My Piece of Crap 2001 Jeep Grand Cherokee Laredo - How much is too much?

[pianoman9701]

So, I've whined about the car before. I bought it with 110K on it and started spending money almost immediately. Last year, I had to replace the engine. So this weekend, I hitched up the neighbor's trailer to take my year's worth of yard debris. Got the truck around back, filled up the trailer, and then when I tried to start it, the key turns smoothly in the ignition without having any effect at all. Not only is the ignition switch gone, but a piece has broken off of the steering column and Jeep doesn't sell parts for the steering column - they come as a whole unit. So now, I have to buy a new (or used) steering column.

So my questions is this: After paying $7500 and then spending $9K since I bought it and now, probably another $1K or more once I get the estimate, what do I do? I can't sell the thing for anywhere near what I have into it. I hesitate to sell it because I don't want to start this whole process over again with another vehicle. Anything you guys have for advice, I'd appreciate. I'm at my wits end. 

[follow maggie]

If you have any way at all of getting a newer rig, junk the jeep. Everyone I know that's had one has been an endless money pit. Might as well stop the bleeding sooner rather than later and move on

[6x6in6]

Maybe you could find one with a blown motor, lower miles and with any great luck really nicely equipped?
Swap in your fresh motor.  Take off anything else that you like from your current one and install.  Part out your current one to try and re-coup the buy of the replacement?
Just a thought....

[coachcw]

keep pooring money in it and keep us mechanics going ! should be plenty of collums in the bone yard this isn't a deal breaker . try getting ahold of elkoholic1 he may be able to hook you up .

[Mark Brenckle]

Maybe you could find one with a blown motor, lower miles and with any great luck really nicely equipped?
Swap in your fresh motor.  Take off anything else that you like from your current one and install.  Part out your current one to try and re-coup the buy of the replacement?
Just a thought....

  If not this, then a combination of this and "follow maggie's" response. At some point, you have to stop pouring money into a lost cause, part it out and chalk it up to lessons learned (I'll NEVER buy another VW for this same exact reason - I'm sure they make some great cars, just none of the ones I've owned).

[Jerbear]

Why not splice into the ignition wires and mount a new switch in or under the dash.  Any good mechanic could do it for you.

[JohnVH]

get a manual, learn how to fix things yourself, buy parts used or off the net. That will save you many thousands

[buglebuster]

The wifes 04 is scaring me, think its about to start havin problems to

[Heredoggydoggy]

Back in the late '90s a guy I was working with was bragging about the plush Jeep Grand Cherokee he bougt his wife.  He got mad at me for telling him to mortgage his house if he ever had to take it in to have something fixed.  A couple of weeks later he apologized to me and said I was right--he had to have it repaired, and it cost so much, he turned around and sold it.  Unless you have the income of a Doctor or Lawyer, don't buy one!   

About 5 years ago, I had an accident with my 91 Ranger and it was totalled.  I was talking to the tow truck driver, and mentioned that I was thinking of getting a Jeep to replace it, and he said:  "Oh,God, no!  I'm towing those things off the highway all the time!"  I never did get a Jeep.... 

[dewandgin]

Can't do a push button without somehow bypassing the SKIM module. Check a wrecking yard and pick up a column for a couple hundred at the most put it in and have them program it and your good to go. Sounds like you have had some terrible luck with this so once it gets running it would have a for sale sign in it for $6500-$7000 with all the receipts and sell it.
   I guess I got lucky as hell I had a 2001 Grand Cherokee with the 4.7 and loaded with every option available and drove it 157k and never did anything other than normal maintenance. Sold it last year for $6000 and regretted it ever since

[fish vacuum]

If you have any way at all of getting a newer rig, junk the jeep. Everyone I know that's had one has been an endless money pit. Might as well stop the bleeding sooner rather than later and move on

  I've known people who owned Jeeps and we've had a couple at work. Nothing but problems. No way I'd ever own one.

[JoeE]

My 94 Wrangler was bullet proof and I beat the crap out of it and drove it back and forth between souther California and Washington when I was in the military at least a dozen times. Other than breaking a U-joint it didn't have many problems. My ex wife has a 2006 Jeep Grand Cherokee and its also been a great vehicle for her. I also took part in beating the hell out of an 89 Cherokee and that also held up great. They are good vehicles in my opinion. Now don't get me started about VW's.

[pianoman9701]

I appreciate all of the suggestions, gang. I found a steering column at a junk yard and they're going to install it for me. It's still going to end up costing me almost $700 before tax. I guess I do have to stop the bleeding at some point. It just seems like I have almost a new vehicle, yet there are still so many things I haven't replaced.

[Skyvalhunter]

YET!!!

[Bofire]

  every company makes the occasional Lemon and the occasional car that "you just can't kill", sounds to me like you got a lemon!!
Sorry but I agree stop the bleeding.
Carl