UN1CORN Test Drive

[White_Comanche]

4 hours ago, camjeep3 said:

If you plan to daily drive this will it still be a "mint, low mile" jeep in 5 years?

It's honestly a very clean XJ inside and out with zero rust nowhere. The only immediate thing to do is replace the tires. The left front strut will need to be fixed down the near future as well. To answer your question, it would still be fairly low miles and be in good shape in 5 years if I was the new owner.

 

Clearly the seller didn't need to get 17k for this since he lowered the listing price after a short period of time. The ad is not getting very many clicks either.

 

It's a neat older vehicle. But for now I'm liking the money I have in the bank more.

[camjeep3]

I guess what I am getting at is why would you buy a unicorn or a collectable to be a driver when for the money we are talking you could get into something much more practical. 

But what can I say. I'm not the most practical either

[White_Comanche]

1 hour ago, camjeep3 said:

.......for the money we are talking you could get into something much more practical. 

I'm totally in the same boat as you are. For this kind of money I could easily get into a newer Honda CRV that I've had in mind for a few years now.

 

Agreed, it probably wouldn't be as practical as a modern vehicle. I've been entertaining going backwards with how overly-computerized new vehicles have become.

 

I've been envious seeing really nice XJs running around town... then this gold one came about locally. 

[89 MJ]

36 minutes ago, White_Comanche said:

For this kind of money I could easily get into a newer Honda CRV that I've had in mind for a few years now.

Please do yourself a favor and think about this a lot and drive a few. I have a 2014 that is my vehicle for going to school. It gets decent mileage, I'll give it that. The throttle response is pretty poor, the seats are uncomfortable, it is not a good handling vehicle, has a lot of road noise, the AC is not cut out for commuting around town, and it rides like a lumber wagon. I grew up riding in full size half ton and three quarter ton GM pickups and Jeeps for the most part. Most of my driving miles have been a 2000 three quarter ton GM 4x4 truck, my MJ, my Eagle, and this CRV. The CRV is the roughest riding and worst handling one of the bunch and its the lowest mileage, so its not worn out and my grandmother bought it new. My family and friends that have all either ridden or driven it have all come to the same conclusion. It is not a pleasant vehicle to be in. With the amount of time I spend driving this year with work and school, I have shipped my Eagle to me to be my daily driver instead.

[watchamakalit]

Nothing is good until the new is worn off.  

 

 

I recently (3-4yrs ago) purchased the newest truck I have ever owned.  As much as I enjoy my 2013 2500hd ltz crew cab Chevy, I find myself choosing to drive the mj when the weather is appropriate for the mj to leave the shop.  The 13 feels like cheap plastic to me. Not that the mj doesn't contain it's share of plastic but it just seems to be a better quality built vehicle. I have felt this way about automobiles for some time. The problem seems to be continually getting worse with the build quality sliding further towards making profits and farther from a quality product.

 

That said, if for some reason I had to find a replacement for the 13 I would most definitely be shopping for probably a clean low mileage vehicle from the previous century.  A clean low mile rust free unicorn would definitely make the list of possible purchases.  It's just an automobile and I wouldn't be buying museum quality. 

[White_Comanche]

On 12/17/2025 at 5:30 PM, 89 MJ said:

2014 CRV rides like a lumber wagon

This is not what I expected for Honda CRVs +15 years. I've been driving a 2002 since 2012 and it drives and behaves like nothing else. Good acceleration, handling, 4WD and MPG. I'd say mine even drives far more comfortably than yours.

 

On 12/17/2025 at 5:32 PM, watchamakalit said:

shopping for probably a clean low mileage vehicle from the previous century.

I am seriously considering this XJ. "It's just an automobile" ...says watchamakalit 

 

There's lots to consider here. If I'm to pursue this Gold XJ I'll be keeping in touch with you guys.

[89 MJ]

9 hours ago, White_Comanche said:

This s not what I expected for Honda CRVs +15 years. I've been driving a 2002 since 2012 and it drives and behaves like nothing else. Good acceleration, handling, 4WD and MPG. I'd say mine even drives far more comfortably than yours.

I've heard that about the older CRVs before. I think 87MJTim has or had an early 2000s one as well and really likes it. It seems that Honda made them more of a car though in the more recent years and made them less like what yours is.

 

Mine is also AWD, but I don't think it is selectable.

 

I will say, mine does have the optional aluminum 17" wheels instead of the basic steelies and it has leather, so maybe they put firmer foam in them so that the leather wouldn't break down. 

 

When you take mine out of eco mode, it does pretty darn good on fuel. 28 on the highway and 24-25 in the city. In eco mode, it does worse. 22 city and 26 highway if you baby it.

 

The acceleration is ok. I think its somewhere near 180 hp, so it is probably a little quicker than an MJ. It is very much lacking in the low end torque department and the throttle response is pretty poor. You step on the gas, wait, and then it goes. I also doesn't seem to want to kick down ever. Probably fuel economy stuff.

 

Considering how stiff the suspension is, you'd think it would hand well. It does not though. When you going around a corner, it feels like you turn the wheel, the weight transfers to the side opposite of the direction you're turning, and then it starts to go. You don't get much steering feel from the steering wheel either. These are all problems because I like taking corners quickly. If you don't every really take any corners at speed, you probably wouldn't notice these issues, but for me, its not confidence inspiring.

[Eagle_SX4]

10 hours ago, White_Comanche said:

I've been driving a 2002 since 2012 and it drives and behaves like nothing else. Good acceleration, handling, 4WD and MPG. I'd say mine even drives far more comfortably than yours.

