Monday, May 26, 2014

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



1999-2004 JEEP GRAND CHEROKEE: A BUYER’S GUIDE:

INTRODUCTION:

            The Jeep Grand Cherokee was one of the most popular SUV’s of the 1990’s. In 1999, Jeep decided to redesign its flagship midsized SUV, dubbed the “WJ” generation. Sharing only about 127 parts with its “ZJ” predecessor (mostly bolts and fasteners), the all-new Grand Cherokee was also dubbed “The Most Capable Sport Utility Ever”. This version of the Grand Cherokee sold so well, that it remained largely unchanged until 2004, when the all-new 2005 Jeep Grand Cherokee “WK” replaced it.

TRIM LEVELS:

            Throughout the 1999-2004 Jeep Grand Cherokee “WJ”’s lifespan, it was offered in many different trim levels. The two main trim levels were the Laredo and the Limited, both of which were offered throughout the Grand Cherokee’s lifespan, from 1999-2004. The Laredo served as the base trim level. Still, it offered many creature comforts that were still only options on its competitors. Those features were an A/M-F/M stereo with cassette player (later, a single-disc CD player), six speakers, sixteen-inch alloy wheels, cloth seating surfaces, a keyless entry system with two remotes, power front driver’s seat, split-folding rear 60/40 bench seat, and the tried-and-true 4.0-liter high-output “Power- Tech” inline six-cylinder engine, making 195 horsepower and 220 lb. ft. of torque, paired to a four-speed automatic transmission. Still, the Laredo trim level offered options, such as a stereo with cassette and single-disc CD players, a premium Infinity Gold 120-watt sound system with six speakers, security system, leather seating surfaces, dual power front seats, heated front seats, a power sunroof, and other features that allowed a Grand Cherokee buyer to option up their vehicle to luxury specifications, without having to upgrade to the Limited trim level. The Limited trim level offered an even greater amount of luxury features to even the most demanding buyers, such as an A/M-F/M stereo with cassette player and ten-disc remote CD changer (later, cassette and single-disc CD players with remote ten-disc CD changer), a premium 120-watt Infinity Gold sound system with six speakers, leather seating surfaces, dual power front seats with driver’s two-person memory system, a security system, and more. Also offered on the Limited were a stereo with cassette and single-disc CD player (this became standard equipment later), a power sunroof, heated front seats, and gold-painted trim accents on the sixteen-inch alloy wheels and side cladding panels (this option was later discontinued). Beginning in 2002, an Overland trim level was offered, adding even more luxury items to the already well-equipped Limited trim level. Adding feature such as an A/M-F/M stereo with cassette and single-disc CD player and remote ten-disc CD changer, chrome-clad seventeen-inch alloy wheels, a power sunroof, heated dual front seats, a 4.7-liter high-output “Power-Tech” V8 engine that produced 250 horsepower and 305 lb. ft. of torque, and a five-speed automatic transmission with Quadra-Drive all-time four-wheel-drive. About the only option offered on the Overland trim level were side-impact SRS airbags for the front and rear seats (this option was also offered for both the Laredo and Limited trim levels, starting in 2002). Power-adjustable foot pedals were also available on all trim levels, starting in 2002.

SPECIAL EDITIONS:
            There were also many special editions offered throughout the production years of the Jeep Grand Cherokee “WJ”. The 60TH Anniversary Edition was one of the first, adding many desirable features onto the already well-equipped Limited trim level, while celebrating Jeep’s 60TH anniversary in 2001 (this edition was only offered for 2001). Some of the features were heated front seats, seventeen-inch chrome-clad alloy wheels, power sunroof, and special 60TH Anniversary Edition badges. The Sport, priced below the Laredo trim level, was only available for 2002. It offered prospective buyers the options that they would otherwise have to add onto the Laredo trim level, such as an A/M-F/M stereo with cassette and single-disc CD players, a 120-watt Infinity Gold premium sound system with six speakers, leather seating surfaces, dual power front seats, heated front seats, a power sunroof, security system, and more. Cloth seating surfaces were also available on the Sport package, as was an option to delete the standard power sunroof. The Special Edition was offered from 2002-2004, and added many desirable features to the Laredo trim level, such as a 120-watt Infinity Gold premium sound system with six speakers, power dual front seats, a security alarm, and body-color side cladding panels and front and rear bumpers. Available on the Special Edition package were options such as leather seating surfaces, heated front seats, a power sunroof, a stereo with cassette and single-disc CD players, and other options. The Freedom Edition was offered from 2003-2004, and added desirable options onto the Laredo trim level. These options were an A/M-F/M stereo with cassette and single-disc CD players, a 120-watt Infinity Gold premium sound system with six speakers, power dual front seats, and seventeen-inch graphite-finished alloy wheels. A power sunroof was about the only option offered on the Freedom Edition. Finally, the Columbia Edition was offered only in 2004. It added styling cues onto the Laredo trim level, such as silver-painted front and rear bumpers and side cladding panels, an A/M-F/M stereo with cassette and single-disc CD players, two-tone cloth seating surfaces with ‘Columbia Edition’ embroidery, seventeen-inch alloy wheels, a security alarm, and more. The only options offered on the Columbia Edition were a 120-watt Infinity Gold premium sound system with six speakers, a power sunroof, side-impact SRS airbags for the front and rear seats, and power-adjustable foot pedals. Buyers of the Columbia Edition received a complimentary Columbia parka through Jeep’s partnership with the Columbia Sportswear Company.

ENGINES, TRANSMISSIONS, AND 4WD SYSTEMS:

            The Jeep Grand Cherokee “WJ” offered three main engine choices during its production run from 1999-2004. The first was the tried-and-true 4.0-liter “Power-Tech” high-output inline six-cylinder engine, making 195 horsepower and 220 lb. ft. of torque, and paired to a four-speed automatic transmission. It was available with all Grand Cherokee trim levels, of all years, except for the Overland trim level. The second engine that was available was the 4.7-liter “Power-Tech” high-output V8 engine, making 235 horsepower and 305 lb. ft. of torque, and paired to a five-speed automatic transmission. It was available with all Grand Cherokee trim levels, of all years, except for the Overland trim level. Finally, a 4.7L “Power-Tech” high-output V8 engine, making 250 horsepower and 305 lb. ft. of torque, and paired to a five-speed automatic transmission, was available between 2002 and 2004, and was offered on the Limited and Overland trim levels. Rear-wheel-drive, or two-wheel-drive, was offered on the Grand Cherokee “WJ”, though Selec-Trac, Quadra-Trac, and Quadra-Drive four-wheel-drive systems were available.

PRICING FOR A USED 1999-2004 JEEP GRAND CHEROKEE “WJ”:

            There is an excellent point about the 1999-2004 Jeep Grand Cherokee “WJ”’s: they can be obtained for very cheaply. You should expect to pay $2,500 for a 1999 Laredo trim level in fair condition, to all the way up to $11,500 for a 2004 Overland trim level in excellent condition. Check eBay, Craigslist, dealership lots of both new and used car dealerships, and auto auctions throughout the United States. Vincent from Vincent’s Auto Reviews recently purchased a 2002 Jeep Grand Cherokee Laredo for $3,500 off of Craigslist that was in good condition. As soon as you find the right 1999-2004 Jeep Grand Cherokee “WJ” for you, go ahead and make your purchase, and you’ll be very happy you did.
-Vincent D., Vincent’s Auto Reviews

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