Buying a used Cherokee

Colby Bruce · 02-07-2002, 09:47 AM

I am searching for a used Cherokee for my soon to be sixteen year old son. Are there any year models, or engine/trans combinations to avoid? Are there any problems that I need to be aware of with XJ's? Any help will be appreciated. Thanks.

XJin96style · 02-07-2002, 10:19 AM

Well, I own a 96 jeep cherokee and i am selling it! This was the last year of the old body style which looks like the new just a little more boxy! It has 107,000 miles and it is still like a brandnew car! I have not had to replace much! It is up to date with tune ups and fuel system flush! This is a very reliable Jeep and the only reason i am selling it is because i am going to college! If you want to see more about it the go to swap shop and its topic is 96 xj se for sale. That will give you everything on my Jeep! These cars are one of the strongest you can buy! There isn't anything you sould worry about when it comes to engine and Trans the engine which is a 4.0 I6 is the best you can really get if you want life out of an engine! This Jeep or others like it are well worth the money they will reward you in everything except gas milage but then what SUV does!

Well if you have any questions feel free to ask.

Thanks
Ryan

XJin96style · 02-07-2002, 10:59 AM

well, i would stay away from the jeeps without the new 4.0 High Output I6. These engines are by far the best every made by crysler for jeeps! If you plan on getting 4x4 i recamend the command Trac system which gives you the ability to switch in and out of 4 wheel drive!

Good luck

CB89XJ · 02-07-2002, 11:23 AM

Get the newest model you can afford! (within reason for a new driver)

Newer models have the 4.0L HO (although the 4.0L isn't bad), open cooling system, and usually less miles. I also recommend SelecTrac over CommanTrac if the Jeep is NOT going to be modded. W/ SelecTrac in Full Time, you can drive on the road w/o fear of breaking it. CommanTrac can only be used on slippery stuff. However, there are more aftermarket accessories made for the CommanTrac. Oh yeah, CommanTrac aka NP231, and SelecTrac aka NP242. HTH

XJin96style · 02-07-2002, 01:37 PM

personaly i think the command trac is a better by unless you plan on driving in constent rain and snow! I live in Michigan and the command trac has never let me down! select trac is a nice feature, but why not have the ability to switch out of it! Its up to you, both tracs are awsome, but which will you do more with the fulltime or parttime which you can go in and out of. The command trac is 4 wheel on the fly which means you can put it into it while driving, but I am sure you knew that!

biguglymudrs · 02-07-2002, 07:42 PM

Well I own a 92 cherokee and its a stick. I am 18 myself and had it since i was 15 it now has 92,000 miles on and I got it cheap for like 3500 nothing wrong it was babied alot it hasn't any rust or anyhting. I would think that anyhting that fits ur budget will makes his eyes open.

Mat&His97XJ · 02-07-2002, 10:37 PM

i like having the automatic, but i think its a good idea to get a stick. my friends is a damn 2wd but the stick really lets you get up and go.....that way if it is a little older and lost some power you can make up some ground there. plus the resale will be much lower usually

XJin96style · 02-08-2002, 09:42 AM

Personaly if you want to get into get up and go! My automatic would kill a stick cherokee no effence to people with sticks! My 96 seems to have tons of power! And like a regular 2 wheel drive jeep the Command track allows you to have that! Since its 4x4 on the fly! Anyway I would buy the newest modle since you are going to find them everywhere! (The retail value on all Cherokees is "LOW" since the market is saturated!

)

ageofzeppelin · 02-08-2002, 02:53 PM

I would personally go for the manual just cause if it breaks, it will hurt your wallet less. The only thing you have to worry about is a clutch, which won't run you more than $200 if you do it yourself. I really like the manual trasmission, just because it is my preferred style. Unless your son is adamant about going automatic, a manual should work out OK. He'll learn to love it, and may never go back to auto. I don't think I will! Also, it seems some people are confused about what SelecTrac offers. It has 2High, 4H PartTime, 4H Full time, N, and 4LO. So you can do the 2WD or 4WD all the time if you want. I personally wouldn't worry about what style 4x4 you get, unless you do plan to do a build up, in which case aim for the CommandTrac. Also, you don't necessairly need the newest you can get. These Jeeps are good for a couple hundred thousand miles, so you may want to shop around for a cheaper, older one that has been well cared for. Unless you plan on getting your son a new one, of course, in which case it will really make his eyes shine. This, coming from an 18 year old who bought himself an XJ about 5 months ago.

