If you were to buy a used 4WD vehicle... what would it be?

[public servant]

I saw a very nicely maintained 1999 Jeep Cherokee Sport w/4.0 litre six cylinder locally for around 4500 bucks. It has low miles (for the year), excellent body, cd player, 4 wheel drive (is that even an option?). It would be a great car for if and when we have rugrats. I want a Wrangler so bad I can't stand it but I will have to wait.

I think Jeep made some 2WD versions for specialty orders...gov't. and such. But you won't find many. That's a damn good price.

2001 is the last year they made the Cherokee Sport in the traditional body style. I think the new crap they sell is ugly. Jeep sued Hummer over the design of their front grill and lost...they've been pissed ever since...so they changed the body style. WTH??

Tell me this is not sweet.... Looks just like mine...except my grill is not chrome.

 

[public servant]

I just don't understand why you would discontinue the best selling vehicle you ever made... Perhaps they lasted too long?

 

[Indecision]

The jeep 6cyls are bullet proof, but i've never heard of problems with the 4cyl. If you intend to offroad with it. I would look into a ZJ (Grand Cherokee) cuz they have coil overs front and rear in opposed to the XJ (Cherokee Sport) I don't know the years for the XJ off the top of my head, but not much changed year to year. 98-02 ZJs are supposed to be the best years, but I don't know why. I have a TJ 98-05 Wrangler. I love it, but it's pretty loud and I some days I don't like the fact it's my daily. I have hard doors/roof on it. If you plan to go wheeling, 98+ has coil overs on all 4 corners that make them a bit more capable. All of the older ones are still nice though. I think the XJ is the best bang for the buck, especially if you don't plan to spend a lot of time off pavement, but might go occasionally.

 

[Boilers]

Veyron

hehe

Just use this search. Sign up, and get alerts based on your criteria, too. That is how I got my awesome Prius.

Also, call circlecar(s).com... they might broker for you.

But here is a search.... look through these and get an idea of what is available nearby and in your price range.

Jeep Cherokee is my suggestion.

Find Your Car: Listings Near Indianapolis, IN 46207 - AutoTrader.com

But here are the least mileage 4x4s, withing 100 miles, with UNDER 75k miles.

Find Your Car: Listings Near Indianapolis, IN 46207 - AutoTrader.com


But, snow is not a reason to buy a 4x4. Not much snow around anymore. Plus 4x4s are or can be more costly to maintain.

This Honda (Isuzu) looks good if an SUV is your thing.
Cars for Sale: 2000 Honda Passport EX in Urbana, IL 61802: Sport Utility Details - 267787259 - AutoTrader.com

The most versatile vehicle that you could get is this AWD minivan.
Cars for Sale: 2002 Chrysler Voyager in DAYTON , OH 45459: Van Details - 268940124 - AutoTrader.com

Just enough 4x4 for SNOW... which isn't much.

If you want AWD, though, look at used subbies.
AWD Search... Find Your Car: Listings Near Indianapolis, IN 46207 - AutoTrader.com

 

[femurphy77]

I know a couple of cherokee owners and both of them have said never again. They both also said how much fun they are in the snow and easy to fix. Not much of an answer huh? If it's just for commuting I've always thought one of the subarus might be the ticket but am totally happy with my 2000 super duty diesel.

 

[Boilers]

I know a guy that has had three subbies. And I've been surprised at the issues he's had. Now, with Toyota perhaps increasing ownership in Subaru, as well as sharing assembly facilities, AND coming out with a new Toy/Sub car soon, perhaps Subbies will get better quality-wise?

I still like most Subarus, though.

 

[Clay]

If you plan to go wheeling, 98+ has coil overs on all 4 corners that make them a bit more capable. All of the older ones are still nice though. I think the XJ is the best bang for the buck, especially if you don't plan to spend a lot of time off pavement, but might go occasionally.

Ive owned both a TJ and an XJ and Ive been to the Badlands in both for some wheelin. Coils are not the end all-be all for jeep suspension. They are nice for on-road comfort, and they are great for some nice axle droop poser shots, but when you really need your rear suspension to stay loaded up and connected to the body, nothing beats a good set of flexy leaf springs!!

Plus, with the XJ and leafs you can get a tow rating of 5K lbs. right from the factory.

You guys are really pushing the jeep button in my brain again with this thread. I missed my XJ when I sold it, and I missed my TJ when I traded it last winter. I need to start looking for an XJ again, as it was, for me, the most versatile vehicle Ive owned.

