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US vs European cars...

1K views 15 replies 10 participants last post by  Shaggs2Dope 
#1 ·
Hi I am considering buying a Grand Cherokee that's for sale here in France. Turns out the car I am considering is a us import rather than european - as I understand it the european cars were built in Austria - any reason why US (Mexico?) build should be better or worse than Austrian? Any significant differences in spec?

TIA for any input you can give me....

Generally speaking the car looks good...


Cheers
 
#2 ·
Hi I am considering buying a Grand Cherokee that's for sale here in France. Turns out the car I am considering is a us import rather than european - as I understand it the european cars were built in Austria - any reason why US (Mexico?) build should be better or worse than Austrian? Any significant differences in spec?

TIA for any input you can give me....

Generally speaking the car looks good...

Cheers
Austria ones are galvanised so MUCH less likely to rust,
they have electrically heated and adjustable door mirrors,
they have self levelling and electrically adjustable headlamps,
indicator side repeaters in the front wings (fenders),
option of the two diesel motors (3.1 up to 2002 and 2.7 2002 on, both I5).
Upcountry suspension was std on the diesels and available on petrol/gas models right up til the end of production whereas it was stopped earlier on US cars.
Production ceased in 2004 model year in the US but you can find 2005 model year ones built in Austria (same spec as 04 though).
Plus other bits that i cant recall right now!:thumbsup:
 
#3 ·
That's really helpful input, thanks - does seem as though the US market cars are built to a lower spec.

The only thing that really bothers me is the lack of galvanising and hence rust possibilities - what is the WJ corrosion reputation like in the US?


Cheers

Jerry
 
#4 ·
That's really helpful input, thanks - does seem as though the US market cars are built to a lower spec.

The only thing that really bothers me is the lack of galvanising and hence rust possibilities - what is the WJ corrosion reputation like in the US?

Cheers

Jerry
Im obviously not in the States but it seems to me that if you live in the hot/dry South you have no rust at all.....but if you live in the salted North (love the way they call it the "rust belt") then the cars seem to biodegrade to their original compounds within minutes!! Some of the rust related threads on here have pics you would not believe!:laugh:
 
#5 ·
I have two jeeps. A 1999 jgc and a 2003 jgc. They have lived here with me in goo ole Ohio snowy roads and salt. And the 1999 just about 6 months ago grew its first rust apot. Sad. But I was impressed. However I do see some here in Ohio where a portion of the drivers side quarter panel is completely rusted through.
 
#15 ·
These are the best I have and I've had it all apart and there's no rust aside from a couple of surface spots but nothing that would cause any problems.
Okay, you win, :D But seriously, that's less rust than any other WJ I've seen around here. Mine has a bit more than average, but all the WJs I pass by have at least some body rust.

I bet the previous owner got some nice expensive undercoating done to make it last.
 
#14 ·
the WG DON'T have also adjustable foot pedals and "parking lights", the panic function on the key fob, original hitch receiver and selec-trac transmission (242 TC)
that's all I think.


talking about the mirros, wg and wj has both heated e adjustable, but WG ones are also self-closing(button on the door)
 
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