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Car Forum / Driving, Maintenance, Tuning / 4x4 Cars / January 20054x4 Buying Recommendations
I am selling my 98 Silverado 3/4 ton, and would like some feedback on what vehicle would make a reliable commuting vehicle, but yet still be able to hit the trails. I am frequently on the backroads of Colorado and I was thinking about a Jeep. I prefer the CJ7, but perhaps there is something better. The guys at my office think I should get a Cherokee but I don't really like the Cherokee. Any suggestions would be appreciated. The last year of the CJ-7 was 1986, it is hard to think of any car that is 18+ years old to be reliable for commuting. But I do commute with my CJ7 daily. I would look at the newer TJ models (Wrangler), the 4.0L is a strong engine I would look at that over the 4cyl models. If you are looking for something newer the Rubicon model has many strong off-road options, but it still as worth on-road as their other models. >I am selling my 98 Silverado 3/4 ton, and would like some feedback on > what vehicle would make a reliable commuting vehicle, but yet still be [quoted text clipped - 3 lines] > Cherokee but I don't really like the Cherokee. Any suggestions would > be appreciated. Toyota 4Runner or similar vehicle >I am selling my 98 Silverado 3/4 ton, and would like some feedback on >what vehicle would make a reliable commuting vehicle, but yet still be [quoted text clipped - 3 lines] >Cherokee but I don't really like the Cherokee. Any suggestions would >be appreciated. ---- elbert.clarke@**us.army.mil remove the ** to email You might want to ask for opions over at "rec.autos.makers.jeep+willys" there you will find the best knowledgeable people on all things jeeps. Snow... > I am selling my 98 Silverado 3/4 ton, and would like some feedback on > what vehicle would make a reliable commuting vehicle, but yet still be [quoted text clipped - 3 lines] > Cherokee but I don't really like the Cherokee. Any suggestions would > be appreciated. I can only speak from what my hunting partners do, every time we go on a hunting trip they all want to take my jeep. They own so called off road 4x4s but they always go back to my jeep for the back country. HarryS >I am selling my 98 Silverado 3/4 ton, and would like some feedback on > what vehicle would make a reliable commuting vehicle, but yet still be [quoted text clipped - 3 lines] > Cherokee but I don't really like the Cherokee. Any suggestions would > be appreciated. Hello Loves2Backpack and HarryS, Go for the TJ or Rubicon. I owned/drove a CJ7 for 120,000 miles, sold it to an acquaintance who drove it 40,000, sold it to a mutual acquaintance who drove it 50,000 miles before it eventually rusted out. We all took the CJ off-road but used it mainly to commute although the 4.2 liter I-6 guzzled the gas a little bit. The TJs are much better with the 4.0 liter engine. I love my current driver (98 Tahoe 6.5TD) but I sure miss my CJ. Good luck, Franko > I can only speak from what my hunting partners do, every time we go on a > hunting trip they all want to take my jeep. They own so called off road 4x4s [quoted text clipped - 9 lines] > > Cherokee but I don't really like the Cherokee. Any suggestions would > > be appreciated. Agreed, he should check out the newer Jeep TJ or depending on budget the YJ. Don't expect better gas mileage than the CJ7 though, because you won't get it. The computerized fuel injection on the TJ is a bit of a gas hog, the old carb on the 4.2 gets a lot better mileage when kept tuned up. The TJ and the newer engines are more forgiving about regular tune ups than the older ones, that's for sure. The 4.2 will start running like a pig if not tuned at least every two years. I don't mind, because I do all my own tuning, if you have to run to a mechanic, it can get expensive because few mechanics these day have the first clue about carbs. (a carb kit is only $20.00, but no one knows how to install it so they charge $300.00 every time for a rebuilt instead of putting in the kit) My CJ7 is my daily driver and we take in on vacation trips too so we can hit the bush anytime or anywhere we want. Longest trip was a 4600 mile east coast run. We love the old thing! Mike 86/00 CJ7 Laredo, 33x9.5 BFG Muds, 'glass nose to tail in '00 88 Cherokee 235 BFG AT's > Hello Loves2Backpack and HarryS, > [quoted text clipped - 22 lines] > > > Cherokee but I don't really like the Cherokee. Any suggestions would > > > be appreciated. Thanks guys for your input. I think I am leaning toward the TJ. Anyone have any experience with buying an auto on Ebay? It looks like the place to buy a used vehicle as long as you can inspect the vehicle prior to handing over the cash. PSBarton@gmail.com (Loves2Backpack) writes in article <7a0d0674.0412021213.3428d0d2@posting.google.com> dated 2 Dec 2004 12:13:12 -0800: >Thanks guys for your input. I think I am leaning toward the TJ. >Anyone have any experience with buying an auto on Ebay? It looks like >the place to buy a used vehicle as long as you can inspect the vehicle >prior to handing over the cash. You have to be insane to *offer* any money for a