Aces High Bulletin Board

General Forums => The O' Club => Topic started by: JB73 on October 15, 2007, 07:05:44 PM

Title: SUV question
Post by: JB73 on October 15, 2007, 07:05:44 PM
I am looking for a new car as mine died, finances say my stepfather will pay up to $2100 for one for me with me paying him back in 6-12 months so I am quite limited in my options... I've always wanted an SUV and since winter is coming here in WI why not try one out for a while...
thats just background as to WHY I am asking this question.


What do any of you know about these 2 choices I am going to look at tomorrow:

1994 Nissan Pathfinder EX V6

1993 Jeep Cherokee 2-door


I have always had a yearning to own a Jeep Cherokee, but IIRC the pathfinder is very reliable. both have similar features, AC/power/cruise/CD and so on, and with $1000 of each other.

which of the 2 would you o'clubers recommend?
Title: SUV question
Post by: nirvana on October 15, 2007, 07:09:32 PM
Since your in Wisconsin I'd imagine that both have 4 wheel drive.  If they don't then skip 'em.  If the Cherokee has the I6 motor I'd definitely go with that as the engines are good for at least 300,000 if they are taken care of.  

Besides that, jeeps are usually easy to fix.  Oh yeah, Take John's advice and get them checked out as well.
Title: SUV question
Post by: john9001 on October 15, 2007, 07:12:23 PM
your talking 14-15 year old vehicles, i would have them checked out by a qualified tech before i buy.
Title: SUV question
Post by: texasmom on October 15, 2007, 07:21:00 PM
Jeep Cherokee.  When you open the door to climb in:  No stooping down to plop into the seat. No climbing up on a step to sit.  Just slide right in.

Then, on the way out, it's not a jump to the ground, and it's not a pull yourself up to standing.  Just slide right out.

That alone is worth lots.
Title: SUV question
Post by: Tarmac on October 15, 2007, 07:30:07 PM
Cherokee, because I love mine. :)
Title: SUV question
Post by: Captain Virgil Hilts on October 15, 2007, 07:32:21 PM
I prefer the 91-94 S-10 Blazer 4 door 4x4 myself. We have three, all are solid and reliable, get 22 MPG or so on the road, and 18 in town. Sure footed, comfortable, and affordable. We paid less than $800 each for them. They are all 4.3 Vortec V6 automatic equipped, and two of the three came with power windows and power door locks. They also have oil coolers and remote oil filters.

They do have slight rust issues at the bottom of the doors, and behind the rear wheel wells. Easy to fix, and if you keep them clean and dry (meaning you wash off the salt, grime, and mud on a regular basis) it won't come back. I'm painting mine an OD based camo, because we use it to hunt and the OD camo is tough and hides small flaws. It has enough power to tow a small trailer with two 4 wheelers, haul enough gear for two guys to hunt for 3-5 days, and haul two big guys (both well over 200#) up hills and anywhere you need to go.
Title: SUV question
Post by: JB73 on October 15, 2007, 07:32:53 PM
I figured the Jeep, but just the straight kelly blue book on the Pathfinder... its a hell of a deal, asking $1999 (not a dealer, I don't know why he is asking that) KBB says $2800

http://www.cars.com/go/search/detail.jsp;?tracktype=usedcc&searchType=22&pageNumber=0&numResultsPerPage=250&largeNumResultsPerPage=0&sortorder=descending&sortfield=PRICE+descending&certifiedOnly=false&criteria=K-%7CE-ANY%7CB-3000%7CA-1000%7CH-%7CN-N%7CR-30%7CI-1%7CP-PRICE+descending%7CQ-descending%7CX-popular%7CZ-53022&aff=onwisconsin&paId=244299860&recnum=134&leadExists=true

it just looks like a "too good to be true"



on the other hand the Jeep is being sold by a woman in one of the richest suburbs of Milwaukee and her listing price is exactly the KBB value for the car with 100,000 miles.
I'm going to guess the Jeep has had an "easier" life, though it is a 4WD it is only a 2 door (rare for jeeps).

