Need vehicle opinions - Jeep Grand Cherokee

[COchief]

Originally Posted by Bugeater

Omaha area, $5000-ish budget. Did some digging on Xterras last week but haven't really checked out what's around for Pathfinders. And nothing black in color.

http://omaha.craigslist.org/ctd/3640516125.html Value if you're man enough to drive a stick as most NE people aren't

http://omaha.craigslist.org/ctd/3653902926.html

http://omaha.craigslist.org/ctd/3626601286.html

Allright dude, they are everywhere right in your range with decent miles. I would skip the supercharger if I were in the mileage range you're in as they command a premium, go out frequently, and are basically a hamster strapped on to the engine. The X will be sort of a dog power wise, but I wouldn't imagine that you want to stomp around in an X. If it bugs you, find a Pathfinder with the 3.5 as those are glorious engines. Also this might sound dumb, but Xs hide their 2X4 variants fairly well, so look for it in ads before going to waste your time.

[Exoter175]

Originally Posted by COchief

http://omaha.craigslist.org/ctd/3640516125.html Value if you're man enough to drive a stick as most NE people aren't

http://omaha.craigslist.org/ctd/3653902926.html

http://omaha.craigslist.org/ctd/3626601286.html

Allright dude, they are everywhere right in your range with decent miles. I would skip the supercharger if I were in the mileage range you're in as they command a premium, go out frequently, and are basically a hamster strapped on to the engine. The X will be sort of a dog power wise, but I wouldn't imagine that you want to stomp around in an X. If it bugs you, find a Pathfinder with the 3.5 as those are glorious engines. Also this might sound dumb, but Xs hide their 2X4 variants fairly well, so look for it in ads before going to waste your time.

Although that 3.5 is glorious, it is a pita to work on :/

[Frosty]

Originally Posted by COchief

http://omaha.craigslist.org/ctd/3640516125.html Value if you're man enough to drive a stick as most NE people aren't

That one seems fishy as the price seems much lower than it should, unless the manual knocks it down that much.

[COchief]

Originally Posted by Frosty

That one seems fishy as the price seems much lower than it should, unless the manual knocks it down that much.

Ha, welcome to America sir. People here are fat, lazy, and want the path of least resistance while simultaneously stuffing their faces with big macs and a gallon of coke. Especially in NE (grew up in SD so I can say that).

Kind of kidding, but also kind of not

[Bugeater]

Originally Posted by COchief

http://omaha.craigslist.org/ctd/3640516125.html Value if you're man enough to drive a stick as most NE people aren't

http://omaha.craigslist.org/ctd/3653902926.html

http://omaha.craigslist.org/ctd/3626601286.html

Allright dude, they are everywhere right in your range with decent miles. I would skip the supercharger if I were in the mileage range you're in as they command a premium, go out frequently, and are basically a hamster strapped on to the engine. The X will be sort of a dog power wise, but I wouldn't imagine that you want to stomp around in an X. If it bugs you, find a Pathfinder with the 3.5 as those are glorious engines. Also this might sound dumb, but Xs hide their 2X4 variants fairly well, so look for it in ads before going to waste your time.

Heh, I did see that first one last week when I was looking at another vehicle on that same lot, and the place is kinda sketchy. Other than the piece that's missing under the front bumper it doesn't seem too bad though. And I don't mind a manual transmission at all. I'd actually prefer that.

The other two are getting out of my price range. I really like the one in Fremont though.

I did just find this though, might have to go check it out:

http://omaha.craigslist.org/ctd/3640516125.html

Not crazy about the color though but the price is right.

[COchief]

Originally Posted by Bugeater

http://omaha.craigslist.org/ctd/3640516125.html

Not crazy about the color though but the price is right.

Mine was that silver, looked clean all the time and was cool in the summers. Plus it looked awesome when I detailed it and shined up all the plastic and tires, tint really adds something too.

Also general rule of thumb for me, you should be able to kick at least 500-1000 off any vehicle price whether private or dealer. And if you let a stellar vehicle go over $500, you'll probably regret it.

My X right before I sold it in Dec:

[Bugeater]

Originally Posted by COchief

Mine was that silver, looked clean all the time and was cool in the summers. Plus it looked awesome when I detailed it and shined up all the plastic and tires.

Also general rule of thumb for me, you should be able to kick at least 500-1000 off any vehicle price whether private or dealer. And if you let a stellar vehicle go over $500, you'll probably regret it.

Whoops, mis-pasted. This is what I meant to post.

http://omaha.craigslist.org/cto/3649400467.html

[Frosty]

Originally Posted by Bugeater

Whoops, mis-pasted. This is what I meant to post.

http://omaha.craigslist.org/cto/3649400467.html

That one isn't as nice. It doesn't have the 3.3 3.0L V6 or the automatic 5-speed manual transmission.

