Tow Vehicle: Tacoma or Grand Cherokee?

Okay, Im about to buy a new (to me) vehicle that will serve mainly as my tow vehicle, not sure what to get. I have narrowed my local options down to a 2004 Jeep Grand Cherokee V8 Limited, or a 2005 Tacoma SR5 V6 TRD Off Road. Im buying from the dealership where I work at, saving thousands off retail, so my options are limited to our inventory. Anyway, Im looking for feedback on either vehicle. The Jeep is a "Bid" vehicle, so I can only drive it around the lot, not on the road, and have to decide Tuesday after the highest bid from wholesalers comes in. I can bump them for a little over the highest bid. I had it on my lift, looks very clean and rust free, no leaks, but has 108k miles. The Tacoma has 82k miles, and is backed by a 90 day warranty, drives very nice under all conditions, needs nothing. Both have enough towing capability to make me feel comfortable, and enough room for the baby seat in the back and a passenger in the front, comfortably. Im getting my price on the Tacoma Monday morning. Anyone have any advice? I like them both! I need this to last at least 5 years or so, as long as Im making payments on it. Words of wisdom?

What are you planning on towing?

Here's a shot of my Tacoma, along with my frequent accomplice Dave.

It's an '05 Tacoma long bed (non-Off Road) that I use for towing and plowing. I've towed my Miata, Porsche and Jeep Wrangler on an aluminum trailer without a problem.

It has enough power to get the job done, but don't expect it to tow like an American V-8. The engine needs to rev to get to the power, so on hills, you feel like you're flogging it to death. It's a Toyota, so I don't expect that to be an issue. I tow long distances, but only a few times per year. For my needs, I'd make the same choice again.

The only change I made was to add Timbrens to the rear suspension (around $200). Tacomas are known for getting down on their bumpstops pretty easily and the Timbrens seemed like the best solution for me.

I'd buy the Tacoma. It's not even broken in yet. Conversely, that Grand Cherokee getting into the phase of its life where it becomes needy.

Do not walk, RUN away from that GC. The V8 versions were quite troublesome and got horrible gas mileage. OTOH, a 4.0 6 cylinder (2004 was the last year for that) could be a decent tow rig. The car itself won't die but all the odds and ends will (window regulators, door lock actuators, engine sensors, etc).

So I guess I'm saying Tacoma as well.

In reply to JeepinMatt:

My SM Integra, about 2450 lbs, and shopping for a light trailer in the next 6 months...

I would be trailering once a month or so, usually a few hundred miles, mostly highway, but VT and NH arent flat...

Why look at a 2004 GC with 106k? Can you not find something like a 1998 GC with 106k miles and pay nearly half of what you would for the 2004 version?

I am not sure where you are located but here are some samples from my neighborhood.

'04 w/ 101k for $8,800
http://www.autotrader.com/fyc/vdp.jsp?ct=u&car_id=268203192&dealer_id=75291&car_year=2004&rdm=1253462643019&model=JEEPGRAND&num_records=25&systime=&make2=&highlightFirstMakeModel=&start_year=1981&keywordsfyc=&keywordsrep=&engine=&certified=&body_code=0&fuel=&awsp=false&search_type=both&distance=100&marketZipError=false&search_lang=en&showZipError=n&make=JEEP&keywords_display=&color=&scarid=267228052&page_location=findacar%3A%3Aispsearchform&min_price=&drive=&default_sort=priceDESC&seller_type=b&max_mileage=100001&style_flag=1&sort_type=priceDESC&address=44870&advanced=y&end_year=2004&doors=&transmission=&max_price=&cardist=94&standard=false

