‘Fetch my Stetson and call me Randy’
Danny inherits a Jeep Grand Cherokee and loves it
Sometimes fate plays a hand and you get to enjoy automotive toys that you would never choose for yourself. No bad thing in my book – it’s a motoring adventure. So when my brother in-law offered me his 1998 Jeep Grand Cherokee (one of the last of the ZJS) I jumped at it.
It was Sean’s ride for almost 20 years and he and partner Audrey had looked after it impeccably. So with 67,000 miles on the clock and as an Orvis (top of the range), you would expect the impending need for new brakes and an exhaust system to be a financial no-brainer. There would surely be plenty of life in that old bus yet? Surely?
Not so. Jeeps of this era are going through the doldrums in terms of value. The cost of repairs would outstrip the value of the car so Sean asked if I would like to give it some love. My own rates are a lot cheaper than those in north London where this Orvis had spent most of its life, so a new exhaust system was found and fitted for under £200 and discs and pads all round totalled a further £180. With a bleed and a full service I found myself with a leather-lined luxury off-roader for £500… including a fresh MOT.
Last year Quentin Willson tipped the Jeep for big things and considering what you get for the money I can see his point. The moment you settle into the big armchair that passes for a driver’s seat and start to play with the many toys available to you, you realise that is a carefully and securely screwed together bit of kit. It is wellthought-out, too, with everything you need falling to hand instinctively. Compared to the Range Rover P38 I enjoyed earlier this year it is an ergonomic tour de force
It’s not as roomy as you would expect on the inside but there is comfort for all, particularly in the Orvis that gives you leather and wood cappings along with tinted glass and electric everything. It makes for awkward off-roading because the seats do not hold you in place; a shame considering how good the AWD Jeep is in the mud.
There is a decent load bay when the internally mounted spare wheel is removed and rear seats folded forward. But to be honest this bus is as enjoyable as a mile-muncher as it is as a dirt-plugger. With road tyres and well weighted steering it feels quite chuckable in a soft roly-poly way.
The 4-litre 185bhp straight-six lump is smooth and torquey. It is also famously dependable, one of the most reliable engines ever built, and delivers its power through the well spaced, super-rugged 4-speed A500-SE auto box.
Strong and stable then, although my 21mpg average so far is tough to live with. Only fail… the air-con has gone pop. Pat from classic air-con specialist Fenair (fenair.co.uk) tells me that a £250 condenser is required. I’ll put that on the To-do list. But I will do it. This Jeep is ace.