Mohican

Greeting everyone, first post here. If I'm in the wrong section, please feel free to move the thread as appropriate.

My original plan was to ride out this insanely hot used car market for a few years in my 2011 R51 Pathfinder (just over 110k miles). I’m the 2nd owner - first owners clearly didn’t take much care washing the vehicle but made sure all the maintenance was taken care of. Being on the shore of Lake Erie, that resulted in rust. I did strip the frame and cross members as best as I could and coated it in POR15. But suspension components fasteners are a real BEAR on this thing. Having learnt my lesson on the rear shocks, I'm going to have a shop take care of the front struts and such. Outside of the cat heat shield rattle, no issues on it.
I bought the Pathy 2 years ago below KBB having had to fix the ac compressor and switched out the radiator myself along with fluids and such. But with the prices right now, I might actually be able to make a small profit despite adding 14,000 miles. I struggle getting rid of it because it’s been very reliable and is a pretty decent long distance hauler.

Things changed recently when a friend of a friend reached out saying he wants to get rid of his ‘04 JGC Laredo with the V8 engine. It’s got 140k miles and I believe he’s the 3rd owner. Claims to not have much in the way of rust, but that’s subjective here in the rust belt. He’s willing to cut me a deal for $1,500 to get rid of it. That in itself tempts me to buy it, but I only get 2 parking spots at the apt complex.

My thought was sell the Pathy at “market” price which is nuts, take the small profit and get the JGC assuming it doesn’t have a ton of rust or major issues and ride out this market. Sell it off later in a couple of years and buy me a less rust/no rust SUV from out west when the used car market cools down.

What do the folks here think? I’ve heard good things of the 4.0 6 cyl but am clueless on the 4.7 V8.

Thoughts, feedback, advice, pearls of wisdom, opinions would be greatly welcomed!

Mad Pup

The in-line 6 cylinder Jeep engine is widely regarded as being more robust, and less prone to wear and tear, in comparison with the 4.7V8, but with regular maintenance, those 4.7V8 motors have been known to last well over 300 K miles. More to the point the gas mileage observed for both these engines is surprisingly pretty close, meaning there won't be much saved in terms of your monthly gas expenditure if you were to settle for a puny 4.0 liter 6 cylinder propelled vehicle as opposed to a V8 powered chariot.

If you do any towing at all, or ply roads with steep gradients, then you will certainly appreciate the extra horses under the hood of a V8-powered Jeep. I haven't owned a six-cylinder engine for years, and consider them a distinct liability and safety hazard due to their lackluster passing power on the highway. I'd rather pay a few extra dollars for gas every month, for the peace of mind that comes with knowing my vehicle will respond with alacrity when I stomp on the loud pedal for any reason. It just so happens that I recently snagged a 2004 Jeep WJ Laredo with the 4.7V8, and it is a beauty to behold. When the local shade-tree mechanic completes the various minor repairs on this fine specimen, I expect to drive it for many years to come, all else being equal.

So in conclusion, I will wax biblical as follows: Partaketh yee of the WJ V8, and thou shalt become a righteous man who shalt fear no evil along the highway of life. And so it shalt come to pass by the grace of the Good Lord who doth bless all things Mopar.

Mohican

Thanks for the detailed response! I’ve always wanted a WJ and if this ones in a decent shape, I might pull the trigger on it.
Are there any specific areas / major issues to watch out for in the 140k -150k miles range?
I read that the hydraulic fan clutch could be an issue - are these known to fail suddenly or is it more gradual?