I'm seriously considering a used SUV (1997-1999)....like maybe a Jeep Grand Cherokee or a Toyota 4Runner. This might be a good time to buy before the fall/winter...where those 4X4's probably sell higher....I really only like these two SUV's out there, My budget is 13k-17k, what do you guys think? Of course the only SUV I REALLY love is the MDX, but that is out of my current price range. Quality of the Jeep? I've been hering mixed opinions..... as for the 4Runner...only good things......I'm leaning more toward the Jeep though, even though it's pretty plaid out, I really like the body style.

 

I've always like the newer Pathfinders........They are 30K new, so a mint used one about a year old would probably be affordable!

 

you schould be able to pick up a 99 limted jeep gc for about
17k. The damm thing is awsome in the snow and off road...

 

i was looking the same suv (about a year ago) like u are doing now..but my budet is about $5000..so i get a 92 jeep cherokee from one of my friends...he is the first owner and the jeep is accident free...i pay $5000 for it but i pay a lot afterwads..to fix it ..repaint the exterior color..but anyway..u are buying a 1997-1999 suv..for what i have suggest u is buy a jeep grand cherokee..u are not going to believe how durable jeep is..the mileage on my jeep is 186k miles now and it still runs stock engine and tranny and i do not pay any dollar to fix it's neither engine or tranny...all i pay is rear main seal leaks and valve cover leaks..and etc..pm me if u want more detail about jeep vehicle.....1999 is the year that jeep grand cherokee redesign and it looks so nice inside and outside..don't buy a 4 runner..but that is what my opinion..talk to u later...let me know what vehicle u are exactly looking for..u can pm me anytime..
and i fall in love with my jeep since i buy it..i rarelly drive my cls now..let her rest a bit..as i put too many miles (14000 miles)on her at the first year i buy her..and i get my jeep last aug..and since i get my jeep..i only put about 900 miles on my cls in almost 9 months jeep is really a good toy and u will love it too
JEEP THERE IS ONLY ONE

 

and i am thinking about buying another suv for my wife (maybe brand new or 1 year old used)..what my choice now is jeep grand cherokee 4.0 Liter or jeep libtery 3.7liter.....my wife loves my jeep but that is just too old for her to drive..the only safety feature on my jeep is ABS..no air bags buy a jeep...

 

I had a ride in a loaded Toyota Seqouia this weekend and man is that thing pimp. Just toss on some bling-bling 22s and dark tint and you're set!

 

Thanks guys for the comments...I think I'm going for the Jeep! What's the difference in the Grand Cherokee's? from the "Limited" to the "Laredo", etc? Anything I should look for when shopping for a GC? Also.... Any good forums out there for the GC? Thanks!!!

 

I would recommend the 4Runner. Grand Cherokee's aren't exactly known for trouble-free operation.

 

Got myself a new 2002 Escape 4x4 for my "winter" car.

I got it for under invoice price, using Ford's X-plan. Sticker price was $26K, but with the X-plan it only cost me $23K.

I don't really like SUVs, but this one is very car-like. Plus, I don't give a shit about it, so I park it anywhere without any worries at all.

 

I know enough people who've driven Grand Cherokees to say get the 4 Runner.

I personally have owned a couple of Pathfinders (95 & 98) and was generally satisfied with them, although they were a little under powered, especially the '95. The newer Pathfinders are much improved in this department.

Last November we bought a Certified used '98 Land Cruiser. My wife has informed me that as long as we have a need for a SUV-type vehicle (I won't own a mini-van), she will drive anything as long as it is a Land Cruiser . There is nothing like that Toyota Quality.

Based on your budget, unless you buy an older higher mileaged Land Cruiser, it will be out of your price range.

My recommendations in order:

4 Runner
Pathfinder

 

I highly recommend the 4Runner. I had a 97 Limited 4X4, in the two and half years that I had it, it gave me NO problems at all, and I drove that thing hard off roading (I was only 18 when i first got it ). After two and half years of owning the 4 Runner, it got totaled. I was driving back to my college, and some old lady on the high way made a left turn into me, while I was going 70 . Needless to say, both cars was totaled, but I walked away with out a scratch.
So I can tell you, 4RUNNERS ARE SAFE!

 

The only problem with the 4-Runner is that it's shitty in wrecks.

It's extremely reliable, but in front and off-set crashes they suck.

A back seat passenger should not be killed in frontal offset crash if he has his seatbelt on.

 

I have freinds with both the Toyota and the Jeep and the thing I've noticed about the 4Runner (and the Pathfinder) is that you sit on the floor and there is still not much headroom. This gets real uncomfortable after about 30 minutes.

As for the Jeep, the only issue there might be the trans. Make sure there are no TSB's on the year you choose and either way, get it serviced as soon as you get it. Drive it in D3 (not D4 or OD or however they label the top gear) unless you are above 55 on the freeway. This keeps the trans running cooler and keeps it from gear-hunting. This is the number one source of failure

If it were me, I'd probably take the Jeep.

 

i say get the 4runner we used to have a 93 4runner and we had no problems with it until my dad hydroplaned and crashed he was perfectly fine although 3 of the 4 corners of the car got f**ked up the only reason my dad traded it in was because he thinks after one accident the car is never the same so what did he do he got a 96 4runner sr5 i drive it around sometimes and its not bad the only big problem with me is that it rides like crap but then again it is a truck and i am spoiled with good ride quality in the CLS u cant go wrong with the 4runner i think toyota has better build quality than honda but thats jus me

EDIT - i forgot to add that u can put a TRD supercharger on the 4runner

 

TSB?

 

Looks like the consensus is mixed! I'm still leaning more toward a '99 Jeep (or 200-2001 if the price is right). Seems like there are a shitload out there, I'll make sure I get a warrenty as well. I just dont like the styling of the 4runner now that I look at it more...dont like the pathfinder either.

 

Technical service bulletin

 

I owned a Jeep Cherokee Limited (not a grand cherokee) and it was a wreck. Even though I was only 16 when I had it, beat the CRAP out of it..rolled it once even. I just remember it had problems...plenty of them. I had it for about a year and a half and hated it. After that I got a 94 4Runner and absolutely loved it. I drove it all over the place. Racked up 100,000 miles on it in 3 years with absolutely NO problems. The only thing I didn't like about it was the gas milage...pretty terrible. I'd go with the 4Runner.

-Aaron