NationStates Jolt Archive

Im thinking of buying a used '04 Jeep Grand Cherokee Laredo for $16,000 with about 32,000 miles on it. If any of you own Grand Cherokees how do you feel about them? What is the real gas mileage they get? Does it have high maintenance costs? Do they run nice?

And does that sound like a good price?

Thanks.

you should brace for SUV haters.

16,000$ for what is essentially a new jeep is pretty much the standard price.

I love these things, so I say: BUY IT[

http://www.kbb.com/ -- $$ the Blue Book for pricing and reviews.
http://www.kbb.com/kbb/UsedCars/default.aspx -- used cars



http://www.edmunds.com/jeep/grandcherokee/2004/consumerreview.html -- A consumer report thing.

you should brace for SUV haters.

I spend a lot of time in Vermont, and we get a lot of snow in Vermont, therefore I need an SUV to get around in winter... So the SUV haters can just shove it up their ass.

I had a 93 Jeep Grand Cherokee for a while, it got adequate gas millage for the size, but broke often, which didn't really matter because I fixed it myself, it was more inconvenient than anything. However, I hear they have worked some of the reliability problems out at this point. I had better luck with my 92 Wrangler, it didn't break as much, but was still pretty unreliable (even for a 10 year old car).

Im thinking of buying a used '04 Jeep Grand Cherokee Laredo for $16,000 with about 32,000 miles on it. If any of you own Grand Cherokees how do you feel about them? What is the real gas mileage they get? Does it have high maintenance costs? Do they run nice?

And does that sound like a good price?

Thanks.

Be aware of electrical problems the 02 - 05 years were plagued with them as well as various engine problems

Other things to be aware of is expect absolutely horrid gas mileage and crappy towing and is about the worst offroader that Jeep makes (there is a reason they call them the "bus" on the trails)

As far as your price and milage is concerned seems to be about what we get them for around here so seems like a good deal

Im thinking of buying a used '04 Jeep Grand Cherokee Laredo for $16,000 with about 32,000 miles on it. If any of you own Grand Cherokees how do you feel about them? What is the real gas mileage they get? Does it have high maintenance costs? Do they run nice?

And does that sound like a good price?

Thanks.

Have fun seriously regretting your purchase in a few years when gasoline costs make owning such a vehicle far too financially prohibitive.

Anyone remember the Scout? My friends dad had a couple, both were blue and white .. looked sorta like a jeep. They were older.. probably a 70 something model. Does anyone know who made them? Was it Chrysler?

NVM I found it. It was made by International Harvester .. which rings a bell now that I read it. They aren't made anymore. I like them, they are cool. http://4wheeldrive.about.com/cs/international/a/aa010103a.htm

didn't mean to threadjack.. the 4 wheel drive jeep thing got me thinking about it.

Anyone remember the Scout? My friends dad had a couple, both were blue and white .. looked sorta like a jeep. They were older.. probably a 70 something model. Does anyone know who made them? Was it Chrysler?

International Harvester.

I had one for a while before I got my Wrangler, the whole top of it came off, it was hilarious. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/International_Harvester_Scout

International Harvester.

I had one for a while before I got my Wrangler, the whole top of it came off, it was hilarious. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/International_Harvester_Scout

That car is straight out of a low budget, well written comedy.

International Harvester.

I had one for a while before I got my Wrangler, the whole top of it came off, it was hilarious. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/International_Harvester_Scout

Cool. Thanks for the link. I might get one of these some day. Or just a regular jeep.. I just want a jeep. lol :)

Cool. Thanks for the link. I might get one of these some day. :)

I run across them on the trails sometimes they are a bit big for most of the rock around here but people still do some wicked things to them

I'm a self-confessed SUV hater myself.

I always think that if you need a 4WD to move around because that just happens to be the geography you live in (and I don't buy the "what if we want to go to X for holidays", my parents used it and it's a lie), you should get something as serious and focused as possible. No leather, no road-biased tires, no freakin' cupholders.

So if it won't stretch to an old-school G-Class Merc or Unimog Truck, get a Land Rover Series III or Defender.

I think this is the perfect time to post my jeep

http://www.youdontevenrealize.com/pictures/jeep/jeep5.jpg (too big not going to frame break)

I'm a self-confessed SUV hater myself.