 

[Boilers]

Here is a truck ...
What the Truck? for $5,500! - 1966 Ford F100 - Jalopnik

 

[Boilers]

Ive owned both a TJ and an XJ and Ive been to the Badlands in both for some wheelin. Coils are not the end all-be all for jeep suspension. They are nice for on-road comfort, and they are great for some nice axle droop poser shots, but when you really need your rear suspension to stay loaded up and connected to the body, nothing beats a good set of flexy leaf springs!!

Plus, with the XJ and leafs you can get a tow rating of 5K lbs. right from the factory.

You guys are really pushing the jeep button in my brain again with this thread. I missed my XJ when I sold it, and I missed my TJ when I traded it last winter. I need to start looking for an XJ again, as it was, for me, the most versatile vehicle Ive owned.

They just need to start making it again.
But the Jeep Patriot is pretty good. On snow it stacks up well to competition. I took it out in 8" snow back-to-back against RAV4, CR-V, RDX and it did very well. RDX is sweet in snow, though.

 

[Indecision]

I know a guy that has had three subbies. And I've been surprised at the issues he's had. Now, with Toyota perhaps increasing ownership in Subaru, as well as sharing assembly facilities, AND coming out with a new Toy/Sub car soon, perhaps Subbies will get better quality-wise?

I still like most Subarus, though.

That's odd, most of my friends down in NC have Scubys and they only problems any of them ever had were user induced. I'm thinking about trading my TJ in on a WRX.

 

[hotfarmboy1]

I'm still partial to a good Ford truck, whether an F150 or F250-F350 superduty. Either one will take good care of you. Very reliable and will give you more room to haul than any Jeep

We have both a 95 F250 4x4, reg cab, long bed, 351W v8, 5 spd manual. And a 2000 F250 SD 4x4, ext cab, short bed, 7.3 powerstroke, 6 spd manual. And both run and drive great. The 95 is now our spray truck, and the 2000 is dad's daily drive and work truck. He was saying he wanted to start driving his ranger again, but still won't seem to give up his diesel.

 

[henktermaat]

I'd have to go with any Toyota, they're so reliable.

 

[Boilers]

That's odd, most of my friends down in NC have Scubys and they only problems any of them ever had were user induced. I'm thinking about trading my TJ in on a WRX.

I don't know a whole lot of Subaru owners. The one guy I know that has/had them had two WRXs and one Outback. I think they had (some under warranty) transmission issues, and some good leaks. Other issues, too, I just can't recall.

 

[kludge]

so I guess a max of $5,000.

Jeep Cherokee.

Avoid the Grand Cherokee.

 

[Boilers]

Cars.com has 3 Cherokees with low(er) mileage.
Used Cars for Sale: Listings Near 46202 - Cars.com

Here is a nice one
2001 Jeep Cherokee, $5,995 - Cars.com



There are only 10 Jeep Cherokee 4x4 with less than 100k under $5500 listed on AutoTrader in the US.

Find Your Car: Jeep Cherokee Listings Near Indianapolis, IN 46202 - AutoTrader.com

 

[CSK22]

Ive got a tank..... i mean 98 jeep charokee. I'm sure for 5k you could get a much newer one assuming obama hasn't tore them all apart.

 

[SavageEagle]

My vote is for an old Bronco (Full Size ONLY) or a Blazer (Full Size Only)! I know you can pick up the older Tahoe's and Expedition's at about your price too. I'd go with something older, with easier to find parts, and easy to work on.

On the other hand ANYTHING you buy will be easy to work on than a PONTIAC!! I can't believe you LIKE those hunks of CRAP!

 

[public servant]

If you're looking for something to play with...and as a project...you might look at a Suzuki Samurai. They were built from 1986-1995. The motors were junk and good for only about 75K miles...throw away. But the rest of the drive train was nearly indestructible. With a little modification you could drop in a small V-6. The modification possibilities were endless. And they would go anywhere...even stock...until that junky motor gave out. I had an '87 and an '89. Lots of fun.

 

[henktermaat]

If you're looking for something to play with...and as a project...you might look at a Suzuki Samurai. They were built from 1986-1995. The motors were junk and good for only about 75K miles...throw away. But the rest of the drive train was nearly indestructible. With a little modification you could drop in a small V-6. The modification possibilities were endless. And they would go anywhere...even stock...until that junky motor gave out. I had an '87 and an '89. Lots of fun.

I second this- I have a relative who has a few of them for ranch duty in the desert mountains out west- they are like mountain goats - they go anywhere with little to no trouble.

 

[Newbomb92]

What's with the Cherokee's hatin' on the GC's? The Grand Cherokee is MUCH roomier and looks much more stylish.