XJin96style · 02-08-2002, 04:04 PM

Comeing from a 19 year old who has owned his XJ for 2 years! The XJ is very reliable no matter which one you get, but i would recomend that you get the new redesigned 4.0 High Output! The command trac will also cost less to repair! Automatics are the way to go since actually they are doing with Manuals...Clutchs on Jeeps are hard to repair so if you know what you are doing and have the time go for it! Personaly I know a lot of stuff about XJ's and Command trac is the way to go!

**EricsXJ** · 02-08-2002, 05:55 PM

You're joking right?

02-07-2002, 10:19 AM	#2
XJin96style Registered User Join Date: Jan 2002 Location: Michigan Posts: 313 Profile Gallery Classifieds My Jeeps	Well, I own a 96 jeep cherokee and i am selling it! This was the last year of the old body style which looks like the new just a little more boxy! It has 107,000 miles and it is still like a brandnew car! I have not had to replace much! It is up to date with tune ups and fuel system flush! This is a very reliable Jeep and the only reason i am selling it is because i am going to college! If you want to see more about it the go to swap shop and its topic is 96 xj se for sale. That will give you everything on my Jeep! These cars are one of the strongest you can buy! There isn't anything you sould worry about when it comes to engine and Trans the engine which is a 4.0 I6 is the best you can really get if you want life out of an engine! This Jeep or others like it are well worth the money they will reward you in everything except gas milage but then what SUV does! Well if you have any questions feel free to ask. Thanks Ryan __________________ /\/\/\/\ is here!!!! 2000 XJ Jeep sport stock "ITS A JEEP THING, DONT TRY TO FOLLOW YOU MIGHT GET STUCK."

02-07-2002, 10:59 AM	#3
XJin96style Registered User Join Date: Jan 2002 Location: Michigan Posts: 313 Profile Gallery Classifieds My Jeeps	well, i would stay away from the jeeps without the new 4.0 High Output I6. These engines are by far the best every made by crysler for jeeps! If you plan on getting 4x4 i recamend the command Trac system which gives you the ability to switch in and out of 4 wheel drive! Good luck __________________ /\/\/\/\ is here!!!! 2000 XJ Jeep sport stock "ITS A JEEP THING, DONT TRY TO FOLLOW YOU MIGHT GET STUCK."

02-07-2002, 11:23 AM	#4
CB89XJ Registered User Join Date: Dec 2001 Location: Kutztown, PA Posts: 608 Profile Gallery Classifieds My Jeeps	Get the newest model you can afford! (within reason for a new driver) Newer models have the 4.0L HO (although the 4.0L isn't bad), open cooling system, and usually less miles. I also recommend SelecTrac over CommanTrac if the Jeep is NOT going to be modded. W/ SelecTrac in Full Time, you can drive on the road w/o fear of breaking it. CommanTrac can only be used on slippery stuff. However, there are more aftermarket accessories made for the CommanTrac. Oh yeah, CommanTrac aka NP231, and SelecTrac aka NP242. HTH __________________ Colin Beatty '87 YJ, built 351W, T-18, NP-205, SOA, SRS, 35x12.50 ProComp MT's, cage, winch, Tomken bumper/carrier, d44/9" www.bmja.org

02-07-2002, 01:37 PM	#5
XJin96style Registered User Join Date: Jan 2002 Location: Michigan Posts: 313 Profile Gallery Classifieds My Jeeps	personaly i think the command trac is a better by unless you plan on driving in constent rain and snow! I live in Michigan and the command trac has never let me down! select trac is a nice feature, but why not have the ability to switch out of it! Its up to you, both tracs are awsome, but which will you do more with the fulltime or parttime which you can go in and out of. The command trac is 4 wheel on the fly which means you can put it into it while driving, but I am sure you knew that! __________________ /\/\/\/\ is here!!!! 2000 XJ Jeep sport stock "ITS A JEEP THING, DONT TRY TO FOLLOW YOU MIGHT GET STUCK."

