A Buyer's Guide: 1999-2004 Jeep Grand Cherokee WJ

This week's "A Buyer's Guide" focuses on the 1999-2004 Jeep Grand Cherokee WJ. If you're in the market for a midsized, family-friendly sport utility vehicle (hereinafter referred to as an SUV), and have looked at the 1999-2004 Jeep Grand Cherokee (dubbed the WJ generation), you may be confused about which version of it to look at and purchase. If this sounds like you, you'll be relieved to know that Vincent's Auto Reviews has prepared a buyer's guide to help you decide which Jeep Grand Cherokee to purchase:

Between 1999 and 2004, there were many models of Jeep Grand Cherokee WJ offered. Here is each model and its features:

Laredo (1999-2004): 16"x7" Alloy Wheels, Gray-Painted Bumpers and Side Cladding, A/M-F/M-Cassette Stereo (Later A/M-F/M-CD) w/ 6 Speakers, Cloth Interior, 4.0L "Power-Tech" I6 Engine, 4-Speed Automatic Transmission, Manual Front Seats, Keyless Entry w/ 2 Remotes, and Wood Interior Trim (Later Aluminum)

Sport (2002 ONLY) (Adds to Laredo): A/M-F/M-RDS-Cassette-CD Stereo w/ 6 Premium Infinity Gold Speakers, 180 Watt Amplifier, Leather Interior, and Power Front Heated Seats

Special Edition (2002-2004) (Adds to Laredo): A/M-F/M-RDS-Cassette-CD Stereo w/ 6 Premium Infinity Gold Speakers, 180-Watt Amplifier, and Power Front Seats 

Freedom (2003-2004) and Columbia Edition (2004 ONLY) (Add to Laredo): 17"x7.5" Alloy Wheels, A/M-F/M-RDS-Cassette-CD Stereo w/ 6 Premium Infinity Gold Speakers, 180-Watt Amplifier, and Power Front Seats

Limited (1999-2004) (Adds to Laredo): 2002-2004: 17"x7.5" Alloy Wheels, Body-Colored Bumpers and Side Cladding, A/M-F/M-Cassette Stereo w/ 10-Disc Remote CD Changer (Later A/M-F/M-RDS-Cassette-CD) w/ 6 Premium Infinity Gold Speakers, 180-Watt Amplifier, Leather Interior, and Power Front Seats

60TH Anniversary Edition (2001 ONLY) (Adds to Limited): 17"x7.5" Chrome-Cladded Alloy Wheels, A/M-F/M-RDS-Cassette-CD Stereo w/ 10-Disc Remote CD Changer w/ 6 Premium Infinity Gold Speakers, 180-Watt Amplifier, Sunroof, and Power Heated Front Seats 

Overland (2002-2004) (Adds to Limited): 17"x7.5" Alloy Chrome-Cladded Wheels, A/M-F/M-RDS-Cassette-CD Stereo w/ 10-Disc Remote CD Changer w/ 6 Premium Infinity Gold Speakers, 180-Watt Amplifier, Power Front Seats, Power Sunroof, 4.7L High-Output "Power-Tech" V8, and 5-Speed Automatic Transmission

Here are the changes for each year (1999-2004):

1999: New Jeep Grand Cherokee WJ introduced.
2000: No changes, carryover model from 1999.
2001: 60TH Anniversary Edition offered only for 2001, Limited model gets new wheels and new seat trim, Laredo model gets new optional wheels
2002: New safety features, new radios, Overland is new, all models get new wheels, new seat trims for all models, new 4.7L High-Output "Power-Tech" V8 Engine offered on Limited and Overland.
2003: Freedom offered, GPS navigational radio offered on some models.
2004: New front grilles, SIRIUS Satellite Radio offered on all models, Columbia Edition offered only for 2004, all 4X4 (4WD) models are now Trail Rated by Jeep.

And here are the available engines (1999-2004):

4.0L "Power-Tech" High-Output I6, 185 HP, 220 Lb. Ft. of Torque (Sport, Laredo, Special Edition, Freedom, Columbia Edition, Limited, and 60TH Anniversary Edition)

4.7L "Power-Tech" High-Output V8, 235 HP, 305 Lb. Ft. of Torque (Sport, Laredo, Special Edition, Freedom, Columbia Edition, Limited, and 60TH Anniversary Edition)

4.7L "Power-Tech" High-Output V8, 260 HP, 345 Lb. Ft. of Torque (Limited and Overland)

And the transmissions (1999-2004):

4-Speed Automatic w/ Overdrive (I6 Models)

5-Speed Automatic w/ Overdrive (V8 Models)

Available 4X4 (4WD) Systems were (1999-2004):

Two-Wheel-Drive/Rear-Wheel-Drive (4X2/RWD)

Selec-Trac I Part-Time 4WD/4X4

Quadra-Trac I Full-Time 4WD/4X4

Quadra-Trac II Full-Time 4WD/4X4

Quadra-Drive I Full-Time 4WD/4X4

You can expect to pay anywhere from $3,500.00 for a base model 1999 Jeep Grand Cherokee Laredo I6 4X2 to $11,500.00 for a fully-loaded 2004 Jeep Grand Cherokee Overland 4X4. These vehicles are readily available by both private sellers as well as new and used auto dealerships.

-Vincent D., Vincent's Auto Reviews