W reg JEEP Grand Cherokee 4.0 limited @ £3250 - Darth Vaders

[pcn1]

converted lurker said:

Hmm. I keep running across stories about people needing to spend big money to keep old four by fours on the road.

I'm not so sure it's going to be a better (thiree cars) strategy than just buying a modern vehicle that does everything. A four year old Kia Sorrento Auto for £13k appears to give me seven seats, 40mpg, a warranty, 0-60 in sub ten seconds and will happily tow an Ifor Willaims out of a pony club meet field on a wet day.

Boring but rational.

I've been running 2 older cars for the past 4 years, [3 with the wifes Focus) and it works for me. But I do most of my spanner work, multi-car insurance, plus I've got the WJ and an old Audi convertible so I get two different drives.
My WJ hasnt needed anything more than normal service parts, tho I may treat her to new Bilstein dampers this year.

Nothing against anyone here, but it does wind me up when folks buy a cheap 10 year old car then gripe the've had to spend money to maintain it. Go drop 30k plus on a new 4x4 with free servicing and feel the pain off the depreciation !

[converted lurker]

But is it less hassle to surf the depreciation wave down from £12k to £6k over three years than to keep some rust bucket in fine fettle?

There's no right answer.

I think the numbers look similar.

[Hoover.]

pcn1 said:

but it does wind me up when folks buy a cheap 10 year old car then gripe the've had to spend money to maintain it

I've no gripe with spendin money on a car, as said just spen £1k on £1.5k Jeep.... just pointing out costs .... as it is apparent at the age Jeeps are the brakes do need replacing ( looks like a common issue)....... I wont tell you on a £15k TVR I've spent at least £20k keeping it on the road......... I like my cars and the accept them for what they are..... ohhh also run a a £36k merc which about to chop in for a £50k one... oddly the money I spend on them gripe me more

[tr7v8]

converted lurker said:

But is it less hassle to surf the depreciation wave down from £12k to £6k over three years than to keep some rust bucket in fine fettle?

There's no right answer.

I think the numbers look similar.

Rust Bucket? I think you're thinking of Land Rovers, my WJ has zero rust, nothing. And it hasn't been molly coddled either. Mine throws a biggish bill occasionally brakes being one but generally costs me £200 every 6 months for a service. The last one was £980 for radiator, some new bushes & a decent s/h A arm cos it was rusty, wheel bearing & seal & a few other bits.

[scrwright]

I self service mine too, apart from brakes & oil I have done 2 radiators (£100 each), a water pump (£50) & the timing chain (about £60) all easy to do. Only just had the axles refurbed which has been the only bill over £200 in nearly 10 years of ownership. Without doubt the most reliable truck I have ever had.

[egor110]

converted lurker said:

Aha, I see. Yep an I6 makes sense - I just saw that every other petrol GC of that era seemed to have a V8 and assumed.

Having now searched a few more Jeeps for sale I agree it's top money. It's got half the miles of most but then only partial service history. It's modified. It can't tow without a £400 tow bar fitting. Basically it's a pretty difficult car to sell I would imagine.

If I go and take a look it will be with my farmers bargain mode engaged.

Tomorrow my old man is bringing me his neighbours 2000 TD5 Discovery to look at. Apparently cherished and low mileage they will take £3,500 for it as a sort of favour. Please tell me I would be mad to buy this era and model of Disco2. I believe it was from the darkest days of the dark days of Landrover quality control.

Or is it all exaggerated?

Edited by converted lurker on Saturday 14th February 17:18

I'm going to be selling mine as i've bought a hot hatch.

Currently sorn, y reg , 4 litre engine, tow bar.

I'll be selling it for 3 figures not 4

[converted lurker]

Interesting. How much is the annual tax disc?

Photos?

[tr7v8]

converted lurker said:

Interesting. How much is the annual tax disc?

Photos?

Will be £230 if it is pre-2001

[pcn1]

Hoover. said:

I've no gripe with spendin money on a car, as said just spen £1k on £1.5k Jeep.... just pointing out costs .... as it is apparent at the age Jeeps are the brakes do need replacing ( looks like a common issue)....... I wont tell you on a £15k TVR I've spent at least £20k keeping it on the road......... I like my cars and the accept them for what they are..... ohhh also run a a £36k merc which about to chop in for a £50k one... oddly the money I spend on them gripe me more

Fair point. To the OP, if you still want a GC, buy the best example you can find with plenty of evidence of good maintenance. They can all look shiny with a wash, but its under the skin you need to think about. I've found parts prices to be reasonable, but if you buy a jeep that needs an "big birthday" service they can all add up as has been explained. The youngest WJ is 10 years old now. Try Euro car parts, and there are jeep specialists out there for the more tricky bits if needed.
Make sure the heater blender doors have been done, I guess they must all have failed by now ???

