A real SUV
At 20,000 miles, both front wheel bearings were replaced under warranty. This has been the only problem with the Jeep.
The Cherokee has the best 4 wheel drive system that I have ever used. We do not pamper this car and it has exceeded our expectations as far as reliability is concerned.
Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes
Review Date: 26th September, 2002
Classic Lines + Great Performance=Awesome
This Jeep has been a very reliable vehicle. The actuator in the passenger side front door window failed at delivery and was immediately fixed.
When compared to the Chevrolet Blazer and Oldsmobile Bravada owned by my brothers, this Jeep is very obviously a much more substantial, solid and trouble free vehicle.
The 4.0 Liter Inline 6 is a very powerful engine, capable of delivering accelleration that is surprising to owners of other SUV's. The transmission shifts smoothly and the 4x4 system is beyond compare, even with the allegedly superior Grand Cherokee.
Handling with this Jeep is amazing. There is absolutely no feel of being top heavy and no body lean in corners. Braking is excellent as well.
The interior of the Classic provides a feel of being completely in command of this vehicle. The control panel is well placed and layed out, the seats are very comfortable for a smaller SUV, and the stereo is generally good.
Outside, the Cherokees low roofline, combined with it's classic angular lines and aggressive stance give this car an almost knife-like appearance. Sadly, the new Libery looks more like a mini-van than a performance oriented SUV like it's older sibling.
My new Jeep will be a Wrangler Sport because I do not like the Liberty and the Grand Cherokee is far too large and expensive for my needs. DaimlerChrysler made a huge mistake in cancelling the Cherokee, but they had to. Nobody would have bought the Liberty if they still had the choice of this vehicle.
Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes
Review Date: 24th May, 2002
An excellent low-cost well performing four wheel drive
The universal in the front of the transfer case went bad and had to be replaced. That cost about two-hundred dollars.
The clear coat is peeling off from the passengers side rear quarter.
The decorative chrome lug nut covers are starting to come off from wear, by rotating the tires. Cost per lug nut is almost five dollars a piece.
When it came time for a serious front-end alignment the ball joints had to be replaced with off-set after-market ones for proper alignment. The cost with labor reached three-hundred dollars, the most expensive fix yet.
I sometimes have problems trying to get the four-wheel drive system to shift in or out of the four-low range.
This is the best vehicle I have yet to own. I put around a thousand miles a week on it and the repairs seem minimal for the mileage.
I am quite satisfied with the power produced by the straight six.
With the proper tires this vehicle is ready to take on almost anything off-road.
For having such a tight suspension the ride is rather nice. I really enjoy driving it.
The cloth seats are just starting to show their wear, and they still look pretty good.
With a square front on the vehicle it catches everything in the air. I do a lot of highway driving and the nose really needs to be repainted. I would suggest at least a bug guard, A bra would probably save the front end.
Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes
Review Date: 1st March, 2002
I feel that it is a good off road SUV for your average off road experiences. But after all the training I have had in the Military and other places I still managed to get it stuck twice. However it was snow and deep snow. But, it lacks the limited slip and the fully locking differential.
$5 for a lug nut? Don't go back there, that's a total ripoff.
I paid $25 for a set of 20 solid lug nuts. By solid, I mean no more chrome caps that can come off.
4th Mar 2005, 13:09
I rented the 2005 Jeep Liberty.. it drove pretty good for a new car, but it was not very spacious. It however made me want to own a jeep so I went and purchase a 1999 Jeep Cherokee Classic. I Love IT. I however did have problems with the oxygen sensor, but I've had that repaired so it has been a pretty good jeep. I do hear some screeching when I start the car. Can you give me some suggestion on what I should do...thanks.