WK2 Buying Advice

[Digitalis]

Hey Jeepers,

I'm considering a new vehicle, and considering a 2nd hand JGC WK2. I've been in love with the Grand Cherokee ever since an ad was on TV and the GC shook the mud off like a dog.

https://youtu.be/ma0A_7f7PQY

A quick background. I've owned a 1995 Daihatsu Rocky for the last 10 years, it has over 550,000km on it, went great offroad, but my wife and I have had a baby, so I'm thinking of something safer, with good part availability, a bit more comfort for the commute and of course space for bub and my 40kg golden retriever in the boot. The big thing kicking me into gear is the gearbox blew up, and parts are... scarce I'll be using the vehicle for commuting to work, 100km return through city traffic. I'm hoping to do some domestic travel once bub is old enough to remember it, doing off road trails like tele track and oodnadatta/birdsville etc, think the off grid series on 4wd 247, not the rock crawling stuff. Not planning to tow, but the option would be good.

So far I'm considering Isuzu Mux (for its reliability), Land Rover Discovery (for the styling and off road ability) and of course the Jeep (mostly for its value).

With the Isuzu and Land Rover their points of failure are fairly well known, Isuzu's have dpf issues 2017 and later, Land Rovers have an extensive list, but control arms every 70,000, snapped cranks at any moment but if you have the 2.7 diesel, an easily replaced motor using the one from the Ford Territory.

I've been doing quite a bit of reading and have seen lots of horror stories, but even more people singing the praises of the Jeep. But videos like this do concern me.

https://youtu.be/6LGVbE64yYg

My first question, are the points of failure in the Grand Cherokee's as well known? My research has suggested the issues are less predictable, more sporadic, is that true? I've heard a few big ones are water pumps, oil pumps, and the turbo valley hose.

My second question, is there a prefered power train? The Disco guys say to get a v8 if you can find one, with similar options, is this advice similar?

Thirdly, are there any recommended Jeep specialist mechanics near south sydney/north wollongong? I'd probably be looking to do preventative maintenance, how crazy expensive would that be? I guess how long is a piece of string.

I did a search on here and found similar topics, this thread was awesome! But it was 4 years ago and I'm wondering if new issues have emerged now these GC have a few more km's on them.

https://www.ausjeepoffroad.com/forum...ghlight=Buying

For example, I'm thinking of going to see these two tomorrow, what do you all think?

https://www.facebook.com/marketplace...ibextid=dXMIcH

https://www.carsales.com.au/cars/det...AG-AD-22160047

Hope this isn't too repetitive for everyone, appreciate any and all help and advice.

[Classic Boy]

Whatever you decide Km’s are ‘king’ try to buy with as little as possible, that will determine ultimate reliability and ownership costs.

[genpk]

Ive just finished doing what your doing.
Firstly you wont find a better valued 4x4 car with luxury options for the money.
Ill add to that it is probably the best driving car ive ever driven.
All brands seem to have their horror story posters and as such all brands have issues.
I have just bought a used 2015 gc limited diesel with 50k on it
ive still got my14 limited diesel gc which has been a great car and has 180k on it.
I still have the 2014 .
As you mention , landrover , isuzu etc all have issues as well and their parts are as expensive if not more than jeep parts.
I test drove about 10 gc’s before settling on the one i finally bought, one owner, full servicing records.

[timsarg]

the biggest issue with jeep is fca's lack of after sales service and parts availability in australia. It's a fucking PIA .

Other than that value foir money you wont find a 4x4 with as much power, performance and comfort as a Wk2

[Digitalis]

Damn this community is active, i love it!

Originally Posted by Classic Boy

Whatever you decide Km’s are ‘king’ try to buy with as little as possible, that will determine ultimate reliability and ownership costs.

That makes sense, what would you consider too high in terms of km's? I've seen a lot around 100,000km, and it's a little worrying if people are offloading because they're having troubles at 100,000 or consider 100,000 high for these vehicles. You see Toyotas with well over 400,000 quite often on carsales.