will be a tough call after looking at them I bet. I do like all the bells and whistles I am used to, AC, remote entry, cruise, power windows, and such, The Jeep ad only says AC, and CD player so I don't know what else it has.


decisions decisions. LOL

oh and for reliability, as long as it makes it a year or so to get me on my feet all is good... anything after is a bonus. I tend to keep a car until it totally dies anyway, or I have for all the cars I have owned. drove them into the junkyard, usually after a good life.
Title: SUV question
Post by: AWMac on October 15, 2007, 07:39:19 PM
(http://www.offroaders.com/tech/jeep/hist_jeep.gif)
JEEP, JEEP!!

:aok

Mac

Will the Real Jeep Please stand up? (http://images.google.com/imgres?imgurl=http://www.offroaders.com/tech/jeep/hist_jeep.gif&imgrefurl=http://www.offroaders.com/tech/jeep/Real-Jeep.htm&h=140&w=138&sz=4&hl=en&start=4&tbnid=Eg2UyWGlY5SF9M:&tbnh=93&tbnw=92&prev=/images%3Fq%3DPopeye%2BJeep%26gbv%3D2%26svnum%3D10%26hl%3Den)
Title: SUV question
Post by: RedTop on October 15, 2007, 08:16:46 PM
Nissan just because I like th elooks of the pathfinders....Jeep because they seem to last a long time.

I have a "Mid" size SUV. You will live it once you get in either one of em.

Mine hauls 2 sets of clubs...5 pairs of golf shoes...2 dozen balls...extra stuff I think I might need sometime....

All in the back....

SUV's be da sizzle dizzle....mo fizzle fo yo nizzle fo shizzle:rofl
Title: SUV question
Post by: ghi on October 15, 2007, 08:16:46 PM
i would never buy a car older than 4-5 years,  think when you are out of warranty 1 hour of work at most shops is about 50-70$,
 My first car when i imigrate in Canada in the winter of  98,,,"was "89 Ford Probe,   i payed 2500$, for the blo0dy lemon, I got plates insurance and brought it home happy , i took my wife for a ride, and after we went to automatic Shell car wash, we were both inside and both windows just opened and got stuck open, was a hell of shower , even the car wash assistant was laughing his *** looking at us covered in foams, after few months my transmision parts were passing me at stop sign, it cost 1500$,  i also payed 50$ for junk yard towing truck to take it for sandwiches.
  with 2000$, i would better use them as down payement for the cheapest but new car on the market, and now at the end of the year, until  january are great discounts deals for 2007 models,
Title: SUV question
Post by: storch on October 15, 2007, 08:34:50 PM
wow a 1994 vehicle. hmmm.  tough choice.  I suspect they are both worn out.  if it were me though no question it would be the nissan.
Title: SUV question
Post by: GtoRA2 on October 15, 2007, 08:36:10 PM
If you plan on taking it off road the jeep is the way to go, the solid axle makes it much better off road.

If not whatever one is in better shape, though I bet the jeep is easier and cheaper to keep running.
Title: SUV question
Post by: nirvana on October 15, 2007, 08:42:19 PM
The power windows and doors are nice and all until they break and you're paying $300-$400 for a new regulator or motor.  Simple is always better in that area.  I'd still go with the Cherokee, take it for a test drive and listen for any knocks and see if she has any receipts from past repairs.  Also ask if there has ever been a head gasket job.  Blown head gaskets are always a big no no in my book, once the factory gasket is gone they are never the same.
Title: SUV question
Post by: lazs2 on October 16, 2007, 08:26:54 AM
virgil.. my girlfriend has an s10 with a 4.3 in 4 wheel drive but it is a pickup.. get's 22 or more mpg and has a lot of power.. probly blow off most stock v8 pickups off up to 70 or so...  reliable and roomy enough with the extended cab.