'97 w/ 98k for $3,700
http://www.autotrader.com/fyc/vdp.jsp?ct=u&car_id=265103255&dealer_id=100014796&car_year=1997&rdm=1253462129943&model=JEEPGRAND&num_records=25&systime=&make2=&highlightFirstMakeModel=&start_year=1981&keywordsfyc=&keywordsrep=&engine=&certified=&body_code=0&fuel=&awsp=false&search_type=both&distance=100&marketZipError=false&search_lang=en&showZipError=y&make=JEEP&keywords_display=&color=&scarid=268016904&page_location=findacar%3A%3Aispsearchform&min_price=&drive=&default_sort=priceDESC&seller_type=b&max_mileage=100000&style_flag=1&sort_type=priceDESC&address=44870&advanced=y&end_year=1999&doors=&transmission=&max_price=&cardist=110&standard=false

'97 w/ 82k for $4,500
http://www.autotrader.com/fyc/vdp.jsp?ct=u&car_id=265443185&dealer_id=100014012&car_year=1997&rdm=1253462129943&model=JEEPGRAND&num_records=25&systime=&make2=&highlightFirstMakeModel=&start_year=1981&keywordsfyc=&keywordsrep=&engine=&certified=&body_code=0&fuel=&awsp=false&search_type=both&distance=100&marketZipError=false&search_lang=en&showZipError=y&make=JEEP&keywords_display=&color=&scarid=268016904&page_location=findacar%3A%3Aispsearchform&min_price=&drive=&default_sort=priceDESC&seller_type=b&max_mileage=100000&style_flag=1&sort_type=priceDESC&address=44870&advanced=y&end_year=1999&doors=&transmission=&max_price=&cardist=74&standard=false

I do not know how cheap you will get with your "wholesale price" but either way you are looking at a high mileage Jeep so I would pay as little as possible. I am much more comfortable with a high mileage Toyota Truck.

Jensenman wrote: Do not walk, RUN away from that GC. The V8 versions were quite troublesome and got horrible gas mileage. OTOH, a 4.0 6 cylinder (2004 was the last year for that) could be a decent tow rig. The car itself won't die but all the odds and ends will (window regulators, door lock actuators, engine sensors, etc). So I guess I'm saying Tacoma as well.

listen to this man. He was a Jeep service writer for years...

I agree with JRW, if I were going to go with a GC I would pick up a ZJ. You can avoid that 4.7L OHC and grab a 5.2L.

Here is a 1998 GC with a Magnum 5.9L

http://www.autotrader.com/fyc/vdp.jsp?ct=u&car_id=267624853&dealer_id=23560260&car_year=1998&rdm=1253462129943&model=JEEPGRAND&num_records=25&systime=&make2=&highlightFirstMakeModel=&start_year=1981&keywordsfyc=&keywordsrep=&engine=&certified=&body_code=0&fuel=&awsp=false&search_type=both&distance=100&marketZipError=false&ct=u&search_lang=en&showZipError=y&make=JEEP&keywords_display=&color=&scarid=268016904&page_location=findacar%253A%253Aispsearchform&min_price=&drive=&default_sort=priceDESC&seller_type=b&max_mileage=100000&style_flag=1&sort_type=priceDESC&address=44870&advanced=y&end_year=1999&doors=&transmission=&max_price=&cardist=68&standard=false

dc2sirg wrote: I would be trailering once a month or so, usually a few hundred miles, mostly highway, but VT and NH arent flat...

I hauled with a '96 Tacoma a couple years back.The truck had a 4 cyl and a manual trans. It wasn't bad if I was on flat ground, but doing 40 mph in the right lane of I-91 goin up hill just sucks.I used that truck about 25 times mostly local in town and a couple times from NH to Springfield, Mass and back and only once did I over heat the clutch. And yeah, the rear leaf springs were flattened right out too.

dc2sirg wrote: I would be trailering once a month or so, usually a few hundred miles, mostly highway, but VT and NH arent flat...

My trailer / Miata combo is about 3500lbs, plus a truck full of gear. I've towed from Connecticut to Franconia Notch. Lots of not-flat up there.

Apart from the obvious power issue, I would consider the weight and wheelbase of the tow vehicle.

My vote would be for the tacoma. I've never driven one but my pathfinder v6 has plenty of grunt to tow a 5000 lb trailer up the hills here in WV... I'd expect the toyota v6 to be on par. And a big plus is that the tacoma is much easier to add load leveling/override springs to for better towing manners.