Originally Posted by genpk

Ive just finished doing what your doing.
Firstly you wont find a better valued 4x4 car with luxury options for the money.
Ill add to that it is probably the best driving car ive ever driven.
All brands seem to have their horror story posters and as such all brands have issues.
I have just bought a used 2015 gc limited diesel with 50k on it
ive still got my14 limited diesel gc which has been a great car and has 180k on it.
I still have the 2014 .
As you mention , landrover , isuzu etc all have issues as well and their parts are as expensive if not more than jeep parts.
I test drove about 10 gc’s before settling on the one i finally bought, one owner, full servicing records.

Yeah I completely agree, they're amazing value!it's funny though, the Disco guys will say the same thing, re, best vehicle they've driven. Never heard that on the mux forums though haha

It's good to hear you're almost at 200,000. If I'm looking at 150, I'd hope I'm not due for big bills soon (i consider maintenance like timing belts etc as acceptable).

Originally Posted by timsarg

the biggest issue with jeep is fca's lack of after sales service and parts availability in australia. It's a fucking PIA .

Other than that value foir money you wont find a 4x4 with as much power, performance and comfort as a Wk2

That's interesting, I thought parts availability would be awesome given how many were sold. That's one thing I wanted to fix after the issues I've had sourcing parts for my Rocky. Are they easily available from the states? I guess the issue is freight. Heh, should get someone to make an amazon store and get Bezos to foot the shipping (if that's how that works, probably not, he wouldn't be a zillionaire if it was)

[timsarg]

Originally Posted by Digitalis

Damn this community is active, i love it!



That makes sense, what would you consider too high in terms of km's? I've seen a lot around 100,000km, and it's a little worrying if people are offloading because they're having troubles at 100,000 or consider 100,000 high for these vehicles. You see Toyotas with well over 400,000 quite often on carsales.



Yeah I completely agree, they're amazing value!it's funny though, the Disco guys will say the same thing, re, best vehicle they've driven. Never heard that on the mux forums though haha

It's good to hear you're almost at 200,000. If I'm looking at 150, I'd hope I'm not due for big bills soon (i consider maintenance like timing belts etc as acceptable).



That's interesting, I thought parts availability would be awesome given how many were sold. That's one thing I wanted to fix after the issues I've had sourcing parts for my Rocky. Are they easily available from the states? I guess the issue is freight. Heh, should get someone to make an amazon store and get Bezos to foot the shipping (if that's how that works, probably not, he wouldn't be a zillionaire if it was)

parts are shit in australia. FCA themselves don't hold any parts in oz . Quite often i am waiting for weeks for the stealership to get parts in .

Currently been waiting three weeks for a resonator. I've given up

. love my car and my second one to get close to 200K . I don't want to give this up because what else is there thats as comfy as this 18 trailhawk

[drover]

Look for a vehicle with the lowest Kms, preferably under 50K kms, dealer stamps in book doesn't mean its been well serviced either, well that goes for most vehicles... If you not towing and doing the daily commute go for a petrol job as the diesel while brilliant is happier outside the city, the stop/start city stuff is a killer for diesel engines especially if you want to keep it for along time.... The 8 speed box is magic and a service around the 40-50K km mark means it will live for years, 100k Km Jeep service interval, like most vehicles nowadays is a killer .

Parts I don't have any real drama with as I never use a dealer, Repco or similar or a place in the USA, Rockauto.com are my go to's, quicker and cheaper than a dealer and also easier, but my Westfil filters bulk online from a shop at Lakes Entrance ............. While I have usually serviced my gear otherwise I use local workshops as I can't afford or trust dealers ..... This is my third Grand the first 2 managed near 300K km before trade in and this one is running nicely as well.. I like them and don't think they are worse than most other vehicles on the market they all seem to have crap support services now...

Just crawl all over the one you look at.. important to check the coolant is red and no grey/black floaties in it................... engine should have no dried coolant streaks, take a tape measure with you to measure heights, on non air suspension front should be 489mm from centre of hub to bottom of guard, rear 512mm thats when new if its 30mm less then you will be up for new springs and shocks, air jobs when at ride height are about 10mm less... of course if its had aftermarket suspension fitted then add about 20-30mm to those heights.....