If your lucky you'll get one owned by an enthusiastic owner like us lot here !!

[Hoover.]

I keep reading about these heater blender at doors,,,,,, please explain..... mine seems to demist fine..... x reg

ohhh and it came with a wedge of receipts, new belts, suspension.... yes all shiny, sliders, bull bar.... but hey ho... in for a penny in for a pound...... love it after money being spent, drives fantastic

[pcn1]

Hoover. said:

I keep reading about these heater blender at doors,,,,,, please explain..... mine seems to demist fine..... x reg

ohhh and it came with a wedge of receipts, new belts, suspension.... yes all shiny, sliders, bull bar.... but hey ho... in for a penny in for a pound...... love it after money being spent, drives fantastic

The Blender doors are little plastic flaps that allow either hot or cold air into the cabin (or a combo of both).
They are known to break where the motor drive connects to move them and your stuck with either hot or cold air (I cant remember which)
Good news is you can get Aluminum replacements for under a £100. You fit them by removing the glove box and cutting a hole to access behind the dash. Took me 1.5hrs to do the whole job.

Now you have spent all that money on your Grand, keep her for ages and get your moneys worth !!

[Pesty]

Damn I'm part Exing mine tomorrow that pick makes me want to raise it.

Love it. Such a nice car to drive, huge inside comfy will go over anything as if it isn't there.


It's just too thirsty. I'm going to miss it.

[egor110]

Pesty said:

Damn I'm part Exing mine tomorrow that pick makes me want to raise it.

Love it. Such a nice car to drive, huge inside comfy will go over anything as if it isn't there.


It's just too thirsty. I'm going to miss it.

Mines going tomorrow pretty much for same reason but i do regret selling it.

Maybe i'll end up in another some time.

[Pesty]

egor110 said:

Mines going tomorrow pretty much for same reason but i do regret selling it.

Maybe i'll end up in another some time.

I'm definitely going to be owning another in future. Newest ones are great looking and a huge leap inside too.

[egor110]

Pesty said:

egor110 said:

Mines going tomorrow pretty much for same reason but i do regret selling it.

Maybe i'll end up in another some time.

I'm definitely going to be owning another in future. Newest ones are great looking and a huge leap inside too.

Mine was only a spur of the moment buy , barely got used but coming out of race tracks stuck in traffic it was a comfy old thing to be stuck in.

[Hoover.]

Mines thirsty..... but its a comfortable old truck..... and I use it more then my 2012 Merc coupe or TVR Griff....... I just like driving it day to day

[Steve_F]

I've got a 4.0. Early ones with LPG £2k no LPG I'd not pay anywhere over £1.5k. I'm averaging 15mpg mixed driving on gas (indicated) with mud tyres on and a shortish commute of 7 miles each way.

First proper 4x4, definite downsides of using it as my main winter hack but it really has been fun too. Suspect any older 4x4 has potential for big bills but the idea of a tried and tested straight 6 which takes LPG very well and very little to go wrong appealed. Have done a few off road days, it struggles with ground clearance (suspect I was the only one there in anything not lifted though and the 2" spacer kit will be a cheap upgrade soon) and feels a lot more worrying if something goes wrong than say a jimny but I'm happyish so far.

If you want a big comfy 4x4 for occasional use and towing it'd be great. For proper off-road use I'd not pick one again as a starting point unless I lived in the states, some of the builds online are epic!

[pcn1]

Disspite stories or black death, my 80k 2.7crd has been great. Only engine fault so far has been £12 worth of O ring replacements on the low pressure fuel lines.
No sign of any blow by on the injectors.
25mpg mixed rush hour commute driving and 35 motorway cruzing.

[StarmistBlue400]

egor110 said:

Mines going tomorrow pretty much for same reason but i do regret selling it.

Maybe i'll end up in another some time.

Have you sold it?

[StarmistBlue400]

converted lurker said:

The Shogun sold before I could see it!

The Sept 2001 Disco2 now poses me a conundrum. It's the facelift midel with the 700 improvements with a TD5 seven seats and the air suspension replaced with coils on 110,000 miles for £3,500.

It's been well serviced and runs reasonably well.

My Dad is keen for me to buy it but I can't stop worrying that I would be as mad as Mad Jack McMad to do so. A major priority is for me not to have maintenance and repair hassles with this third vehicle...

So many options. Sports cars are so much simpler!

Might be interested in the Disco if you dont buy it, also need a car for towing a Pony