So, I am searching for a vehicle to replace my pick'em'up. Not that I don't love my b2000, but with wee Isaac in the picture now, and my semi-redneck lifestyle, I find myself wanting more seats, more towing capacity, and more-wheel-drive.

After a tonne of searching, I thought I wanted a TJ Unlimited, like so:

http://toronto.kijiji.ca/c-cars-vehi...QAdIdZ83384768

$15k gets a nice one. Less if you can haggle.

The 2 doors is a bit of an issue, but the top comes off, which is cool. Then I got thinking: A cherokee is nearly the same suspension wise (solid axle, but coils in front only), and has the same engine, and can be had with a manual transmission. Plus, a nice, sub-150,000km Cherokee can be had for well under $5k.

So, I'm throwing it out to the group for input: Which Jeep, or should I spend the dough and get a 4runner?

 

http://toronto.kijiji.ca/c-cars-vehi...QAdIdZ68816876

http://toronto.kijiji.ca/c-cars-vehi...QAdIdZ86387767

we can cruise together

 

1. Too big
2. Too heavy
3. Too many miles
4. Owning a GM is like giving a Donkey a Stradivarius: You don't know why you did it, and you'll soon wish you hadn't.
5: Automatic transmissions are for cripples and high-functioning mentals.

 

Way to crush Leigh's dream. lol

 

Jeeps arn't reliable enough. Their 4.0L I6 is fantastic, but they are hard on gas.

Toyota for the win because If I didnt have a Land Rover, I'd have a Land Cruiser. For sure. This coming from a guy who pays the same amount per KM to maintain his Land Rover as it costs a Ferrari 550 Marrenallo.


Nissan Pathfinders are nice.

But Toyota is #1 for reliability for sure.

 

Jeep 318's are reliable, but bad on gas, same for their 4.0L's, but I wouldn't touch anything else. I also have seen 4 L's go through oil pumps and the like, but not that often. I think a toyota would be way nicer, and more reliable. But seriously, if I was you and wanted to buy a vehicle, I'd wait 6 months and buy it off e-bay US. You're going to kick yourself when you see the same vehicle you just purchased for like, 5-10k less...

 

Go for the Jeep! I've got a 98' 2dr Cherokee 4.0L 5Speed, couldnt have been better. We've had it since new, and has now just crossed the 300,000km mark. Never broke down, never had any issues. The only things that were replaced was the Power steering pump and Alt. Which were both this year.

As im sure you've heard these motors last forever, and they arent that bad on gas as people say. We've used it for a bit of everything, Off-roading, Towing, and lugging the back full of anything that could fit.

and to top it off....Parts are cheap and plentiful!

 

The 4 Runners are nice, and are really easy to work on... Lots of aftermarket support when you have to replace some OEM stuff.

15k will get you a decent 01-03 Double Cab Tacoma, the 3.4L is plenty tough, and torquey enough to have lots of fun with. The 04-09 with the 4L is sweet, but a little more expensive.

And if you get the TRD you get the locker out back.

 

My only advice is to avoid going off-road with any new jeeps.

Last weekend I towed 2 new Rubicons out of the bush because of overheating. 1 had a blown clutch, all of them within a year old.


NEVER towed a toyota (unless it was stuck). Done a couple fords. Nobody uses chevies off-road, ever. At least around here.

 

I towed two full sized Chev pick-ups out of axle deep slush with my 4cyl. Tacoma, I have never gotten it stuck yet and I do beat the hell out of it.

 

I have two Jeeps .

I bought a 94 Grand cherokee 4.0 Laredo in 2004 with 275,000 km on it for 3800$. It now has 375,000 and runs the same as whenI bought it . Solid vehicle , still quiet cabin ( no dash squeeks etc.) and rus strong . I've put ina starter, a water pump , tires and shocks . Never let me down . and started lookin for another one this summer.

I found a Loaded 2001 60th anniversary GC with the mercedes 4.7 V8 with 160K and paid $9500 in august . Man those heated seats are nice . The all wheel drive system works perfect switching from rear wheel 2 to 4 wheel instantly whenthe traction is needed .

Both Jeeps have been great to me . I am trying to unload the 94 for $1500 , but still no takers .

 

I like the unlimited. More interior space but doesn't look retarded like the 4dr's.

 

I am digging the Unlimited, but there are only 2 seatbelts in the back, so I'd only be keeping it ~4 years, meaning I'd eat $10k in depreciation. Starting with a $4k Cherokee, even if I lose all of its value, I am ahead.

Now, can I put one of those sliding fabric roofs on it.

 

I took an 02 GC 4L off road once. It had the Quadra-Trac 2 AWD (Similar to the setup in my land rover). It had 3 Limited Slips in it, so it virtually had full lockers, it was pretty cool, just typically no ground clearance so you were bashing skid plates all day. I'd honestly recommend one of those. Very comfortable and the AWD works flawlessly.

4.7L V8 is the best modern V8 engine dodge ever built, or so I've been told by dodge mechanics.


If I did another Jeep, probably do a TJ Rubicon. It was the last of the greats. Never do a YJ again. It was like a Stagecoach barrelling down a rutted dirt track, only with 150 More Horses propelling it. Belive it or not, the TJ Unlimited would probably be a better choice off-road. Longer wheelbases have their advantages as well.

 

Dearest Feds,
Yous surely gotsa know from yur Generous Motors days about most of them thar USA vehickles. They aint call "heap of a Jeep" for nuthin!

 

Sure, but the Cherokee was designed by a URupeen! It's practically a BMW!

 

I've never heard of a BMW SUV. Alls they make are cheap knock-offs they like to call SUV's.

 

I'd buy a Toyota 4runner long before I'd buy a jeep. That's probably because I hate chrysler with a passion. The only smart thing they ever did was purchase Cummins diesel engines for their trucks. You can get a really nice 4runner limited now for around the 10k mark. They're tough too my uncle pulled my 2000 F150 extended cab 4x4 off road out of the snow with his 1993 4runner. It has the
22RE 4 cylinder and very bald tires at the time. I couldn't believe it. It was a miracle.

 

Dodge used to own a 1/3rd of Cummins. Cummins was doing so well, they bought themselves back. The only reason I would buy a dodge IS the Cummins. Otherwise I dont really care for their trucks.

I would look for a Land Cruiser from the US. A little on the large side but you get V8 power and Full Lockers, as well as legendary reliability. The Key to these 4x4's doing so well is their weight. Since they weigh so much, it supplies tons of traction, even with bald tires.

 

To me a jeep owner is a bit like an RX7 owner

those that don't have them don't really understand the attraction. (like non rotary owners)

the jeep has a LONG history , it is a true 4x4 vehicle and despite the odd things that are annoying about, it some how adds to its character ( not unlike our 7's ) . I've never really thought of the three Jeeps I've owned as a Chrylser product , strange as that sounds

 

Jeeps were great when they were made by ****** etc. Once the evil Pentastar Empire took over..........................

 

4-Runner FTW

only jeep I would get would be the 90's straight 6 Cherokee 4x4 NOT the grand Cherokee... those engines are notorious for being bullet-proof

 

The 90's Cherokee is exactly what I am after. Although a JDM Land Cruiser also makes an interesting case for itself:

http://www.zenautoworks.ca/Sold%20Un...20-%20SOLD.htm