Winter Beaters

SwissCheese · 10-03-2016, 10:57 PM

I've got an '01 Jeep Grand Cherokee with 160k miles that I'm going to be replacing this summer. It looks immaculate on the outside, but I think the engine is on its way out. It's got small oil and coolant leaks, plus, one of the front axles is bad and both the rear axle seals are leaking. My dad bought it new off the showroom floor, so I'd love to keep it running, but now it's at the point where it's going to cost more to fix it up than it's worth.

Anyways, the Jeep has been a great vehicle up until now. If you can find a used one that's still in good shape, I'd recommend that.

NM370Z · 10-03-2016, 11:13 PM

2004 Chevy Tahoe Z71 4x4 - 230,000 miles and still going strong

cdumitru78 · 10-04-2016, 12:06 AM

Funny thread, I actually think there are very few cars that are better DD's than the Z. I also own a really low mileage E55 but I am always drawn to the Z. It is fast enough for a DD, it is super reliable and handles extremely well, what more would you want?

NISMO IX · 10-04-2016, 12:42 AM

2014 Juke nismo AWD

Cyber370 · 10-04-2016, 05:50 AM

My DD and winter car is a 2010 Mustang V6 with 122K km. The car is a workhorse and an extremely reliable winter car. Great in snow too, believe it or not.

Duc_Z09 · 10-04-2016, 07:57 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SwissCheese

I've got an '01 Jeep Grand Cherokee with 160k miles that I'm going to be replacing this summer. It looks immaculate on the outside, but I think the engine is on its way out. It's got small oil and coolant leaks, plus, one of the front axles is bad and both the rear axle seals are leaking. My dad bought it new off the showroom floor, so I'd love to keep it running, but now it's at the point where it's going to cost more to fix it up than it's worth.

Anyways, the Jeep has been a great vehicle up until now. If you can find a used one that's still in good shape, I'd recommend that.

It's definitely worth it if you do the work yourself.

Duc_Z09 · 10-04-2016, 08:02 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Cyber370

My DD and winter car is a 2010 Mustang V6 with 122K km. The car is a workhorse and an extremely reliable winter car. Great in snow too, believe it or not.

My wife's 2005 4.0 MT has 243k miles on it. I've replaced brakes, wheel bearings, 2 alternators, 2 fuel filters, rear axle seals, a tie rod or two, and the shocks/struts... all normal wear and tear. The only weird thing was the pinion bearing failed at one point so I put in a new rear axle from a junkyard. I've been impressed. Especially for a Ford.

EDIT: I also just replaced the AC system that finally failed this summer... forgot about that. Still normal for the mileage.

Timbo · 10-04-2016, 12:52 PM

Glad to hear others enjoy their winter rides. My Yukon is a 6500 lb tank; she aint too pretty but will get the job done. I wont stray too far until I gain confidence it doesnt crap out. Cracks me up its old enough to still have the cell phone antenna through the glass and a phone bracket on the dash. Now if i can fix that dran P0440 code and abs light.......

madeinjapan · 10-04-2016, 01:00 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by NISMO IX

2014 Juke nismo AWD

gbhrps · 10-06-2016, 09:44 PM

2012 Subaru OutBack with Michelin Ice Grip tires. Its like being crazy glued to road.

Subie OutBacks have been my daily driver/winter beaters since 1997. And a couple of years from now ... I'll own another one.

Gene

SwissCheese · 10-06-2016, 09:51 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by gbhrps

2012 Subaru OutBack with Michelin Ice Grip tires. Its like being crazy glued to road.

Subie OutBacks have been my daily driver/winter beaters since 1997. And a couple of years from now ... I'll own another one.

Gene

I'm seriously considering getting one of these to replace my Jeep! Glad to hear it's been good to you.

ayrton88 · 10-07-2016, 10:55 AM

Since I'm often stuck in Chicago traffic gridlock, I need an absolutely reliable winter beater. Nothing worse than breaking down on an expressway. I have a well taken care of old Avalon with 70K on it. So far has been very reliable....knock wood. God, is it slow though...plus it's an automatic...yuck.

b15 · 10-07-2016, 02:43 PM

My everyday car is a TL. Vtec all winter long.

b15 · 10-07-2016, 02:48 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Wheels3309

Yeah, I tried the "$2500 '02 Grand Cherokee with 180,000 miles that looked absolutely immaculate" last year... never drove that P.O.S. ONCE because it developed all kinds of bizarre, impossible-to-pinpoint issues.

I'm just stealing my wife's Jeep Renegade this winter!

That sucks but cheap/high mileage cars are a gamble like that. Having a 'winter beater' that you're not confident is reliable just isn't worth it to me. When it comes to a second car I'd rather buy something that I'll be happy about when not in the Z vs just getting any cheap car. Last thing I want is to get stuck in the winter because I bought a crap car

barncobob · 10-07-2016, 04:35 PM

no snow here but my backup is a 05 Dodge Ram 2500,,80K miles, absolute bulletproof, Id take it crosscountry tomorrow, 4WD but rarely use it, doesn't snow here..

