[FatAlbert]

I'm 17, been driving Jeeps since I started driving. Not one wreck or ticket ever.

Definitely be sure to check the VC... I think mine is going bad.

[Briandl]

Originally Posted by wvd

Brian,
I know your heart's in the right place, but I have to address a couple points...

1. Gender is not a qualification or deterrent for owning any kind of vehicle. The only time it comes into play, IMHO, is whether you buy your bicycle with the high bar or the low bar...

2. the 5.2 does not get worse mileage than the 4.0. This has been hashed out over and over again. Folks with the little engine assume they get better mileage simply because they have less displacement. However, the V8 doesn't have to work nearly as hard to move the Jeep down the road. Rolling down the highway, my Jeep thrums along at 70 mph @ 2000 rpm, while the 4.0L has to run at 2800 rpm (or more) to achieve that speed. When I want to pass, I don't even shift gears. The list goes on. Suffice to say, in real world use, having a smaller engine does not guarantee higher mileage figures.

3. While it's tough to resist telling somebody "What we would do". The question was "What should I look for", not "What should I buy"..... just a pet peeve of mine

HTH

1. 90% of the stupid things I see on the road are done by women.

2. I've never seen a 5.2 owner get better mileage than I do. My 4.0 I6 is at 2K RPM @ 70MPH, it gets to 2400 @ 80 MPH so I don't know how you came up with 2800 RPM's @ 70 MPH.

3. It doesn't hurt to give an additional opinion and make sure he's thought of everything.

I often tell people when they are buying used cars to have a third party mechanic look at them, even though that's not what the people are asking about, but it's still useful information.

And there are a lot of teenagers driving SUV's without accidents, but the bottom line is that you are more likely to have a rollover accident in an SUV and even more likely if you are a beginner driver.

[Night Runner]

Originally Posted by wvd

Brian,
I know your heart's in the right place, but I have to address a couple points...

1. Gender is not a qualification or deterrent for owning any kind of vehicle. The only time it comes into play, IMHO, is whether you buy your bicycle with the high bar or the low bar...

2. the 5.2 does not get worse mileage than the 4.0. This has been hashed out over and over again. Folks with the little engine assume they get better mileage simply because they have less displacement. However, the V8 doesn't have to work nearly as hard to move the Jeep down the road. Rolling down the highway, my Jeep thrums along at 70 mph @ 2000 rpm, while the 4.0L has to run at 2800 rpm (or more) to achieve that speed. When I want to pass, I don't even shift gears. The list goes on. Suffice to say, in real world use, having a smaller engine does not guarantee higher mileage figures.

3. While it's tough to resist telling somebody "What we would do". The question was "What should I look for", not "What should I buy"..... just a pet peeve of mine

HTH

Actually the question was What should I look out for? Meaning any problem inherit in that year, make, options, etc.. of which I have read a multitude of advice which I am grateful.

[theone13]

1. 90% of the stupid things I see on the road are done by women.

2. I've never seen a 5.2 owner get better mileage than I do. My 4.0 I6 is at 2K RPM @ 70MPH, it gets to 2400 @ 80 MPH so I don't know how you came up with 2800 RPM's @ 70 MPH.

3. It doesn't hurt to give an additional opinion and make sure he's thought of everything.

I often tell people when they are buying used cars to have a third party mechanic look at them, even though that's not what the people are asking about, but it's still useful information.

And there are a lot of teenagers driving SUV's without accidents, but the bottom line is that you are more likely to have a rollover accident in an SUV and even more likely if you are a beginner driver.

Having a 3rd party mechanic look at a used vehicle is a usefull additional opinion, mad mouthing teenage women drivers isn't.

[PlatinumZJ]

A '97 model ZJ probably has brake rotors that are about used up as well as worn out shocks (if they haven't been already replaced). Another problem that crops up occasionally on this age of ZJ is the AC drain, they tend to silt up and clog causing dripage on the passenger floor - check for a moist passenger carpet. A time consuming (expensive for a paid mechanic) to fix.

[Briandl]

Hey, it's just the truth.

Teenage drivers are more likely to get into accidents, which is why they pay more for insurance. SUV's can and will rollover and are more likely to get rolled with inexprienced drivers.

Now as for women, it's just my opnion but it happens all the time.

Today while coming back from a doctors appointment, like thirty minutes ago I am in a lane that merges, and just as the two lanes are merging together a lady that is BEHIND ME speeds up to get in front of me to merge, I had to slow down and pull far left in my lane to avoid her.

A car that is clearly in the front shouldn't have to slow down to let a car BEHIND IT merge in front of it, but that's women for you...

[classicxj96]

Hey all,

I drive a XJ with the 4.0 HO and it probably hit about 2100 at 70mph. The ZJ weighs a decent amount more than my cherokee so I am thinking the engine is pulling harder. My cherokee also has an intake and exhaust so it runs smoother too.

Comparing a I6 ZJ to a v8 stock may not be a big difference, but swap the transfer case from AWD to 2wd and then we are talking noticable advantage for the V8. My buddy did that to his 93 limited when the VC went bad in the stock TC and it improved in gas milage, and it was a lot more fun to drive... needless to say but he has gone through tires a lot quicker w.o the AWD


COOL.. lucky girl your daughter

[doyll]

IMHO:
Having a knowledgeable 3rd party "inspector" with me when I go car shopping is invaluable for 2 reasons: 1) having someone that will do their best to tell you any and every problem they can find helps keep me from falling in love with vechicle. 2) It helps in the "good guy / bad guy" price negosiation (sp).

I'm a very accomplished mechanic, and still miss things on a vehicle I want to buy that my 21 year old son who has to have me show him how to change spark plugs notices.


Teenage girl drivers.... Teenage boy drivers... Put 3 of each in a bag, shake it up and dump it out.. all come out at same time.

For every idiot male driver, there is a female counterpart

[JenMac87]

Originally Posted by Briandl

Hey, it's just the truth.

Teenage drivers are more likely to get into accidents, which is why they pay more for insurance. SUV's can and will rollover and are more likely to get rolled with inexprienced drivers.

ACTUALLY... the highest incidents of accidents happen in the 18-24 age group (with a small increase above the age of 20.. not sure why)... not the beginner drivers... the SECOND highest is 15-17... but maybe thats just because theres a higher quantity of drivers in the 18-24 category.

and insurance for male drivers costs more than females... which doesn't quite hold true to your horrible women driving claims... someone ought to tell the insurance companies... haha


oh well.. i guess we'll never get over the whole "women can't drive" topic..