Best car to chase in?

[Andrew Clope]

I've got a 2001 Jeep Cherokee Sport (XJ body style) that I will be using this year, and in the foreseeable future.

The 4.0 in them is bulletproof (sans the 0331 cylinder head issue that the 2000's and 2001's inherently had, which is easily preventable if you can wrench at all). 4 wheel drive. Decent gas mileage. Fairly good ground clearance. Comfortable. And you can get them, in very nice shape, in the $5,000 to $10,000 range, which is a big plus for me, as I have a hard time chasing in something that I spent $20K plus on, as I stand a decent chance of golf balling the exterior with hail or hitting any sort of animal on the long overnight drives to and from a target area (I chased in a new 2013 F150 my first 2 years, and was constantly nervous about this).

Another good thing about the Jeeps, is that for the XJ Cherokee style (84-01), parts are super cheap, and they went together in a very "logical" way, so they are easy to repair if need be. Simple and straightforward.

The only major issue with them is rust, as they were the first mass produced unibody SUV design, so water evacuation wasn't the greatest. But other than that, if you can find a relatively rust free one, they can be a workhorse.

Lastly, they have a HUGE aftermarket crowd, and as a chaser, this is a huge plus, as everyone's setup and preference is different.

 

[John Erwin]

This is always an interesting topic to follow because it always brings out so many different viewpoints, although you can see consistency as well in terms of performance.

My best vehicle of all time was my 96 Jeep Grand Cherokee; although it didn't have the mileage of more modern vehicles it was bearable compared to similar vehicles of the day. I particularly liked the ability to "camp out" in the back of it to save money while chasing (Truck Stops were my best friend at one time!). Very comfy on long drives too.

I've been through a couple vehicles since then but currently use a 2014 Jeep Cherokee 4x4 v6 (not the trailhawk version). Very good mileage and decent 4x4 for the type of action I get into, particularly after an upgrade on tires. Was a bit tricky figuring out how to install items such as my radios but eventually worked that out.

 

[Todd Rector]

I've been through a couple vehicles since then but currently use a 2014 Jeep Cherokee 4x4 v6 (not the trailhawk version). Very good mileage and decent 4x4 for the type of action I get into, particularly after an upgrade on tires.

DUUUUDE.... I drive a 2014 Cherokee Latitude (FWD) and I am just now looking for new tires. The original Firestone tires were okay, but I was looking into Yokohama ATS all terrain tires. What did you find that you like? FYI - In retrospect, I wish I had bought the Trailhawk.

 

[John Erwin]

DUUUUDE.... I drive a 2014 Cherokee Latitude (FWD) and I am just now looking for new tires. The original Firestone tires were okay, but I was looking into Yokohama ATS all terrain tires. What did you find that you like? FYI - In retrospect, I wish I had bought the Trailhawk.

Hey Todd; I get a deal on Cooper Tires so I went with Discoverer A/T3 's and have been happy with them. I still have the original Firestones and swap them in for highway only trips etc.

I test drove the Trailhawk but couldn't justify paying the premium for it. I had a budget so I started with a base model, upgraded the engine and added towing plus a couple other items and I've been very happy as a result. I don't have any illusions about this being a true off road machine, but I wasn't looking to buy one either. Still, this ride has performed very well for anything I've used it for.

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[Todd Rector]

Hey Todd; I get a deal on Cooper Tires so I went with Discoverer A/T3 's and have been happy with them. I still have the original Firestones and swap them in for highway only trips etc.

Interesting - Thanks for the info!
I bought my FWD Latitude with the V6, thinking it was the best option for the money. I love the 30mpg and generally comfortable ride. I had a BAD experience in Texas last year with some "cake batter" mud, and had to be towed out of a ditch in the middle of a dangerous situation. After looking at the Trailhawk, I note the tow hooks would have been particularly helpful, AWD might have helped, and the stock all-terrain tires might have been helpful. It was awful taking hail damage and a broken windshield on a 4-month old car, but I can't help but wonder if I had opted for the Trailhawk if I might have managed to escape the situation.

