I did plenty of research on the net and talked to many 4wd nuts before making a decision. The method I came to decide on the Grand Cherokee was this:
Ruled out 1st: Anything without a transfer case.
Ruled out 2nd: Feroza, Sierra, Jimny etc: too small as the family car.
Ruled out 3rd: Patrol and Landcruiser: too big for my 5'0" wife.
Ruled out 4th: Hilux's and other commercials: too utilitarian (wife's choice).
Ruled ou 5th: Discovery: shocking reports on reliability.
That basically left me with the Jeep Cherokee and a few other mid-sizers (Pathfinder etc). I had almost decided on a Cherokee when I realised that some of the slightly earlier Grand Cherokees were within the budget, so I did more research and test drove a couple.
The final attraction was rigid axles and the superior comfort. Oh, and the old fashioned 4 litre sounds beefy too.
The only thing I don't need, which my Jeep has, is leather seats and heated front seats. Hardly necessary in the Pilbara! The leather will be getting covered in canvas from MichellesSaks, and the heater will just have to gather cobwebs.
The Jeep sure is comfortable, but it just doesn't have the character (at the moment) of my Feroza, or the removable roof.......WHICH I NEVER GOT TO TAKE OFF!!
I've noticed on this site and in the papers that Feroza II's around 1993 are selling for around $10,000. I got $5,700 for mine (in pretty good nick).
So if you're looking to buy a 1993 widetrack, anything over $8,500 is too much. Tne dealers are ripping you off!
I'd just like to say thanks for all the help you guys gave when I was both looking at buying and looking for tips post-purchase.
I'll now be showing my face on the Jeep site amongst the predominently Wrangler drivers.
Catchya,
Darren