What would have happened if the Cherokee was replaced with..

Xodius · **Posted:** Mon Aug 18, 2008 9:21 pm

David Jr wrote:

If the KK had come first, i would have gotten the Wrangler. I like the KJ's looks much better.

x2

I know I had a chance to get one of the Cherokees but when I got in it I whacked my head and that was the end of that, lol. I know small thing but it was enough for me. Right before that I had a Grand Cherokee and loved it. I am a total KJ freak now and absolutely love it. I don't see myself straying from my KJ unless it is in a serious accident...then I might just buy a Wrangler and convert this one to a crawler :twisted:

LIV42DY · **Posted:** Mon Aug 18, 2008 11:27 pm

I was the proud owner of a cherokee sport, 1996, 15,000 dollars later of modification got hit broadsided by a drunk driver, I still own a TJ and my KJ. I bought the KJ after I lost the cherokee and honestly I did not have a problem with it, except for the IFS, but I knew that a few years down the road things would change. Many knuckleheads out there would look at it as a smiley face with the grill of a jeep, but even stock I kept up with most of them on the trails. Did we have to gain respect with our KJ's? absolutly, we needed to prove to the rest of the Jeep world that in fact we were driving a Jeep. Now came the turn over, first the commander, im not even going there, it shames me at time living in the Metro NY/NJ area how many MTV Jeeps I see out there. Sh***T Its a Jeep not a chromed out low rider Hummer. Then what do they do... they turned the KJ to a KK. The box design can be improved , the front end every time I see one behind me I want to throw something at it. It seems to me that its just another...MTV Jeep. I have seen a few with 21" rims on it and lots of chrome, to each his own. would I buy one? Absolutly not . It is to me a useless vehicle. But then we need to be carefull, lots of people did not think that we would ever do what we have done and continue to do with our KJ's. Who's to say someone may SHOCK us one day with the KK, for those who want to drive them.

Some think that the KJ's life span is limited, I agree and dissagree, for people like us the Kj may never end unless we lose it, for the average person , yes but that Kj will be resold and hopefully someone like us will buy it , modify it and keep it going. As far as my next Jeep, plan on keeping the KJ as long as possible. hopefully if I feel the need for a third Jeep the JK will still be around. :wink:

501 · **Posted:** Mon Aug 18, 2008 11:47 pm

If the KJ wasn't around I would have gone with an Escape. The thing that attracted me to the KJ was the Non-boxey style. If I ever get rid of the KJ I'll check out the current Jeep models, hopefully thr Gladiator will be in production and I'll get me one of them. Not a pickup fan either, but something about it makes me want one.

Inc · **Posted:** Mon Aug 18, 2008 11:57 pm

If the KJ never came to be I'd still have my 98 TJ and by today it would have looked something like this, only gunmetal blue. Thankfully the KJ was born and now my wife and I own a house and a lot of other nice things that might not have been possible if I kept pouring money into my TJ. Life is full of compromises.

Dutchy · **Posted:** Tue Aug 19, 2008 5:24 am

This is what the UK press said when the KJ Cherokee came out:

Rating ****

Jeep's most popular model, and it's easy to see why. The Cherokee is a competitive contender in a competitive class and also boasts a little more individuality than most

Performance
With the demise of the 2.4-litre petrol, you've got a choice of a 3.7 V6 and a 2.8-litre diesel. The 201bhp and 230lb ft of torque generated by the V6 makes piloting the Cherokee effortless. It's also surprisingly quiet, but floor the throttle and things start to get a bit on the vocal side. The auto gearbox that you have to have with this engine isn't especially sophisticated and the ride is surprisingly bouncy, but it's very smooth and quiet at motorway speeds. The 2776cc four-cylinder diesel is coarse and despite a claimed 266lb ft of torque being on tap, it doesn't feel at all quick. On the motorway it's tiring to drive as there's so little performance in reserve.

Driving
Over a wide variety of surfaces, the car displays no real weakspots. The body is very stiff and is of a one-piece construction, allowing for the inclusion of a modern independent multi-link rear suspension and a lower centre of gravity. Rack-and-pinion steering offers drivers plenty of feel.

