Petersen's 4wheel & Offroad Magazine article

[VXorado]

The editor probably drives a wrangler because someone told him it was best. If one word could sum him up... it would be "boring" or "unoriginal."

Don't fret H3, its good to be different.

[89Vette]

Don't forget most -- if not all rags -- cater to advertising/sales. They say what they think the readers want to hear. This keeps sales up.

That said, I have fairly good basis for an accurate comparison. Before buying my VX, I owned 4 Jeeps: an 89 Cherokee Limited, 91 2-dr Laredo, 97 Grand Cherokee Limited, and 98 Grand Cherokee Limited (V8).

The 98 Grand was king of the hill in performance. Probably not surprising when you see people converting their Vehicrosses to a bigger engine. I would too -- if given a reasonably priced opportunity.

The VX is comparable to the 89 and 97 (I6 w/AWD). The 91 was slightly better -- especially in responsiveness. This shouldn't be surprising considering it was OVER 1000 lbs lighter. (Which one would you want to be in -- in a crash? )

All Jeeps have more room, better rear seat access, and better visibility. But, that's where their advantage ends -- at least to me.

The guys that like(d) big-azz 4x4s with giant tires will be more impressed with bigger, jacked up, off-road vehicle. Size matters. As such, they'll barely notice Grand Cherokees and sneer at regular ones.

But, the VX is more than either. Hopefully, it does become a collector in the next 10 years. Even if not, it's looks are better than the rest. (Sorta wish the front were a hair different though.)

But, the ride is solid, the 4x4 sturdy, and it's rarity trumps the rest. Really, so does it's differential. (Grand's all seem to have bad differential's by the time they're 5-6yrs old.) And, they can be expensive/unreliable.

I avoided 2000-up Grand's because of differential, timing-chain, and electrical problem. (Let's say I avoided them AFTER seeing the problems in every unit for sale....IOW, I saw it first hand!)

Cherokees (and Wranglers) are the only Jeep worth owning. Even then, they are boring boxes with nothing more to offer than grandparent-like reliability. They're the boring Buick of the 4x4 world.

The VX was the early Corvette of SUVs. As such, it should go down in history. At least as much as American's will allow a foreign car to go.

BTW...I also wouldn't mind having the Select-Trac (out of my 91) in my Vehicross. I think it would pick up some speed AND some MPG. Plus, the gearbox would be gone.

In the end, it's far from a truck to avoid. That is, unless you're a weany and can't deal with what it takes to own something special -- that's unlike anything else.

If you're Vanilla and reading this, go by a Jeep. Have at it.

[Y33TREKker]

...If you're Vanilla and reading this, go by a Jeep. Have at it.

Are you in effect saying that where Jeeps are considered Vanilla, the VX would be more like Rocky Road?

[pbkid]

They do make valid points with lack of aftermarket support, and lack of cargo space. But I find it funny that an offroad magazine is bashing a car for lack of cargo, or aestetics, because we all know how CRUTIAL those two things are to offroad prowess. Haha.

Sure wish I could get one of those editors in my old passenger seat in moab for a week. Leave em some stains in his drawers on the trail, then again on the paved road home

Hmm maybe a challenge letter is in order... See if one of those guys can ride shotgun without being impressed, either on paved road, dirt road or on the rocks...