Interesting comment from a new mechanic I went to this week:

When he asked for year/make/model, I went ahead with "'97 Jeep Cherokee". He of course asked: "Grand Cherokee?" I said "no, just Cherokee".

So he came back with, "Oh, so the Baby Cherokee, right?"

Wasn't sure how to take it. Not thrilled with labeling my vehicle "baby". On the other hand, if it helps mechanics keep it straight on the difference between a Grand and XJ, especially when it comes to repairs and ordering parts, then I can live with it.

Anybody else run across the term "baby Cherokee"? There are bunches of XJs in my area, so I'm guessing this guy didn't just come up with it on the spot.

 

been there before. when i go into NAPA or other parts stores i mostly get "oh the baby jeep?" or "the wagon?" and of course like you said "is it Grand?" get old real quick..

 

I've heard "regular Cherokee" or Grand Cherokee, but not baby

 

they used to make a full size cherokee that may be why there term baby. They are much bigger.

 

the chances of them know about FSJ cherokees are slim to none, no one at my Advanced Auto know that, or alot of other **** on jeeps in general haha :laugh:

 

Around here most do but could be because we have a few of them as well as J trucks and some commandos and jeepsters.

 

I guess I don't really care if people don't know the difference between a Grand and a regular Cherokee. As a parts store person you have to assume the customer doesn't know about their vehicle. I'm sure there's a lot of customers that have come in needing stuff for their "Cherokee" and not specifying that it was a Grand, and if you don't ask them Grand or regular, you're going to give them the wrong stuff.

If the guy called it a baby Cherokee, I'd probably laugh and just say "No, the regular one.

 

Sounds to me like he has no idea what he is talking about.

 

Time to find a new mechanic..

 

xj cherokees are the baby version of the sj cherokee

 

It is so cool to see SJ's on the trail

 

me: its a jeep cherokee
autozone: you mean grand cherokee
me:no, its a just a cherokee
autozone: never heard of just a cherokee

 

'compact cherokee' in my state lol

 

I didn't make the connection with the old SJs. I kinda doubt this mechanic had those in mind; I know I've never seen an SJ around these parts. But you never know, he might be familiar with them.

I know the "Cherokee/Grand Cherokee" distinction is a hot-button topic around here, that's why I was curious on opinions. Like I said, whatever he needs to keep it straight and not screw up my Cherk, I can live with.

 

Ditto - then again, if you parked one of your 35's on the hood of his Honda with your ARB bumper sticking straight into the air he would be prompted to take a different view of this vehicle.