Vehicle Shopping

[bradow]

Its true, I'm in the market for something but I don't know what. I've had three XJ's, an 87', 95', and 99' classic. I loved the 87' and the 95' (I still have the 95'). I had a love hate relationship with the 99' so I sold it.

I recently totaled my sportbike, which I was using for my commuter transportation, so now my DD is my XJ. It gets the job done, but not in comfort at all. In fact, its probably not even street legal anymore.

But thats beside the fact. I need another ride. I've decided to stay away from bikes for a while. I considered another XJ, but I want something relatively comfy, and that 99' left a bad taste in my mouth for the later model ones.

A pickup or small SUV would fit my lifestyle better than a car of any type. I want something 4x4, but not really looking to wheel it. Manual or automatic. Prefer a lever t-case rather than a button or knob. Something with some after market support. I was looking at Nissan Xterras on line, but am undecided. Full size pickups are pretty inexpensive right now too. I sometimes have the need to pull a trailer with a 4-wheeler or other various stuff on it.

So any help would be appreciated. I know you guys are all pretty smart, so you won't lead another like-minded XJer astray. I mean, what do you guys drive? What would you rather be driving? Why?
And it doesn't have to be anything new either. In fact, I'd rather not take the depreciation hit on a new vehicle. But still something nice.

Thanks,
Jessie

 

[88xjchief]

The xterra is a nice suv. There very dependable. They are good on road and off. The 4.0 in them is a great motor.

If you want a truck go with any nissan truck.

 

[Bradlybob]

How about a new model Jeep Wrangler? It has a lever t-case, great aftermarket support, rides nice and smooth, and used ones aren't super expensive. Dealers are offering big discounts on new ones too. Heck, get a Rubicon and you get D-44's with lockers, 4 to 1 t-case, 4:10 gears, disco sway bar, and a really cool hood sticker!

 

[RCman]

So any help would be appreciated. I know you guys are all pretty smart, so you won't lead another like-minded XJer astray. I mean, what do you guys drive? What would you rather be driving? Why?
And it doesn't have to be anything new either. In fact, I'd rather not take the depreciation hit on a new vehicle. But still something nice.

How much do you have to spend? That'll make the choice really quick.
I DD an '03 1500 Silverado and I LOVE it. 5.3L V8, towing package, loaded interior, Rhino lined bed, etc.
What would I rather be driving? Either a 2500 Silverado of like year as my current one, a 07+ GMC Sierra, or honestly my XJ before it was totaled. Those are just wishfull thoughts, none going to happen anytime soon. I might trade my truck in for the 2500 when I start towing my XJ all over, but I'm gonna see how the 1500 does first.

The xterra is a nice suv. There very dependable. They are good on road and off. The 4.0 in them is a great motor.
If you want a truck go with any nissan truck.

:nono:

 

[88xjchief]

How much do you have to spend? That'll make the choice really quick.
I DD an '03 1500 Silverado and I LOVE it. 5.3L V8, towing package, loaded interior, Rhino lined bed, etc.
What would I rather be driving? Either a 2500 Silverado of like year as my current one, a 07+ GMC Sierra, or honestly my XJ before it was totaled. Those are just wishfull thoughts, none going to happen anytime soon. I might trade my truck in for the 2500 when I start towing my XJ all over, but I'm gonna see how the 1500 does first.

:nono:

I work for a chevy/ nissan dealer. The chevy trucks are nice. The 5.3 is a great motor. The few problems with the chevy is axle seals, intakes, and rod knock. The few problems with the nissans are timing belt at 100k miles at least on the old xterras.

 

[Ralph]

I like those Toyota Tacomas. The 4 door, 4x4 version would be the ticket to ride for me.

 

[5spd_xj]

My father has a 2000 tacoma...personally, I hate the thing. 4cylinder automatic 4wd, it feels ridiculously underpowered, and the ride feels super stiff to me. No room inside, seats are hard, etc. Super reliable truck no doubt about it, but just not my thing I guess.

And, I agree with RCMan, what you want to spend will have alot to do with what we can realistically suggest...

 

[FlexdXJ]

I like those Toyota Tacomas. The 4 door, 4x4 version would be the ticket to ride for me.

Yeah i was gonna say a yota but i'm guessing you could get a dodge with a cummins a couple years older for around the same price.

 

[NW-ZJ-SCOTT]

.personally, I hate the thing. 4cylinder automatic 4wd, it feels ridiculously underpowered, and the ride feels super stiff to me. No room inside, seats are hard, etc. Super reliable truck no doubt about it, but just not my thing I guess.

i have to agree. great reliability. but they ride like an old chevy truck without the power.

Jeep: 1
Toyota: 0

 

[Ralph]

i have to agree. great reliability. but they ride like an old chevy truck without the power.

Jeep: 1
Toyota: 0

...but...but...they're so pretty!

 

[5spd_xj]

Haha. they do look nice, I'll give ya that.

 

[jeepmike887]

Im looking at a new dd as well right now, although you said you are looking for a small suv, and something with a lever t case, heres what Im looking at,

96 to 99 chevy tahoes, reason being they came with the vortec 5.7 those years, so great power, easy to work on, extremely comfortable interior, great for roadtrips which is what Im looking for. and they can be had for 5-6 thou, with right around 100k, may not get the best mileage, but on the highway they are decent, not much less than an xj on the highway, ive heard 17-19.

 

[bradow]

Wow thanks for the responses. I've been looking really hard at the Xterras. The differences between the gen 1 and gen 2 are pretty different. I'm leaning toward a gen 1 though. Everything is great but the engine, but its still ok. I am aware of the timing belt interference engine thing.

I can get one with a manual trans, for the fun factor. manual shift t-case, supercharged 3.3 V6. Its a body on frame construction. Solid spring under rear axle (D44 or toyota looking thing). Goo aftermarket and internet forum support. its IFS but I still have my XJ for real wheeling. There are lots of cool hill assist start things, and factory locker, but am still foggy on what years/packages this came with. All of that for under $10,000 w/ about 60,000-80,000miles on the odo.

I looked at the new JK's, but they are still a little pricey for a college student. I have a good job, but don't really want to go that far into debt right now.

Thanks

 

[Crabapple]

I loved my Gen 1 Xterra. Sold it with about 80k. I had a '85 300zx with a VG30E motor in it with 180k on it and it never had a timing belt problem. I'd assume they are the same since the Gen 1 had a VG33E in it.