Sorry to use the C words... C hevy.. C hrysler...

I was looking at Maybe buying a 2000 to 2003 4 door Blazer or Cherokee.
Wanted to know what eveyone things about these two. I know thats a loaded questions here at the Ford Forums, but that's what she wants.
I own an 89 Ranger 2.3 FI.
I would like an Explorer or Escape of the same year, but, well, you know.

So which is better of the two Evils... Good points? Bad Points?

Thanks
Steven Ranger...

 

Go check out the reliablity ratings, do a google search for reliability ratings, there will be a few sites to choose from.

 

OK, From Consumer Reports, which will get some nasty comments from others, but:


Both the Chev and Jeep make the "Used cars to avoid" list.

Only the Exploder 98-99 4x4 make the list. (I can vouch for that)

"Trouble spots" as they call them:

Chev
Electrical starts average in '02 and goes to worst possible after that. The did not have enough of a sample to rate '03s.

Paint trim rust start and stay average, for the most part.

Body integrity starts bad and stays bad for all years.

Tranny is average to ok, as is the engine.

Jeep


Brakes go from good on 03, but all older units go to terrible.


engine, ok,

Tranny ok for a few years, ditto electrics

Power equipt looks like it pies after 3 years.




OK< Exploder:

2WD only
They never tag the tranny as anyting but good. (How can that be if you read this site...)

Electrical after 01 is bad,

Fuel system after 01 goes to average

Body integrity average 02 and back

Body hardware average o2 and back.


As I recall, everyone thinks the Chev stinks as a driver. I'm surprised the Jeep doesn't show more trouble, the way you hear about them.

Since you are looking at fairly late model stuff--I'd try to buy the "Certified Pre Owned" with a factory warranty on the expensive stuff for as long as you can get.

My ESP cost $1600, but it paid for a diff and a tranny. And I had a rental car for some of the time it took them to repair.

IMH&BO, they're all trouble, and whatever you can do to make the trouble land back at the feet of the manufacturer, you should do. I know it costs more.....

Good luck and happy motoring, and drive with pride......

 

Unfortunately, 02 Blazer with nearly 50K on it (already). It's my parents, but I've driven it a few times (not recently). None of us have had any complaints (except some minor things which were all covered by the warranty)..... It still runs great and the ride isn't too bad. I've heard from my mechanic that a lot of people have had problems with mid-90s+ Cherokees, a lot more so than the Blazer.... Just my $.02

 

I drove a 96 Cherokee as a patrol vehicle for about 3 years. If you get it, stop and get a haynes manual on the way home. Then pick up some serpentine belts and maybe a tensioner or 3. It may have been the fact they were used 24/7 but ours went through belts pretty regularly. But on the bright side, they did their job exceptionally well in all terrains and weather conditions.

 

my 92 cherokee has 170,000 miles on the ticker,no major overhauls,no major problems. the way she runs now,she could be good for another 170,000. my grandpa bought a 96 with 200,000 miles on it 2 years ago,has put another 70,000 on it,drivetrain hasn't been touched except for regular maintanance

 

I drove a '96 Cherokee for about 2 years, I loved that SUV. I never had any REAL problems with it, it was low miles when I got it, and put about 40,000 on it in the 2 years.

I might have misread, but you said you would like an explorer the same year that your ranger was... but they didn't start making explorers till '92. The '89 'explorer' was still a bronco II

 

I meant that I would like another Ford. A 2000 to 2003 Explorer or Escape SUV. Because Ford is all I have driven in the past 24 years. I know that every Car or Truck is going to have probelms sooner or later. Maybe some more then others. My last 3 Rangers (Still got the 89) Two 84's and One 89
Have had the same exact problems. All the paint is coming off, the dash gauges quit working, the driver seat sinks in, rear window leaks in the corner and a new clutch every 40 to 50k miles. I think the 80's was just a bad year for Rangers.

I'm kinda like the Cherokee. Not the Grand but the Cherokee Sport 4 door. It's more in our price range. I have about $15000.00 to spend on an SUV. This will be my first Car Payment in about 12 years. I saved half of it and borrowed the other half. I have always saved the money and paid cash for my Trucks. Paid 2000.00 for my 89 ranger 4 years ago. A friend sold it to me.

Going Shopping for SUV's tonight. Not sure what I'll get.

 

I've owned a few Cherokees - '86, '90, and '96 - and they were all pretty darn reliable, though I did go through a few serpentine belts. The '84 was going strong when I sold it with 180K, and the '90 and '96 I sold at about 130K. The '86 and '90 were lifted and used for off-roading, but the '96 was stock. Excellent vehicles off-road, BTW. The I-6 is a good motor, but I also liked the 4 cylinder in my '86 - good mileage, and could take a beating. I towed a 20' trailer around the Rockies with it, and it didn't even explode. Wasn't able to go very fast, though...

However, I know someone who has a '99 and they had quite a few problems - particularly with the front axle and front suspension (something like 5K in repairs in the first 50K miles). So, I don't know if they got a lemon or if the later Cherokees weren't as good as the earlier ones.

Also, all my Cherokees had the 5-speed manual - don't know anything about the auto.

LK

 

I had a 98 blazer...let's put it this way I still owed 12500 on it but I sold it for 7000 to drive a more reliable vehicle ...my 78 f150!
the trim was coming off- not that big of a deal if it was on the side, but this was the moulding around the bottom of the windows...I have seen the same problem in others as well
the engine was good same with the trans, but here were my problems...
ball joints upper the lower ones also had to be replaced, but the dealership I took it too (extended warranty) said there was a certain amount of play that is allowed by factory...yea right-not this much. every time I turned there was a very loud popping and cracking noise. .
replaced h2o pump after only 60000
bad ignition cylinder- the thing ate my key and would not release it...I had to get it towed to shop
There were more, mostly more small stuff, but that's not the point. It was a 14000 vehicle, I bought it so I wouldn't have to deal with these minor hassles. Most of em resulted in a tow. I had it for two years and had it towed bout 5 times.
just like a trophy wife- It looked nice, but it's prissy attitude left you with more of a headache than you bargained for. buy the explorer

 

Toyota 4Runner. Talk her into it.

 

we have an 02 Grand...

You can step into one right now (very depressed used car market) for right about $15K.

I've never, ever had a problem with it... regular scheduled maintenance is all that is required...

I think you could find a very nice 99-01 Explorer for that money. I would have an explorer now if it had solid axles.. can't have everything I guess...

 

no way buy american!

 

I would much rather have an American auto. And believe me it hurt my feelings to find out my 89 Ranger has a Mazda tranny. But I'm learning to acept the fact that an American name has foreign parts. Even if I don't like. What really ticks me off is that the little 4inch by 6inch American Plastic Flag that a neighbor gave me Was made in CHINA! I'm sorry and I don't have anything against other races, but the american Flag shouldn't be made any where else but in the USA!

Anyway back to the subject, I did test drive a 2001 Cherokee 4x4 and I really like it. The front end did seem heavy. Shocks seem stiff on bumps in the road. Didn't like the Ford Escape. Plus the saleman was getting on my Nerves. He wanted me to buy something. Tried to show me every Car On the lot. I'll look else where.

 

and what about all those people who drive riceburners, and tatter their car with american flag stickers. talk about hippocrites...
sorry, had to vent.