vehicle[*] that you have not driven. Test-drive first, then bid. [*] Non-running parts cars excluded, assuming you are offerring less than 10% of the blue-book value if it were running. -- spud_demon -at- thundermaker.net The above may not (yet) represent the opinions of my employer. >I am selling my 98 Silverado 3/4 ton, and would like some feedback on > what vehicle would make a reliable commuting vehicle, but yet still be [quoted text clipped - 3 lines] > Cherokee but I don't really like the Cherokee. Any suggestions would > be appreciated. If you want reliability, go with a Toyota 4 Runner. Jeeps are ok, but not as reliable. http://groups-beta.google.com/group/How-do-I-drive-a-4x4 buy a land rover. > http://groups-beta.google.com/group/How-do-I-drive-a-4x4 I would leave it to that the best you can do is look at past history. I dont see the Jeep Camel Trophy adventure, or any Jeep cross country events. Land Rover is what jeep strives to be, even if it has to be after market parts, such as the terra flex system. To make any other comments that they arent competent or something like that just shows a lack of inteligence. 90% of a vehicles ability lies with the driver, unfortunately, some of the US market drivers are soccer moms and such and so you dont see them off road or you see them getting stuck. I would wager though that the same driver could go farther with a Rover than a Jeep. > I was thinking about a Jeep. I prefer the CJ7, but perhaps there >is something better. The guys at my office think I should get a >Cherokee but I don't really like the Cherokee. Any suggestions would >be appreciated. try a landcruiser, mines an 88. I pass up jeeps all the time.(only on the really steep climbs lol) MLM > > I was thinking about a Jeep. I prefer the CJ7, but perhaps there > >is something better. The guys at my office think I should get a [quoted text clipped - 4 lines] > really steep climbs lol) > MLM Good thing we are following with the winch when you hang all 4 over the top too eh? ;-) Mike 86/00 CJ7 Laredo, 33x9.5 BFG Muds, 'glass nose to tail in '00 88 Cherokee 235 BFG AT's >I am selling my 98 Silverado 3/4 ton, and would like some feedback on > what vehicle would make a reliable commuting vehicle, but yet still be [quoted text clipped - 3 lines] > Cherokee but I don't really like the Cherokee. Any suggestions would > be appreciated. Chevy Tahoe Z71 with a 5.3L Vortec engine. Great off road vehicle and a superb street truck. They can be as basic or as luxurious as you'd like and/or can afford. Plenty of clearance for mild to medium off road 'trails' without lifting it and there is enough protection to slide off the occasional rock. All you need is to change out the tires for side wall protection and you're good to go. Lots of cargo and passenger space and when needed throw in the third row seats. There are the obvious; Toyota 4 Runner, Sequoia or Land Cruiser and Ford and Dodge SUVs but there are a few sleepers such as the Cadillac Escalade, the Mitsubishi Montero Limited and the Lexus 470 which you'll never see off road but are some of the best built stock 4x4s on the market and luxury+. Bob Walker >I am selling my 98 Silverado 3/4 ton, and would like some feedback on >what vehicle would make a reliable commuting vehicle, but yet still be [quoted text clipped - 3 lines] >Cherokee but I don't really like the Cherokee. Any suggestions would >be appreciated. I bought a '90 YJ w/ an aftermarket fuel injection kit, lifted w/ 33's and lockers. It's a great offroad vehicle but with the trackbar and sway bars removed it drives like a pig in town. I live in northern CO and was able to do Storm Mtn, Moody Hill/Crystal Mtn, and Kelly Flats a couple of times before they started closing the trails. It's been an amazing vehicle and has outperformed even my highest expectations. The biggest problem is how heavy it drives on the road but I chalk that up to an offroad suspension package. Where abouts in CO do you live? Happy hunting... Gder This was the first time I posted to this group. You guys made some really great suggestions. Thanks. All this info and no one mentioned Land Rovers?? You can pick up a nice early 90s Range Rover or mid-late 90s Discovery for 4-5k. They are far more capable off and on road than any Jeep. Leather, heated seats, center locking diff...They are great and at the price they are a steal. As to buying on Ebay... I have bought my last 4 cars on Ebay. The only thing I can say is that you have to fly out to pick them up, that way you get no surprises. Better to waste the $$ on airfare than on a lemon. But 99% of the people are very honest and represent their vehicles very fairly. And at a signifigant discount. They are no wheres near as capable as a Jeep and way to much to maintain > All this info and no one mentioned Land Rovers?? You can pick up a nice > early 90s Range Rover or mid-late 90s Discovery for 4-5k. They are far [quoted text clipped - 5 lines] > lemon. But 99% of the people are very honest and represent their > vehicles very fairly. And at a signifigant discount. Id like to hear the justification that they are not as capable as a Jeep. For the