--History Making Cherokee--

[IXNAYXJ]

I got my issue of Automobile magazine the other day, and much to my surprise, they honor the Cherokee as one of the "20 most significant cars in the past 20 years." Intersting article....

Here's the list they came up with:

Acura NSX
BMW M3 (E36 i.e. 1995-1999)
BMW M5 (E60 i.e. 2006)
Chevrolet Corvette (C6)
Chrysler 300C
Chrysler Minivan
Ferrari F40
Ferrari F430
Honda Accord
Honda Civic

****JEEP CHEROKEE****

Lexus LS400
Mazda Miata (1st Generation i.e. 1990-1998)
Mini Cooper S
Mercedes-Benz 300E
Porsche Boxster
Nissan 300ZX Turbo (1991)
Porsche 911
VW GTI
Subaru Impreza WRX

Pretty illustrious company! Here's what they say about our favorite little Jeep.

"Great designs never grow old, a truth no better confirmed then by designer Dick Teague's masterpiece, the Jeep Cherokee. Possibly the best SUV shape of all time, it is the pragmatic model to which other designers have since aspired."

They go on to say: "Like all Jeeps of it's era, the Cherokee was extremely capable off-road; it was actually better in the rough stuff then on the highway."

The only issue I have with the short write-up is this statement: "It's successor, the "cute-ute" Liberty, has never captured the Cherokee's market share, despite being roomier, smoother riding, and just as capable (WTF???) off-road."

All things considered, a pretty flattering review, and it is nice to see the Cherokee recognized for the important landmark vehicle that it is and was. Anyway, it's in the April 2006 issue of Automobile Magazine, if anyone wants to read the whole article.

-----Matt-----

[CanMan]

About time something American made it on a 'top' list.

Wish DC would pull thier heads out and get rid of the KJ, and bring back the Cherokees.

KJ being just a capaible offroad, HAHAHAHAHA!

That gave me a good laugh.

[XJCreeper]

Once again detroit is touting the vernable XJ to push their latest offering, the KJ. The legend live on......

[97XJ_Sport]

don't put any stock in what a car magazine says about offroad capability. I mean their test for offroad is driving it down a unpaved road.

[Darky]

stock for stock a lot of KJ's could likely keep up with if not outdo our beloved Cherokees off-road. They're just cutesy little things so they don't look like much. The difference comes in when you start modifying things, the aftermarket is much bigger for the XJ, and its easier to find cheap junkyard fixes to improve things.

[OT]

That's great, but a minivan and a Civic are on that list, as well.

[RichP]

That's great, but a minivan and a Civic are on that list, as well.

When the mini-van first came out it was badly needed, up until then you were limited to either a full sized van or a station wagon, the minvan filled a very empty niche and thats one of the reasons that a year after chrylser put it out every tom, dick and harry car company came out with one.
As for the civic that was another one that was a mile marker, it was roomy, went well and got killer gas milage, Honda HF civic got 49mpg on the window sticker which was unheard of, granted it was a two seater but still 49mpg with killer storage area behind the two front seats was a service engineers dream who was being paid milage....
As for the capability for the KJ offroad, hmmmm, every trail building crew I've worked on we've had to build them special for the KJ so the new owners don't get too discouraged at the 101 courses, or worse, break something. That front suspension just does not work well around any kind of rocks at all...
For those who put groups together it's a really good idea to have a winch vechicle behind every KJ and that the KJ have good rear tow points, otherwise you spend too much time shifting vehicles and using jacks once those lower control arms get hung up..

[bjoehandley]

don't put any stock in what a car magazine says about offroad capability. I mean their test for offroad is driving it down a unpaved road.


I could wheel the hell out of a K-Car that way though;), of course some of the paved roads around here aren't as good as some unpaved roads......

Anybody ever get a chance to watch one of the IFS Jeeps or Dodges work on these premade off road courses like at the CHicago Auto Show? I kept waiting for the front crossmember between the arms to smack something, and noticed the IFS' were bouncier than the SFA trucks too when coming off obsticles.

[xjblue]

stock for stock a lot of KJ's could likely keep up with if not outdo our beloved Cherokees off-road.


yup, steep uphill smoothly graded dirt roads, esp the diesel KJ's :)

I'd like to see someone donate a stock KJ and we will put it up against a stock XJ and have a driving contest at the next fall fling like we had in 03'. I'll offer to bring a tripod so we can get better video coverage!

[Boatwrench]

Years ago people said the CJ folks said the same thing about the XJs capabilities. I've never taken a ride in a KJ but saw L.O.S.T., the KJ version of NAXJA, last year when I was with the IC chapter at Moab.

Here's a link to one of their trail runs in Northern California.
http://lostkjnorcal.com/Knoxville/KnoxvilleFeb06.htm

and in Moab:
http://lostkjnorcal.com/Moab/Moab.htm

I think they look like they escaped from Disney's Autotopia or a Chevron commercial, but there are some owners that take them off-road and know their capability.

Tom

[xjblue]

Rode in an 02 KJ with a 2.5" RRO rockfather stage II lift - smooth, quite stable at freeway speeds, less wind whistling across the windows than my XJ thats for sure. It was quite nice. I will never own one as I don't anticipate recieving one for free and don't anticipate being in a position where if I did I wouldn't sell it off immediatly or in case it's a CRD perform an MJ engine swap first.

I know they get used and to good effect by those with experience and thank goodness but XJ owners have the right to trash talk the KJ on an XJ forum. I will always get a kick out of the liberty owners who are hoping the lift kit will lift the front more than the back. If the Liberty had been badged Cherokee in the states that would have been ok, just we (me anyway) would consider the KJ platform in a simular way that many Mustang enthusiasts consider the Mustang II or Mustang Also, it's just not the same animal. still like to see a head to head 03 fall fling style - pull off the dainty re-sellable parts - and go for it - strait up competition. :viking: now back on topic.

Every time I see an XJ on the road (several times a minute) I think to myself, ahh there goes some more parts.....My XJ is going to be around for years and years.....if something happens to it, look there goes another perfect direct replacement! now if Hotwheels would just get a clue and make some XJ and MJ molds.... I don't like matchbox....


http://img.photobucket.com/albums/1003/xjblue/93%20Cherokee/P3070090.jpg


Jeep, after a long successful run in the middle of solid sales left the XJ forever on a high note!

Here's to the XJ

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/1003/xjblue/93%20Cherokee/before.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/1003/xjblue/93%20Cherokee/adventrXJ06.jpg