2000 Jeep Grand Cherokee Laredo 2wd review from North America

I received this car because I was offered a deal I couldn't resist. Some friends of the family were the original owners of the Jeep, and didn't want to take the time and money to fix it. They put 150k miles on it in just 7 years, but about 98% freeway. The tranny all the sudden blew and the car wouldn't shift out of first gear. We purchased a used tranny with only 30k on it from a dismantler for only $800, and I installed it myself. It runs perfectly fine now, but there are some things about the vehicle I'm not too happy with.

Here's a list:

- Transmission

- Rotors and brakes

- Electrical problems

- Shocks and struts

- Fold down seat design

- Infinity Gold sound system

- Headlights

-Gas mileage.

- The rotors and brake pads go out way too fast. It's an SUV and I don't ride my brakes at all. The design needs some work.

- The light switch went bad as well. (Dimmer switch, turn signals, headlights, etc.) The interior lights would go on and off out of literally no where. I bought a new switch for $50 at a dismantler.

- I would expect more from the suspension system in a jeep. Every small bump feels like a pothole!

- The handle where you pull down the seat broke off on the driver side rear seat. Not too bright of an idea with cheap plastic pulling against metal.

- I'm sure you've heard all about this one already. The Infinity Gold sound system has a few flaws. The CD player skips every once in a while, and the cassette hook up for the ipod doesn't work every once in a while. The tweeters on the dash also blew out very easily.

- The headlight lenses are extremely hazy and refuse to get clean. I've tried everything and it looks like I'm going to have to replace the entire lens now.

- Lastly, this car is a 6cyl 2wd. I would expect at least 20mpg on the freeway, not 14-15. You would have to drive under 2000rpm the entire time, which is about 50mph, in order to get 18mpg. You might as well go with the V8 4wd; you'll be getting pretty much the same gas mileage.

That seems to be just about all I can think of that has gone wrong. I have to admit though, for an American SUV, it really isn't all that bad. The things that have gone wrong seem to be somewhat typical for 150k. Besides all of that, I enjoy getting into the car and am not afraid to drive it anywhere.