How many miles will an XJ go?

eBayfreak · 03-23-2008, 03:24 PM

Hello, Jeep forum newb here...

I've been wanting an XJ and one is for sale right down the street from my house. It's an older (not sure the year) 4wd 2 door with a 4.0L and five-speed (exactly what I want) and it looks nice (no rust and interior is not bad). Only problem is that it has 286,000 miles. Assuming it's been well-maintained, how much life does it have left? They have $1700 on it, which I would try to get down some.

Bullseye · 03-23-2008, 03:32 PM

I've been to some auctions with my neighbor and we've seen some XJ's with 500,000+ miles on them. If you take good care of it you can get plenty more miles out of the one your looking at.

Captainofiron · 03-23-2008, 03:34 PM

mine has 289,000 miles and is still running even though I run it hard, the only problems I have are 1 gear synchros are on their way out, and the 3rd gear bearing is starting to whine.

Also I have a bit of blowby issues, take a bit to get compression and start up.

You sound like you are exactly in the same position I was when I bought this Jeep. except the guy thought it was a piece of junk and wouldnt start, but turned out the starter was bad and thats all.

do a compression leak down test and take it for a spin and see how the tranny feels. I would buy it for around 1200, I got mine for 500, but again he thought alot was wrong with it. all of which was cheap easy fixes

HeepToJeep · 03-23-2008, 04:03 PM

Maintenance is more important than milage, if fluids and filters haven't been changed like clockwork 100k miles can be like 200k. The Jeep website lists owners vehicles and their longevity stories, 400k-700k were pretty common but keep in mind those were one owner vehicles that had been taken care of. Straight-six engines are damn near bulletproof but good/clean oil, clean air filter and clean/quality fuel is a must. Year will also play a big role in the value...here's the best way to familiarize yourself with their changes over the years.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jeep_Cherokee_%28XJ%29#1984-1996

Wm

**bluballer** · 03-23-2008, 04:12 PM

LOL that's like asking how much wood could a wood chuck chuck if a wood chuck could chuck wood.... LOL I think condition is more important than mileage on an XJ something breaks fix it and move on...still cheaper than a car note...I changed the engine in my XJ to a low mileage oneat aroung 280K ...not because It wasn't running...but because I don't like smoke trails....now at 325K she feels like she'll run another 280K ....If I can stay interested in it that long....

mickdawg777 · 03-23-2008, 05:11 PM

1700 is wayyy too much for 286,000 miles. I wouldn't give 400 for it.

ehall · 03-23-2008, 05:50 PM

My '91 has 334k miles on it. It has some valve noise and the tranny is weak, but otherwise it's fine.

I agree with the previous poster though, I would be hard pressed to pay $1k for something with that kind of miles. It would have to be pristine.

medicbear · 03-23-2008, 06:02 PM

well it will go till one of several things happens causing it to stop
-run out of gas
-mechanical failure
-run out of land even then depends on how deep
-you die
-it dies
-u turn it off
sorry couldnt resist

jeepin71 · 03-23-2008, 07:14 PM

the straight six engine is as far as i am concerned one of the hardest to kill and the strongest next to the chevy 350 for its size. i have a 94 for the road and a 93 for the trails. it has 350,000 kms on it and still runs new. i beat the piss out of it and do smoke shows every time it starts and i go through more tires than gas. my point is that they are very hard to kill.

eBayfreak · 03-23-2008, 07:40 PM

Thanks everyone for the responses! I'll take a closer look at it condition wise and maybe take a test drive... I'll also see how far down I can get the price; looking at this particular Jeep is more convenience than anything since it's so close by, and it also has the configuration I wanted (4.0l, five speed, two door).

itasor · 03-23-2008, 07:58 PM

Sometimes it's probably better to get one with like 200k miles, as most of the stuff that breaks has probably been replaced. With like 100k, everything is just starting to break!

d768 · 03-23-2008, 08:03 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mickdawg777

1700 is wayyy too much for 286,000 miles. I wouldn't give 400 for it.

seconded. find another rig. with the remaining1k youll lift it and more.
try to get one with an open system cooling thing...if u wanna go cheep go 91-93. manual is a plus, of course. no headaches

HeepToJeep · 03-23-2008, 08:23 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by eBayfreak

Thanks everyone for the responses! I'll take a closer look at it condition wise and maybe take a test drive... I'll also see how far down I can get the price; looking at this particular Jeep is more convenience than anything since it's so close by, and it also has the configuration I wanted (4.0l, five speed, two door).

Take your time when vehicle shopping, especially when regarding XJs....they built a blue million of the damn things. About the time you buy something just because of it's features and conveinance you're going to get screwed, when it comes to cars that's going to happen everytime you rush. That choice could very well leave you stranded out in east boo-foo when there's not even any roads "close by".

Wm

**tjwalker** · 03-23-2008, 08:46 PM

How many XJs have you looked at? As mentioned by others, there were a gazillion XJs manufactured. Don't be afraid to put this one on the back burner and take a few road trips to look at others up for sale. You really need to have some apples to compare. Consider the buying experience a "process" and a learning experience.

And when you find one you like, running a compression test really isn't a bad idea along with a long test ride and a thorough front to back inspection. Then don't be afraid to haggle to get the best deal. How many vehicles do you think are sold at a premium when the seller would have taken less? A lot.......You never know what you can get it for unless you try. Can always go up with your offer if you're turned down. Good luck in your search!

eflores · 03-23-2008, 08:47 PM

i bought mine for 900 bucks with mint interior faded paint and 242k miles its a I6 AW4 with d30/d35 axles and NP242 t case....4 door it runs great but does have some lifter noise on occasion and its had its share of issues but i think ive got a total of 1,500 in it now and have it lifted and wheels and tires system tint and more