Land Rover arguement, a stock land rover Disco, Defender or Range Rover will articulate any where from 10-16 inches over a stock TJ or GC. Also Jeep offers no center locking diff that I am aware of, the wading depth of a Jeep, GC or TJ is 6 inches less than a Rangie, which is the lowest of the group. The center of gravity in the Land Rovers is also far superior to the Jeeps. The discovery with a stock set up will stay stable up to 41 degrees. The jeeps would have gone over at 34 degrees. get into the new rovers and there is no comparison at all. The advertisement is that the new GC will beat a 325ix in the 0-60 and go in the dirt as well, right. Well my opinion is that if you want a little racer then you should buy a car, not an SUV. and if you want to go offroad, then get something competent. As to maintainance, well, Just empty every pocket comes to mind, it all depends on the vehicle you buy, if you buy a crapper of a jeep you will have tremendous maintainance and repair costs, same hold true with the Land Rover, however in my opinion the Rover is more reliable and will run longer if properly maintained. How often do you hear about Jeeps blowing Ujoints and having driveline issues. I rarely ever hear of the same with a land rover. My highest milage Rover is a 1996 Discovery, it has 141000 miles on it with all original engine, tranny, diff etc.. no major repairs(over $500) ever needed. Minor maintainance taken care of in my own garage and is dirt cheap to own. a TJ with minimal mods will out perform a rover anyday of the week...maybe not a GC but I know my TJ can > Id like to hear the justification that they are not as capable as a > Jeep. For the Land Rover arguement, a stock land rover Disco, Defender [quoted text clipped - 19 lines] > major repairs(over $500) ever needed. Minor maintainance taken care of > in my own garage and is dirt cheap to own. in what ways does it outperform the Rovers? Im not trying to be a vehicle nazi, just curious what you base your opinion on? I tried to base my opinions on stock vehicles, however if you get into "minimal modifications" on any of these rovers, I dont think the jeeps would be able to compete on any level. The Jeeps that I have seen modified to a point where they can compete with the Rovers are so far built up that they arent really road/freeway worthy. Which is another reason that the Rover shines, a bit of lift and some lockers and you would be hard pressed to stop it off road, and it still has great manners on road. Its not a street rod by any means but the speed and cornering should be left to cars.... Not trying to start a fight or anything but a TJ with a budget boost lift and 32X11.50's can go more places than the rover can.. I have a couple buddies with range rovers and land rovers and they cant make it up some obsticles where we go and cant go on some of the trails because they are larger.. the steep stair steps are easier for the tjs also I have seen... > in what ways does it outperform the Rovers? > Im not trying to be a vehicle nazi, just curious what you base your [quoted text clipped - 8 lines] > manners on road. Its not a street rod by any means but the speed and > cornering should be left to cars.... They both have their places and the LR is an extremely capable if overpriced 4x4. Watching a grown man cry when he opened the door and water 1' deep came pouring out of his $80,000.00 4x4 after he followed me through a deep mud puddle was kinda funny though, in a sad sort of way..... I posted a few shots in the past of us pulling the Land Rovers out of the mud puddles they try to follow us through over on alt.binaries.pictures.autos.4x4. They have no retention, but I found this archive of the group: http://www.usenet-replayer.com/groups/alt.binaries.pictures.autos.4x4.html Mike 86/00 CJ7 Laredo, 33x9.5 BFG Muds, 'glass nose to tail in '00 88 Cherokee 235 BFG AT's > in what ways does it outperform the Rovers? > Im not trying to be a vehicle nazi, just curious what you base your [quoted text clipped - 8 lines] > manners on road. Its not a street rod by any means but the speed and > cornering should be left to cars.... I agree that they both have their place, believe me nothing is more frustrating than the person who spends a ton of money on an SUV for it to be never driven off road. However.. those pics appear to be of a bone stock Disco II with street tires. So I think that the driver is more of the issue here. There are tons of pics on Discoweb.org of Discoveries that have minimal to extreme mods which would not be getting stuck in that type of puddle. As to the wheelbase they are pretty close. A Discovery being 100" and a Defender being 92.9, as opposed to the TJ 93.4" and the GC at 105.9". I think that the approach and departure angle are where the Jeep may have a slight advantage, at least over the Discovery. The TJ approach/departure being 41.8/31.3 respectively as to the Discovery 34.3/29.8 however that is a stock measurement. the addition of and aftermarket bumper, such as the arb or the SG will bring your approach angle over 50 degrees which is far better than you get with the stock jeep. I have some pics