sumtallguy

Hey everyone. I'm looking to buy a Jeep Cherokee XJ to drive during the winter and on occasion during the summer. I drive a 2007 Dodge Charger R/T right now but the rear wheel drive doesn't do too well in the snow. The Charger has low miles on it and I'd like to keep it that way by having another car to drive during the winter. I've done a lot of research and decided I'd like to have a 1996 or newer XJ as my "winter beater".

That being said, here's where I'm at right now. I've been reading all the info I can and this is what I've come up with. Ideally I would like to get a 1997, 1998, or 1999 Cherokee, but would consider a 2000 or 2001 if it doesn't have signs of head gasket issues.

Yesterday I went and looked at a 2000 Cherokee Classic that was priced at $2995. I used a check list I found on here and everything seemed to look good. Had some cosmetic issues, windows not working, etc but nothing major--- until I started it up and the coolant was bubbling and there was white smoke coming out the exhaust. Sure signs of head gasket problems, so that one's a no go.

Today I went and looked at a 1999 that has 143,000 miles on it. Once again, a few cosmetic things like a quarter sized spot of rust on one of the doors, little bit of shimmy in the brakes, headliner is sagging, lift gate struts need to be replaced, window tint is faded, and there's an exhaust leak. It has low miles, but what concerns me is under the Jeep is caked in mud with hay stuck in lots of places. There's even mud inside up on the vanity mirror. My fear with this is that it's been driven off road and was just someones toy. Is this a legitimate concern? The salesman said he thinks it was on a farm because of the hay but I don't know if that makes me feel any better or not. Didn't see any major rust underneath but it's hard to tell with so much mud on it. They're asking $4923.

I also went and looked at a 2001 XJ that has 193,000 miles. It didn't appear to have much rust, but did have a lot of cosmetic issues. Faded tint, trim on doors is busted in a couple spots, both taillights have been hit when backing up, small dent in drivers door, headliner is sagging a lot, etc. Nothing that's really a deal breaker on a car this old with this many miles for this price. However, when I got under the hood, the oil is pretty dark like it hadn't been changed in awhile, the transmission fluid was low, and the coolant was almost EMPTY. What little coolant was in there wasn't bubbling when I started the car, but there's so little in it that it's hard to tell. This was this kids first car so I'm assuming he probably hasn't taken the best care of it. Also the AC needs to be charged, but the heat works. He's asking $2700 but said he could go $2400.

So can I get some input from you guys? I feel like the '99 is probably the best bet IF it hasn't been beaten to death off road and the exhaust leak isn't indicative of a bigger problem. The price also seems to be quite high. The dealership got it as a trade in so I'm sure they didn't pay more than $500 - $1000 for it. Fair market price for my area is $3200.

I think the last one I looked at could be a good deal but it scares me that it's a 2001 (the head issues) that doesn't appear to have been well maintained (how do you let your coolant get that low?).

Thoughts? I'm located in Louisville, KY by the way.

kcdt58

Welcome to the forum.

All 3 that you described above, I would stay away from. I also wouldn't buy from a dealer. Is there a particular reason you're only looking at dealers instead of private party?

Crazy 8s

You can do better than those three for the budget you are working with. Check Craigslist and other local ads in nearby cities to you. It may be worth a bit of a drive to find a gem with better value.

Crazy 8s

Here is a member in Virginia that might be worth looking at... Looks like a nice Jeep for 4k

https://www.cherokeeforum.com/f70/19...-drive-202180/

GreenXJ98

X2 ^ All of those XJ's seem sketchy to me. Definitely check private sellers, they will be a lot cheaper, and you can usually get better info from them since they owned it. I would pay no more than $4500 for a super clean, less than 150k miles, possibly lifted 3 inches with 31's already, and mostly rust free XJ.

exjay1027

stay away from all of them!
check craigslist and the for sale section here

Puddlejumper97

These guys nailed it. Don't do a dealer. Craiglist is where I got mine, for 3k.

sumtallguy

Thanks guys, you all confirmed what that little voice in the back of my head was telling me. I've been searching on Craigslist everyday but there isn't a whole lot popping up around me. I guess I'll have to expand my search radius. Trying to find one for below $3,000 doesn't seem easy but I'm sure when I find the right one I'll know it.

The search continues.