Grand Cherokee vs. 4runner Trail

My next vehicle has been narrowed down to a 2013 GC or 4runner Trail, can anyone provide insight to sway me to one side? I know buying used is a better option but I plan on keeping this vehicle for as long as it'll run so I'm not afraid to have a payment for a little bit.

Itll be my daily driver and will get me to all of the 14er trailheads, haul my mountain bike around, and everything else my 9 year old G35 Coupe can't do.

Ive read everything available comparing the two but most are from heavily biased forums for Toyotas or Jeeps so any real experiences from members here would be great.

P.s. I know the T4R is ugly as hell but for some strange reason I kinda like it and I don't need a pretty car as long a it gets me where I want to go.

I will commend you on your bravery. Most places the Jeep Vs Toyota is right up there with the 9 vs 45 one. Let me grab my[Pop]

I have had two Jeep Grand Cherokee's and will never buy another one. My current is a 2006. It needed a new transmission at 70,000 miles and now at 150,000 needs another. I look back and should have bought a 4Runner. Never had a 4Runner but everyone I know that has one loves it. I like the Jeep's but it seems like it a money pit.

The Jeep GC is notorious for piss poor paint jobs and severe maintain issues. But, don't buy a 4Runner in the 1st year they've made significant changes - I learned that the hard way.

I have two toyota land cruisers, and I have been out on the trail many times to even count. Toyotas are beasts. Jeeps are always breaking down on the trail.

+1 for s 4runner, I have one, if I had a choice I would have a truck tho.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by 02ducky

+1 for s 4runner, I have one, if I had a choice I would have a truck tho.

---

What kind of truck? I had been looking at a Tacoma but I'd want to put a cap on it and visibility wasn't as great as a 4runner when the cap was on.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by theGinsue

The Jeep GC is notorious for piss poor paint jobs and severe maintain issues. But, don't buy a 4Runner in the 1st year they've made significant changes - I learned that the hard way.

---

That sucks. Luckily the newest has been out since 2010 and I haven't read about too many issues so far. Mostly rattles.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by bogman2121

My next vehicle has been narrowed down to a 2013 GC or 4runner Trail, can anyone provide insight to sway me to one side? I know buying used is a better option but I plan on keeping this vehicle for as long as it'll run so I'm not afraid to have a payment for a little bit.

Itll be my daily driver and will get me to all of the 14er trailheads, haul my mountain bike around, and everything else my 9 year old G35 Coupe can't do.

Ive read everything available comparing the two but most are from heavily biased forums for Toyotas or Jeeps so any real experiences from members here would be great.

P.s. I know the T4R is ugly as hell but for some strange reason I kinda like it and I don't need a pretty car as long a it gets me where I want to go.

---

All honesty, 6 one way, half dozen the other. I own a jeep myself, with no issues. Ive seen, and repaired plenty of jeeps. I've also seen and worked on plenty of 'yotas. Despite popular belief, they break down as well. I think a big factor has to do with demographics of the owners. Alot of jeep owners drive them till the wheels fall off, then worry about fixing stuff. Japanese brand owners tend to stay up on maintenance better. Toyota has had plenty of quality issues, some of which the media kept buried. Bad headgaskets, sludging motors, you name it. WHen they break, they tend to be pricier to fix.

My mom's 02 jeep Grand Cherokee needed a new tranny at 98K, and $700 dollars in break work and gets really shitty MPGs. I like the 4runners.

Why anyone would buy anything from GM or Dodge is beyond me.

I have worked in the oilfield the last 6 years and been through about 6 trucks. Dodge & Chevy and a GM.
Granted they are not a Cherokee, but once they got close to or hit 100k miles, they took a shit.
I was so concerned with this, I had a survival kit in my truck for the inevitable breakdown 30-40 miles form civilization and
I was forced to walk out once in the winter. Thankfully I had my mountaineering equipment including a sleeping bag and 2 man tent
and the walk wasnt to bad once first light came and set foot out during the day. This was in west Wyoming with little to no traffic.
I have a Tacoma I have beat to hell harder then those work trucks, because I turst it more, and I am at 110k
and it is holding up mechanically like it has 10k miles on it.

