TRANS Shopping For A Compact 4WD SUV - What's to Like and Dislike?

Publius said:

I have never owned a cherokee but have worked on them and know a large number of people that have them and many claim after owning what competition has to offer and the break downs or have problems getting around in snow & mud, they wont give up their cherokee for nothing. I have seen people take these in stock form in the woods and into rock outcroppings and it handles it well and not to big either but with a four cylinder it would do better on gas, the in-line 6 cylinder that many of them come with is hard to beat and proven reliable.

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If you're ever in the market for a work horse, get a Cherokee--just not mine! I won't part with mine either. I think Sat has one, too.

One of my homies here on TB2K will agree with me that when my first Jeep got killed by the tree (he saw it before the Ins. guy even got up here, my pal said it was good and dead), I bought another one.

I wouldn't turn my nose up at a LandRover, though.

Mo

I've been searching high and low for a 2 door 98-99 chevy tahoe to fix up and make my daily driver...they are in demand apparently

I have rented the Jeep Liberty before and took a trip to OKC from Texas...I absolutely HATED it. It was incredibly small and had absolutely NO cargo room. My sister has a Honda C-RV and I would go with one of those before the Jeep Liberty.

KrazeenTX said:

I have rented the Jeep Liberty before and took a trip to OKC from Texas...I absolutely HATED it. It was incredibly small and had absolutely NO cargo room. My sister has a Honda C-RV and I would go with one of those before the Jeep Liberty.

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I don't like the Liberty, either. Just the Cherokee.

Maureen

One that has not been mentioned is the Geo Tracker/Suzki Sidekick. Small, yet full frame, (boxed), weighing 3000 lbs. 30+ mpg and for the money more off road capable than anything on the road. My wifes has over 200,000 miles on it and we just replaced the original clutch.

- Mission Accomplished -

Whew, glad that is over!

We settled on the Jeep Liberty because that was the most available vehicle in our area and it had the lowest miles for the price. DD is rather petite and it is a good size for her.

The guy who was going to bring in a vehicle from out of the county didn't get back to me. The KIA Sportage and the Hyundai were rejected by DW. Not a great loss as they were really overpriced versus Edmunds and KBB.

Amazing that out of six dealers visited, only two made followup calls and -none- counter offered.

When I sold cars that was called -real- lazy.

Some stats from when I was in the business,

- 75% of people who walk in your dealership -will- buy a car in 72 hours.

- 50% of the people do not buy the car they originally intended.

- 90% of the people want to haggle a price.

That's why car dealers do what they do. The customer actually demands it. Not following up on a visit is really bad business.

Anyway, I upped my original $8,000 lowball on the Jeep Liberty (Sticker $13,500) to $9,000 when the manager left me a message to "stop by" again. I called and told him I'll write the check, right freaking now. (Show them you are serious) if he meets my price.

Do not walk back into that building unless you get the price you want on the phone or via e-mail.

Dealers -hate- to do prices on the phone or e-mail, but those who want to sell cars, will. Sometimes they will undercut another dealer just for spite.

Manager said he'd call me back in five minutes and countered with $9,900.

I told him OK, we'll do the deal.

Lessons,

- The more you spend on something, the more you should comparison shop and the more you should haggle.

- Never, ever, ever pay sticker on a large purchase.

- Always low ball your first offer.

- Make them call you back after your first visit.

- Let them know you are actually going to buy a car, now.

- "Dealer street prices" on KBB and Edmunds are crap. Start at the price that dealer takes a car in at.

- Be patient, and be flexible. It takes time. Time is on your side.

Car buying can be a hassle but it is a business with it's own set of rules.

Learn the rules.