My First Car

"lorem ipsum" (nothing123456789)
07/22/2014 at 18:16 • Filed to: First car, Jeep Cherokee, Chevrolet, Chevy

I haven't posted on here in a while— since March, in fact. A lot has happened since then, but, to spare you the sordid details (they're actually not that sordid), I've moved to Maine and need to buy my first car.

The town I've moved to is a small one mid-way up the coast that gets a lot of snow and ice on the poorly paved roads during the six-month winter. I've been thinking about getting a Jeep Cherokee, one with the four liter engine, but a Chevrolet pickup could be a possibility as well. Maybe even a Wrangler— a removable hardtop would be great in the summers.

My parents are leaning towards a Subaru Outback, which would perform all the necessary functions, but it's just a kind of the boring, predictable choice. My needs are four wheel drive, reliability, decent fuel economy (above 20 mpg) and a price tag under $5000. Do you guys have any ideas for me?

DISCUSSION (23)

jkm7680 > lorem ipsum
07/22/2014 at 18:19

The Outback sounds good, but a Silverado would be better for what it's worth.

Vince-The Roadside Mechanic > lorem ipsum
07/22/2014 at 18:19

When it comes to the I-6 AMC engine you want a carbureted one. They are more reliable. Get like a 70's jeep or something with the carbureted I6.

Vince-The Roadside Mechanic > lorem ipsum
07/22/2014 at 18:20

Get a used WRX. I think it is a good compromise between the 2.

Jordan and the Slowrunner, Boomer Intensifies > lorem ipsum
07/22/2014 at 18:22

Cherokee is a good choice, just check for rust. The first and second generation 4Runner's are also a good choice, just get the 4 cylinder versions unless you buy a V6 for really cheap and automatically change the gaskets, water pump, thermostat, and timing belt. Which can easily be done for much less than $5,000, just gas mileage sucks.

TheJWT > lorem ipsum
07/22/2014 at 18:23

What about a normal Subaru Legacy instead of an Outback? They're cheap, 4wd, and have a good selection of aftermarket parts.

dogisbadob > lorem ipsum
07/22/2014 at 18:28

oooo easy!

Get a Tracker, Sidekick, or Vitara! They are capable of 20 mpg, and they are a cool off-road capable convertible (removable hardtops are available for them too). No real Jeep can approach 20 mpg (except the diesel Liberty, but you won't find one for 5k), so you can absolutely forget about a Wrangler or Cherokee. They did make a Comanche diesel in the 80s, but I don't know how many of them actually exist, and I don't know if you can get a decent one for 5k.

I like to think of the Tracker and friends as the Wrangler done right. Fun fact: they're smaller and lighter than a Miata!

Another possibility might be the Matrix/Vibe AWD. Toyota quality and good gas mileage.

E92M3 > lorem ipsum
07/22/2014 at 18:41

I've had 4 Cherokee's. Even in the 2WD manual one I was lucky to get 17MPG.

Klaus Schmoll > lorem ipsum
07/22/2014 at 18:42

Kinja'd!!!

A little out of the box yet still within your requirements. Get one in red and you could rock it Jesse Pinkman style!

yamahog > Vince-The Roadside Mechanic
07/22/2014 at 18:44

How much more reliable than 250k does it need to be? The engine isn't what you have to worry about in those things, it's everything around it rusting and falling off.

But I agree with a previous commenter, he'd have to drive pretty conservatively to even whiff 20mpg in an XJ. I was averaging 16 (lifted, but before mud tires), and I keep it below 70.

HammerheadFistpunch > lorem ipsum
07/22/2014 at 18:45

don't get a cherokee expecting 20 plus mpg.

Milky > Vince-The Roadside Mechanic
07/22/2014 at 18:45

WAT? I had a '92 Cherokee with the I-6 that ran like a top until I (it was my fault, not the engine's) killed it @206k.

Frosted > lorem ipsum
07/22/2014 at 18:48

Get the Outback and slowly build it into a WRX. It'd be a fun sleeper.

cabarne4 > lorem ipsum
07/22/2014 at 18:48

Go for the Subaru. Here's why:

Kinja'd!!!