I always think that if you need a 4WD to move around because that just happens to be the geography you live in (and I don't buy the "what if we want to go to X for holidays", my parents used it and it's a lie), you should get something as serious and focused as possible. No leather, no road-biased tires, no freakin' cupholders.

So if it won't stretch to an old-school G-Class Merc or Unimog Truck, get a Land Rover Series III or Defender.

I do have my cheep old jeep for play but I do own a 2500 HD Diesel as my primary vehicle

But again ...farm in minnesota lol
It has no leather
No road tires
It does have 2 cup holders though

I think this is the perfect time to post my jeep

http://www.youdontevenrealize.com/pictures/jeep/jeep5.jpg (too big not going to frame break)

I...I love you.

I...I love you.

Tis my toy ... and I could have bought 2 of them all the way modded out like I have it for the price of the grand charokee that he was looking at :)

But again ...farm in minnesota lol
It has no leather
No road tires
It does have 2 cup holders though
See, I can live with that. My parents bought a V6 Ford Escape (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ford_Escape) - worst car I've ever had the displeasure of driving (incidentally, also the only American car I've ever driven :p).

And I just wiped the dust of my screen - I can't believe how sharp the image is. :eek:

I think this is the perfect time to post my jeep

http://www.youdontevenrealize.com/pictures/jeep/jeep5.jpg (too big not going to frame break)

I like it.

Scout (http://www.aking.missingsaddle.com/wp-content/uploads/2006/11/Mr%20Scout2.jpg) One I'd like to have.

Scout (http://4wheeldrive.about.com/library/uc/ucgraphics/brian233scout1.jpg) That one is bad ass though.

Scout (http://wildwillsclassicmotors.com/cars/images/Scout.jpg) Cute!

See, I can live with that. My parents bought a V6 Ford Escape (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ford_Escape) - worst car I've ever had the displeasure of driving (incidentally, also the only American car I've ever driven :p).

And I just wiped the dust of my screen - I can't believe how sharp the image is. :eek:

I happen to dislike the small SUV's myself
I get better gas millage and same seating out of my 2500 (I get almost 19 which is way better then some of them like the blazer) and yet they are absolutely worthless for doing any real hauling and towing

They kept the worst parts of the big 4x4's without most of the good parts

Here be another one

http://www.youdontevenrealize.com/pictures/jeep/jeep3.jpg

Here be another one

http://www.youdontevenrealize.com/pictures/jeep/jeep3.jpg

I may be a man, but I want you to have my children.

I may be a man, but I want you to have my children.

I went last weekend I have to get the pictures from my bro and put them up lol I did some REALLY crazy stuff this past time

Saw a landrover roll 6 or 7 times as well slipped on a turnback pretty crazy

Might as well do the rest

http://www.youdontevenrealize.com/pictures/jeep/jeep3.jpg
http://www.youdontevenrealize.com/pictures/jeep/jeep4.jpg
http://www.youdontevenrealize.com/pictures/jeep/jeep5.jpg
http://www.youdontevenrealize.com/pictures/jeep/jeep6.jpg
http://www.youdontevenrealize.com/pictures/jeep/jeep7.jpg
http://www.youdontevenrealize.com/pictures/jeep/jeep8.jpg
http://www.youdontevenrealize.com/pictures/jeep/jeep9.jpg
http://www.youdontevenrealize.com/pictures/jeep/jeep10.jpg

Lol :) I know pridefull but I put a lot of work into it might as well show it off

I'm a self-professed GM guy, but I'd like to say that one of the Jeeps I'd be interested in getting would be a Scrambler (with a hard top). The four door Wrangler interests me, but it's too much money for me to consider it right now.

Have fun seriously regretting your purchase in a few years when gasoline costs make owning such a vehicle far too financially prohibitive.

Get a job hippie. Actually I'm not much of an SUV fan myself (unless you go with a Trailblazer SS (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IxouDSxx5uw&mode=related&search=)). I prefer gas-guzzling, deer-killing, baby-snatching pickups with 4WD and 33" mud slingers.

Get a job hippie. Actually I'm not much of an SUV fan myself (unless you go with a Trailblazer SS (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IxouDSxx5uw&mode=related&search=)). I prefer gas-guzzling, deer-killing, baby-snatching pickups with 4WD and 33" mud slingers.

Pfft 33's are small I have thoes on my Jeep

Get a job hippie. Actually I'm not much of an SUV fan myself (unless you go with a Trailblazer SS (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IxouDSxx5uw&mode=related&search=)). I prefer gas-guzzling, deer-killing, baby-snatching pickups with 4WD and 33" mud slingers.
Gas isn't too expensive here, anyway.

