Should I buy a Jeep?

SpydyrWyr

Member
Joined
Sep 26, 2005
Location
Raleigh
I can't believe I'm even thinking about it but I've been looking for a new DD for my wife, and we came across a used Cherokee. It's a '99 Cherokee Classic that's in immaculate shape. Really clean inside and out. 4.0L 4x4, but it's got 112,000 miles on it.

I've never had an XJ, or any jeep for that matter, so I'm curious about the reliability of the 4.0L and the stock jeep tranny and driveline. That's an inline 6, right? I like that about it.

Does anyone have information/advice about how reliable these later model XJ's are? He's not asking too much, I just want to know if it's going to end up as a money pit after a year or so.

Any insight would be greatly appreciated. Thanks!
 
The word is when correctly taken care of, maintence done and fluids change they will run for quite a long time. Im sure someone can pop in and give some milege estimates. They are very nice car's and I love mine, I dont have the 4.0 :( but its still a cherokee :flipoff2:
 
My father has a 97 chero classic.. yep has the 4.0 I6.. I dont think he has quite 100k, if so just barely over. I know for a fact my fathers is in immaculate shape because I know my father.. but how about this one? You can take any car to a detailer and for 100 bucks they can make it look like its never been driven. My dads chero compression is as good now as when he bought it.. only used the 4x4(low) in deep snow a few yrs back.. they have the automatic 4 high.. he loves it.. heck I thought about buying it from him. It really depends on the owners of it.. are they a 20 yr old college kid ( no offence) but normally a younger kid wont take care of a car the way older people do. I have the same I6 in my grand chero, Ive got 160k.. its all how you drive and take care of it. If they took care of the vehicle I dont see why it wouldnt last well into 200s.. How much are they asking? My dad is thinking of selling his.. (not to take away from this one) but to give you an idea.. dad is asking 2500 I believe? Its also 2 yrs older then yours.. just some thoughts..
 
Well, he's "asking" $6900 for it, but its KBB value in "excellent" shape is under $6k. I wouldn't pay more than $5500 for it, which he probably wouldn't go for anyway, so this may be a moot point.

The guy was very friendly (imagine that from someone tryin to sell a car), and he said it's been garaged and properly maintained. "If it's needed anything, it's gotten it" were his words. Of course there's no way to verify any of this, other than faith in people's honesty.

No rust, engine and driveline are clean. Great looking vehicle with all painted body, no plastic molding at all.
 
inlines will run just about forever. Its like a dodge(whatchout rich), the engine will outlast the rest of the vehicle.




I cant believe mr yota wants a jeep. what next, sell the yota for a jeep trail rig :driver:
 
StudNuts said:
I cant believe mr yota wants a jeep. what next, sell the yota for a jeep trail rig :driver:
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WHOA!!! Simma dahn nah with that kinda talk!!! :D That hurt worse than a "yo mamma" joke!
 
The 4.0 and the autos behind them are both strong. You see what steven has done to his and its still running.
 
Mine has 169k and runs great.

At around 120k the Water pumps start to leak. this has happen on every one I have had. so if you have around that mileage then I would just replace it.
 
Pinkston said:
You see what steven has done to his and its still running.
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Matt, if I do get this jeep and it ever ends up looking anywhere remotely like Steven's, I want you to kick me square in the balls as hard as you can. Don't get me wrong, I think Steven's jeep is sexy as hell the way it is now, but I don't think Lizzie would be very happy with a XJ like that. :D
 
Ridgerunner said:
Mine has 169k and runs great.

At around 120k the Water pumps start to leak. this has happen on every one I have had. so if you have around that mileage then I would just replace it.
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How'd you realize the problem, did it start to overheat/run hot?

How friendly is the 4.0L I6 to work on/maintain?
 
StudNuts said:
inlines will run just about forever. Its like a dodge(whatchout rich), the engine will outlast the rest of the vehicle.
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Right on both counts.. no arguements here!
 
great engine, great tranny, decent fuel mileage. a cherokee is not the most comfortable car, at least the 2 i have had. 4.0 is easy to work on as an engine, but the bay in the cherokee is somewhat crowded, at least at the front. they love to run warm, definetly something to keep an eye on. but like everyone else has said, you take care of it, and it will ast a long long time.

on a second note...6500 is way too much for a cherokee with that kind of mileage, they can be found cheaper. but i haven't seen it, it may be nice.

I have a nice grand cherokee limited i will sell you cheap...
 
Grand Chero's are great, coils all around make for an easy(ier) ride then a reg chero. The v8 is an added bonus if power is in your opinion. they have good features and are comfortable with enough room and towing power for decent sized things
 
Dan, the 4.0/AW4 combo is on of the most bullet proof combo's you can get for dependability. It is the same combo that I swapped into my jeep. The design of the 4.0 has been around for many years and spawns from the old 258/232 motors. The AW4 tranny is built by Asin Warner which also build many parts for toyota's. You just can't go wrong.
 
Well, I just called to offer him $5500. He didn't go for that at all. He said he's got a guy interested who offered $6700 and he'll probably go with that. Oh well, I guess I'll keep looking. I might've given the guy 6, b/c it's in such good shape, but i don't want to spend over that on a vehicle with 112,000 miles on it (unless it's a Runner :D)
 
I'm betting he calls you back in a few days.. $6700 is way to high for a private owner sale.. I'm betting blue book from owner to owner is only $4500 to 5000. I can see a dealer charging that much just a a haggle chip.. But not a private owner
 
SpydyrWyr said:
Do I get a hella discount because our wives are best friends? :D :D
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book is about 9500, just put all new ac on it, brand new tires. just serviced the engine, tranny, t-case and axles. leather, 10 disk cd, sunroof, power everything. 4.7 v8, all wheel drive. nice ride, just need to buy Lindsay a car for school.

i would let it go for 8000, maybe a little less hell, it is lindsay's car...and that best friends thing is gonna cost me....

:flipoff2: END HIJACK :flipoff2:
 
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