Long-Term Car Updates

After I sold my Mercedes, I was in the market for a “new” car again. I had my heart set on a 2003-2004 Chevy Lumina SS. I then decided to hit up a few car companies for a possible long-term car instead, but that campaign simply ended in disaster, for obvious no-magazine-so-you-suck reasons. To absolutely avoid the horrendously racist taxi service, my family still needed another car, so I went hunting for that Lumina again. Last Friday, after this loser Lumina owner cancelled our meeting yet again, I suddenly decided to save some cash and buy a sporting economy car instead.

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I have a 2006 BMW Z4 Roadster 2.5i, purchased in April 2008 from the BMW agent with 37,000 km. The previous owner was an Emirati woman, and from what I can tell, it was looked after extremely well as the car was in superb condition when I bought it. After driving many cars in the Dhs 100000-150000 price range over a few months, I strolled into the used car dealership by chance one afternoon, had a test drive, and then walked out Dhs 1000 poorer after putting down my deposit.

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Chrysler knew that their Jeep Grand Cherokee was a cash cow, and went all-out on its 1999 redesign. A lot of work went into this one, including frame engineering inputs from none other than Porsche. The result was a true off-roader with solid-axle front and rear suspension, with acceleration and handling performance that was surprising for such a “simple” setup. Indeed, barring the Wrangler, it was the last of the real Jeeps. Quality problems made it a headache to own, right up till 2002, when most reliability issues were sorted out. But the stigma of “unreliable American cars” forever haunts the Jeep brand,

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While I test cars, I unconsciously compare them to my 17-year-old inline-six “baby” Mercedes to see how far cars have progressed (not far enough really). Similarly, I compare tested sports cars with my 20-year-old modded twin-turbo Supra. But I’ve never owned a 4WD before, and I needed one to judge new trucks against. I set a budget, and I started researching for a reliable, tough and true 4WD that could go up against the latest. Oddly enough, the 2002 Jeep Grand Cherokee V8 you see in the picture fit the bill. A Jeep? Reliable? There’s more to the story.

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