Last I checked it was $2.63 (and '9/10ths') for 87 at my nearest gas station. It's been going down several cents a week, consistently, for what seems like a few months now. Never got to much more than $3 in the first place.

Pfft 33's are small I have thoes on my Jeep

Well I'm talking daily driver off course;). Toys need at least 44's....and nitrous..maybe some side stacks.....

Well I'm talking daily driver off course;). Toys need at least 44's....and nitrous..maybe some side stacks.....

Even thoes get lost in some of the swamps up here

I saw a brand new Ford F150 with 40's sink to the roof line at a mud run last year lol

A lot of the trucks competing there had farm implement tires on ... needed a 6 or an 8 foot step ladder to get in lol

good grief sounds like a monster truck

good grief sounds like a monster truck

Same Idea ... less ultra light construction though they dont have to fly through the air and they dont need the fancy suspension ... They need power tires and a good drive train

Even thoes get lost in some of the swamps up here

I saw a brand new Ford F150 with 40's sink to the roof line at a mud run last year lol

A lot of the trucks competing there had farm implement tires on ... needed a 6 or an 8 foot step ladder to get in lol

Right on. Just about anything can get lost though, even Deltas. Seen it.

EDIT:

http://foremost.ca/pdf/en/veh_comc2006.pdf
http://foremost.ca/pdf/en/veh_comc.pdf
http://foremost.ca/pdf/en/veh_d3.pdf

Or you can just forget 66's and go with tracks

http://foremost.ca/pdf/en/veh_h8.pdf

Any more advise from people who have owned Grand Cherokees?




***SUV haters need not give any advise, I have already made it clear that I cannot make it around VT in winter in a car, therefore I need an SUV.

Any more advise from people who have owned Grand Cherokees?




***SUV haters need not give any advise, I have already made it clear that I cannot make it around VT in winter in a car, therefore I need an SUV.

OF the 3 Cherokee owners that I know all 3 later went to pickups after less then 4 years I would lean twards an extended cab truck if I were the one making a decision more useful and better gas millage

Right on. Just about anything can get lost though, even Deltas. Seen it.

EDIT:

http://foremost.ca/pdf/en/veh_comc2006.pdf
http://foremost.ca/pdf/en/veh_comc.pdf
http://foremost.ca/pdf/en/veh_d3.pdf

Or you can just forget 66's and go with tracks

http://foremost.ca/pdf/en/veh_h8.pdf
Had a friend that went with a track mod to his pickup

Was not the best in mud but it did rock in the snow

Any more advise from people who have owned Grand Cherokees?

I still own (and drive daily) my 1995 Grand Cherokee Laredo. 13 years and 177K miles, and it's still going strong. Even the body is in surprisingly good shape (very little rust), given the amount of salt Ohio puts on its roads.

It gets good gas mileage for a vehicle its size. It handles better than any other (civilian) vehicle I've ever driven in the snow and ice (low gear ratios).

The only real problem I'd say I had was that the damn rear window wiper motor burned out 2-3 times; I now go without.

Other than that, the other things I've done are fairly normal for a vehicle that's 10-15 years old. I replaced the radiator about five years ago, and a tie rod about three years ago (although I think my wife had something to do with its demise).

I don't know enough about the model to say if this is typical for a JGC. I suspect that most crap out before 177K miles. But I'm sure that mine will get me to 200K.

I love my Grand Cherokee. Welcome to the Club. :cool:

***SUV haters need not give any advise, I have already made it clear that I cannot make it around VT in winter in a car, therefore I need an SUV.
No, therefore you need an off-road capable vehicle. Don't confuse the two. An SUV with road-biased tires and leather trim is no better on snowy roads than a WRX.

Hence I'm telling you to ditch the Grand Cherokee idea and go for a Defender instead.

No, therefore you need an off-road capable vehicle. Don't confuse the two. An SUV with road-biased tires and leather trim is no better on snowy roads than a WRX.

Hence I'm telling you to ditch the Grand Cherokee idea and go for a Defender instead.

Umm, a Grand Cherokee is an off-road capable vehicle.

Get a Hummer.

Umm, a Grand Cherokee is an off-road capable vehicle.
Yeah, with leather seats, 28 cup holders and this (http://www.tirerack.com/tires/tires.jsp?tireMake=Goodyear&tireModel=Fortera+SilentArmor) as standard tire. Say what you will, it's not an off-roader.

