Hey guys, me & my gf are currently in the market for a WJ for her. I've read reviews, but would like to get some more feedback. I obviously have experience with the I6 since i've had a TJ & currently own a XJ, (they're great!) but havent really heard anything good or bad regarding the V8's in the Wj's. We found a couple really nice V8's but im cautious to pull the trigger. Are they gonna be reliable or under powered or what? (Doesnt need to be a race car)

It's gonna be a DD that we'll probably end up putting a small lift and 31's on.
(4inch & 32's if I have my way) Other than that we're looking at around 70k on the clock @ $7-8k price range.

Thanks in advance, & sorry for putting it in here, but didnt get any feedback in GC chat...

 

We've put over 86,000 miles on our '04 WJ w/the 4.7L V8 since new, and haven't had a single drivetrain problem. There was an issue with the front brakes but that was fixed on the recall. The engine runs great. In the mountains it seems to perform better with mid-grade gas though. It doesn't use any oil between 3,000 mile changes, and never has leaked a drop. It gets 18-21 MPG on a trip depending on traffic. We/she loves it.
It has better steering and brakes than my ZJ, and rides smoother too, but my ZJ has the Up-Country suspension package, so that may account for the differring rides.JMO

Edit:The 4.7L V8, while no torque-monster, has plenty of power.
Dan

 

Don't get me wrong the wj is usually depenble unit, however I am not a fan. At the dealership (where i work) we see a lot of broken wj's usually electrical issues and heater issues(broken mode doors) as well i wouldn't recomennd any of themthat have the hydraulic fan very $$$$ to replace. I have had one grand cherokee and it gave me more grief than all of the other tj's and xj's that i have owned .....
goodluck!!

 

My dad has a '99 WJ with the 4.7L and my friend has an '02 WJ with the 4.0 that shes let me drive a few times. The 4.7L definately has more power. Since the WJ is heavier than the XJ the 4.0 seems a TAD slow. Its not bad though. The V8 seems to get basically the same gas mileage as the 4.0. My dads 4.7L hasn't had ANY drivetrain problems so far and its got about 180K on it. However if I found a really nice WJ with the 4.0 I wouldn't pass it up just because it lacked the V8. Another plus with the 4.0 is you get the 242 transfer case, so you won't be in 4x4 all the time. Some people like the full-time x-fer cases but i've heard some who have issues with theirs. It all depends mostly on what you feel comfortable working on. If you tow then i'd get the V8, but as far as the 4.0, theres a green WJ laredo 4.0 in my town with 35's and it moves along quite nicely.

 

Thanks guys... Based on these comments i think it's a definit consideration on the V8...