by my left leg. Didn't Chrysler think about ergonomics?
I guess I've been spoiled by my previous Audi A4 and my current Acura TL. I thought this 'nice' SUV would have offered a bit more value. It amazes me how some people comment on the luxury it offers - what have you been driving? I can't imagine why I would ever want one unless I really needed the off road capability.
2. Are there any 25k mid-size SUV's out there that are that much larger than the GC and that get better gas mileage?
Where have you been reading comments about how much "luxury" people are saying the BASE model GC has? (or any other vehicle in the same class).
However, my reservoir fluid level is pretty high right now and I have to compress the caliper cylinders to fit the new pads. Is there a way to siphon or remove the excess fluid from the reservoir without bleeding the brakes? I want to try to avoid the hastle if I can.
Thanks again!
Tom
1. I thought the Cherokee line included the Liberty (small SUV) and Wrangler (traditional, crude, good off-road vehicle). I viewed the Grand Cherokee as the bigger, nicer SUV. Base is $28K for AWD. For example, Honda Pilot is only $26K base and has much more room, more refinement, third row seating, much better interior quality.
2. Again, Honda Pilot is larger, has same gas mileage with much more refined engine, 40 more HP.
My original comment also mentioned that even though the higher models of the Grand Cherokee would have leather, more features, etc. - is that dash surface any different? The top of the dash was hard plastic. I wouldn't think that would change in the >$30K versions. The ergonomics were pretty poor (my comment on the door release handle). The engine was noisy for the moderate power that was delivered.
I realize that this might have looked like a troll but was not - I thought the value and refinement were poor for a newly redesigned vehicle of this class. Given how much GM is criticized for lousy interiors, how much the Japanese and German makes have focused on really nice interior quality - the JGC seems like an amazing step backwards. I also didn't mention that I don't think the new model looks as nice as the previous one. If we want the American (or in the Chrysler case - the German/American) manufacturers to improve this is not the way to do it.
I concluded by admitting that if I wanted a medium-sized vehicle with substantial off road capability then this might be the one, but I don't see a lot of reason to choose this vehicle otherwise. It surprised me because I thought it would be a lot better than it was.
If you're looking for a mini-van replacement that might see some light snow duty, then I'm sure the Pilot would be fine. You get into the mud, towing, off-road, deep snow....you'd probably be in trouble with the Pilot.
Not a knock, but every mid-range SUV I've seen (including the Pilot) that offers 3rd row seating, is at best weak, when it comes to the 3rd row room.
I test drove the Pilot when I was truck shopping a couple of months ago. It's interior had it's own quirks. I didn't buy one, even though it was the least expensive of the bunch I was looking at. Biggest reason being, I do traverse dirt/mud roads and we do get some 6"-8"-12" snow storms during the winter. I didn't get the feeling the PIlot could handle those as well as a JGC, Explorer or a 4Runner.
In fairness, as a mini-van replacement, the Pilot would be fine.
We did go 2wd and the Envoy XL is really more of a mini-van replacement than an off roader. If I ever decide to do the off road....I'll buy an older 4wd.
I agree - but we know what percentage of people buying these vehicles actually USE the off road capabilities.
I'm not looking for a minivan replacement - I just was responding to another poster that said where do you find a nicer vehicle for the same price range. I listed the Pilot as one example that was priced similarly, more refined, nicer interior, and had a third row (even if you didn't want it/need it).
What did you have to do to replace the seat heater? How much did it cost?
Thanks!
Paul
I'm getting about the same numbers in my '05 JGC 5.7L 4x4. We all know that the EPA figures are grossly outdated. What I've noticed to be accurate in reading the figures is to take the city MPG figure they list as your average highway MPG, and using that system works well for many vehicles. It was the same in my '98 Expedition too -- I would get on the highway about what they said was the EPA city MPG. They need to change the system badly. But, I expected such to be the case, so, I guess I'm not surprised that I'm not getting the 19 MPG on the highway (although I suspect I might hit that number if I was doing a 300 mile non-stop highway trip with the MDS working most of the time).
I welcome any other thoughts and ideas or successes.
Thanks!
Paul
with it.
Can anyone tell me the recommended oil for this engine ?
THANKS
tsjay, "Jeep Wrangler" #18348, 23 Jun 2005 10:04 am
And the Edmunds Maintenance Guide may be of interest too.
Steve, Host
Thank you.
amu
-Paul
They seem to have the best deal on an owners manual. A lot better than what
is on Ebay!
Thanks again, Rich
The dealer replaced the entire lower seat with heater a few years ago. And last winter he replaced the heater element with an upgraded (better quality? he says so...) element in the existing seat. I commented on that around 12/04 in this forum as I was frustrated that it had happened multiple times since in MN having a warm tush (on leather seats after all) is important....but relative to other more major problems with the vehicle, I can live with it as the car starts, drives, is safe, etc.
I do not know the exact costs, but got the impression from the service manager the entire seat replacment was $800+ but the heater element only was around $400 but more labor. Both of which are pretty expensive for a warm tush especially if they only get you a year or two. (Comment: I am about to enter the 2nd winter on my 300M so knock-on-wood the heaters will keep working. Are they different than the Jeeps? They seem to warm up better and extend up the lower back. Ping me in a couple years to see how well both the 300M and Jeep's held out as my Jeep is out of extended warranty this December 05).
First Drive: 2006 Jeep Commander (Inside Line)
Forum link: Jeep Commander
Steve, Host
OK, I'll get off my soap box now.
Steve, Host
P.S. Find someone else to work on your Jeep, your brother-in-law obviously has no idea what he is doing...
My other question deals with the 4wd system (select trac). This is my first vehicle I have owned that has 4wd. I'm not too familiar with how to operate the whole system. When shifting from 2wd to 4 full time do I have to have the transmission in neutral? How about when I shift from 4 fulltime back to 2wd? I don't want to goof around with it until I now what I'm doing. Thanks for any help.
Is Chrysler offering an additional $1,000 on top of the $2,000 cash back if you finance through them? Dodge is, and the rate you get is higher than the 0% APR, but I'll take $3000 and 5% APR over 0% APR and $0 cash back.
What is going to happen when EP pricing ends? Will prices increase or will we start to see end of the year clearance prices that are the same or lower than EP pricing?
Thanks
I've also noticed that the Jeep gets better mileage with the top and doors on (better air flow I guess).
-Paul
J.S.
I'll say it again:
There is no such thing as a plug that offers "better mileage" or "more power" when compared to the stock plugs.
- 22.7 mpg at 65 mph Wisconsin freeway limit (amazing no one driving that speed)
- 22.0 mpg at 70 mph (still getting blown away, slow down and save gas folks!)
Use 87 octane gas and still running original GY Wrangler SRAs which will need replacing soon. Not looking forward to the mileage drop during winter and mostly 4WD driving which in the past costs 1 mpg on the highway.
BTW, any comments on tires? IE, is a more aggressive M&S tread like the SRA worse on gas mileage? Despite living in a rural wooded area I do not do true off roading so I suspect I really do not need this type of tread the dealer sold me on and could go with a more standard (quieter highway, better mileage?) replacement tire. I must say with 6K mile rotations I am impressed on the longevity of these Wranglers though.
Thanks,
Deb