Grand Cherokee vs. RAV4 vs. CRV

Grand Cherokees look awesome. IMO, jeep products will always have a questionable reliability a Honda and Toyota don't have. Cherokee harder on gas but much more stylish. Possible reliability aside, it would be my choice of the three if money is no object. It probably compares more to the Passport though than the CRV.

I have owned a GC--5 years--and now own a CRV--10 years and counting. The CRV is less expensive, and will last at least twice as long as the GC.

The GC looks great. Below the skin quality is low. Repairs become expensive because things start coming apart around 100k miles. Both of the window opening mechanisms failed at just under 100k. The mechanic who fixed the windows bought the Jeep-approved mechanisms to install, and he refused install them because he said, "these are flimsy pieces of garbage which I refuse to install in your car." He shipped the garbage back to the parts dealer, and found better non-Jeep replacement parts.

On the GC, one of the exhaust brackets sheared off at 100k which caused the exhaust pipe to rub on the drive shaft. The AC compressor broke down before 100k. On, and on. After making the repairs I sold the GC.

The CRV is at 170k miles. It has gotten noisier over time, but the car is otherwise solid. Zero oil leaks. The AC compressor did brake down, but that was at 161k miles, not at 95k miles like the GC.

CRV by a mile.

Jeep Grand Cherokee owner for 3 years, ~50k miles. I love my car. In the beginning I got the car for such a good price (I don't lease) that I put down an extra $1000 to get a top of the line, in-dash GPS system installed with an Overland part. I really enjoy this. The poor MPG is no secret. The only thing I have to complain about is my auto insurance company and small damages.

Rock hit windshield - not covered. ($258)

A$$wipe knocks my bumper while my car is parked, drives away - not covered. ($480)

Saving up to get a Overland or Summit in the future.

Subaru Forester

What type of driving do you normally do?

Why do you want an SUV

How many people do you have with you?

How important is fuel economy?

Jeep. AINEC.

Isn't the Grand Cherokee bigger than the RAV4 or CRV? Wouldn't the Forerunner or Highlander or Pilot be the more direct comparison?

NewRideNeeded wrote:

Any opinions?

Forget all of them and go with a Subaru Forester.

You'll be glad you did.

I have a 2003 Santa Fe Sport. 160,000 miles. Only thing that ever went wrong was the Harmonic Disk broke (yes, I too was wondering what the heck that was). Has never failed to start, etc. Just gave it to my son (a college senior to be) and bought a 2014 Santa Fe Sport (the regular Santa Fe is too big for what I need). Best ride (not inexpensive) I've ever had (and I go back to a 1968 Firebird)

Or compare the regular Cherokee instead of the Grand Cherokee.

Zev wrote:

NewRideNeeded wrote:

Any opinions?

Forget all of them and go with a Subaru Forester.

You'll be glad you did.

I was hoping someone would bring up a Subaru. Do you prefer the Forester over the Outback? I've been looking into the Outback.

Which provides the best value for the money?

Jeep cost new $32k. Sold after 5 years for $10k at 98k miles. Annual depreciation $4.4k.

CRV cost $23k. Has a edmunds.com value of $6k at 171k miles at age of 10 years. Annual depreciation $1.7k.

Have you thought about an RX 300 or RX 350? My RX 300 is 14 years old and still runs great aside from a slow oil leak. Big enough to comfortably fit four adults, lug pretty much anything I need to transport, or fit a big dog who likes car rides, but not so big as to be awkward to drive or difficult to park.

You'd be amazed at how much room their is in a CRV. I have moved myself several times. With the Grand Cherokee it took two trips to move a full sized washer and dryer. I could move both at the same time in the CRV with the rear hatch fully closed.

That is impressive.