Maxima, Cherokee, 3.0CL '97 owners? - Tilted Forum Project Discussion Community

Wulf_Hunter · 11-25-2004, 11:14 AM

I've been looking for a new ride.

I have decided between these 3 vehicles. 96-97 Maxima, Cherokee, and 3.0CL. Anyone here own any of these vechicles, or have owned? What problems have you had, and when looking at these cars, are there any red flags I should look for?

Being in Michigan, I like the idea of have 4wd available. From what I 've seen on the net, the Jeep Cherokee is pretty damn reliable. As are the other 2.

The ones I've been looking at range around 110-154,000 miles. I have a fairly low amount of money to spend 4000-6000. And a new car is out of the option. Due to a cruddy credit score.

Thanks for any advice you can offer.

Halx · 11-25-2004, 12:12 PM

Would that be an Acura CL? I would go for that.

Nimisys · 11-25-2004, 06:12 PM

the jeep will ride like a truck, handle like a truck, drink fuel like a truck, and will outlast the other two by a long margin. my 87 cherokee is at 260k miles, never had any major engine work, transmisison work (aside form two clutches in its lifetime) or other such expensive issues. Further its pretty DIY friendly, simple in diesgn and cheap in construction. it has its own personality and quirks. However it is not a sedan. it will not be as comfortable or a stylish as the other two. if it fits your personality the jeep is a blast. otherwise it is better suited as an alternate vehicle, for the day you goto the hardward store, or skiing, or dogs to the park etc.

merkerguitars · 11-25-2004, 09:00 PM

My parents own a 97' Jeep grand cherokee limited, it has the 318 (5.2L) engine It has the transfer case where it is only 4wd only (just the option of 4 high and 4 low) here are my solid opinion and problems i've had with it (since I do alot of the work on it when something breaks) Yes it does ride kinda harsh and doesn't handle the greatest (but i expect that with any SUV that is more geared towards offroading) the 4wd is great, good for romping around in muddy fields, but like all SUV's, sorry it doesn't make you stop faster, it has plenty of power for towing, hauls my dad's huge ass bass boat no problem. Tires are spendy for it. I put a K&N filter in it (will put a true CAI on it later on) and it gets about 18mpg with the K&N drop in replacement which isn't too bad for a v8 model ( I wish the transfer case had the 2wd option) The 318 is kinda a tight squeeze in the engine compartment but has plenty of get up and go. We had a problem with the rear differential where a bearing went out but me and my dad replaced it and every since no problems. The only other problem we have had there is a linkage bar that we have broke 3 times (it's cheap though about $25 and takes about 15 minutes to replace, I think it's just from beating on the vehicle or crappy replacement parts) I think its some sort of stabilizer link. All in all a good vehicle stuff that has went bad didn't really suprise it and it hasn't been a vehicle totally full of headaches. You should be able to find a high mileage one for cheap and also accessories are cheap too.

shakran · 11-25-2004, 09:03 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Nimisys

the jeep will ride like a truck,

Right

Quote:

handle like a truck,

Yup

Quote:

drink fuel like a truck,

correct.

Quote:

and will outlast the other two by a long margin.

I don't think so Tim.

I'll put a honda product up against a chrysler product for reliability and longevity any day of the week. It's gotten so that honda/acura drivers with 200,000 miles don't even have any bragging rights anymore. We start getting impressed when they hit the 300,000 mile mark.

animal909 · 11-25-2004, 09:44 PM

I own a 2000 maxima but belong to a car group called maxima.org

The 4th gen maxima (1995 - 1999) is a good car IMO and it feels decently quick and is roomy. The VQ engine is very strong. More people like the 99 styling better, and the only problems most encontered were coil packs going bad.

Bill O'Rights · 11-25-2004, 10:45 PM

I had a Cherokee. Mine was built when Jeep was still AMC, but...hell yeah, it was one of the most dependable vehicles I've ever owned. I wasn't stupid with it, but I never got into the situation that my Jeep couldn't get me out of. It was relatively easy to work on and maintain. Verastile. I'd recomend it.

Wulf_Hunter · 11-26-2004, 01:42 PM

Thanks for the reply guy's.

I think I ruled out the Cherokee. That steering wheel column was just to uncomfortable for my long legs. I had to angle myself to avoid it. Does anyone know off hand if the Grand Cherokee is the same way? Wish it wasn't that way, all the research I did showed it was a darn reliable SUV. The ride wasn't as bad as I thought it would be.

I'll look into the Nissian Max and Acura CL. I may even buy my bros Explorer, I know that a solid ride, hes taken very good care of it. Not bad for 3000. 110K miles.

Thanks again for your input.

Nimisys · 11-26-2004, 05:33 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by shakran

Right

'll put a honda product up against a chrysler product for reliability and longevity any day of the week. It's gotten so that honda/acura drivers with 200,000 miles don't even have any bragging rights anymore. We start getting impressed when they hit the 300,000 mile mark.

normally i would agree, but the cherokee gets special circumstance due to the 4.0 I6. arguably there is no more relibale of an engine ont he road today than those over the long run. don;t beleive me, go look for one int he junkyard. you will be count the number you find on a single hand.

Wolf, the grand should have a tilt wheel (it is an option on the cherokee) to help place it out of your lap.

Bill O'Rights · 11-26-2004, 09:37 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Wulf_Hunter

I think I ruled out the Cherokee. That steering wheel column was just to uncomfortable for my long legs.

OK...fair enough. I have short legs, so that was never an issue for me.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Nimisys

... go look for one int he junkyard.