The only people who ever take this away from the road are the Jeep marketing team for the promo shots.

Now, you can't even get the Defender with leather interior. Why? Because you're going off-road, you're just gonna get it dirty. So they offer cloth or vinyl and that's it.

Get a Hummer.

Sound advices Mr Ruffino. But I think they wanted information about which car they should buy.

Yeah, with leather seats, 28 cup holders and this (http://www.tirerack.com/tires/tires.jsp?tireMake=Goodyear&tireModel=Fortera+SilentArmor) as standard tire. Say what you will, it's not an off-roader.

The only people who ever take this away from the road are the Jeep marketing team for the promo shots.

Now, you can't even get the Defender with leather interior. Why? Because you're going off-road, you're just gonna get it dirty. So they offer cloth or vinyl and that's it.
To be fair we see quite a few on the trails ... I have a friend with one that brought it up this weekend (if my stupid bro would get back to me I would have the pics I am sure he is in a bunch of them)

He is stock down to the tires and he does alright (just picked it up there will be lots of future mods just not yet ... lol)

It would not be my choice you know my opinion on most small suv's but you do see lots of them off the road

Sound advices Mr Ruffino. But I think they wanted information about which car they should buy.

http://ak.imgfarm.com/images/fwp/smileytoday/oopsSmiley.gif

To be fair we see quite a few on the trails ...
I just hate the compromises. It's road-biased SUVs that clog up my streets. Cars that never or almost never see a bit of dirt (other than out of a can) but that are a nuisance to other drivers.

If the only "SUVs" that existed were stripped out off-road machines that make a deafening tire noise when on the road, people would buy what they actually need: namely some Audi Avant Quattro (http://www.channel4.com/4car/media/A/audi/Allroad/03-large/06-allroad-f3q-mud-a.jpg). Or a Subaru Impreza/Liberty Estate. Or some other all-wheel drive station wagon.

I just hate the compromises. It's road-biased SUVs that clog up my streets. Cars that never or almost never see a bit of dirt (other than out of a can) but that are a nuisance to other drivers.

If the only "SUVs" that existed were stripped out off-road machines that make a deafening tire noise when on the road, people would buy what they actually need: namely some Audi Avant Quattro (http://www.channel4.com/4car/media/A/audi/Allroad/03-large/06-allroad-f3q-mud-a.jpg). Or a Subaru Impreza/Liberty Estate. Or some other all-wheel drive station wagon.
I agree which is why I made the choices I did

Cheep breakable (though never have) modded jeep that is lucky to see 1000 miles a year (It wont make 60mph with the gearing anyways so it is trailered to the parks for the most part) and my truck for real work cause I need it.

That being said some people have done some wicked things with cherokee's but its like my friends Xterra he modded
http://www.youdontevenrealize.com/pictures/jeep/xterra11.jpg
http://www.youdontevenrealize.com/pictures/jeep/xterra12.jpg

It takes a lot of spendy work to make it what it is

(hehehe he was stuck at that point ... I am winching him out)

Yeah, with leather seats, 28 cup holders and this (http://www.tirerack.com/tires/tires.jsp?tireMake=Goodyear&tireModel=Fortera+SilentArmor) as standard tire. Say what you will, it's not an off-roader.

The only people who ever take this away from the road are the Jeep marketing team for the promo shots.

Now, you can't even get the Defender with leather interior. Why? Because you're going off-road, you're just gonna get it dirty. So they offer cloth or vinyl and that's it.

28 cupholders and a leather interior don't determine if a vehicle can hit the dirt or not. As for A/S tires, the Jeep Grand Cherokee comes standard with P245/65R17 BSW All Terrain Tires. On top of that, if someone isn't happy with those, thank god we can change tires now instead of throwing the whole truck out like we used too:rolleyes:. Ben Checkoff clearly stated he wants a vehicle capable for winter and utility use. Something like a Jeep Grand Cherokee is in the bullseye there. He isn't rock-crawling, or hitting up bogs, he's probably going to the lake on a backroad, or towing his utility trailer full of lumber. That is what the Cherokee was designed for and that is what it is good at. Trust me, I know this because I live this. The only paved road in my town is the highway out of here. I live in northern Aberta, the middle of the oil patch in muskeg. Most roads out here are low grade gravel roads (easily conquered by almost any stock fullsize SUV or pickup) or a trail through the swamp that will become an ice road in the winter. The only high grade gravel roads are the ones out to the lake, and the the ones around the the plant. That's it. I doubt the terrain Ben Checkoff plans to encounter will be anything like this, so the Jeep will be more than capable for his required tasks.

