So yeah, I wanna know what i'm getting into. How are they? Reliable? I'm looking at the Jimmy in particular. Have the chance to pick one up for cheap. 2K for a 1997 with 137k KM fully loaded. It's clean and in it's in good condition. I would use it for winter and to mountain bike and so on.

I need your opinions.

BTW:

Nismo, don't worry. I'm keeping the VW.

Explorers are junk. First off, the front end suspension is junk. Garbage. The automatic transmissions are garbage, the wheel bearings fail spectacularly, the automatic hubs always fail. Fuck a Ford Explorer.

S10 Blazer... stay away. Yeah, I'm a Chevy guy telling you to stay away from S10 Blazers... Same with the Little Jimmys.

You want a good, reliable, indestructible 4x4, find yourself an old Toyota 4Runner, Nissan Crashfinder, Isuzu Rodeo/Amigo/Trooper, a full-size Blazer/Jimmy/Tahoe, or an old school Ford Bronco, or even a Jeep Wrangler variant.

Samurai

clearly you need a tiguan.

4runners are way more expensive.

Mind telling why the s10/blazers are that bad?

Samarui: You forgot the Honda Passport is a rebadged Isuzu Rodeo

Posted by Professor Chaos 4runners are way more expensive. Mind telling why the s10/blazers are that bad?

the S10's suffer from just stupid engineering... the engines are a pain in the ass to work on, the transmissions are not all that stout. The switches for the 4x4 always fail. The ball joints are weak. They just aren't very good.

Hell, I'd recommend a late 80's/early 90's Subaru 4x4 as well... these things are main battle tanks and you would be fucking amazed where you can take these things!

(I'm looking for one for myself for winter)

Samurai

I second you Getting a pathfinder.

The Jimmys/Blazers are also notorious for front wheel bearing issues, oil cooler line failure, fuel pump failure and ignition module failure.

Run away, don't walk.

I also vote for a Pathfinder or 4Runner.

Posted by bandi The Jimmys/Blazers are also notorious for front wheel bearing issues, oil cooler line failure, fuel pump failure and ignition module failure. Run away, don't walk. I also vote for a Pathfinder or 4Runner.

and don't forget with any S-10/Blazer... you MUST REPLACE THE PUMP ASSEMBLY WITH AN ACTUAL GM ASSEMBLY!!! Unless you like dropping the tank every 6-8 months.
These electrical systems don't like the aftermarket pumps for some weird reason.

Samurai

Thank god you guys are here.

Well fuck it for GM then. I acctually found a 91 passat synchro today while driving up twards Rimouski. I'll call the guy tomarrow.

Yes. Stay VW. That's the spirit.

Stay away from domestic junk and you will save yourself a lot of headaches, and money! Like Sam said, look into a Pathfinder, Rodeo, 4Runner, etc. They are all reliable wonderful trucks. Im very partial to the Pathfinder.

Posted by Professor Chaos Thank god you guys are here. Well fuck it for GM then. I acctually found a 91 passat synchro today while driving up twards Rimouski. I'll call the guy tomarrow.

don't even get me started about VW.

Hey I love my Veeedubs.

Posted by Professor Chaos Hey I love my Veeedubs.

Just because you love them doesnt mean they arent pieces of caca.

VW for the win

Posted by Professor Chaos Thank god you guys are here. Well fuck it for GM then. I acctually found a 91 passat synchro today while driving up twards Rimouski. I'll call the guy tomarrow.

Good thing the syncro doesn't have the 2.0 l I4 (or does it?). My parents had a fine 1992 Passat which after 10 years and only 150000 km started developing all sorts of problems. It was a great car filled with all sorts of engineering tricks. It just didn't rust either. But ten years was all it could take. However, I suspect that it was either the exception or the I4 was problematic.

Passat 16Valve engine blows

Passat syncro engine is even worse

1992-1994 Full Size Blazer or a Yukon, or a 1995 Tahoe, since it was still throttle body injection, a simpler design. Other than maintenance like fluids, filters, brakes, and other normal shit, I've had no major problems with mine other than the ABS unit, which I replaced with a used one that cost 200 bucks, and my catalytic converter shit the bed up in Maine a few weeks ago (it was one an exhaust shop put in when I got duals, it was crap!), I should also mention I have 205,000 miles on the original engine and I get complimented on this truck all the time. The S10 trucks aren't very good nor is the Exploder.

I know everyone loves to plug things like 4runners all the time, but I'm going to be the devils advocate and mention that the rear springs go out often, they rot like a bastard all over the place, are more costly to fix, and so on. The insurance is more costly, depending on the area you live in the taxes may be, parts are more expensive than they are for my truck (I don't even use AutoZone crap either) and my truck can tow more. If the engine or tranny goes, sometimes it's more cost effective to part the thing out than get it rebuilt, unless you can toss a tranny or motor in yourself, etc.
I like Pathfinders a little better but the frames rot on them here and there.

FWIW, I usually get 13-14MPG if I'm driving like a jerk and I can squeeze 17 or 18 if I drive like an old man. A lot of smaller sport utilities don't get much better, I don't know about the ones mentioned but XJ Cherokees and Wranglers only get about 18 or 19.

If you are interested in one of these, check the rear wheelhouses for rot (rare, but I've seen it happen), back bumper (you could replace it anyway), and other normal stuff like the condition of the oil and coolant, etc.

I'm not saying the other choices are horrible, nor is my truck the best thing ever made, but in the same vein, the other trucks aren't better than mine either. These trucks run forever. I've seen more than one with over 350,000 miles, and plenty of the pickups with that kind of mileage.

Another vote for the pathfinder. The VG will last for a long time. And I know you wouldn't think of getting a newer one based on higher cost, but the last pathy we had in the family was an 01 and I loved the VQ.