Help a newbie out. I want to Buy a Cherokee

iamwiz82 · 06-04-2002, 10:50 PM

I'm a newb to Jeeps. The only exposure i have had to them was my brother's 91 Wrangler that he finally traded in after 200,000 miles and a hole for a floorboard.

I have been looking at Cherokees lately because they meet my criteria of an affordable 4x4. I'm interested in a 2000 Sport for $9900 with 30k miles on it. Does this seem like a good deal? Local dealerships sell similar ones for $4000-6000 more than any private sellers here.

Second, How much would a lift kit and some good tires set me back? I will be offroading fairly often, as time permits(3-4 a month during the summer).

What problems do i have to look out for in Cherokees? I have heard the steering stabilizer has problems.

I could use all the information you guys have.

Adventure_Some · 06-04-2002, 11:27 PM

Hi Pal:

I just bought a 1996 and all said and done I paid $7,500 with 55,000 so that is probably a good deal if you offered the dealer 9,000 - 9,500.

Lift kits buy the best. I bought the old man emu 2 1/2 inch and put 31" TA KOs on it. The lift was $770. install was $275. this kit is the most expensive, but drives like a care. Just awesome. Tires $500.

Good luck friend

arpy · 06-05-2002, 12:00 AM

Sounds like a good deal if it hasn't been wrecked.
As far as the steering stabilizer, don't worry about it. Its a cheap fix even if it does go out.

iamwiz82 · 06-05-2002, 07:34 AM

I'm not going to offer thre dealer that, I think they will laugh at me. I'm talking about local classified ads.

Here are the 5 from this week:

2000 Cherokee Sport - 4x4 auto green 28k miles - $9950

2000 Cherokee Sport - 4x4 23k miles, CD all PW - $9800

2000 Cherokee Sport - 4x4 auto low mi. $9950(this is the one i want)

1999 Cherokee Sport 4x4, loaded, low mi. $9800

The 2000 I want has 30k miles, but i would be the third owner and the second owner was a teenager. What are the chances a teenage boy abused his car? <img border="0" title="" alt="[Wink]" src="wink.gif" />

arpy · 06-05-2002, 08:12 AM

I'd say the chances of a teenage boy abusing his vehicle are pretty high, but the Cherokee is about the toughest vehicle you could get. I've been pounding the hell out mine for years and I haven't broken anything major yet! If you are worried about it, get it checked out by a trusted mechanic. Its still in warranty, isn't it?

Robbie · 06-05-2002, 01:39 PM

That's a killer deal.

The stabilizers don't have problems, and like said before it's cheap if it does have a problem.

We have 56,500 on our '99, no real issues other than the electric windows a couple of times.

When you start lifting a '97 or newer XJ you have to keep in mind that you are going to have to spend around $500 for an SYE and driveshaft.

**EricsXJ** · 06-05-2002, 03:51 PM

3 owners on a 2000 XJ is a lot! And one being a teenager might be bad too, but not all teenagers drive like teenagers

Either way $9,950 is a very good price I think based only on the year and mileage. I have 32,000 miles on my 2000 but still owe the bank about $14,000

As long as you give it a VERY thorough inspection and test drive to make sure there are no problems with it, it should be OK. Try to find out the reasons the other drivers gave this vehicle up.

And... the steering stabilizer has never to my knowledge been a issue on the XJ. Like someone else said, IF it goes bad replacing it is cheap and easy.

iamwiz82 · 06-06-2002, 11:32 AM

I dont plan on putting a huge lift on it. Maybe 2-3" at most. Anymore and my girlfriend would need a ladder to get in!

Does any type of lift require a new driveshaft? Or is it after a certain point?

The kid who is selling it seems to come from a wealthy family. They are getting him a new car. For some reason, the market here is very very cheap on Jeeps.

