I like your original thoughts about Cherokee or Wrangler. I'd throw GC into the mix as most likely those stayed on the paved roads and not as beat up. Also Suzuki Sidekick or Chevy Tracker which are the same thing.

 

It would take some luck in finding these in that range, but they are out there:

90's Nissan Xterra
90's Toyota 4runner
Late 90's Chevy Blazer
Dodge Durango
Late 90's Ford Explorer

It would take some searching though to get these in your range and it's a given they would have higher mileage. The hard part would be finding them with higher mileage to fit your budget, but not so high you're afraid to drive it.

That said, out of all those, I'd most rather have the used Wrangler.

 

The Wrangler would be my first choice too. But around here at least, they are tough to find.

I just did another search on AutoTrader. Searched any Wrangler, less than $5000.
Only one hit within 100 miles of Phoenix. 1995 Wrangler, 214000 miles, $4500.
They hold their value well.

 

I'm thinking of a 2000 VehiCROSS for a nice used off roader I've seen them listed around here for around 5-6,000

 

please tell me that's a joke

 

Old Wranglers and Cherokees hold their value, folks like those as project vehicles. But there are a lot of parts available too.

I have had 3 Chevy trackers, and still have the 03 with almost 200K miles on it. It's been good, and it will get up my driveway in winter. I see a lot of those on the road too. Mine is a 4 cyl, and has had very little go bad on it, besides wear items.

Personally if I had the money and time, I love the look of the Cherokee Sport lifted and set up for off road.

 

Agree that an XJ Cherokee would be the way to go... Usually cheaper than a wrangler with similar age and mileage... Plus, a plethora of parts!


Sent from my the iPhone in KevinsPocket

 

I would go for the XJ. There's a cornucopia of aftermarket parts available and they are easy to work on. I was just looking at a 99 XJ last week, the suspension was shot and the guy wanted $1500. With the work it needed, I was willing to spend $1000, but he wouldn't budge, so I walked.

 

2000-2003 Land Rover Discovery

 

If gas is not a issue ...how about a

2001 dodge ram 1500 4x4
*has solid front axles
*has a aftermarket to support it
*its in phoenix for $4500
*its not small and you can actually use it.

http://m.cars.com/car_info.jsp?id=84905893

 

http://phoenix.craigslist.org/nph/ctd/2831387894.html

 

Wouldn't it be easier for you to keep the Pat and buy something for your son around your budget? I think you can have a lot more choices in that price range if you wouldn't need the off-road capabilties. For example, we bought '97 Mercedes C230 with 150k miles in great condition for $3k for my wife.

 

Wow! Great info everyone.

Part of our thoughts involved driving out on trails together. He enjoys doing it just like I do, and having a second vehicle makes it much safer.

I don't think I'd ever build the vehicle up big, but it does need to be able to handle itself. I drive on construction sites and go to various out-of-the-way places all the time with the Patriot, and this new vehicle would have to do at least that.

I have seriously considered a truck. They are definitely more available. But like the old Jeeps, if they are 4x4, they hold their values well. Burly_Rez, something like that truck you linked to might fit the bill.


In the back of my mind, I was also toying with the idea of buying something that doesn't even run. And making it a summer project for us to build/fix.

Something like this:

That needs some work maybe.

 

That's a nice looking XJ even color matches. Another thought to buy two not running Jeeps (if cheap enough) and consolidate good parts into one.

 

Built YJ, asking $4,700

http://cosprings.craigslist.org/cto/2883600898.html

The bad, it's a 4 cyl with 36" tires, but it does have 5.38s in the axles so it's probably OK.

 

The bad, it's a 4 cyl with 36" tires, but it does have 5.38s in the axles so it's probably OK.

Hmmm... Which axles?


Sent from my the iPhone in KevinsPocket

 

a truck is more practical and can do every thing a XJ, range rover, can do...and more. Especially if your going to a construction site

 

Not too sure I could show up at work driving this:

 

Lol.... I think it's easier to pull off now a days then when it was made 12 years ago

 

I have a Suzuki XL7, 2001 with almost 400,000 k on it that runs great.

so maybe throw a thought over to a 2001 - 2007 Suzuki Vitara, Grand Vitara or XL7.

Little bit bigger than the Sidekick or Tracker but still a smaller vehicle, V6, real 4WD with transfer case and everything. Anything up to 2007 is body on frame so they will take a pretty good pounding.

Parts are maybe a bit spendy but I've had the XL7 since new and it really hasn't needed much...it is still on original rotors for instance.

Think outside the box!

 

I'll take a look at those.

