If Jeeps were as bad as these guys make it sound they wouldn't be in business, but I'm biased. I have an '80 CJ-5 with 160,000 miles and my girlfriend has a '96 Cherokee with 98,000 miles. Hers hss been reliable and what we both expected out of a 8 year old vehicle. I'd look for a '01 Cherokee or step of to a Grand Cherokee if you want to offroad your new vehicle. IFS vehicles can't really compete. Modding a Jeep is also much cheaper.