Back on to topic now. The only Jeep I've encountered was the Cherokee my sister owned. It was '96, so a completely different model. It was an auction vehicle (bad move #1) and she was a university student (bad move #2). Long story short, she couldn't afford to keep up the maintenance on it. But seeing as that was an 11 year old truck, you shouldn't base your decision on it.

Yeah, with leather seats, 28 cup holders and this (http://www.tirerack.com/tires/tires.jsp?tireMake=Goodyear&tireModel=Fortera+SilentArmor) as standard tire. Say what you will, it's not an off-roader.

The only people who ever take this away from the road are the Jeep marketing team for the promo shots.

Now, you can't even get the Defender with leather interior. Why? Because you're going off-road, you're just gonna get it dirty. So they offer cloth or vinyl and that's it.

If it makes you feel any better, I will be buying Studded Snow Tires to get around in winter on the roads around here, (and to get to the ski resort early in the morning before the plows have come through...) You cant get around in winter around here without snow tires.

Any more advise from people who have owned Grand Cherokees?




***SUV haters need not give any advise, I have already made it clear that I cannot make it around VT in winter in a car, therefore I need an SUV.

We had a 98 Grand Cherokee. It was a great vehicle to have. I don't know how the 04s were though.

-snip-
If it makes you feel any better, I will be buying Studded Snow Tires to get around in winter on the roads around here, (and to get to the ski resort early in the morning before the plows have come through...) You cant get around in winter around here without snow tires.
So, be honest then: are the roads really such that a Grand Cherokee can cope with them, but an Audi Allroad cannot?

So, be honest then: are the roads really such that a Grand Cherokee can cope with them, but an Audi Allroad cannot?

Well (and I am just guessing on his reasoning) if it is anything like here a good snowfall can get to be 10 + inches ... ground clearance can be a very important factor when you get the bigger snows

So, be honest then: are the roads really such that a Grand Cherokee can cope with them, but an Audi Allroad cannot?

The Audi is built off a car chassis, the Jeep is not. The Audi is a crossover. The Jeep is a full size SUV. Nearly all crossovers are designed on altered car or minivan chassis'. The question becomes would you trust the Audi or the Jeep in something like this (http://www.hankstruckpictures.com/pix/trucks/rob_swan/2006/nov24/stuck-in-the-muskeg--nov2006-ftstjohn-bc.jpg)?

Heres the full link. (http://www.hankstruckpictures.com/rob_swan.htm) These were taken in Ft. St. John, directly west of where I live (Rainbow Lake). Terrain is more or less identical. And I'll tell you, 95% of the vehicles up here trucks, 2500HD and the likes. Not because they're more capable off-road (their not) but because having a bed and a diesel is more practical than a third row seat. That's it.

So, be honest then: are the roads really such that a Grand Cherokee can cope with them, but an Audi Allroad cannot?

First thing is first, Audi is more money than I want to spend on a car, second thing I do need something with ground clearance, to make it past the snow and the ruts in mud season (after the snow starts to melt but before spring) On some of the dirt roads there can be 6 inch mud ruts in the road. So yes I do need a SUV, its not like I live in Manhatten and I am buying an SUV for the hell of it. Im done explaining my reasons to you, if you cannot see why I need an SUV now, than you never will.

The Audi is built off a car chassis, the Jeep is not. The Audi is a crossover. The Jeep is a full size SUV. Nearly all crossovers are designed on altered car or minivan chassis'. The question becomes would you trust the Audi or the Jeep in something like this (http://www.hankstruckpictures.com/pix/trucks/rob_swan/2006/nov24/stuck-in-the-muskeg--nov2006-ftstjohn-bc.jpg)?

Heres the full link. (http://www.hankstruckpictures.com/rob_swan.htm) These were taken in Ft. St. John, directly west of where I live (Rainbow Lake). Terrain is more or less identical. And I'll tell you, 95% of the vehicles up here trucks, 2500HD and the likes. Not because they're more capable off-road (their not) but because having a bed and a diesel is more practical than a third row seat. That's it.
To be fair the cherokee is built on a unibody frame ... maybe a bit heavier then a standard one but a "car" chassis none the less.

