So my budget for a winter beater is 2000.00, I want something perferably RWD or AWD. Ive been looking at Jeep Grand Cherokees with the V8's, Ford Explorers, GMC jimmys, Subaru Legacys and Subaru imprezas, any one have any opinion on said vehicles?

Get a Grand Cherokee with the 4.0 six or a Cherokee with the six and you will be happy. And you should be able to find a beater for a $1000 or less. Dead nuts reliable and easy to wrench on when you need too.


Edit: stay away from V8 Grands. Not a bad engine but not as reliable as the six. 8 is 140-190 mile engine the 6 is easy 250 plus mile engine.

Posted by Nismo Subaru Legacys and Subaru imprezas

Avoid the hype. I would get a Cherokee or a Blazer/Jimmy.

Posted by big dave Avoid the hype. I would get a Cherokee or a Blazer/Jimmy.

hype?

the 1995 2.2L legacy is possibly the best winter beater for less than $2000. It's also lighter, and has a lower CG than the Jeep or the Chevy.

Perfect snow cars, you really don't have to replace much of anything on those cars, they run forever.

keep in mind I need somethign I can easily sell in the spring

The Impreza/Legacy has shat for clearance though. An Outback or Forester would be my choice if you had to drive through more than 6 inches of snow.

A Subie would definitely be an easy resell, without too much depreciation.

Also an older Nissan Pathfinder wouldn't be too hard to come by and they are reliable and can take a beating.

Now I wouldn't say a Subi is bad at all. But I prefer a true transfer case and solid axles myself. Subi = great all weather car. Jeep = great sever conditions/poor roads vehicle. Of course I am biased lol. And add another suggestion from my own lust. A late 80's-91 Grand Wagoneer. MPG are shit and its huge but if the end of civi was tomorrow its what I would grab.

Posted by Sinister Crayon Perfect snow cars, you really don't have to replace much of anything on those cars, they run forever.

LOL! You've never lived in New York or New England, then.

Subaru or a 4.0 Cherokee.


Jimmys and Blazers are all so rotted out in these parts. Run, don't walk. It's rare to find one that doesn't need all the brake lines, fuel lines, filler neck and inner rocker panels replaced. And they drive like an Astro van.

another vote for 4wd 4.0 Cherokee. watch the brakes and bearings.

Posted by jeepdave Get a Grand Cherokee with the 4.0 six or a Cherokee with the six and you will be happy. And you should be able to find a beater for a $1000 or less. Dead nuts reliable and easy to wrench on when you need too. Edit: stay away from V8 Grands. Not a bad engine but not as reliable as the six. 8 is 140-190 mile engine the 6 is easy 250 plus mile engine.

never had a problem my 5.9 grand Cherokee has been way more reliable then my 4.0 but I myself have started a 4.0 Cherokee wagoner that had been sitting since '91 with just a new battery and some gas.

Posted by Spence never had a problem my 5.9 grand Cherokee has been way more reliable then my 4.0 but I myself have started a 4.0 Cherokee wagoner that had been sitting since '91 with just a new battery and some gas.

I was speakin more of the 5.2. Hard to find the sweet 5.9s cheap in my area.

Posted by jeepdave I was speakin more of the 5.2. Hard to find the sweet 5.9s cheap in my area.

Word. I loved and hated my 5.2 Grand Cherokee at the same time. 2 transfer cases, rear differential, electrical problems...

Posted by DelbertGrady Word. I loved and hated my 5.2 Grand Cherokee at the same time. 2 transfer cases, rear differential, electrical problems...

I'm gonna guess u had a 93-96 limited full time 4x4 and the Dana 35 rear.

Posted by bandi Subaru or a 4.0 Cherokee. Jimmys and Blazers are all so rotted out in these parts. Run, don't walk. It's rare to find one that doesn't need all the brake lines, fuel lines, filler neck and inner rocker panels replaced. And they drive like an Astro van.

i drive an astro van all day....great

Posted by Samurai LOL! You've never lived in New York or New England, then.

we get a fuck ton of snow here and i had no problems when i was using my friends A4 lastyear

I'd recommend not Grand Cherokee, but a an SJ Jeep Cherokee, which is the original full size SUV during the AMC era.

Posted by Agent Skelly I'd recommend not Grand Cherokee, but a an SJ Jeep Cherokee, which is the original full size SUV during the AMC era.

I can second that but push to the Grand Wagoneer because stick on woodgrain is the fucking shit like that

SJ is out of hte question, I dont want a 20-30 year old beater

Posted by Nismo SJ is out of hte question, I dont want a 20-30 year old beater

Its not what you think.