The Jeep Grand Cherokee You Never Knew: Inside Russia’s Wild '90s and the SUV That Ruled Its Roads

Jalopnik ^ | March 12, 2019 | Misha Lann

[NorseViking]

On a cold afternoon in late January, I pulled into an industrial side-street of Saint Petersburg. There, I met with a man who I’ll refer to as “Oleg.”

Oleg drives a 1996 Jeep Grand Cherokee ZJ—an “Orvis Edition” with a 5.2-liter V8. As we stood chatting by the hood of his car, many heads turned, and a fair share of strangers offered their thumbs up. A few others asked if the car was for sale, to which Oleg responded, ominously: “takiye mashini ne prodayutsya” (“cars like this don’t go up for sale”).

In America, the Grand Cherokee ZJ is at the roughest stage of its life cycle. It’s not quite a classic, like a Grand Wagoneer or CJ, but it’s by no means contemporary either. It’s in resale value purgatory—the hand-me-down, high-school parking lot phase of its life. But in Russia, the ZJ is one of few traces left of what many Russians call the “wild ‘90s.” Oleg and I went on to discuss where this reputation comes from. Needless to say, things got deep.

[NorseViking]

Must be Aisin Seiki.

[Chode]

had an 84 Scout that i drove till there was nothing left... absolutely outstanding, then bought a used 95 that was an absolute POS!!! i still miss the Scout