of my own Discovery up on www.goldrushexpeditions.com , it is used as an expedition vehicle and performs very well. and yes.. if you look there is even a pic of the rover pulling out a Jeep too...To each his own but I wouldnt rule it out when looking for a good used vehicle. very nice rig! > I agree that they both have their place, believe me nothing is more > frustrating than the person who spends a ton of money on an SUV for it [quoted text clipped - 16 lines] > too...To each his own but I wouldnt rule it out when looking for a good > used vehicle. Those are 'Disco's' and you are right about the stock tires. But look where they are stuck! They do get way back in there, even just bone stock. If they had bigger tires under there, they would have the clearance to follow easy in most places, but that snow stuck would have bogged anything with less than 35" tires on it. Serious mud under that snow.... The one gent in the blue one in the dark photos got hauled into the back of the Dealer when he was there for a tune up and he though he was in sh.t or something and the whole back shop gave him a standing ovation for all the mud they found under it. LOL! I still send out regular invites to a couple LR folks to join us on our Jeep runs. They show up lots too. We have bone stock Jeeps on our runs too, our Cherokee is bone stock so giving a tug here and there is expected by all.... In the place we used to wheel where those shots are from, the LR factory team used to bring folks in to learn how to drive their rigs. Unfortunatly non off roaders ruined the area due to major construction waste dumping and stolen car dumping. It got closed down. :-( I am in Canada and even used those things cost a fortune. I was trying to find an old one when I went 4x4 shopping and couldn't touch anything I saw with the money I had to spend. If it runs it is worth more than $5000.00 period no matter the shape or milage. I looked at yours. It looks like it will run nice! I sill like my CJ7 or any old CJ best out of 'all' types of 4x4's. I love the 'classic' face and shape and the ease of repair. Mine is the white one in those photos, she goes really nice and is a daily driver. Mike 86/00 CJ7 Laredo, 33x9.5 BFG Muds, 'glass nose to tail in '00 88 Cherokee 235 BFG AT's > I agree that they both have their place, believe me nothing is more > frustrating than the person who spends a ton of money on an SUV for it [quoted text clipped - 16 lines] > too...To each his own but I wouldnt rule it out when looking for a good > used vehicle. I posted a few shots in the past of us pulling the Land Rovers out of the mud puddles they try to follow us through over on alt.binaries.pictures.autos.4x4. They have no retention, but I found this archive of the group: http://www.usenet-replayer.com/groups/alt.binaries.pictures.autos.4x4.html Mike 86/00 CJ7 Laredo, 33x9.5 BFG Muds, 'glass nose to tail in '00 88 Cherokee 235 BFG AT's Those were great! Thanks! Now I know why I never see those POS on the trails! > All this info and no one mentioned Land Rovers?? You can pick up a > nice early 90s Range Rover or mid-late 90s Discovery for 4-5k. They [quoted text clipped - 5 lines] > airfare than on a lemon. But 99% of the people are very honest and > represent their vehicles very fairly. And at a signifigant discount. The break down all the time. Reliability is the worst on Land Rovers. > > All this info and no one mentioned Land Rovers?? You can pick up a > > nice early 90s Range Rover or mid-late 90s Discovery for 4-5k. They [quoted text clipped - 7 lines] > > The break down all the time. Reliability is the worst on Land Rovers. I must be lucky then. I just traded my 95 Cherokee in for a 2nd 98 Discovery. The Cherokee had everything (torque converter, transfer case, transmission, etc....) but the engine replaced before 100K miles and I took damn good care of it! My old Discovery has had nothing replaced and its going on 110K and gets driven harder then the Cherokee and is cared for the same. Just got the 2nd one Discovery, identicle year, make, etc... with only 56K for $11500. Discovery's are soo easy to work on that I to do all the maintenance on mine as well. All this info and no one mentioned Land Rovers?? You can pick up a nice early 90s Range Rover or mid-late 90s Discovery for 4-5k. They are far more capable off and on road than any Jeep. and the "terra flex" system that you see so proudly advertised, well it only lets the Jeeps attempt to articulate the way the Rovers do. Leather, heated seats, center locking diff...They are great and at the price they are a steal. As to buying on Ebay... I have bought my last 4 cars on Ebay. The only thing I can say is that you have to fly out to pick them up, that way you get no surprises. Better to waste the $$ on airfare than on a lemon. But 99% of the people are very honest and represent their vehicles very fairly. And at a signifigant discount. feel free to email me if you have any questions about the Rovers. oh and Im new to this group but it seems like a pretty good little bunch!! Thanks for letting me add my .02 cents. |
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