Hey all,

Well it is that time again.... I am off at school and the bird just is not going to be able to do everything I want. I would love to keep it forever, but the money just isnt' there....(student loans aren't helping either) I am looking at getting a cheap Suv possibly. Here are some ideas, if you guys know anything about them I would appreciate the info.

1993-95 Ford Explorer 4x4......
1995 GMC Jimmy 4x4
1993-95 Jeep Grand Cherokee

I don't know really about the Ford, but the other 2 I am really considering.... The thing is, those vehicles are really high mileage (around 100k or more..... that sucks because my car only has 97k)
How long will they last is another question that I need answered.

If any of you want a 4k or less project bird, just let me know

Thanks

 

Wow.. I never understood why so many people go from a sports car to a truck... but, good luck with it! If you can't afford an f-body though, how can you afford a truck? Is the insurance cheaper or something?

 

If I had a truck, I wouldn't be so tempted into putting so much money into mods.

But I know some people on here would disagree.

 

Its not that I want to go to a truck, it is just not under my control...... Where I live now basically requires either a fwd car or a truck. I don't feel like getting a grand am or anything like that....so I am looking at a suv. The insurance isn't a problem, I can handle either. I wish I could grab a cheap car and keep this one, but right now I can't afford to do both.

 

Jimmy's rule get one of them I got one and its got ***** for a 3.9L thing is fun to drive.

 

Oh, you've got problems in snow? Do your rear tires have tread? I found out mine have nothing, the hard way- in that snowstorm we had in NJ on Thursday. Got stuck 3 times. Figures after the first time I got stuck, the plow came thru 20 minutes later. Last time I got stuck was almost 3 years ago, when I had no tread on the back tires

 

Well if your gettin at 95 or there abouts, you might as well do what you suggested and just get a beater for the winter.
I don't know about down your way, but here you could pick up a 89-90 2 door jimmy (with a 2.8) that didn't look to bad, but would get you where you want for a grand to 1500. Then youcould keep your firebird, and have a truck that you don't really have to worry about how it looks.

 

Your Jimmy has a 3.9L???? How did you come to this conclusion??

 

my dad currently owns a '97 jeep grand cherokee with the 4.0L, and i'd have to say that it's pretty d*mn solid. he's had it since new, and it was the first car i ever drove. its got 117K miles on it, and its put up with the abuse i have given it: i took it offroading quite a bit, got it stuck a few times, and also raced my friends '00 silverado with a 4.8L v8 up to 80 mph (for those who are curious, i lost...but my front bumper was about where the extended cab meets the bed-i was suprised the jeep kept up).

also, my dad owned a '00 grand am gt; it was a quick little bugger and handled like it was on rails. it looked pretty cool too, since it had the ram air grille and 4 tipped exhaust

 

Heres a personal experience rundown of the vehicles in question

Ford..............Many 4wd problems associated with transfer case and a chassis vibration that wears tires prematurely

Jeep..............Automaitc transmissions very weak especially in higher milage models

Chevy...........early 95 2wd models the rearend axel seals tend to leak

just keep the oil changed and regular tuneups and you will drive them in excess of two hundred thousand easy

 

Actually my tires do have tread, it is just a hellish drive to get to my apartment.... One way I scrape every time, and the other way I have gotten stuck..... I live on a friggin hill.....shouldve thought about that when I picked the cheapest rent

About the vehicles....I don't think 1500 dollars will go very far, especially with a crappy vehicle. It will probably get me around but the reliable factor will play a role. With 1500 and either a trade in I could look a little higher and maybe get a Jimmy or a decent Jeep, thats all. College student .......not a whole lot of possiblities.

Just wanted to see what you guys thought about those cars though.