Madmaxwell87
Observer
I have been on this site for a while and have read every budget vehicle choice thread there is. Most are broad and end up with people suggesting toyota trucks or suvs or XJs. Mine is a little different. As usual it's a small budget~$2500-3000. However I have done some research and have narrowed it down to 4 vehicles. Some background on myself and the uses of the vehicle-
-Married with kids coming in a few years so need 4 doors
-Will be DD with camping and exploring trips on nor cal trails (no rock crawling) and so cal dunes and deserts. Not much in town driving.
- Must be 4x4 midsize SUV (no need for a truck and the price premium they command)
-Automatic to deal with Bay Area traffic
-decent mpg (had an expedition that averaged 13 mpg, need a little better than that)(avg of 15 ok)
-Will be keeping either stock height or up to a 2" lift with tires in either biggest stock size or one size up(31s max). Will change all fluids, put some quality shocks and off road tires on (cooper st maxx at top of list currently) and call it good.
-Have tools and space to do minor work and have access to more tools and space to do bigger projects
So now to the vehicles-
93-94 Explorer (no 95-01 due to timing chain issues for ohc v6 and 5 speed trans with issues, v8 gets horrible mpg) Can fit 31's stock, have ttb front end that can be upgraded to go fast long travel fairly easily. However they are fairly old now so cheapest to purchase but also more initial maintenance.
96-02 Chevy Blazer- I know they have a weak front end but get decent mpg and I love the tailgate. Very few wheel choices and little aftermarket support.
95-02 Montero Sport- Good mpg but that's due to low gearing and low hp. They don't quite get Toyota money but at this price level most have 20-50,000 miles more than the domestic equivalent. Can fit 32's stock and seem fairly reliable. Basically no wheel choices. Can get OME lift
95-98 Grand Cherokee- would have to be 4.0l. Not much wrong here and good aftermarket support but the older ones are more valuable these days for the reasons that make them good. Small wheel openings but lifts are easy and cheap. Would have to go up 2"s to get 31s on.
I am on forums for each model but wanted to ask about all 4 together and on a site that focuses on how I would be mainly using the vehicle. So with all that laid out lets hear some first hand experience with these vehicles and what you guys would choose. Thanks
-Married with kids coming in a few years so need 4 doors
-Will be DD with camping and exploring trips on nor cal trails (no rock crawling) and so cal dunes and deserts. Not much in town driving.
- Must be 4x4 midsize SUV (no need for a truck and the price premium they command)
-Automatic to deal with Bay Area traffic
-decent mpg (had an expedition that averaged 13 mpg, need a little better than that)(avg of 15 ok)
-Will be keeping either stock height or up to a 2" lift with tires in either biggest stock size or one size up(31s max). Will change all fluids, put some quality shocks and off road tires on (cooper st maxx at top of list currently) and call it good.
-Have tools and space to do minor work and have access to more tools and space to do bigger projects
So now to the vehicles-
93-94 Explorer (no 95-01 due to timing chain issues for ohc v6 and 5 speed trans with issues, v8 gets horrible mpg) Can fit 31's stock, have ttb front end that can be upgraded to go fast long travel fairly easily. However they are fairly old now so cheapest to purchase but also more initial maintenance.
96-02 Chevy Blazer- I know they have a weak front end but get decent mpg and I love the tailgate. Very few wheel choices and little aftermarket support.
95-02 Montero Sport- Good mpg but that's due to low gearing and low hp. They don't quite get Toyota money but at this price level most have 20-50,000 miles more than the domestic equivalent. Can fit 32's stock and seem fairly reliable. Basically no wheel choices. Can get OME lift
95-98 Grand Cherokee- would have to be 4.0l. Not much wrong here and good aftermarket support but the older ones are more valuable these days for the reasons that make them good. Small wheel openings but lifts are easy and cheap. Would have to go up 2"s to get 31s on.
I am on forums for each model but wanted to ask about all 4 together and on a site that focuses on how I would be mainly using the vehicle. So with all that laid out lets hear some first hand experience with these vehicles and what you guys would choose. Thanks