[Bugeater]

Originally Posted by Frosty

That one isn't as nice. It doesn't have the 3.3 3.0L V6 or the automatic 5-speed manual transmission.

It doesn't say anything at all about what engine it has in it, which is another pet peeve of mine. I just went on a rant in the random thought thread about these idiots that post these ads.

[COchief]

Originally Posted by Bugeater

It doesn't say anything at all about what engine it has in it, which is another pet peeve of mine. I just went on a rant in the random thought thread about these idiots that post these ads.

He's F-ing with you, X will only be 3.3 with supercharger or without.

That car joint screwed up and put 3.0 instead of 3.3.

[COchief]

Originally Posted by Bugeater

Whoops, mis-pasted. This is what I meant to post.

http://omaha.craigslist.org/cto/3649400467.html

Here is my philosophy and you can agree or not.

Spend 4K on a high mileage X and most likely have something go. I mean these are reliable as hell but you're gambling with anything approaching 200K. Then you end up spending 1000-1500 and have a legit vehicle again for 5-6K.

Or

Spend 5-6 right off the bat, get a 110Kish vehicle and know nothing will be go wrong if you know how to find a car.

Option A $5k 176K mile vehicle (after something goes, you could have nothing, it's always a gamble)

Option B $5k 110K mile vehicle

Also take in effect general wear and tear and things like rust, look at the difference between a vehicle with 40k vs 110k, usually a pretty big difference.

[Bugeater]

Originally Posted by COchief

Here is my philosophy and you can agree or not.

Spend 4K on a high mileage X and most likely have something go. I mean these are reliable as hell but you're gambling with anything approaching 200K. Then you end up spending 1000-1500 and have a legit vehicle again for 5-6K.

Or

Spend 5-6 right off the bat, get a 110Kish vehicle and know nothing will be go wrong if you know how to find a car.

Option A $5k 176K mile vehicle (after something goes, you could have nothing, it's always a gamble)

Option B $5k 110K mile vehicle

Mostly agree when it comes to imports, but when it comes to domestics like the Grand Cherokee as far as I'm concerned anything can go wrong after 100k. So I'd rather go low end and bank the extra money, and be well prepared for any problems.

I'm assuming you meant 6-7k for option B, but going that high is actually a bigger gamble because that would deplete my savings to the point that if something major still goes wrong with the more expensive vehicle, I'd be risking wiping out what I have left.

It's all a freaking crapshoot really.

[COchief]

Originally Posted by Bugeater

It's all a freaking crapshoot really.

Agreed man, balancing the equation, a lot of people don't seem to get it which is kind why I broke it out like that. Remember asking price is ASKING price. 500-1000 of should be no problem. Even if you hate negotiating, just say "I'll give you this" and then walk, it it's reasonable they'll take it or call you back the next day and take it.

I don't want to tell you what to do, but I have spent years in this vehicle sector and looked at the specifics of most of these models for an embarrassing amount of time.

If you like the looks of X/pathfinder and drive a couple and like them. Eliminate any other possibility and take the time to find the right one. There is nothing close to the value of these Nissans. Grand Cherokee is a ridiculously inferior product to these trucks (current Jeep owner). Notice when I posted my original statement, 3-4 car dealers/car guys immediately followed with "can't disagree".

Unless you hate them, buy one, there is nothing better for the money.

[Frosty]

Originally Posted by Bugeater

Heh, I did see that first one last week when I was looking at another vehicle on that same lot, and the place is kinda sketchy. Other than the piece that's missing under the front bumper it doesn't seem too bad though. And I don't mind a manual transmission at all. I'd actually prefer that.

The other two are getting out of my price range. I really like the one in Fremont though.

I did just find this though, might have to go check it out:

http://omaha.craigslist.org/ctd/3640516125.html

Not crazy about the color though but the price is right.

2002 Nissan Xterra SE , 4WD, 5 Speed Manual V6 3.3, 108K Only !!! - $5750 (6154 L St in Omaha)

Quality Motors LLC located at 6154 L Street in Omaha, has up for sale 2002 Nissan Xterra SE 4X4, Auto, V6 3.0L, 5 Speed Manual Trany. Has only 108K, Good Price

. Not sketchy at all.

[Bugeater]

Originally Posted by Frosty

. Not sketchy at all.

Didn't even catch that. I saw an ad for a Grand Cherokee this weekend, it said it had the V8, and I went and looked at it yesterday and when I got to the dealership it had "six cylinder" written on the windshield. They weren't open so I still don't know what it really has in it.