Space
There's lots of headroom in the Cherokee, front and rear. It's also easy for those in the back to get comfortable, as there's plenty of legroom, although it's not really wide enough for three adults. The boot with the seats in place is a generous 821 litres, although this soon increases to a massive 1,954 litres. The rear door is side opening and split in half for easy access.

Build quality
The dash layout is simple but there's not much to lift the cabin since it's made from a dull looking plastic. However, it's tough, rugged and shouldn't fall apart in a hurry when you hose it out after some off-roading. Engines should also be reliable and the four-wheel drive system is what Jeep is best at building.

Equipment
The entry-level Sport has aircon, electric windows all round and a CD player while more expensive models have alloys, cruise control, metallic paint and electric operated seats. A sunroof is an option across the range.

Safety
The base Sport model has just two front airbags but from the Limited trim upwards there are curtain airbags too. Anti-lock brakes are standard throughout but traction and stability control are not available.

Owning
Driving the American Dream may set you back a hefty wadge of cash at the fuel station, but the feeling of invincibility you get from behind the wheel more than makes up for this. Independent suspension at the front means it's not quite so capable off-road as its square predecesssor, but it's still no bad performer in the rough stuff

Value
It's the same price as smaller engined rivals, but it has the benefit of much larger engines. And only a total numb nut could argue with its impeccable pedigree and cool looks.

Verdict
Has everything an SUV needs - the badge, the styling, the ability to go anywhere. All it's lacking is a decent on-road performance. That said, as most will be used in towns and on the school run, it has performance enough for most.

http://www.topgear.com/drives/B9/A0/

This is what the UK press writes about the new KK Cherokee:

Rating:**

Is it a brave new era of quality and refinement for off-roader?

It’s one of the most famous badges in off-roading, and with 65 years of mud-plugging heritage, few companies can rival the 4x4 kudos of Jeep.

But the compact SUV market is tough, so the new Cherokee has to be good to compete. The line-up couldn’t be simpler: the car is offered solely in Limited trim with a 2.8 CRD diesel. Your only choice is between the auto box in our model and a manual.

With squared-off angles and a prominent grille, the styling appears dated, although it’s unmistakably Jeep, and is just what fans are looking for.

Unfortunately, even the most avid brand enthusiasts will find it hard to be impressed by the interior. The flat dash design is old-fashioned and uninspiring, while the quality and fit of the materials is way behind rivals from Europe and Japan. The driving position is cramped, too; there’s no reach adjustment on the steering wheel and the large transmission tunnel means the footwell is uncomfortably narrow.

Rear legroom is compromised as well, and the high boot floor means luggage room is poor for a car of this size. The only cabin feature worth recommending is the £950 Sky Slider full-length opening canvas roof.

As you would expect, a rugged chassis and decent wheel clearance mean the Jeep can handle hardcore off-roading. But few owners will need this and despite new suspension, the handling on tarmac is poor.

The steering has very low gearing – you need to turn the wheel a lot to get any response – while at speed the complete lack of feedback is disconcerting. Add in a poorly damped ride, which allows the suspension to crash over bumpy surfaces, and lots of body roll, and this car is hard to enjoy on the road. At speed it’s not very refined, and while the 2.8-litre diesel isn’t short on performance, it sounds harsh under power. All of which will disappoint those who were hoping the Cherokee would take a big leap forward.

http://www.autoexpress.co.uk/carreviews ... rokee.html

tonycrd · **Posted:** Tue Aug 19, 2008 7:28 am

Hmm, I wonder if the KJ bashing started like this on XJ forums

( just a joke )

Jeep has to do something to keep up with the Pathfinder and Outlander etc. Those are all boxy. If I would have bought a KK if that was the new model in '02...probably not. Then I would have bought a Grand Cherokee.

What I do not like about the KK is that it looks....silly. It's smaller then a KJ and with that enormous chrome front it's sorta out of balance. Like asif it wants to be a Caddy Escalade.