When i go take a look at it, i'm gonna go over it with a fine tooth comb. I have my magnet, screw driver, wrench , and flashlight all set to go <img border="0" title="" alt="[Wink]" src="wink.gif" />

**EricsXJ** · 06-06-2002, 03:48 PM

First worry about getting the jeep. Drive it stock for a while, even offroad. You should become very familiar with it and how it handles before you slap a lift on it. In the meantime, pay attention to this forum and look at what other people are doing and problems or questions they have. You can also search for previous posts about this using the keywords driveshaft, SYE, lift etc. By the time you are ready for a lift, you will have accumulated enough knowledge to know exactly what you want and you'll know what other things may be needed other than just the lift kit. Just my .02 cents...

iamwiz82 · 06-06-2002, 09:19 PM

I agree. But seeing these pics make me drool

06-04-2002, 11:27 PM	#2
Adventure_Some Registered User Join Date: Apr 2002 Location: Kent, WA Posts: 10 Profile Gallery Classifieds My Jeeps	Hi Pal: I just bought a 1996 and all said and done I paid $7,500 with 55,000 so that is probably a good deal if you offered the dealer 9,000 - 9,500. Lift kits buy the best. I bought the old man emu 2 1/2 inch and put 31" TA KOs on it. The lift was $770. install was $275. this kit is the most expensive, but drives like a care. Just awesome. Tires $500. Good luck friend

06-05-2002, 12:00 AM	#3
arpy Registered User Join Date: Apr 2002 Location: Texas Posts: 215 Profile Gallery Classifieds My Jeeps	Sounds like a good deal if it hasn't been wrecked. As far as the steering stabilizer, don't worry about it. Its a cheap fix even if it does go out.

06-05-2002, 07:34 AM	#4
iamwiz82 Registered User Join Date: Jun 2002 Posts: 4 Profile Gallery Classifieds My Jeeps	I'm not going to offer thre dealer that, I think they will laugh at me. I'm talking about local classified ads. Here are the 5 from this week: 2000 Cherokee Sport - 4x4 auto green 28k miles - $9950 2000 Cherokee Sport - 4x4 23k miles, CD all PW - $9800 2000 Cherokee Sport - 4x4 auto low mi. $9950(this is the one i want) 1999 Cherokee Sport 4x4, loaded, low mi. $9800 The 2000 I want has 30k miles, but i would be the third owner and the second owner was a teenager. What are the chances a teenage boy abused his car? <img border="0" title="" alt="[Wink]" src="wink.gif" />

06-05-2002, 08:12 AM	#5
arpy Registered User Join Date: Apr 2002 Location: Texas Posts: 215 Profile Gallery Classifieds My Jeeps	I'd say the chances of a teenage boy abusing his vehicle are pretty high, but the Cherokee is about the toughest vehicle you could get. I've been pounding the hell out mine for years and I haven't broken anything major yet! If you are worried about it, get it checked out by a trusted mechanic. Its still in warranty, isn't it?

06-05-2002, 01:39 PM	#6
Robbie Registered User Join Date: May 2002 Location: Fort Worth, Texas Posts: 16 Profile Gallery Classifieds My Jeeps	That's a killer deal. The stabilizers don't have problems, and like said before it's cheap if it does have a problem. We have 56,500 on our '99, no real issues other than the electric windows a couple of times. When you start lifting a '97 or newer XJ you have to keep in mind that you are going to have to spend around $500 for an SYE and driveshaft.

06-06-2002, 11:32 AM	#8
iamwiz82 Registered User Join Date: Jun 2002 Posts: 4 Profile Gallery Classifieds My Jeeps	I dont plan on putting a huge lift on it. Maybe 2-3" at most. Anymore and my girlfriend would need a ladder to get in! Does any type of lift require a new driveshaft? Or is it after a certain point? The kid who is selling it seems to come from a wealthy family. They are getting him a new car. For some reason, the market here is very very cheap on Jeeps. When i go take a look at it, i'm gonna go over it with a fine tooth comb. I have my magnet, screw driver, wrench , and flashlight all set to go <img border="0" title="" alt="[Wink]" src="wink.gif" />

06-06-2002, 09:19 PM	#10
iamwiz82 Registered User Join Date: Jun 2002 Posts: 4 Profile Gallery Classifieds My Jeeps	I agree. But seeing these pics make me drool