How much you think its worth?

[striper698]

Hey. I am planning on buying a 1996 Jeep Cherokee Spot . It had a past accident about 9 years ago but I am sure everything was fixed by now. It is a 4 door, 5-spd MANUAL, moss green, and has 147K miles. I really want a manual and the only problems I really saw was that the rear leaf springs were sagging considerably from towing.

QUESTIONS

1. What kind of damage is done to the transmission/clutch/engine when towing with the cherokee. Is there anything in particular I should look at in detail?

2. Are the 5-spds really that RARE?

3. Oh and by the way they are asking $2500 for the truck. Do you think this is a good deal? Any advice will help. Thanks guys.

--Matt (future jeeper)

[Arcticcat843]

Originally Posted by striper698

Hey. I am planning on buying a 1996 Jeep Cherokee Spot . It had a past accident about 9 years ago but I am sure everything was fixed by now. It is a 4 door, 5-spd MANUAL, moss green, and has 147K miles. I really want a manual and the only problems I really saw was that the rear leaf springs were sagging considerably from towing.

QUESTIONS

1. What kind of damage is done to the transmission/clutch/engine when towing with the cherokee. Is there anything in particular I should look at in detail?

2. Are the 5-spds really that RARE?

3. Oh and by the way they are asking $2500 for the truck. Do you think this is a good deal? Any advice will help. Thanks guys.

--Matt (future jeeper)

I guess it depends on what they towed....Are you sure the spring arent just sagging from age? It is a very common problem on cherokees. I never towed more than a quad with mine and the stock springs were inverted.
As far as the clutch, If it has never had it replaced im sure its due...Its not a hard job though. I guess it depends on what your feel comfortable doing.

autos are deff more common then the 5 speeds but there not that rare. If the seller thinks its worth more because its a 5 speed he is wrong. This might also be different for different areas but around here id say 1 out of 4 are manuals.

I really dont know what cherokees are worth now days but if it isnt rustys then i dont think 2500 is a bad price. Just make sure you check the floor pans under the front seats, that tends to be where they start rotting first.

[striper698]

yea. well its from a dealer and they said the owner beforehand had towed his boat. I'm guessing a small jonboat or something like that since Cherokees can't tow great loads. They said he was an engineer and the only reason he had got rid of it was as a trade in a for a newer jeep. The maintenance records from when he had it were pretty legit as well.

The 5 speeds are actually pretty rare around here. I am from new jersey and I have been searching for about 3 months now and found only 3 manuals (in decent shape). I don't know where you are from arcticcat but I'm sure you see more because there are more Cherokees in your area. Do you live in a wintry climate?

Does anyone else have any input? Does everyone that has a 5spd like it over an automatic?? Thanks

[Arcticcat843]

I live in Michigan and yes there are tons of cherokees around here.

My cherokee is a auto and i always wished it was a 5 speed. That is untill i did some rock crawling, then i was very happy its a auto. I guess its mostly personal preference. Some people hate shifting but im my opinion it makes it fun to drive....

[striper698]

Ok..that'd explain it. I really think a 5 spd is meant for a jeep too. I know the autos are better for crawlin but there are no rocks down here in south jersey. There are tons in north jersey but thats far for me to drive to do some mild wheeling ya know. I think the 5spd will be more fun in the mud/sand and in sand pits that are everywhere down here. As you said, it comes down to preference and location.

do you think the price is still good or better since its more rare around here?

[Arcticcat843]

My xj was purchased new in 96 so i cant really help much on the price because i havent really looked that much. But from the Prices ive seen around on other boards and stuff that seems like a good price if it isnt rusty or beat up. Might be a little high around here but i have no clue about your area, and if you are having that bad of problems finding a 5 speed then maybe its worth a little more to you.
If its what you want then buy it! Fix the sag problem by adding a lift

[1996BlackXJ]

$2000
96s dont even blue book above $2200 in my area.

I paid $1000 for my 96 (July). No mechanical issues, just rusty stock rims and saggy springs. (and a couple little non-essential problems.)

[striper698]

Hey blackxj. Your from maine too which means salted trucks and a lot more people drive cherokees Id imagine because of all the snow. Do you see a lot of manual transmissions up there? I don't really want to pay $2500 but the truck is extremely clean except for the sagging springs and dents here and there. Its a manual so I guess I will pay the extra price. From what I see on here and elsewhere..people are always wanting manuals.

[tirefryer93]

Post a pic and I'll tell you in a second what you should pay.

[90limitedxj]

i think it over priced. my buddy just got a 2001 for $1000 just cause of a damaged front fender. i say keep looking

[combatcow]

Well if you do get it then you could probably sell it if you needed to. point here is maybe your getting what you want so if you can afford to buy.... do like Nike does!

[striper698]

HERES SOME PICTURES OF THE JEEP: WHAT DO YOU THINK?

[combatcow]

That is insanely clean.

[HTFU96]

Buy it...it looks like it has never even seen a dirt road.

[striper698]

Well, I bought it about 2 weeks ago and couldn't be happier. Only problem is the drive shaft u joints are a little loose, but that's an easy fix. Also, the rear leaf springs are pretty much flat so time to save up for the lift kit. You think it'd look good with a 3.5" super ride or should i go bigger?