1996 GMC Jimmy SLE review from North America

I just purchased this vehicle from my father who had owned it for about 7 or 8 years. I couldn't get a car loan because of revolving college loans, so he let me buy it off him.

Over his course of ownership, my father has had just minor problems with it that are normal for any automobile with higher mileage.

Ball joints, rear main seal, brakes, exhaust, etc.

I have found a ton of rust on the undercarriage (typical of any vehicle having seen 11 Maine winters). I spent about a half a day chipping away the loose stuff, then wire brushed the entire frame and sprayed everything with WD-40 to give me at least a couple more years of life from the vehicle. The body is in great shape; no rust whatsoever.

The differential cover is completed rusted through, and there is oil seeping through it; that is a very serious problem and could destroy the entire rear-end if not replaced, so it is good I noticed that; make sure you check yours.

I also noticed the brake lines were rusted; I picked a piece of rust off one side of the brake line and immediately oil started coming out of 2 tiny pin holes; nothing major, just minor maintenance.

My father has never changed the auto tranny fluid, and a lot of people say you never have to, but trust me it's very important on the life of your transmission to have it changed, and to change the transmission filter.

I'm far from being a mechanic, but am definitely a DIYer, short of rebuilding the engine or frame off restoration.

If I can't fix it, I look on the Internet or in repair manuals, and learn how to fix it.

99% of you people complaining about your Jimmys need to understand that all the stuff you are mentioning is "normal wear and tear". If it's a little worse, it's probably because someone beat on the vehicle. GMC Jimmys were not meant to be used for offroading or racing. If you want to do that, spend the 25,000 to make sure the vehicle can handle it or you will be spending that much in replacing your OEM parts time after time.

A word of advice also on the cost of fixing and parts: I read every comment posted and the prices on things you have listed that you had to fix are pretty high, I would probably not own a Jimmy if I had to pay that much. Do yourself a favor and the next time something goes wrong, park it, do some research on the Internet, shop around for the best price on parts (a lot of time ebay or some Internet site can get the part for nearly half the cost that your mechanic can), and don't be afraid to get your hands dirty, you will save a lot of money. Replacing parts on a vehicle is not nuclear physics, it's like putting together legos, your kid can do it, and so can you. And remember these are not "investment" vehicles, all parts will eventually wear out, even if you do the maintenance and baby it.