Spend the extra on the 4 Runner and we wont be reading a thread created by you saying how big of a piece of shit the Cherokee is.
I promise you , you wont be dissapointed in the 4Runner. The 4 Runner will easily last 250k miles with minimal routine maintenance.

Grand Cherokees are overweight highway vehicles now. I've owned two, and many Cherokees before those. I'd still drive a regular Cherokee if they made them. Get an XTerra.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by DD977GM2

Why anyone would buy anything from GM or Dodge is beyond me.

I have worked in the oilfield the last 6 years and been through about 6 trucks. Didge & Chevy and a GM.
Granted they are not a Cherokee, but once they got close to or hit 100k miles, they took a shit.
I have a Tacoma I have beat to hell harder then those work trucks, because I turst it more, and I am at 110k
and it is holding up mechanically like it has 10k miles on it.

Spend the extra on the 4 Runner and we wont be reading a thread created by you saying how big of a piece of shit the Cherokee is.
I promise you , you wont be dissapointed in the 4Runner. The 4 Runner will easily last 250k miles with minimal routine maintenance.

---

Haha. The 250k is good to hear as I'd love to get over 300 just to rub it in everyone's face because no one thinks I'll keep a car that long. I've had my current car 5 years and recently got rid of 9 year old undershirts, 300k should be easy with the right vehicle.

The only thing I dislike about my Tacoma is I paid a shitload of money and it doesnt have auto headlights and the interior is kind of Chevy Cavalierish

Its not necessarily cheap but it isnt close to $25k worht either.

Glad to see a lot of Yota fans here. I don't know about this latest generation of 4R, but I've personally owned five Toyota 4x4's, incl. '86 Turbo Pickup, '97 4R, '98 Taco, '96 4R, & now a '99 4R. I don't know if I'll ever buy another brand. I actually think the latest 4R is badass looking in the right color, way cooler than the last . Just need a little bigger wheels & tires and a mild lift, bam! Personal opinion, I hate the 4th gen (think it's ugly), but love the 5th gen.

Looks like the JGC and 4R both get 23mpg hwy so pump expense will be the same for commuting. Unless you're getting the SRT8, I'd pick the 4R, especially for reliability. Shit, with Toyotas, the first 100k miles is practically just a break-in period, lol!

Right now I'm debating on staying out of debt and lifting my '99 4R, or selling it to get a new 4R or Tundra, ugh. I HATE LOANS!

Yota!

/close thread

Porsche Cayenne S.

My 06 Cayenne S has needed no maintenance beyond brakes (once at 85K) and oil changes. Coming up on 120k, and the "full maintenance" of sparking plugs, trans/diff/etc fluids, etc. which will likely cost me a couple of grand. It goes literally everywhere I have ever needed it to and it comes with air ride which raises it 3" of ride height and lowers it 1" from normal for trails or highway cruising, all three diffs- front, center, and rear lock with a touch of the console mounted switch and the traction control is so good that if ONE wheel is touching the ground, your moving. The Turbo model was offered with swaybars that electronically disconnected for articulation, but I havent needed it so far. Did I mention the heated leather seats, heated steering wheel, nav, and a climate control that works? the 400hp V8 isnt a bad thing either.

It has seriously been an awesome vehicle. Purchased it for $25K 2 years ago from the Porsche dealer that had sold it to the original owner, who traded it in on another Cayenne, all factory maintenance. There is literally no reason I would ever get rid of this car.

I was on the trail today and caught up with these guys, this GC was one capable rig! My Rubi is in the background on one of the pic's.....

Edit: i think it was a GC, or is it just a Cherokee?

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by 10mm-man

I was on the trail today and caught up with these guys, this GC was one capable rig! My Rubi is in the background on one of the pic's.....

Edit: i think it was a GC, or is it just a Cherokee?

---

That's a GC. Sick pictures

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by dwalker460

It has seriously been an awesome vehicle. Purchased it for $25K 2 years ago from the Porsche dealer that had sold it to the original owner, who traded it in on another Cayenne, all factory maintenance. There is literally no reason I would ever get rid of this car.

