Need a SUV, Explorer, Jeep, Bravada, Jimmy, what1?

[LS2JSTS]

I'm always on the lookout for a good deal on a 99-02 Cherokee. Hard to find a good price, they seem to be very valued by a group of us out here.

From your list, I'd get the Jeep and never think twice about it. As far as parts go, that will never be a problem.

 

[SLCraig]

I'd go for Cherokee too.. I thought for a while I'd actually like to buy one of those too, but I decided against it due to fuel costs. I love the late 90's, early '00 grand cherokees. Great trucks.

 

[MNgopher]

I see lots of recommendations for the Jeep. I own an '88 Cherokee with the 4.0 and a '97 Explorer with the 4.0. Between the two:

Jeep:
Pro: A tank in off road conditions, 4.0/transmission are rugged and durable, a true "utility" in the SUV, parts are easy to come by (lots made... Not sure where the comment on parts being hard to come by came from...), better fuel economy than the explorer!
Cons: Smaller Interior, rougher ride

Explorer: Very comfortable interior, more space, parts are extremely easy to come by, smoother ride (though still a truck)
Cons: Lower ground clearance, engine (4.0 anyways) has lower durability (though nice to drive), 5.0 will be an AWD (no true 4x4 available behind the 5.0)

Between the two, it would depend on what you are going to do: The jeep is the better utility vehicle, the explorer is a better grocery getter/station wagon with limited off road ability.

Not better or worse than each other - just different!

 

[eljefino]

If all you want is to tow with your beater I'd think hard about a 2wd SUV. It's more likely to have stayed parked during the worst of winter. And there's less stuff to break. They are not as easy to maintain as your saturn, but still better than transverse V6 FWD cars.

 

[dwcopple]

So a Grand Cherokee (2003) with the 4.0 should be a reliable ride too then right?

 

[urrlord]

stay away from the blazer/jimmy.
i have 2 friends that owned those things.1 fellow bought one with about 30 k on it.auto transmission went out.when his mechanic put it up on the lift there was a rebuild sticker already on the transmission case labelled for 18 k.
the other guy has had transmission ,radiator,a/c cooling and water leakage in to the cabin problems.said he regrets the day he set eyes on it.
my dad has a 5.0 explorer the only problems he has had is getting his tires replaced under recall and i think a wiper relay.
as for the jeep...well it's a jeep.

 

[eljefino]

The 4.0 powertrain will be good (think the Aisin warner trans also makes it into the grand cherokees) but depending on the interior options the rest of the truck might be a lemon. The auto climate controls for example are terrible.

My alignment guy says everything about the suspension was slightly weirdly different between 6 and 8 cyl versions of that SUV, making parts slightly odder and harder to find.

 

[d00df00d]

Originally Posted By: SL2
is the 4wd harder on the suspension components/transmission/Tires?

Maybe a little, but I wouldn't worry too much about it with the vehicles you're considering.


Originally Posted By: SL2
I know they do not handle like a car, how easy are they when it comes to flipping?

Smoothness is key.

Other than that, pay attention, drive carefully, keep your tire pressures up, and keep your suspension in good shape.

If you can do that, you have nothing to worry about.

 

[stumpypete]

If you are willing to take the gas mileage penalty I'd put the Expedition on your list. They can be had cheap and would give you more of that crownvic ride with towing and deep snow capability. And the extra space can always come in handy.

 

[CROWNVIC4LIFE]

Originally Posted By: stumpypete
If you are willing to take the gas mileage penalty I'd put the Expedition on your list. They can be had cheap and would give you more of that crownvic ride with towing and deep snow capability. And the extra space can always come in handy.


+1

 

[OVERKILL]

Originally Posted By: CROWNVIC4LIFE
Originally Posted By: stumpypete
If you are willing to take the gas mileage penalty I'd put the Expedition on your list. They can be had cheap and would give you more of that crownvic ride with towing and deep snow capability. And the extra space can always come in handy.


+1



+2

We've had three of them. They are fantastic.

 

[Nick R]

Originally Posted By: stumpypete
If you are willing to take the gas mileage penalty I'd put the Expedition on your list. They can be had cheap and would give you more of that crownvic ride with towing and deep snow capability. And the extra space can always come in handy.


Love our 4.6L 03 expy.

 

[JDD]

Anecdotal observations and feedback from people that I know that have the vehicles you list:
1. Explorers can go to either extreme--very reliable to [censored]. My 2001 explorer sport has been fantastic, but it's a 2wd and It now has 132K miles and has been trouble free. I bought it with 70K. Other people that have had them--about a third were [censored] and the rest, people were very happy with.
2. Jeep Cherokees---everyone that I know that has had one says they are pretty tough and relatively trouble free. There is a cult following with this vehicle, and prices can be high for the year. They are also better off road for sure than the others.

3. S-10 based SUVs are generally [censored]. I don't know ANYONE who does not say their vehicle was a money pit. I know I will not own another one (1993 S-15 Jimmy that was babied and maintained perfectly by it's only two owners). They eat front suspension/steering parts for breakfast and the brakes just plain suck.

IMO, the Cherokee is the best overall out of those you listed.