INTRODUCTION: In
this installment of Vincent’s Auto Reviews, we’ll be taking a look at a
long-tern update of a 2005 Jeep Grand Cherokee Laredo 4x4.Owning the vehicle
for nine years; we’ve been able to evaluate how the vehicle has held up over
time.
EXTERIOR: Over
the course of nine years, it’s safe to say that the Jeep Grand Cherokee’s
exterior still appears as if the vehicle was new. The only quality issue we could
find is that the vehicle’s front air dam has detached from its front bumper. The
front air dam can easily be either replaced or glued back into place. The
vehicle’s alloy wheels have held up well over the past nine years, have not
oxidized, and have only accumulated minor scratches on the edges of the front
faces of the wheels. No rust has accumulated on the vehicle’s exterior. The
headlamps have begun to fog up, though they can be easily refinished to appear
like new, using a headlight restoration kit, available for about ten dollars at
an auto parts store.
INTERIOR: Unfortunately,
over the past nine years, the Jeep Grand Cherokee’s interior hasn’t held up
well. The electronics have become faulty. For example, this particular Grand
Cherokee is equipped with the optional combination GPS navigation and audio
system. The GPS navigation system has to be controlled via a tedious
joystick-style control knob, and the knob has broken off. The system has also
dissolved the map disc, and the GPS navigation function of the radio is unfortunately
no longer usable. Also, the radio’s display also occasionally turns off and
resets itself at times (most likely because of wiring connections becoming
loose behind the radio). The vehicle is also equipped with a rear DVD
entertainment system, as to which the wireless headsets cracked at the
earpieces two years after the vehicle was purchased, and are not very well-assembled.
In addition, some of the central instrument panel lighting has burnt out, and
requires an instrument panel lighting module behind the instrument panel to be
replaced in order to remedy the problem. The driver’s seat has a small tear
from entering and exiting the vehicle many times per day, and may not be able
to be repaired easily. The headliner has stains in it, and the sunglass holster
in the overhead console has broken off and requires to be glued back into
place. The steering wheel is the poorest example of interior quality in the
vehicle, and the finish on the steering wheel has worn off over the past nine
years.
REPAIRS: Over
the past nine years, many repairs have had to be made to the Jeep Grand
Cherokee in order to maintain it, and the repairs have been (very) costly.
Recently, the front suspension and C/V joint had to be replaced, and therefore
rendered the vehicle out of service for nearly two weeks while the repairs were
being completed. The radiator and water pump assembly also had to be replaced
recently. These repairs placed the vehicle out of service for only one day. The
Exhaust Gasoline Recirculation (EGR) Valve (exclusive to the 4.7L V8 engine)
has to be replaced as well (if you want to avoid this repair, option a Grand
Cherokee with either the 3.7L V6, 3.0L CRD Diesel V6, or 5.7L or 6.1L HEMI V8
engines).
SUMMARY: In
summary, the 2005 Jeep Grand Cherokee Laredo 4x4 has proven to be a costly
vehicle to maintain, and is therefore not recommended.
Purchased: February 2005 (02/2005) (New)
Reviewed: June 21st, 2014 (06/21/2014)
Reviewed at Mileage: 179,000 Miles (mi)
Price New (MSRP, with Options): $37,980.00
Market Price (Good Condition, Estimated, 179k Miles):
$4,500.00
Rating: 4.5/10.0
-Vincent D., Vincent’s Auto Reviews
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