 

[John Erwin]

Interesting - Thanks for the info!
I bought my FWD Latitude with the V6, thinking it was the best option for the money. I love the 30mpg and generally comfortable ride. I had a BAD experience in Texas last year with some "cake batter" mud, and had to be towed out of a ditch in the middle of a dangerous situation. After looking at the Trailhawk, I note the tow hooks would have been particularly helpful, AWD might have helped, and the stock all-terrain tires might have been helpful. It was awful taking hail damage and a broken windshield on a 4-month old car, but I can't help but wonder if I had opted for the Trailhawk if I might have managed to escape the situation.

That's possible, but mightier vehicles have succumbed to that stuff so it's hard to say. Your point on tow hooks is well taken though.

I'm pretty cautious where I venture but I know it's not always possible to avoid these things. One pitfall here is some "very" rural back roads that are marked as "gravel" but can contain a lot of black soil in them.. when dry they're fine but with enough rain it's bog city. I was caught last year on a section of this stuff and only barely made my way out with some luck..

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[Todd Rector]

My biggest lesson learned last year (in Texas, where I have never chased before) is that just because it appears to be a road on GPS, does not mean it is navigable. I pulled onto a "road" that appeared to be pea-gravel. It was 3 inches of cake batter. It set the stage for my ongoing fear of Texas, for which I am currently seeking counseling

 

[Evan Coverdill]

I started chasing with my first car. That was a 2002 Kia Sedona EX Minivan. Now, I know minivans are the last thing anyone wants, but it never let me down in any weather condition. And currently, I have a 2008 Saturn Vue Redline with a 3.6L V6. When anyone chooses a vehicle, AWD or 4WD is definitely preferred. FWD is also second best in my opinion. SUVs, or maybe even a small truck (ex: Toyota Tacoma) or minivan, are the way to go. But if anyone were to get a Sedan, make sure its FWD or AWD.

 

[Michael R.]

I'm going to be driving a 2006 Chevy Trailblazer this season, figured it was a safe choice, decent gas mileage. My Chase partner is a die hard Audi man, says they are th best car to chase in. I disagree, but he was wondering what you guys thought about chasing in an Audi, lol.

 

[Marc R. O'Leary]

Audi for chase vehicle...I'd say plan for 25% chasing, 25% waiting for a tow, and 50% in the shop for repairs.


*your experience may vary*

 

[Michael R.]

I tried to tell him Marc, thankfully we use my car to chase, lol.


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[robert gilstrap]

WWHYY HHELLOOOO GGUUYSYSSS.....it's me..DA AUDI BRO.(Michael's chase partner) i am hear to avenged the great name of the auto union. 1st off, they is hellllllllllllla quick. secondly SOMETIMES they dont break down......sometimes....thirdly they really are not that bad to fix, rather it be a shop or in you're drive way the 2 iv owned never really gave me problems. FYI iv chased in a Toyota van, Mazda 3, Chevy Tahoe, a pair of Audi a4's a BMW e34 535i and a BMW e34 530i. i would take my audi over almost anything, can't wait to buy a new one!!

 

[Marc R. O'Leary]

Ok then...I'll just stick with my Subaru (turbo).

 

[robert gilstrap]

Oh I love Subaru turbo's, SERIOUSLY one of the best cars made today, how. Does it handle the chase?

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[Marc R. O'Leary]

2007 Forester XT. Never been stuck. Have slept in it. 0-60 in around 6 seconds. Terrible gas mileage. Can carry a ton of gear. Super reliable, although its finally hit a mileage where I'm having a few major wear items replaced. Its also paid for, and despite being slightly lower than stock, can mountain goat up into many of the off-road trails when I want to go camping in the mountains.

Great car overall, thus putting some money into it. There's pics of it in random places around here.

Oh, and its also a 5-speed. Can't get turbo manual in the new gen cars.

Welcome to the forum! Enjoy it. Great group of people on here.