To be fair the cherokee is built on a unibody frame ... maybe a bit heavier then a standard one but a "car" chassis none the less.

I'll give you that, but still doesn't change the fact that I'd call it more off-road capable than an Audi.

Im done explaining my reasons to you, if you cannot see why I need an SUV now, than you never will.
Look, you don't have to justify your decision to me. If you're sure you need this truck, I'm not gonna stop you. In fact, I don't think we'll ever cross paths on the road, so your behemoth isn't going to be blocking my views and making the road a more dangerous place for me.

All I'm saying is that perhaps 80%+ of the actual off-road driving most people do could be done by car-like crossovers which would be less of a pain for other road users (plus better-looking, cheaper, better for the environment and probably more comfortable too). If it doesn't apply to you, that's fine - though in that case I'd still prefer the Defender to the Grand Cherokee.

Look, you don't have to justify your decision to me. If you're sure you need this truck, I'm not gonna stop you. In fact, I don't think we'll ever cross paths on the road, so your behemoth isn't going to be blocking my views and making the road a more dangerous place for me.

All I'm saying is that perhaps 80%+ of the actual off-road driving most people do could be done by car-like crossovers which would be less of a pain for other road users (plus better-looking, cheaper, better for the environment and probably more comfortable too). If it doesn't apply to you, that's fine - though in that case I'd still prefer the Defender to the Grand Cherokee.

You have to admit that the Grand Cherokee is neither a beheamoth, or bad to look at.

You have to admit that the Grand Cherokee is neither a beheamoth, or bad to look at.

When I saw behemoth and Cherokee in the same post I laughed a little.

You have to admit that the Grand Cherokee is neither a beheamoth, or bad to look at.
It is when you're sitting in my car: http://rsc172.blogspot.com/

It is when you're sitting in my car: http://rsc172.blogspot.com/

Get a bigger car.

Get a bigger car.
<- *points at non-American-ness of location*

Seems a pretty good price to me. I've only just started driving, and I think myself at least thirty years too young to start driving Jeeps, Landrovers and the like, but it seems a pretty good car as well.

I want the new Alfa myself. Not that I can afford it, but hey, one can but dream....

<- *points at non-American-ness of location*

Not American either.;) In fact I own a 1997 Ford Escort. And I hate it, the damn reliable bastard....

I'd go diesel. Turbo charged ones preferred.

Land Rovers, G Class (though not the luxury edition), cross-overs like the X-Trail if you are worried about fuel consumption.

I'd go diesel. Turbo charged ones preferred.

Land Rovers, G Class (though not the luxury edition), cross-overs like the X-Trail if you are worried about fuel consumption.

Well the new Jeep comes in a diesel for 2008, right? I believe he was looking for something slightly more affordable than luxury brand.

Well the new Jeep comes in a diesel for 2008, right? I believe he was looking for something slightly more affordable than luxury brand.

Yes, but I my comment was based on his budget of $16.000. There are slightly used diesel Rovers on the market.

Yes, but I my comment was based on his budget of $16.000.

My bad. Here in Canada the G500 comes in only one, very expensive version.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CxdX0au-BNA
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Unimog
http://www.unimog-trucks.com/index.php?id=28

There we go.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CxdX0au-BNA
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Unimog
http://www.unimog-trucks.com/index.php?id=28

There we go.
I'd prefer this one (but with some body panels on it): http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_VmwbdDqQJ4&mode=related&search=

I drove a '94 throughout high school, and while it never had any major breakdowns, it had all these strange little nagging problems, so, for example:

There was a short in the alarm system that made it so that whenever you used the (any, original or copy) key to attempt to unlock the drivers door, the alarm would go off immediately, and you couldn't turn it off by any single surefire method, once I wound up unplugging the battery though.

Yeah, most high schoolers travel around with a case of Natty Lite in their trunks, I was rollin' with a case of motor oil. It burned oil like it was its job. I was putting a fresh quart in every two weeks.

There was a leak in the air conditioning line, or, more properly, the air conditioning line was like one of those perforated sprinkler hoses, only this guy leaked freon everywhere. The mechanic refilled it and put UV dye into the freon to find where the leak was, when he turned on the UV light, nearly the entire line was glowing. The previous owners said that that had been the case since '96, at least.

Rust patches just below the rears of the front doors.