Subarus are, almost literally, the LEGO brick of the automotive world. Go get yourself an Impreza (GC8 is the best body style, in my opinion, but a good Bugeye is great, too). Start with a naturally aspirated 2.5 model. Throw on the STi steering rack, some long travel suspension (paired with a 1 inch lift), some knobby tires, and enjoy. Want more power? Cool. All the STi go-fast parts will basically swap right over (or, swap in the entire STi drivetrain, because why not?).

Nothing against the old, boxy Cherokees — I actually want one myself. But they have a tendency to rust to the ground, and you really won't be seeing over 20 mpg (only if you cruise at 55 with a tailwind). A few friends of mine have them, and get about 17-18 on the freeway.

Vince-The Roadside Mechanic > yamahog
07/22/2014 at 19:13

I have seen the carbed ones go to 470000 miles.

Also no good mileage can be obtained with a Jeep.

Vince-The Roadside Mechanic > Milky
07/22/2014 at 19:14

All of the Jeep I6 engines are reliable. The carbed ones are just better.

Brian the Volvo Speed Demon >;D > lorem ipsum
07/22/2014 at 19:36

Cherokee-wise, do your research first, and don't buy one from the northeast.

You are hopefully mechanically adept, as while the engine and automatic transmission are reliable, everything else prays for help. Above all, the more basic, the better. Ex-Forest Service or other gov sources are your best bet. Out here in the west, a lot were used as motor pool vehicles.

MK6GTI-now with added Miata > lorem ipsum
03/05/2015 at 01:39

Don't put too much faith in a <$5k Subaru in the northeast. Asking for trouble, speaking from experience. You'll want to get it checked out thoroughly first, make sure it's had all of the traditional Subie stuff done to it. Head gaskets tend to go, see if the timing belt/water pump have been done, check for rust, tears in the CV boots, etc. Shift linkages get shitty but that's an easy fix. My friend had an IACV issue with his and countless rust-related issues.

Overall they're solid cars but the northeast can be rough on anything. I still see plenty of Cherokees on the road too, so they must be pretty good. You'll probably struggle to find a good Wrangler under $5k unless you go YJ, but I wouldn't personally want to deal with New England roads and frost heaves with a solid axle leaf-sprung short-wheelbase truck.

Best of luck!

lorem ipsum > MK6GTI-now with added Miata
03/05/2015 at 06:43

Well, here's what's happened so far: I got a second generation Outback for $2500— rolled it. Got another second gen Outback that was supposed to be in better condition, i.e. I paid more for it, but it's had to go to the shop a few times already.

Totally understand what you're saying about the YJ on these roads— my spine would be sticking out the top of my head at this point.

MK6GTI-now with added Miata > lorem ipsum
03/05/2015 at 12:39

Ah wow didn't even notice the date on your original post lol. Rough winter we're having, eh? What's gone wrong with your current Outback?

lorem ipsum > MK6GTI-now with added Miata
03/05/2015 at 17:54

Got the front rotors replaced, seals all over the roof are wrong, so a substantial amount of water leaks into the car at the slightest hint of precipitation, ABS never seems to work, and I tried towing someone out of a tight spot recently, and only had two wheels moving.

Rough winter in terms of shoveling, but all this snow sure is beautiful! I love stepping outside and being surrounded by silence while big flakes of snow slowly fall all around me. Plus, parking lot donuts.

MK6GTI-now with added Miata > lorem ipsum
03/05/2015 at 18:09

Depending on the car, rotors are just a regularly replaced thing. My friend's 98 first gen went through a few sets, and he had a similar ABS issue that would go away and come back intermittently.

Yeah we got a good amount of snow today in RI. Got stuck in my driveway but I did a couple nice drifts around the commuter lot of my school. Also for some reason the snow makes my wheels look photoshopped.

Kinja'd!!!

lorem ipsum > MK6GTI-now with added Miata
03/05/2015 at 18:25

Got a friend with the same-gen GTi as you! I know rotors are one of those maintenance items, but the car was claimed to be in perfect shape with all the necessary work done by a trusted mechanic... oh well.

MK6GTI-now with added Miata > lorem ipsum
03/05/2015 at 18:27

Trusted mechanic = owner's buddy who won't snitch on him.

My friend bought his with a "brand new clutch". Technically it did have a new clutch, but it wasn't installed right and lasted 10,000 miles :P