---

Damn, didn't know you could get the Cayenne S for so cheap, nice.

4 runner all the way.... BUT make sure you either buy the 500$ TRD air filter kit or get a KN filter ASAP. I love my 2010, but I found it underpowered, and the MPG was not nearly as good as my 06 4 runner. Did a little bit of research, upgraded to the KN air filter box: It's like driving another vehicle and Gas mileage improved 2 MPG on average!

Those with jeep transmissions going out with less than 100k on them, how often was the fluid changed on them, and did you use the correct mopar +4 fluid? Overall, both toyotas and jeeps are sound vehicles. Make sure someone decent works on them, and keep the backyard hacks away from them. Keep the oil changed in them regularly, as spelled out in the maintenance schedule. Though I have nothing against toyotas, I think they are highly over rated, and overpriced, and some jeeps fall into that ranking as well.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by streetglideok

I think they are highly over rated, and overpriced, and some jeeps fall into that ranking as well.

---

Name one JEEP! lol

4Runner. the end.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by The Nuge

I have two toyota land cruisers, and I have been out on the trail many times to even count. Toyotas are beasts. Jeeps are always breaking down on the trail.

---

I'll beg to differ, but I can't comment on newer Jeeps, my 88, 91, 99, and 01 Jeeps have always been awesome, I've beat the hell out of them, and then driven them to work the next day.

My Y2K Jeep Grand Cherokee has 182K on it with no serious maintenance issues yet. My wife's Y2K Grand Cherokee has 137K miles on it - we had to replace the A/C condenser on it back in '05.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by motorep

Get an XTerra.

---

[ROFL3]Dont ever buy an Xterra or a Pathfinder.

Buy a used 4runner and drive it till the wheels fall off. Mine has 225 and going strong and still has resale value.

PM me if you need a shop. My shooting partner is a Toyota master mechanic and can check out a used vehicle before you buy it.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by hurley842002

I'll beg to differ, but I can't comment on newer Jeeps, my 88, 91, 99, and 01 Jeeps have always been awesome, I've beat the hell out of them, and then driven them to work the next day.

---

If they are so good why do you have to keep replacing them? [LOL]

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by The Nuge

If they are so good why do you have to keep replacing them? [LOL]

---

This coming from the NEWB calling himself " the Nuge" [ROFL2][ROFL3]

for your consideration. toyota but only pre 2000

i got a 94 toyota pick up with over 260,000 miles, on original engine and transmission. it took a hit last month and still running

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by 10mm-man

This coming from the NEWB calling himself " the Nuge" [ROFL2][ROFL3]

---

My forum name and the fact that jeeps suck is unrelated. For what it is worth I have been shooting 1911 since age 5.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by The Nuge

My forum name and the fact that jeeps suck is unrelated.

---

True,

I dunno, the new 4door Rubicons with the Pentastar motor are pretty nice.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Ghosty

I dunno, the new 4door Rubicons with the Pentastar motor are pretty nice.

---

^^^+1

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by The Nuge

For what it is worth I have been shooting 1911 since age 5.

---

I'm struggling to see the relevance of that in a Toyota vs Jeep debate. But cool story nonetheless...

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by The Nuge

If they are so good why do you have to keep replacing them? [LOL]

---

Who said anything about replacing? We know what ASSuming does.....

Any Toyota 4Runner will outlast any AMC/Chrysler product at LEAST 2 to 1.

For the record I love Toyotas also, I've owned two (80's 4runner and pickup). If they didn't hold their value so well, I'd have a nice newer Tacoma.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by hurley842002

For the record I love Toyotas also, I've owned two (80's 4runner and pickup). If they didn't hold their value so well, I'd have a nice newer Tacoma.

---

I never owned a Toyota because I never liked the fact they weren't American but I think that might have changed, not sure? So can someone tell me what percentage is American? I noticed my 2013 Rubi was like US/Canadian parts contend of 73%. So I am just wondering which is more AMERICAN? Anyone?

I vote this guy
http://i1108.photobucket.com/albums/...r/DSCN4264.jpg