The only issues have been radiator and fuel pumps... the fuel pumps are expensive in the thing... oh... and getting at that one spark plug..

lazs
Title: SUV question
Post by: Maverick on October 16, 2007, 11:33:45 AM
Go with the Jeep. They are pretty darn simple, reliable and easy to get parts for. A buddy of mine has one now that has over 250k miles on it and still is getting 22 MPG with the original engine, no overhaul yet. He did lose a transfer case while it was being towed behind his RV last month and got a used one shipped to him pretty reasonably and quickly. Getting in and out of the back seat is a pain but the car runs well and keeps on running.
Title: SUV question
Post by: Louis XVII on October 16, 2007, 12:14:14 PM
Quote
Originally posted by GtoRA2
If you plan on taking it off road the jeep is the way to go, the solid axle makes it much better off road.
Solid axle - does that mean a "lock-up" differential, and would that be front, back, or both? And is the lock-up feature permanent, or can it be turned on/off?
Title: SUV question
Post by: GtoRA2 on October 16, 2007, 12:35:56 PM
Quote
Originally posted by Louis XVII
Solid axle - does that mean a "lock-up" differential, and would that be front, back, or both? And is the lock-up feature permanent, or can it be turned on/off?


No by solid axle I mean, the axle in the front is much like the one in the back with a fixed axle housing with tubes pressed on. Most new SUVs come with independent front suspension, what that means is each side has its own axle with CV joint and can move on its own.

A solid axle is one solid peace so when a wheel goes up the whole axle tilts making one wheel more likely to stay down and in contact.  

This makes lockers, what you are talking about less important.

Lockers in general are not a standard option on anything but Jeep Rubicons,  but are available in most SUVS that make claims to offroad prowess, though mostly just in the rear axle.
Title: SUV question
Post by: wooly15 on October 16, 2007, 12:36:13 PM
I've had alot of experience with jeeps especially Cherokee's and I would recommend that route.  They are tough little buggers and that inline six is almost invincible.  My 87 wrangler (same engine) ran with dirt, sand, etc in the engine from the gaskets on the top of the valve cover gone and it never missed a beat.  I sold it with 220k miles on it and it was still going strong.  Be prepared to buy a new thermostat...90% of the jeeps I worked on needed new ones...pretty inexpensive.
Title: SUV question
Post by: JB73 on October 16, 2007, 08:44:33 PM
well sorry to say to some:

I am buying the pathfinder.


the jeep had some fairly decent rust on the passenger side, blowback oil coming out of the top breather, 1 whole side of the engine looked like "wet" oil, tires 3/4 bald, stripped down to nothing, no power locks even, nothing, only a speedometer and fuel gauge, no other instruments, the entire weatherstripping on the driver door was missing and a breeze felt at 25 MPH, and 185,000 miles.


pathfinder: might need brakes, tires less than 1 year old, engine clean, all anemities work, though the aftermarket stereo BEEPS loud when you adjust the volume.



pathfinder was in the possession of Ali for 7 1/2 years, seems to be taken care of. jeep was a 16 year old's first car 3 years ago (who knows history before that). she kept the interior clean, but who knows what she did learning to drive in her first car.


$1900 tomorrow and I am the owner of my first import.
Title: SUV question
Post by: Maverick on October 16, 2007, 09:29:30 PM
Given the condition you just posted, yep the jeep was the second choice. Good luck with the Pathfinder.
Title: SUV question
Post by: GtoRA2 on October 16, 2007, 09:36:27 PM
Well if you have to buy one of the two you should get the one in better shape.
 People even wheel pathfinders.  (http://www.xplorx4.com/)

I have wheeled with that guy a couple of times, he has it about as far as you can take a IFS 4X4 without an axle swap. Cool guy.


If you had time to shop around and wanted a vehicle like that, I would still recommend the jeep.