My 4.7L V8 Grand Cherokee

by Anonymous
(Mid-west)

I bought a loaded Jeep Grand Cherokee Laredo 4WD with the X package (heated leather seats, sunroof, remote start, hi power radio, etc). I got the 4.7L V8 since it has higher torque to tow and MPG is not much worse the the V6. (I sold our 01 Gr Cherokee to my neighbor, the Inline 6 cylinder engine had better torque than the new V6). So we were familiar with JGCs already: the new body styles from 05 on are much better highway rides, quieter, with more room inside. EG, I could not fit in the 01 with a sunroof so we skipped that but the new 07 w/sunroof I have an inch to spare. MPG was a concern with a V8 but in first 500 miles am getting 15mpg in town and 21 on highway, just like EPA sticker (ours will take E85 ethanol, common in mid-west, we will probably try it next spring since it's not supposed to start/run as well in cold winter temps). The lifetime warranty and reasonably priced extended warranty was attractive as well since we tend to drive our vehicles 10 years or more. However Jeeps do require frequent drivetrain fluid maintenance much of it like transfer case and differentials which are under vehicle, hard to reach (the engine belts, plugs, filters, battery, cooling system however are very accessible and look relatively easy to service).