I've been looking at cars for a long time as you all know. Trying to decide what would be best to buy next. Mark VIII, Town Car, Brougham...... Grand Cherokee??

I'd never really considered a 4x4 or a Jeep before. But since driving all sorts of SUV's and trucks at work, I'm starting to like them...a lot. I always liked luxury cars, but I've driven a few of the 93-98 Grand Cherokees at work, and they're surprisingly nice inside. Great seats, lots of electronic goodies, nice interior design. It's literally like the Cadillac of SUV's (Escalade not included). Also, the 1st gen Grand Cherokee is one of the best looking SUV's ever, especially the Limiteds. They're amazing off road (much better than the Tahoes and Suburbans!), and they're actually quite small, which makes them much easier to manuver in traffic, plus that full time 4x4 will be a major advantage in the MN winters!

Well anyways, I'd really love to get a 1998 Jeep Grand Cherokee 5.9 Limited. For those who aren't familiar with Jeeps, they were the fastest SUV ever, at the time, one of the most expensive, and probably the best SUV offroad (aside from the Wrangler and H1) at the time. If I'm not mistaken, they're roughly as quick as a Hemi Grand Cherokee, but with 100hp less! They'll do 0-60 about as quick as a N* ETC or STS, and they can even do it in the rain! They have all the amenities standard that most Cadillacs have optional. The 5.9 is a great motor too, lots of aftermarket and still a pretty simple, reliable design. But I'm not sure how reliable the rear ends on those are, or the transfer case. I've heard about problems with the rear ends. They use the same rear axle as the 4.0 GC's, but the 5.9 has an additional 100 lb/ft, so that excess of power can (and often will) destroy the Dana35 rear axle. The other negative is the gas mileage. It's horrible. The 5.9 Limited is rated at 13/17, roughly the same as a '77 Eldorado Biarritz. :crybaby: The 5.2 is rated at 14/18, which still sucks. For comparison, my deVille is rated at 16/25.

Who's got experience with Jeeps, Grand Cherokees or 4x4's in general?

My kid drives a 99wj,very capable suv.My dd's are always 4x4's,always have been.

I drove a 4X4 tahoe for about 9 years before getting my CTS. Loved it!!! Just got tired of filling the gas tank!

I definitely want a truck. One of these will do.....

http://www.cars.com/features/mvp/cadillac/escalade/images/main_cadillac_escalade.jpg
http://www.cars.com/features/mvp/gmc/yukon_denali/images/main_yukonxldenali.jpg

I drove the Denali too, Loooooooooooooooooove......

I drove different Explorers for 11 years before I bought my CTS. I also currently have an Expedition. In the northeast, you really need something. I love my trucks and will always have an SUV of some type. Perhaps someday I will have a Cayenne Turbo S.... somday.

You talking REAL 4 WHEEL DRIVE here?:D

Icelantic Jeep Racing - dumpalink.com (http://www.dumpalink.com/media/1148980789/Icelantic_Jeep_Racing)

I love the 4X4 image. I just can't justify one in the flatlands of Kansas. The two or three times we get enough snow and ice to matter, can't make up for the crappy mileage the rest of the year.
For me, my van satisfies my hauling needs.

Jeeps are not good at drifting!!:eek:

Jeep Flip - dumpalink.com (http://www.dumpalink.com/media/1158257005/Jeep_Flip)

See it's funny, I used to HATE SUV's. Now after driving a bunch at Southview, I'm really starting to like them. The Grand Cherokee is about the perfect size SUV for me. I don't need anything bigger, and anything smaller is just too small. The small size (about three feet shorter overall than my deVille) makes for good manuverability, it's easy to park and that size is great for off roading. The Grand Cherokee Limiteds are as loaded or more loaded than an Escalade, and much more manuverable than a Tahoe or Yukon.

