Cherokee opinions needed

**thakoolaidkid** · 11-18-2009, 11:31 AM

I've been looking at some Jeeps and finally decided an XJ is for me. I've read that the '99's are highly regarded as the best, so I'm leaning towards that. But I also have a chance at a '98. So I'm undecided.

The '99 XJ Sport is listed through a dealership and is $2700 and has 169,000 miles. The '98 XJ Limited is listed through Craigslist and is $3200/obo with 118,000 miles. I do prefer the lower mileage but I am not sure if I will be sacrificing a little for the older model.

Does anyone have opinions about the prices or the differences between the models themselves?

Thanks!

Deezelweazel · 11-18-2009, 12:20 PM

Mileage isn't that important. I would have a closer look to visible wear. Like rubber bushings and boots, seals and gaskets. Look inside the enginebay. If it is extremely clean stay away- good steam cleaning job to hide something.
If it's oily and greasy it's neglected. Unsrew the oil filler cap and reach inside the cover with your pinkie and examine the oil below the cover. Do you have conaminats or kind of soot?
Do the same with the front and rear diff cover. Just get a probe with your finger.
If both are in the same condition you can take the one with lower mileage.
I always like to have a closer look at the seller and maybe his home. Everything nice and clean? So should be the car. Is it a crackhead and searching for the title? Stay away.
Just my personal opinion.
Isn't here a "What-to-look-for-thread?"

Ask for repair bills and receipts and what repair has done to the XJ, kown issues...

1990JEEPXJ · 11-18-2009, 12:40 PM

there are very few differences between the two. just get the one that was better taken care of.

**thakoolaidkid** · 11-18-2009, 01:34 PM

Thanks guys! Deezel, the 99 that I'm leaning towards is at a dealership so I'm sure I can't trust him and it will have been cleaned. For a few grand I'm definitely gonna have a mechanic do a once over on both of 'em.

I've found some older XJ's in decent condition but I'm not sure about the repairs and upgrades to them.

Deezelweazel · 11-18-2009, 01:57 PM

never trust a stealer...

**thakoolaidkid** · 11-18-2009, 02:00 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Deezelweazel

never trust a stealer...

Believe me, I'm not thrilled about it. But it's a good looking truck. I'm gonna have my mechanic or one close by look at it. I won't just take his word for it. The 99 is being sold at a Saturn dealership. And since Saturn is dying/dead there's no warranties on anything. So I need to be careful.

Deezelweazel · 11-18-2009, 02:50 PM

Try to get some checklists too. Good luck! Make sure you take a lot of pic's for memory of your new fun mobile!

Deezel

**jeepkid03** · 11-18-2009, 02:50 PM

Where are you located in CT? Like everyone else said look for the one thats in the best condition. '99 was a good year but I would much rather have the options of the '98 limited.

**thakoolaidkid** · 11-18-2009, 03:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jeepkid03

Where are you located in CT? Like everyone else said look for the one thats in the best condition. '99 was a good year but I would much rather have the options of the '98 limited.

I'm in Shelton, you? I've been looking for a few months but all leading to dead ends. Can you elaborate on the '98 options? I thought the '99 would've had more and/or better updates.

**jeepkid03** · 11-18-2009, 08:58 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by thakoolaidkid

I'm in Shelton, you? I've been looking for a few months but all leading to dead ends. Can you elaborate on the '98 options? I thought the '99 would've had more and/or better updates.

I'm in Coventry. Its about 15 minutes from Storrs and UConn. In your original post you said the '99 was a sport and the '98 was a limited. The limited was the top of the line model which had leather seats, power everything, overhead computer. Just a really nice interior. The sport has cloth manual seats and a less fancy interior. It depends on personal taste, but the limited just has more options since its a higher trim level.

If they were side by side I would take the one that is in the best condition and looks to have been cared for. The 4.0L will run forever so mileage isn't necessarily as big of an issue as it is when looking at other vehicles, but how it was taken care of will determine how long it will last.

I've had to look for cherokees twice after they have been totaled by other drivers stupidity, so I know how frustrating it is trying to find one. I've had them sell off the lot minutes before I got there, twice.

As frustrating as it is, waiting to find a good one is always worth it. Rather wait a long time and find one thats great then do what I did and buy one because your impatient. The one I have now took me so long to find that I just bought it after a quick look-over. Its still a reliable jeep but the previous owner had no clue how to maintain it and a month later I replaced the entire cooling system. Just keep your head up and you'll find the right one. I definitely agree that having a mechanic check it over is a wise thing to do.

**thakoolaidkid** · 11-19-2009, 08:16 AM

I know Coventry. I used to have a gf up in that area. I agree completely about choosing the one in the best condition. My friend brought up that I should think about the height issue. His mom has a 99 XJ Sport and he says it's a little tight when he's driving, he feels the seat doesn't go back far enough. He's only 5'10" and I'm 6'2" so I'm going to have to check that this weekend.

Thansk for the info about the differences between the Limited and Sport, I am enticed by the bells and whistles with the '98. Hopefully theyre both around this weekend when I can look.

Deezelweazel · 11-19-2009, 10:10 AM

I'm 6'3 and it is not a problem.