 

Old Fashioned Wisdom

When I wanted a first car I thought I was getting my Dad's 3 yr old Dodge. Instead I got a car given to me by my uncle. He'd already rescued it from the junkyard once, but it was wheels and I took it. It was bottom-of-the-line Ford when it was new, but I got it 3rd or 4th hand. It was old and had as much rust as sheet metal remaining; the brakes worked easier than the clutch, the radiator leaked, a headlight was out, and the seat had broken loose from its anchor points. However, it had a solid drive train.

So-o, I got a job at McDonalds and I learned to fix a car. I figured out which end of the screwdriver to use, and when. I learned about belts and hoses and body work, about batteries, wires and banged knuckles. My parents limited my driving to school to 2 days per week and those were days when I got out early (before the school bus routes) and I would drive to work the lunch shift at the aforementioned McDs to pay for my car expenses.

When it wasn't running I bummed rides from my friends who drove cars much like mine. They were decent guys, and turnabout was fair play: when mine was running and theirs wasn't, I gave my friends rides, too. I courted a couple girls in that car and they never complained that it wasn't as fast or nice as someone else's. God love ya, girls, I hope the years have been kind to you.

I learned to earn what I had and I learned about life. That old rustbucket got me through college, and my father kept his Dodge till I was out of college and on my own.

My advice? Keep your Patriot for yourself. Help sonny find an old car and help him learn how to fix and maintain it. Maybe that Mildmobile that the old lady down the road needs to sell because she is too old to drive. She'll probably want half what its worth, and he can repay her kindness by driving her to the grocery store when she needs to shop. No, she won't be as pretty as the high school girls, but she might have a lot of memories to share.

You can teach him to become a man, or you buy him a car and he'll always be your little boy. I know, right now your kid hates me, but someday he'll respect us both.

 

Ignatz,
Generally, I'd agree with you. I'm not one to give my kids a car.

And that will still be the case. The Patriot has been intended from the start to be handed down. I have the lifetime warranty and will keep it in my name. Hand it to my son. Then my daughter. Then my other son. Then my niece. Then my other niece. And by that time, it will be an 18 year old vehicle with tons of miles (250,000+ I'm guessing). But it will still be warrantied by Jeep to start and run.

I don't want to borrow any money for a vehicle, and my cash budget at this point is limited to the $3000-$4000 mentioned above. For that amount of money, I don't expect to be able to find much at all. Let alone something as safe as the Patriot. In Phoenix, like most big cities, traffic is horrible and I'd rather see my son driving the safe, fuel efficient vehicle, than me.


And fixing up the junker over the summer is part of our "let him earn it" work. He helps me fix up something in order to allow him to drive the Patriot to school. He's a great kid and is the last one here to even ask for anything. This whole thing is our idea, not his. We're just tired of driving him to school and back. About 13 miles each way!

 

I can appreciate what you're doing, and I don't mean to paint with too broad a brush. There just seem to be too many 20-somethings still living with their parents. I loved my family, but I felt obligated to be out of the house, even though all I could afford was a, shall we say, modest apartment. Hopefully your kids will work hard and prosper.

I expect the Patriot will go that many miles, so have at it. By the time your second niece (you uncles come in handy!) is driving it, it will resemble my first car. I hope she loves and appreciates it as much as I loved mine.

 

Bringing back this thread from a couple of months ago, I found something interesting:

http://www.autotrader.com/cars-for-sale/vehicledetails.xhtml?zip=85004&endYear=1993&modelCode1=WRANGLER&makeCode1=JEEP&startYear=1993&ownerId=1187760&listingType=used&sellerType=b&searchRadius=50&listingId=323234316

Took a short test drive today. Nice and tight for a 19-year old vehicle.
And, despite it saying an automatic transmission, it's a 5-speed manual!

Anyone know anything about the YJ's ?

 

Well, that one wasn't for me. My wife said, essentially, no.
Too many kids to haul around. She has a point I guess.

But, as of today, I rejoin the multi-Jeep crowd. Picked up a 2005 GC.

 

Very nice!! I love the look of that model year..

Congrats on the purchase!

 

Thanks. I'm hoping it's as reliable as my Pat. (knock on wood).

It seems nice and tight. 4.7V8 with Quadra Trac II. Just playing around in the dirt with it, it's nice to have that transfer case. Much lower gearing than the FDII.

We'll take em both out in the desert soon enough and compare.
I'm truly looking forward to it.

 

Have fun.
Must feel good to have two Jeeps in the drive.

I passed my XL7 to my wife so we have two SUV/CUVs in the drive...I have become part of the problem, eh?