'05 Jeep Grand Cherokee gets 5.7 L Hemi but no 3rd row

[robrecht]

Wonder if the 2nd row will be more usable?

http://www.cars.com/go/features/auto...aff=autoshowny

http://www.autoweek.com/specials/200...ages/index.htm

[Stevie B]

Looks nice. I guess that's about it. What are you doing up so late, Robrecht?

[robrecht]

Originally posted by Stevie B
Looks nice. I guess that's about it. What are you doing up so late, Robrecht?

Lookin' at cars, of course. Drank too much coffee this morning.

[robrecht]

Originally posted by robrecht
Wonder if the 2nd row will be more usable?

[krygny]

Originally posted by robrecht
Wonder if the 2nd row will be more usable?
...

Yeah, how bad is that! My knees were up in my chest. But even the current styling, which is about four years old, is still one of the best looking UTEs around. Too many problems, though. Everyone I've spoken to who has owned one, hated it. Lots of annoying little problems that just drive you nuts.

And then there's the lousy mileage. That 5.7L hemi had better have about a 28 gal. tank because it's meant for towing. I imagine, you put a trailer on it and go through some mountains, you'd be lucky to make it from gas station to gas station.

I seriously considered a JGC before I bought my Pilot.

[PQSpin]

With a 5.7 Hemi, it should be able to make back to the mechanic faster.

[tracy]

A white interior? Is that real???

[rtresco]

Originally posted by PQSpin
With a 5.7 Hemi, it should be able to make back to the mechanic faster.

Very true. The trannies drop out of these things fast enough without the Hemi.

[osteome]

Great idea Jeep.... put a more powerful engine in a vehcile that has been noted for weak brakes and need for frequent repair / repalcement of the rotors...does look nice though. I beleive that Jeep is still adhereing to its own mandate that ALL of its models must be able negotiate the Rubicon trail. This may explain why the Grand Cherokee dimensions really don't change much and a third row seat remains elusive.

When I worked for Jeep we had the 5.9L Edition of teh grand Cherokee which really flew, but returned abysmal MPG. For now we'll stick with the Honda... though I do miss my Wrangler

[CNYGuy]

They probably weren't allowed to have a 3rd row, so they don't compete with Durango buyers. I know the Durango is bigger, but if you are looking at a Grand Cherokee, you might also look at the Durango.

[Stevie B]

Are those seats white? WTF!!!???

[GreenMachine]

I think Xhibit (sp?) must have pimped that ride.

[osteome]

When I worked for Jeep (April 1997 to August 1998)...about the time of the "merger", there was talk of rebadging a Durango (with reworked appearance for a Jeep look) and resurrecting the "Grand Wagoneer" name, perhaps even go for a V10 option. Never heard much more after a month or so, but the whole "too big" for the off-road world was mentioned as a possible deal breaker. I left the dealership shortly after that to head off to the next step of my education, so I am not sure if the idea was ever mentioned again.

We were a Chrysler, Plymouth, Jeep, Eagle dealer and about 75% of our business was Jeeps and minivans. For the record I had only one minivan (Town & Country Limited AWD: about 34K on the MSRP) come back trailing transmisssion fluid, but hey it had 3000 miles on it...

I shudder everytime I sold a minivan! At least the Jeeps had a glimmer of hope to make through a lease.