02-07-2002, 10:37 PM	#7
Mat&His97XJ Registered User Join Date: Jan 2002 Location: Kansas City Posts: 142 Profile Gallery Classifieds My Jeeps	i like having the automatic, but i think its a good idea to get a stick. my friends is a damn 2wd but the stick really lets you get up and go.....that way if it is a little older and lost some power you can make up some ground there. plus the resale will be much lower usually __________________ I'm out like a fat kid playing dodgeball..... Matt

02-07-2002, 07:42 PM	#6
biguglymudrs Registered User Join Date: Jan 2002 Posts: 84 Profile Gallery Classifieds My Jeeps	Well I own a 92 cherokee and its a stick. I am 18 myself and had it since i was 15 it now has 92,000 miles on and I got it cheap for like 3500 nothing wrong it was babied alot it hasn't any rust or anyhting. I would think that anyhting that fits ur budget will makes his eyes open.

02-08-2002, 09:42 AM	#8
XJin96style Registered User Join Date: Jan 2002 Location: Michigan Posts: 313 Profile Gallery Classifieds My Jeeps	Personaly if you want to get into get up and go! My automatic would kill a stick cherokee no effence to people with sticks! My 96 seems to have tons of power! And like a regular 2 wheel drive jeep the Command track allows you to have that! Since its 4x4 on the fly! Anyway I would buy the newest modle since you are going to find them everywhere! (The retail value on all Cherokees is "LOW" since the market is saturated! ) __________________ /\/\/\/\ is here!!!! 2000 XJ Jeep sport stock "ITS A JEEP THING, DONT TRY TO FOLLOW YOU MIGHT GET STUCK."

02-08-2002, 02:53 PM	#9
ageofzeppelin Registered User Join Date: Jan 2002 Location: Socorro Posts: 242 Profile Gallery Classifieds My Jeeps	I would personally go for the manual just cause if it breaks, it will hurt your wallet less. The only thing you have to worry about is a clutch, which won't run you more than $200 if you do it yourself. I really like the manual trasmission, just because it is my preferred style. Unless your son is adamant about going automatic, a manual should work out OK. He'll learn to love it, and may never go back to auto. I don't think I will! Also, it seems some people are confused about what SelecTrac offers. It has 2High, 4H PartTime, 4H Full time, N, and 4LO. So you can do the 2WD or 4WD all the time if you want. I personally wouldn't worry about what style 4x4 you get, unless you do plan to do a build up, in which case aim for the CommandTrac. Also, you don't necessairly need the newest you can get. These Jeeps are good for a couple hundred thousand miles, so you may want to shop around for a cheaper, older one that has been well cared for. Unless you plan on getting your son a new one, of course, in which case it will really make his eyes shine. This, coming from an 18 year old who bought himself an XJ about 5 months ago. __________________ 1993 XJ Sport 4.0L, HO 5-speed Manual 235's and a few other little things.

02-08-2002, 04:04 PM	#10
XJin96style Registered User Join Date: Jan 2002 Location: Michigan Posts: 313 Profile Gallery Classifieds My Jeeps	Comeing from a 19 year old who has owned his XJ for 2 years! The XJ is very reliable no matter which one you get, but i would recomend that you get the new redesigned 4.0 High Output! The command trac will also cost less to repair! Automatics are the way to go since actually they are doing with Manuals...Clutchs on Jeeps are hard to repair so if you know what you are doing and have the time go for it! Personaly I know a lot of stuff about XJ's and Command trac is the way to go! __________________ /\/\/\/\ is here!!!! 2000 XJ Jeep sport stock "ITS A JEEP THING, DONT TRY TO FOLLOW YOU MIGHT GET STUCK."