Hi guys. My name is Steven and I live in North Alabama. I'm going to look at a 1998 Cherokee classic tomorrow. I've been on several truck forums before and still am but from what I can tell this may be the most helpful one I've come across yet. I've been browsing the site over the weekend and reading up on them but I'd really like to hear from some of y'all on things I should look out for cause I want to be sure to cover all my bases.

Like I said its a 1998 classic 4wd 6cyl auto. 170,000 miles. I've seen where certain years had head problems should I be worried about it on this year? The pictures look like its in pretty good shape. They're asking $4460 for it. Anything y'all can tell me I'd appreciate and what do y'all think about that price?
Here's some pictures.

 

Looks clean. Price is a bit high, from a dealer? 98 is actually a pretty good year. I'm guessing you're referring to the 0331 head on some 00-01's.

 

Yes it's at a dealer and yes the 0331 head is what I was wondering about just wasn't sure what years they came in. Do the 98's have any notorious problems? Also did all classics come with the same drivetrain as far as trans, t-case, gears?

I was thinking about going and offering 3800 and trying to take it home for around 4000. Is that reasonable?

 

No issues with the 98. Not sure what the classic came with, easy way to tell what t-case it has is to check the shifter, if it has 4 full time it's a np242, if not it's a np231. Most XJ's with auto trans came with 3.55 gears, some with a towing package came with 3.73. If you have the VIN number you can request the build sheet from Chrysler here http://www.jeep.com/wccsapp/universa...ull&category=U

This will tell you what gears it came with stock. One thing to look at when buying an XJ is the rear axle, if that has ABS it has the weaker Dana 35.

 

This should help with axle identification.

 

I bought a 99' a year ago, $2800, 150K, black like yours. Clean. But I just dumped $1600 into it for the a/c system dumping. Price for your is HIGH!

 

I'd take a look for all the typical XJ problems to use anything you can to talk the price down, because that is a little pricey for how many miles are on it.

And typical problems I am talking about are oil leaks, saggy headliner, death wobble (take it on the freeway and get it up to ~70 MPH and get a feel for how it drives), idle problems, cooling system maintenance, reverse lights (neutral safety switch issue), etc etc. The list goes on.

But you don't need to really worry about head problems with that year

 

+1 Price is high. Check Kelly Blue Book for your area.

Hard to tell from the pic, but looks like may need tires.

I always look under a vehicle for signs of impact, scrapes, leaks and rust.
XJ rocker panels are rust magnets.
If the dealer has had this unit for long shouldn't be hard to negotiate a much lower price. These are not as easy to sell as fuel efficient High MPG Veh's.

 

Ok thanks guys that's all very helpful stuff. And I'm definitely gonna pick it apart to drive the price down. Any idea what kind of gas mileage it should get this will be my daily driver/weekend toy.

 

Sounds like a good deal to me, but XJs go high in my area. 98 is my preferred year because a lot of the kinks have been worked out, plus you don't get the 0331 heads .

 

Depends what kind of lift and tire setup. My guess is about 16 city and 18 highway. It is a Jeep, not a pruis.

 

Looks clean. you can get a way better price on one in the same shape though. That mileage and year would make it a 2700 jeep at most around here. Buddy of mine just bought a 98 with about the same milage. Looked a little more rough for 1800 so. As far as the year IMO 98 would be one of the best models to get an xj.

 

I checked NADA and his price is only a couple hundred dollars less than clean retail.

 

From what I've seen lookin since last week people are asking 2000+ for xj's I'm not sure I'd even be comfortable daily driving and that's even older ones

All the other 97+ xj's I've seen that looked to be in this condition were asking at least $5000.
I guess my area is just high but I definitely don't want to over pay.

 

It really depends on your area. As i said before, some XJs go for more in certain areas, like mine.