Trust me, you do NOT want a Granad Cherokee with the V6. Massively underpowered.

I don't like SUVs in general, but I've driven the first-gen Durangos, and they're comfortable(if slightly cheap-looking inside), agile ,and imminently off-roadable. The 5.9 V8 is the engine of choice. I'm not sure of stats, but it has plenty of umph, and the fuel mileage ain't bad. Also, there'* aftermarket galore for thatr motor.

Dont ever buy a GM truck, unless its a Cadillac. Explorers are number one for a reason

Yeah, 'cause they're cheap. I did body inspection at an auction for 6 mos, and worked nothing but Ford factory return. That means rental company lease returns. Most Exploders would come in with only around 24,000 miles on them, with a list as long as your arm of things that had to be fixed before they could be sold as "Certified Used Cars".

The Blazer, though, is also not a good choice if you want interior room or build quality. You might try to find a mid-90s 2dr Yukon with the small block.

I'm kind of suprised no one has asked this yet, but what duties do you plan on doing in the SUV? This would help narrow down the field a little, i guess.
At a stab I would say look at a Nissan Xterra or maybe a Pathfinder

Ah, yes the XTerra! try to find one with the SCed V6. And the Pathfinder is an excellent vehicle, no matter what you plan on doing with(or to) it.

Those cherokee'* are awesome. I have a 92 with 206K with a recent new longblock. 6 inch lift and it'* awesome. Great vehicles in my opinion. Lots of performance goodies for these as well. Check out www.jeepforums.com They have all the same great stuff as here except for Jeeps. Heres' a pic just to show you what I've got

Everyone'* going to have their own opinions on what'* good and bad... :?

Ok here'* the deal. I want something American with either a large 6 or a v8 with similar characteristics as my extended cab RAM 4x4. I want it to be as offroad capable as my Ram (although a smaller foot print will make it much better offroad), but with more interior (enclosed) space for kids and luggage as I am now an expecting father (due June 4th). It also needs to be able to tow a small trailer as well as my parents pop-up camper (which anything with a large v6 or a v8 should be able to do without a problem). I need to pick something up for around what I can get out of my truck which has an expected private sale value of around $8,000.

I have always wanted a Jeep Cherokee although from the looks of them, they are too small than what I had in mind. I really like the Grand Cherokee'* as well. If I were buying this to mod up and offroad ALOT with, then I would buy a Cherokee. I really don't want to go Ford because that just goes against everything I have ever been taugh. So that leaves either a Blazer with a 4.3L which isn't large, but it'* not too small either or a Grand Cherokee v8. I'd like to stay with the 5.2L v8 which limits me to 93-98 GC'* because I am familiar with them already and haven't had a lick of problems with th one in my Ram.

I was looking for any problem areas that are found on the Cherokee'* originally, but now I have dropped the Cherokee'* and am looking into the Blazer and Grand Cherokee. I have looked locally and it seems that the Blazers are at a higher price for less options & higher mileage than the Grand Cherokee'*.

I'll be looking at a '98 Grand Cherokee Limited v8 tomorrow that is supposedly fully loaded with leather, sunroof, etc. Hopefully it'll be what I'm looking for. Please, if anyone knows of issues with suspension, drivetrain, brakes, etc on these Grand Cherokee'*, let me know!!!

TIA

My Cherokee has been going strong since I bought it 17 years ago. Never dies
Common problem...or rather weakness....is the rear end. Change the lube often.

Also clean the throttle body often because if not the idle speed will get away on you.

Open up the intake and exhaust for more power and it will reward you with tire spinning 8.sec 0-60 times and in 4 wheel low range will go anywhere. :P

I can definitely appreciatewanting to stick with the 5.2, but if you're going to be towing you really should look at the 5.9. They're both based on the same architecture(descended from the LA 320cid and 360cid), and the 5.9 is one seriously strong motor. It'* tough, reliable, and packs a good swallop of torque. We got quite a few of them through when I worked at Dollar Rent-A-Car. They're incredibly fun motors.


The only problem I know of with the GC(5.9 or 5.2) is that the throttle tip-in is a bit too fast. If you go off-roading, this could be an issue. You don't want to be inching up a slope and have your wheels break loose because the engine takes off when you barely tap the throttle.
Easily correctable though, if you want to.

The small Cherokee, on the other hand, is one of the best stock off-roaders I've ever driven. Smooth motor, terrific steering and suspension, and the 4x4 system is unbeatable.