Shame they didn't look even more at the Hummer H3 ( notice how JEEP lowered the roof and made the sidewindows smaller?), although thats based on another GM product and so doesn't have a decent 4x4 drive train I would have bought one right away with that styling and a decent JEEP 4x4 system. ( so not with a darn 'button, I want a lever! )

I fel for the KJ because of the WWII retro styling. And that it was sort of a sporty mix between a Grand and a Wrangler.

What's not to like? We may all now have a model that will become unique in JEEP history!

Dutchy · **Posted:** Tue Aug 19, 2008 7:47 am

tonycrd wrote:

Hmm, I wonder if the KJ bashing started like this on XJ forums

( just a joke )

Jeep has to do something to keep up with the Pathfinder and Outlander etc. Those are all boxy. If I would have bought a KK if that was the new model in '02...probably not. Then I would have bought a Grand Cherokee.

What I do not like about the KK is that it looks....silly. It's smaller then a KJ and with that enormous chrome front it's sorta out of balance. Like asif it wants to be a Caddy Escalade.

Shame they didn't look even more at the Hummer H3 ( notice how JEEP lowered the roof and made the sidewindows smaller?), although thats based on another GM product and so doesn't have a decent 4x4 drive train I would have bought one right away with that styling and a decent JEEP 4x4 system. ( so not with a darn 'button, I want a lever! )

I fel for the KJ because of the WWII retro styling. And that it was sort of a sporty mix between a Grand and a Wrangler.

What's not to like? We may all now have a model that will become unique in JEEP history!

X2
the KJ is still the best looking 4x4 out there.

DarbyWalters · **Posted:** Tue Aug 19, 2008 7:52 am

Dutchy wrote:

This is what the UK press said when the KJ Cherokee came out:

Performance
The 2776cc four-cylinder diesel is coarse and despite a claimed 266lb ft of torque being on tap, it doesn't feel at all quick. On the motorway it's tiring to drive as there's so little performance in reserve.

http://www.autoexpress.co.uk/carreviews ... rokee.html

The US version is the next generation 2.8L with a different turbo setup (VVT) and 295ft pounds of torque instead of the regular turbo with a wastegate.

Sir Sam · **Posted:** Tue Aug 19, 2008 12:29 pm

Dutchy wrote:

This is what the UK press said when the KJ Cherokee came out:

Rating ****

Jeep's most popular model, and it's easy to see why. The Cherokee is a competitive contender in a competitive class and also boasts a little more individuality than most

Performance
With the demise of the 2.4-litre petrol, you've got a choice of a 3.7 V6 and a 2.8-litre diesel. The 201bhp and 230lb ft of torque generated by the V6 makes piloting the Cherokee effortless. It's also surprisingly quiet, but floor the throttle and things start to get a bit on the vocal side. The auto gearbox that you have to have with this engine isn't especially sophisticated and the ride is surprisingly bouncy, but it's very smooth and quiet at motorway speeds. The 2776cc four-cylinder diesel is coarse and despite a claimed 266lb ft of torque being on tap, it doesn't feel at all quick. On the motorway it's tiring to drive as there's so little performance in reserve.

Driving
Over a wide variety of surfaces, the car displays no real weakspots. The body is very stiff and is of a one-piece construction, allowing for the inclusion of a modern independent multi-link rear suspension and a lower centre of gravity. Rack-and-pinion steering offers drivers plenty of feel.

Space
There's lots of headroom in the Cherokee, front and rear. It's also easy for those in the back to get comfortable, as there's plenty of legroom, although it's not really wide enough for three adults. The boot with the seats in place is a generous 821 litres, although this soon increases to a massive 1,954 litres. The rear door is side opening and split in half for easy access.

Build quality
The dash layout is simple but there's not much to lift the cabin since it's made from a dull looking plastic. However, it's tough, rugged and shouldn't fall apart in a hurry when you hose it out after some off-roading. Engines should also be reliable and the four-wheel drive system is what Jeep is best at building.

Equipment
The entry-level Sport has aircon, electric windows all round and a CD player while more expensive models have alloys, cruise control, metallic paint and electric operated seats. A sunroof is an option across the range.

