Like my father used to say, you can get any car to last forever if you just keep fixing it. My 95.5 Rodeo (about the same as a 96) has over 171k miles on it. I had to replace the alternator, starter, timing belt tensioner and that's about it. No major problems otherwise. One thing that may make a difference is that I service the car myself. No monkeys allowed under my hood.

Sammy

95.5 Rodeo, automatic, 3.2 SOHC, D44 front and rear, 4.88's, 33" muds