I will add to the CRV conversation and say that I owned a stick shift '03 and thought it was fantastic. I only sold it because I bought my Comanche. If I was to purchase a CRV again I would get an 05 or 06 stick shift. The 2nd gen CRV's have the least powerful K24 engine available but it still packs a punch and was very fun to drive spirited. The manual transmission helped with that.

 

For daily driving I would pick a manual transmission 2nd gen CRV over an XJ any day.

[87MJTIM]

I am the proud owner of a 2005 CRV. Bought new in December 04. It just hit 430,000. There has been no major mechanical issues. It’s had its share of “bumps” and scrapes. I plan on keeping it to 500, or perhaps as Buzz Lightyear would say “To infinity and beyond!”

 

BTW -  it’s a 5 speed 

[White_Comanche]

13 hours ago, 87MJTIM said:

“To infinity and beyond!”

FUDGE YEA DAWG.

 

Didn't realize I have been driving around all these years in perhaps the best generation.

 

Might be worthwhile considering going backwards with a CRV purchase as well.

[pizzaman09]

I know this is off topic.  You all apparently have had better luck with Honda's than me.  I have an 09 Civic Si, fun car, very competent at autocross and works well in the snow.  However it has been the least reliable pain in the butt vehicle I've owned yet.  That's saying a lot for someone who has owned mostly old Jeeps and BMWs.  That Honda has the weirdest electrical issues and has come up with some odd mechanical ones too.   It has definitely made me weary of wanting to try other Japanese vehicles.  

[Eagle_SX4]

On 12/26/2025 at 10:40 AM, pizzaman09 said:

I know this is off topic.  You all apparently have had better luck with Honda's than me.  I have an 09 Civic Si, fun car, very competent at autocross and works well in the snow.  However it has been the least reliable pain in the butt vehicle I've owned yet.  That's saying a lot for someone who has owned mostly old Jeeps and BMWs.  That Honda has the weirdest electrical issues and has come up with some odd mechanical ones too.   It has definitely made me weary of wanting to try other Japanese vehicles.  

I was looking into getting a Civic SI of the same generation as yours but decided not to because of all the documented electrical issues with those cars.

[pizzaman09]

On 12/29/2025 at 2:15 PM, Eagle_SX4 said:

I was looking into getting a Civic SI of the same generation as yours but decided not to because of all the documented electrical issues with those cars.

Consider yourself smart for doing your research first before purchasing.  I just went in on assumed reputation for Honda and a desire to own the highest revving factory K20 engine.  Honestly the car works for me, but it really opened my eyes for how poorly built a car can be from a major OEM.  

[White_Comanche]

Here's perhaps another reason to keep this thread going... to see if a modern classic vehicle is worth their purchase... for a DAILY DRIVER.

 

A local guy known brought in another decent Jeep.

 

I've entertained getting into a ZJ before as well.

 

Older vehicles sure are intriguing to consider buying, but they also come with their expense.

 

$7,990.00

 

QUOTE: 1995 Jeep Grand Cherokee Laredo 4x4 4.0 liter inline 6 with only 130k miles. Garage kept all of its life from older couple that was recently handed down to a family member that didn’t want or have a use for it. Power windows, locks, mirrors, cruise control, ice cold ac, warm heat, good tires, freshly tinted windows all the way around, cloth interior, runs and drives perfect, everything works 100%, the underneath is in amazing shape with no rust, as well as the engine bay is showroom condition, towing package has never been used, and clean clear title in hand. This Jeep is in amazing shape and these are getting harder and harder to find not rusted and cobbled up. Everything is 100% stock and interior is immaculate as pictures speak for themselves. Come see and drive for yourself, won’t be disappointed with this one.

 

 

 

 

[89 MJ]

That ZJ seems much better than the XJ. 

 

If you like your CRV though, why not look for one of those with low mileage?

[Eagle_SX4]

That ZJ looks good but just remember that it doesn't have the AW4 transmission like the XJ's do. Failure of the auto transmissions in the ZJs is the number 1 reason they get sent to the scrap yard. At 1 time there was 2 dozen ZJ's in the local junkyard. They tend to cycle through them regularly and right now there are 12 there.

[White_Comanche]

10 hours ago, 89 MJ said:

If you like your CRV though, why not look for one of those with low mileage?

Great thought, and I agree. Randomly a black 2002 2nd gen CRV EX popped up on this same site. The ad seems a little suspect... but for $2,350 perhaps this one is a really good copy. Mine has almost 190,000 and is still very reliable.

 

This one is is not 'low miles' with 176,100 — but it's a start. These vehicles are generally inexpensive and "forgotten" these days.

 

2nd Gen CRV EX are fantastic vehicles. You wording this simple question back has got me thinkin' now...  Thanks a alot

 

[89 MJ]

10 hours ago, White_Comanche said:

Great thought, and I agree. Randomly a black 2002 2nd gen CRV EX popped up on this same site. The ad seems a little suspect... but for $2,350 perhaps this one is a really good copy. Mine has almost 190,000 and is still very reliable.

 

This one is is not 'low miles' with 176,100 — but it's a start. These vehicles are generally inexpensive and "forgotten" these days.

 

2nd Gen CRV EX are fantastic vehicles. You wording this simple question back has got me thinkin' now...  Thanks a alot

 

I think it makes a good bit of sense. You know the CRV and really like it, from what I’ve gathered. The Jeeps would be semi-uncharted territory for you. They might not be as pleasant to live with. The other plus of the Honda is that it isn’t a Jeep, so it’s not an expensive vehicle to start out with.