When I had mine, I went to the junkyard to find some nondescript part or another, I don't recall. Of the 20 or so Cherokees there, every single one of them was there due to a totaled out front end. This, I surmised, was from people not understanding how 4 wheel drive works. Too many, I find, believe that 4 wheel drive not only helps gain momentum in adverse conditions, but also helps them to stop in those same conditions. Sad for them. Good for me. As long as I didn't need parts from the front end.

11-25-2004, 11:14 AM	#1 (permalink)
Wulf_Hunter Crazy	Maxima, Cherokee, 3.0CL '97 owners? I've been looking for a new ride. I have decided between these 3 vehicles. 96-97 Maxima, Cherokee, and 3.0CL. Anyone here own any of these vechicles, or have owned? What problems have you had, and when looking at these cars, are there any red flags I should look for? Being in Michigan, I like the idea of have 4wd available. From what I 've seen on the net, the Jeep Cherokee is pretty damn reliable. As are the other 2. The ones I've been looking at range around 110-154,000 miles. I have a fairly low amount of money to spend 4000-6000. And a new car is out of the option. Due to a cruddy credit score. Thanks for any advice you can offer. Last edited by Wulf_Hunter; 11-25-2004 at 11:20 AM..

11-25-2004, 12:12 PM	#2 (permalink)
Halx Please touch this. Owner/Admin Location: Manhattan	Would that be an Acura CL? I would go for that. __________________ You have found this post informative. -The Administrator [Don't Feed The Animals]

11-25-2004, 09:00 PM	#4 (permalink)
merkerguitars Buffering......... Location: Wisconsin...	My parents own a 97' Jeep grand cherokee limited, it has the 318 (5.2L) engine It has the transfer case where it is only 4wd only (just the option of 4 high and 4 low) here are my solid opinion and problems i've had with it (since I do alot of the work on it when something breaks) Yes it does ride kinda harsh and doesn't handle the greatest (but i expect that with any SUV that is more geared towards offroading) the 4wd is great, good for romping around in muddy fields, but like all SUV's, sorry it doesn't make you stop faster, it has plenty of power for towing, hauls my dad's huge ass bass boat no problem. Tires are spendy for it. I put a K&N filter in it (will put a true CAI on it later on) and it gets about 18mpg with the K&N drop in replacement which isn't too bad for a v8 model ( I wish the transfer case had the 2wd option) The 318 is kinda a tight squeeze in the engine compartment but has plenty of get up and go. We had a problem with the rear differential where a bearing went out but me and my dad replaced it and every since no problems. The only other problem we have had there is a linkage bar that we have broke 3 times (it's cheap though about $25 and takes about 15 minutes to replace, I think it's just from beating on the vehicle or crappy replacement parts) I think its some sort of stabilizer link. All in all a good vehicle stuff that has went bad didn't really suprise it and it hasn't been a vehicle totally full of headaches. You should be able to find a high mileage one for cheap and also accessories are cheap too. __________________ Donate now! Ask me How! Please use the search function it is your friend. Look at my mustang please feel free to comment! http://www.tfproject.org/tfp/showthread.php?t=26985

11-25-2004, 10:45 PM	#7 (permalink)
Bill O'Rights will always be an Alyson Hanniganite Location: In the dust of the archives	I had a Cherokee. Mine was built when Jeep was still AMC, but...hell yeah, it was one of the most dependable vehicles I've ever owned. I wasn't stupid with it, but I never got into the situation that my Jeep couldn't get me out of. It was relatively easy to work on and maintain. Verastile. I'd recomend it. __________________ "I distrust those people who know so well what God wants them to do because I notice it always coincides with their own desires." - Susan B. Anthony "Hedonism with rules isn't hedonism at all, it's the Republican party." - JumpinJesus It is indisputable that true beauty lies within...but a nice rack sure doesn't hurt.

11-25-2004, 06:12 PM	#3 (permalink)
Nimisys Crazy Location: San Diego	the jeep will ride like a truck, handle like a truck, drink fuel like a truck, and will outlast the other two by a long margin. my 87 cherokee is at 260k miles, never had any major engine work, transmisison work (aside form two clutches in its lifetime) or other such expensive issues. Further its pretty DIY friendly, simple in diesgn and cheap in construction. it has its own personality and quirks. However it is not a sedan. it will not be as comfortable or a stylish as the other two. if it fits your personality the jeep is a blast. otherwise it is better suited as an alternate vehicle, for the day you goto the hardward store, or skiing, or dogs to the park etc.

11-25-2004, 09:44 PM	#6 (permalink)
animal909 Crazy	I own a 2000 maxima but belong to a car group called maxima.org The 4th gen maxima (1995 - 1999) is a good car IMO and it feels decently quick and is roomy. The VQ engine is very strong. More people like the 99 styling better, and the only problems most encontered were coil packs going bad.

11-26-2004, 01:42 PM	#8 (permalink)
Wulf_Hunter Crazy	Thanks for the reply guy's. I think I ruled out the Cherokee. That steering wheel column was just to uncomfortable for my long legs. I had to angle myself to avoid it. Does anyone know off hand if the Grand Cherokee is the same way? Wish it wasn't that way, all the research I did showed it was a darn reliable SUV. The ride wasn't as bad as I thought it would be. I'll look into the Nissian Max and Acura CL. I may even buy my bros Explorer, I know that a solid ride, hes taken very good care of it. Not bad for 3000. 110K miles. Thanks again for your input.