On top of that, toyota's reliability in general versus jeeps... I'd stay with the toyota.

ignorant wrote:

Jensenman wrote: Do not walk, RUN away from that GC. The V8 versions were quite troublesome and got horrible gas mileage. OTOH, a 4.0 6 cylinder (2004 was the last year for that) could be a decent tow rig. The car itself won't die but all the odds and ends will (window regulators, door lock actuators, engine sensors, etc). So I guess I'm saying Tacoma as well.

listen to this man. He was a Jeep service writer for years...

Yep, he speaks the truth. The 4.7l is a steaming pile if I've ever seen one.

16vCorey wrote: Yep, he speaks the truth. The 4.7l is a steaming pile if I've ever seen one.

My Tacoma replaced a 4.7 powered Dakota. Other than it's size, the engine was the only thing that I liked about it. The rest of the truck was full of suck.

What I like about my WJ GC Ltd 4.7:

Heated leather seats.

What I don't like about it:

15mpg (driving like an angel!). Door lock actuators. Window motors. Sunroof won't open anymore either. Door seals have shrank over time so now there are gaps on every door that whistle at speed. Did I mention 15mpg? Yeah, 15mpg. You can almost hear the thing guzzle like a frat guy at a kegger.

I'd take 25% less power for 25% better fuel economy.

Also heard that Jeep GC's have weak rear-ends for towing. I'm sure it's easily upgraded but not strong from the factory.

Some Jeeper jump in here and correct me if I'm wrong.

I've done a fair bit of towing with a 2000 Grand Cherokee, mostly Locost or Miata on an open trailer. Unloaded fuel economy isn't far off my 2000 Tundra, actually. 18-20 on the highway, less around town. Towing, they're 13 mpg or so.

Ours has 60k on it since new and it's been quite reliable, but these days it's mostly a ski vehicle. The Tundra does all the work. Pickups are the bomb.

jrw1621 wrote: Here is a 1998 GC with a Magnum 5.9L http://www.autotrader.com/fyc/vdp.jsp?ct=u&car_id=267624853&dealer_id=23560260&car_year=1998&rdm=1253462129943&model=JEEPGRAND&num_records=25&systime=&make2=&highlightFirstMakeModel=&start_year=1981&keywordsfyc=&keywordsrep=&engine=&certified=&body_code=0&fuel=&awsp=false&search_type=both&distance=100&marketZipError=false&ct=u&search_lang=en&showZipError=y&make=JEEP&keywords_display=&color=&scarid=268016904&page_location=findacar%253A%253Aispsearchform&min_price=&drive=&default_sort=priceDESC&seller_type=b&max_mileage=100000&style_flag=1&sort_type=priceDESC&address=44870&advanced=y&end_year=1999&doors=&transmission=&max_price=&cardist=68&standard=false

my friend's parents bought one of those new in 98 and let him drive it. That thing was an absolute beast.

He wrecked it within 18 months and his parents only bought new cars, so there was no chance of a replacement, but that thing would squat down and power its way like few other SUV's I've been in.

I’ve never owned a Jeep but our department head has a Grand Cherokee and frequently calls on me with car questions. Anyway, I did some research on them a while back and there seems to be good consensus that the transmissions only last around 120K under gentle use and a lot less when towing.

The only way I’d recommend the Grand Cherokee is if it were nearly free so you could just crush it for scrap if it developed significant problems.

My parents had a '99, the first year of the WJ. Lots of problem. Sold that a year later. Now the earlier ones, the '93-98 ZJs, are a lot better. I would say that mechanically they tend to be pretty solid. The 4.0L I6 is bulletproof, and the LA-series 5.2L and 5.9L are tough as nails too. The transfer case on the 4wd ones are typical New Process units; nothing like an Atlas but good. The transmissions can give you problems, though. They didn't put the Aisin AW4 transmission in many of them, but they are usually pretty good units. A fairly straightforward swap if you want to go through the trouble. I would have no problem picking up a ZJ for towing, with any engine.