Here, lemme show you guys some pics of the 5.9 Limited that I really want...

http://a332.g.akamai.net/f/332/936/12h/www.edmunds.com//pictures/VEHICLE/1998/Jeep/9078/006083-E.jpg
http://a332.g.akamai.net/f/332/936/12h/www.edmunds.com//pictures/VEHICLE/1998/Jeep/9078/006040-E.jpg
http://a332.g.akamai.net/f/332/936/12h/www.edmunds.com//pictures/VEHICLE/1998/Jeep/9078/006063-E.jpg

My GF had a Jeep Cherokee, just looked and felt cheap inside to me!

5.9 Grand Cherokees have a HUGE aftermarket for that engine...make 500hp with a lil work :)

Does anyone like the 2000 GMC Sierra 1500? I'm thinking of buying one that has 4wheel drive, z71 package, tow kit, a v8 5.3 liter engine and with 84,000 on it. It has a performance exhaust and some other goodies and is in good shape. I plan on offering 8500 which is KBB private party value.

It will be my second car and I'll probably put 5,000 mile on it a year so, i don't need a new truck.

Does anyone like the 2000 GMC Sierra 1500? I'm thinking of buying one that has 4wheel drive, z71 package, tow kit, a v8 5.3 liter engine and with 84,000 on it. It has a performance exhaust and some other goodies and is in good shape. I plan on offering 8500 which is KBB private party value.

It will be my second car and I'll probably put 5,000 mile on it a year so, i don't need a new truck.

The down side of 4WD is the expense and up keep. Rougher ride, more noise and poorer gas mileage. 84000 miles is a lot on that drive train. Something to think about.

The down side of 4WD is the expense and up keep. Rougher ride, more noise and poorer gas mileage. 84000 miles is a lot on that drive train. Something to think about.

I would normally keep it in 2 high, and not in 4wd. If you were looking for a used truck, what one would you get? It doesn't have to be heavy duty... but needs to be able to tow a small trailor. I'm test driving it tonight.

I would normally keep it in 2 high, and not in 4wd. If you were looking for a used truck, what one would you get? It doesn't have to be heavy duty... but needs to be able to tow a small trailor. I'm test driving it tonight.

GMC or Chevy 2WD with a positraction, V8 & Towing package. Lower miles.

GMC or Chevy 2WD with a positraction, V8 & Towing package. Lower miles.

hmm...i wonder what years have positraction.

hmm...i wonder what years have positraction.

The name has chaged over the years but its a limited slip differential..not to be confused with the electronic traction control which will pulse your various brakes to regain traction. Every GMC & Chevy truck offers a limited slip differential from as far back as I can remember.

They aren't standard on the current generation Silverado/Sierra? :hmm:
I'll have to check around at work.

AirJigga: I've driven hundreds of 1999-07 Silveradoes around at work, but not for far though, just around the lot. Either way, from what I've seen, they ride like a car, and are as comfortable as a car, and I've seen a few over 200k miles, so that's a definite bonus. If I was to get a truck today, and it had to be newer than 2000. A Silverado or Sierra would be #1 on my list. Gimme a 4WD LT (or SLT if you're talking about the GMC) Extended Cab Short Box with the 5.3. That's what I'd like.

RobertCTS: You are correct, the definite downside to a 4x4 is the expense and upkeep. More stuff to break down, more stuff to maintain. And the gas mileage is horrific, and coming from a person who has only owned big V8 powered sedans, that really means something! :shocked2:

I have got a 96 T10 Blazer with the "high and wide" offroad package. 170,000 and still running strong. I love taking it the 4x4 only trails in Colorado. The thing is a bitch in a buzzsaw to work on though. It took me 5 hours to change the lower ball joints, in which I BENT the lower A frame.

Get a supercharged Laforza...i love those man

I've owned three Cherokees, an '89 Limited, a '96 Country, and a '99 Grand Limited. Other than a rough ride, stupidly expensive insurance, and lousy gas mileage, they are outstanding vehicles. Never had a single problem with any of the three, and I flogged 'em all, on road and off. (One exception - the later Grands eat front brake rotors about every 30 thousand miles. Supposedly Chrysler fixed this in the newest generation.)

The '89 had 136k when I sold it and it's still on the road.
The '96 had 104K and it's still on the road. It never spent a day in the shop - still had the original muffler on it!
The '99 had 65k when gas went past $2.25 a gallon and I traded it in - haven't seen it since.