Safety
The base Sport model has just two front airbags but from the Limited trim upwards there are curtain airbags too. Anti-lock brakes are standard throughout but traction and stability control are not available.

Owning
Driving the American Dream may set you back a hefty wadge of cash at the fuel station, but the feeling of invincibility you get from behind the wheel more than makes up for this. Independent suspension at the front means it's not quite so capable off-road as its square predecesssor, but it's still no bad performer in the rough stuff

Value
It's the same price as smaller engined rivals, but it has the benefit of much larger engines. And only a total numb nut could argue with its impeccable pedigree and cool looks.

Verdict
Has everything an SUV needs - the badge, the styling, the ability to go anywhere. All it's lacking is a decent on-road performance. That said, as most will be used in towns and on the school run, it has performance enough for most.

http://www.topgear.com/drives/B9/A0/

This is what the UK press writes about the new KK Cherokee:

Rating:**

Is it a brave new era of quality and refinement for off-roader?

It’s one of the most famous badges in off-roading, and with 65 years of mud-plugging heritage, few companies can rival the 4x4 kudos of Jeep.

But the compact SUV market is tough, so the new Cherokee has to be good to compete. The line-up couldn’t be simpler: the car is offered solely in Limited trim with a 2.8 CRD diesel. Your only choice is between the auto box in our model and a manual.

With squared-off angles and a prominent grille, the styling appears dated, although it’s unmistakably Jeep, and is just what fans are looking for.

Unfortunately, even the most avid brand enthusiasts will find it hard to be impressed by the interior. The flat dash design is old-fashioned and uninspiring, while the quality and fit of the materials is way behind rivals from Europe and Japan. The driving position is cramped, too; there’s no reach adjustment on the steering wheel and the large transmission tunnel means the footwell is uncomfortably narrow.

Rear legroom is compromised as well, and the high boot floor means luggage room is poor for a car of this size. The only cabin feature worth recommending is the £950 Sky Slider full-length opening canvas roof.

As you would expect, a rugged chassis and decent wheel clearance mean the Jeep can handle hardcore off-roading. But few owners will need this and despite new suspension, the handling on tarmac is poor.

The steering has very low gearing – you need to turn the wheel a lot to get any response – while at speed the complete lack of feedback is disconcerting. Add in a poorly damped ride, which allows the suspension to crash over bumpy surfaces, and lots of body roll, and this car is hard to enjoy on the road. At speed it’s not very refined, and while the 2.8-litre diesel isn’t short on performance, it sounds harsh under power. All of which will disappoint those who were hoping the Cherokee would take a big leap forward.

http://www.autoexpress.co.uk/carreviews ... rokee.html

I don't know what this article is talking about with the "demise of the 2.4L"............that factoid seems off.

Dutchy · **Posted:** Wed Aug 20, 2008 5:03 am

DarbyWalters wrote:

[
The US version is the next generation 2.8L with a different turbo setup (VVT) and 295ft pounds of torque instead of the regular turbo with a wastegate.

This is the same engine and over here it has 302 lb/ft for the manual and 339 lb/ft for the auto shifter to be precise, it will be adapted to the US market and that will probably lower the output to accomodate for the lower quality of diesel you guys have over there (as they did with the KJ).
.

Sir Sam wrote:

[

don't know what this article is talking about with the "demise of the 2.4L"............that factoid seems off.
DarbyWalters quote. .

The 2.4L KJ was killed off in the UK very soon as it made no sense, high fuel consumption and low output.
Maybe your are confused because in the states the 2.4L was sold for a longer period

DarbyWalters · **Posted:** Wed Aug 20, 2008 4:51 pm

REferring to the original post that indicated 260 lbs/torque.

There were two engines used before the 2.8L we got Stateside and a new version after ours.
2.5 L
2.8 L
2.8 L (our version)
2.8 L (new Euro Version w/ new injection system)

The 260 lbs/torque was the one that they stated was horrible at higher speeds. The US Version with the VVT Turbo and 295 lbs/torque has plenty of "uumph" at highway speeds. That was the point of my post.

What would have happened if the Cherokee was replaced with..

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