10-03-2016, 10:57 PM	#16 (permalink)
SwissCheese Track Member Join Date: Aug 2013 Location: Iowa Posts: 785 Drives: 2012 370Z NISMO Rep Power: 67	I've got an '01 Jeep Grand Cherokee with 160k miles that I'm going to be replacing this summer. It looks immaculate on the outside, but I think the engine is on its way out. It's got small oil and coolant leaks, plus, one of the front axles is bad and both the rear axle seals are leaking. My dad bought it new off the showroom floor, so I'd love to keep it running, but now it's at the point where it's going to cost more to fix it up than it's worth. Anyways, the Jeep has been a great vehicle up until now. If you can find a used one that's still in good shape, I'd recommend that. __________________ Current Ride: 2012 Nissan 370Z NISMO #0389 Mods: Fast Intentions Resonated Test Pipes and TDX Exhaust with 18" Resonators (#1054), K&N Drop-Ins, GTR Start Button

10-04-2016, 12:42 AM	#19 (permalink)
NISMO IX Track Member Join Date: Sep 2015 Location: Southern Maine Age: 47 Posts: 742 Drives: 2014 370Z MB M6 Rep Power: 584	2014 Juke nismo AWD MagmaRed370z likes this. __________________ 2017 Ford Focus RS Nitrous Blue "KB43VER" 2014 370z Mag Blk 6M "KOKURYU" (Black Dragon)

10-04-2016, 05:50 AM	#20 (permalink)
Cyber370 Track Member Join Date: Jul 2016 Location: Montreal, QC Canada Posts: 679 Drives: 2016 370Z Nismo 6MT Rep Power: 19372	My DD and winter car is a 2010 Mustang V6 with 122K km. The car is a workhorse and an extremely reliable winter car. Great in snow too, believe it or not. Duc_Z09 likes this.

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10-03-2016, 11:13 PM	#17 (permalink)
NM370Z Base Member Join Date: Jun 2016 Location: New Mexico Posts: 25 Drives: 11 PW Touring/Sport Rep Power: 9	2004 Chevy Tahoe Z71 4x4 - 230,000 miles and still going strong

10-04-2016, 12:06 AM	#18 (permalink)
cdumitru78 Base Member Join Date: May 2014 Location: Portland, OR Posts: 69 Drives: 2014 370Z, 2005 E55 Rep Power: 11	Funny thread, I actually think there are very few cars that are better DD's than the Z. I also own a really low mileage E55 but I am always drawn to the Z. It is fast enough for a DD, it is super reliable and handles extremely well, what more would you want?

10-04-2016, 12:52 PM	#23 (permalink)
Timbo Base Member Join Date: Jul 2016 Location: NH Posts: 16 Drives: 2012 370 Touring Rep Power: 9	Glad to hear others enjoy their winter rides. My Yukon is a 6500 lb tank; she aint too pretty but will get the job done. I wont stray too far until I gain confidence it doesnt crap out. Cracks me up its old enough to still have the cell phone antenna through the glass and a phone bracket on the dash. Now if i can fix that dran P0440 code and abs light.......

10-06-2016, 09:44 PM	#25 (permalink)
gbhrps Base Member Join Date: Sep 2016 Location: Ontario, Canada Posts: 213 Drives: 2016 RDSTR TS 6spd Rep Power: 7996	2012 Subaru OutBack with Michelin Ice Grip tires. Its like being crazy glued to road. Subie OutBacks have been my daily driver/winter beaters since 1997. And a couple of years from now ... I'll own another one. Gene

10-07-2016, 10:55 AM	#27 (permalink)
ayrton88 Enthusiast Member Join Date: Apr 2012 Location: Chicago Posts: 397 Drives: 2010 Nissan 370Z Rep Power: 14	Since I'm often stuck in Chicago traffic gridlock, I need an absolutely reliable winter beater. Nothing worse than breaking down on an expressway. I have a well taken care of old Avalon with 70K on it. So far has been very reliable....knock wood. God, is it slow though...plus it's an automatic...yuck.

10-07-2016, 02:43 PM	#28 (permalink)
b15 A True Z Fanatic Join Date: Feb 2010 Location: Chicago Posts: 3,229 Drives: 4drz Rep Power: 36571	My everyday car is a TL. Vtec all winter long.

10-07-2016, 04:35 PM	#30 (permalink)
barncobob A True Z Fanatic Join Date: Sep 2015 Location: hangtown, CA Posts: 1,164 Drives: 16 370Z auto Rep Power: 590	no snow here but my backup is a 05 Dodge Ram 2500,,80K miles, absolute bulletproof, Id take it crosscountry tomorrow, 4WD but rarely use it, doesn't snow here..