Author Topic: Off Topic: Jeep 4.0L I6 Thoughts (Read 20078 times)

dorelse · « **on:** August 25, 2012, 10:16:56 AM »

We're shopping for a car for my son today.

We've stumbled across a '97 Jeep Grand Cherokee (86k miles) with the 4.0L I6. Everyone says its a bullet proof motor. Normally, we weren't thinking about something quite that age...but...that's not a lot of miles and its in great shape, so might be a good first car.

and...its rated to tow the boat.

Anyone have any experience with them?

carlsoncvx18 · « **Reply #1 on:** August 25, 2012, 11:03:00 AM »

Your right on the I6

What does the son think

WetRaider · « **Reply #2 on:** August 25, 2012, 11:08:03 AM »

I like the Grand Cherokees (especially the new SRT8), but I believe the I-6 GC is what my uncle bought my cousin for her car when she went off to college because he specifically expected her to experience very few if any problems.

OleRed · « **Reply #3 on:** August 25, 2012, 11:11:15 AM »

Doran, I've had all kinds of Jeeps since I was 16 yoa and the last few I had was the Cherrokee, I sold my last one just about three years ago because I started pulling 5000# boats
You would not Believe all the boats I've pulled. or even how far with my last two cherrokee's, and sometimes two in-line, a 1996 and a 1998 with that high out-put 4.0 motor with absolutely No Problem with the motor Or the transmission. That little sucker is 225hp and gets 15 / 16 mpg in town, 21 /22 highway, pulling the boats were all different but still pretty good. Once I pulled a little house, 20ft long 8 1/2 ft wide, on a 20 ft car trailer, 180 miles to my sisters house, that was my grandparents first house, we moved to Okc when we sold the farm.
The only thing I was really causious about is the overdrive, I never pulled a boat in overdrive, unless it was a lighter boat and I never try'd to keep up with traffic on hills, winds, or hot temps. Just One Thing ... the trailer you pull needs Brakes, I got a story in Dallas Tx. about that .. you Need trailer brakes.

Oh Yea .. I sold the 1996 when it got to 200,000 miles, and I sold the 1998 when it had 277,000 miles, and my buddy's dad is still driving it with well over 300,000 miles on it and has yet to spend any money on the motor or trans, other than regular service stuff.

OleRed · « **Reply #4 on:** August 25, 2012, 11:27:23 AM »

Here is the little house I towed, also the tractor and brush hog another trip, and the old tub in the foreground was my first boat, hard to believe that stuff is till around. The tub wasn't hard to tow.

http://i273.photobucket.com/albums/jj231/OleReds/OldHouse1-1.jpg

http://i273.photobucket.com/albums/jj231/OleReds/RedsFirstBoat.jpg

Rosscoe · « **Reply #5 on:** August 25, 2012, 12:15:24 PM »

I hate to throw anything negative in about these with all the praise they are getting and I am NOT speaking from personal experience but a boss I had once had one, probably mid or late 90's. It must have been a Grand Cherokee because it had all the bells and whistles, leather etc. Anyways his had a lot of electrical issues. What kind I dont recall but they plaqued him enough that he got rid of it. Maybe he had a bad one. I dont know. Just throwing it out there.

Jason · « **Reply #6 on:** August 25, 2012, 12:43:40 PM »

You are right about the old inline 6. Very good motor. The drivetrain is pretty much bullet proof. Like Ross said, they can have other minor electrical and normal wear and tear issues like u-joints, tie rods, ect. Oh yea, it may be a 6 cylinder but i would expect not much better than 15mpg. Being that it's 15 years old, stay away from fancy ones with lots of gadjets. The simpler the better. less stupid problems.

Actually, Tom Goetsch has one. He pulls his CVX20 Jet with it.

dorelse · « **Reply #7 on:** August 25, 2012, 12:55:21 PM »

Its about as plain as they come actually. 2WD, cloth, not a lot of options, so no 4WD parts to wear. I'll keep everyone posted.

Thanks!

Jason · « **Reply #8 on:** August 25, 2012, 02:38:01 PM »

Sounds prefect!

Terry_Curran · « **Reply #9 on:** August 25, 2012, 03:14:13 PM »

We have a '98 cherokee sport 4x4 currently with 185k miles on it. It has been a very dependable vehicle for the 8? Years we've owned it. (Nancy owned it before we got married) So far, just normal maintenance. It was our original tow vehicle for our boat, including towing our boat from Detroit, 300 miles one way. I agree with Red about having trailer brakes, even though the vehicle is rated to pull 5000 l bs, it's light and gets pushed easily when stopping. Now that we have a newer trailer under our boat, with brakes, I don't mind towing withi the Jeep now. The I 6 built by Chrysler is like the old slant 6 they built years ago, practically built proof. IMHO
if it was 4 wheel drive, and you didn't want it, I think we would buy it
Terry

dorelse · « **Reply #10 on:** August 25, 2012, 03:21:01 PM »

Oh...and son loves the '03 Mustang we just drove. (Who wouldn't?) However, does like the '97 over the '02 Grand Cherokee we drove today as well.

Good thing Mom & Dad have the ~~money~~ final approval.

dorelse · « **Reply #11 on:** August 25, 2012, 03:23:06 PM »

Thanks for the info Terry.

We're just looking for a uncomplicated, reliable car for him. I'd probably dismiss the car if I were shopping for one, like you, b/c I'd want it to have 4WD. As a first car for him, its probably better for my wallet that it doesn't have all the added 4WD parts.

WetRaider · « **Reply #12 on:** August 25, 2012, 03:45:10 PM »

I think 4wd in his age group would add to the insurance expense.

V153 · « **Reply #13 on:** August 25, 2012, 04:40:53 PM »

Fwiw I think that'd be a great first vehicle. Granpappy Jack always said you should learn how to drive a truck before you were allowed to drive a car ...?

Then move on to a Mustang ...

Sounds like a decent buy, and it'll pull a boat? Go for it!

84carlson · « **Reply #14 on:** August 25, 2012, 05:27:30 PM »

My daughter turned 16 last year she got our old and tusty 05 Taurus and I have to admitt it is a somber moment when you let them loose in a car...She turns 17 next month and so far no accidents....Life is good...

Joe

dorelse · « **Reply #15 on:** August 25, 2012, 05:59:53 PM »

Yeah, its going to be a big & fun step for him, but a nervous time for us.

We may just pick up the Grand Cherokee for me...bye bye Skimitar.

We'll see.

84carlson · « **Reply #16 on:** August 25, 2012, 06:16:58 PM »

I've been thinking about that scimitar aswell, not only is it my dream boat, but I would get so much satisfaction removing those god forsaking van seats...

dorelse · « **Reply #17 on:** August 25, 2012, 06:36:53 PM »

Quote from: 84carlson on August 25, 2012, 06:16:58 PM

I've been thinking about that scimitar aswell, not only is it my dream boat, but I would get so much satisfaction removing those god forsaking van seats...

Please buy it! Get the temptation outta here. I love my CVZ and having that Skimitar gone would be nice, honestly.

84carlson · « **Reply #18 on:** August 25, 2012, 06:56:28 PM »

Two problems, 2 boats and a wife, don't even think it is worth the battle yet...

dorelse · « **Reply #19 on:** August 25, 2012, 07:02:40 PM »

Quote from: 84carlson on August 25, 2012, 06:56:28 PM

Two problems, 2 boats and a wife, don't even think it is worth the battle yet...

I have the exact same problem. Well, that and I want Goldie 100% done before I even think about another boat.