The 4.0 is one of the best engines ever designed - it still uses the same block as the original AMC 6!

Just
Empty
Every
Pocket

If your like us and have replaced the transfer case,the rotors,the hubs,all cv shafts,ext you will have an excellent suv with shitloads of power,comfort and reliability.Our 99 gets around 13mpg and will out run almost anything on the road light to light(stock).We have 90,000 miles on it and its tight,uses no oil,climbs like a goat and pulls like a mule.If you want one i'd sell it and buy the kid a new one.

I rented a new Grand Cherokee when I was in Washington a couple of weeks ago.
Frankly I didn't like it.

It was painfully slow (ok it was a 6, but still!), it felt top heavy and I didn't like cornering on highway off-ramps with it. It also sucked gas. I got 16mpg doing mostly 20minute 55mph highway runs.
The stereo was great though and there was loads of space.

It was far better than my friends Toyota Surf which rolls like nothing I've ever experienced and is equally gutless.

But I didn't think it was as comfortable, spacious and powerful as my friends late 90s 5.7L Tahoe (the one with the straight, flat double stacked lights as opposed to the later style).


I was looking to buy this and import it from Virginia:

http://homepage.mac.com/hardrockcamaro/.Pictures/yukon-side.jpg

But it had 120,000 miles and cost £1,000 more than my 15,000 mile 2000 model STS. So I bought the STS.

I rented a new Grand Cherokee when I was in Washington a couple of weeks ago.
Frankly I didn't like it.

It was painfully slow (ok it was a 6, but still!), it felt top heavy and I didn't like cornering on highway off-ramps with it. It also sucked gas. I got 16mpg doing mostly 20minute 55mph highway runs.
The stereo was great though and there was loads of space.

It was far better than my friends Toyota Surf which rolls like nothing I've ever experienced and is equally gutless.

But I didn't think it was as comfortable, spacious and powerful as my friends late 90s 5.7L Tahoe (the one with the straight, flat double stacked lights as opposed to the later style).


I was looking to buy this and import it from Virginia:

http://homepage.mac.com/hardrockcamaro/.Pictures/yukon-side.jpg

But it had 120,000 miles and cost £1,000 more than my 15,000 mile 2000 model STS. So I bought the STS.

That GMC Yukon 2 door thingy rules. I love those especially on bigger wheels. What's the Chevy version of that?

I drove this guys used GMC Sierra 1500 Z71 the other night. It's nice and very peppy and well cared for. It has the 5.3 liter v8. Needs new tires and has 84000 miles on it. I might offer him 8000 for it and then put a lift on it.

What's the Chevy version of that?

Blazer Sport.

I've never been one for the 1992-99 Suburban/Tahoe/full size Blazer. They feel too big and top heavy, plus they have extremely light steering...think steering off of a '88 Brougham. Plus, they have a very mushy break pedal, about 1/2 of the pedal travel is play. These three things together make it seem hard to handle and very tipsy.

It goes under the Blazer name yes.

A friend of mine has the 5 door one, the Tahoe, and it's ace. It's a 98 I think and he has had it converted to LPG fuel over here. Because LPG is less than half the pricce of petrol he effectively gets 30-35mpg out of it.

One of the best vehicles ever for covering ling distances.

And I especially love the shape, it's the best Chevy ever did (I prefer the 3 door though).

Exterior:
http://www.allcarpictures.com/pictures/chevrolet/tahoe-1995-1999/chevrolet-tahoe-1995-1999002.jpg


Interior:
http://www.allcarpictures.com/pictures/chevrolet/tahoe-1995-1999/chevrolet-tahoe-1995-1999006.jpg

I actually drove a '96 Tahoe 2dr LT today at work. It was really nice inside, as it was the LT model, it had an interior just like the one pictured.

Identical to this:
http://a332.g.akamai.net/f/332/936/12h/www.edmunds.com//pictures/VEHICLE/1995/Chevrolet/13385/001890-E.jpg

In the 2.5 months I've been at this Chevy dealer, I've driven two of these two door Tahoes.