Could you some advice on Getting a Cherokee
 

Hey Everyone,
I'm new to the forum and new to Jeeps. I have been on here for about the past month reading all about Cherokees and I decided I would sign up and ask a couple questions.

I am set on getting a lifted Jeep Cherokee (97-2001) I love the look of them and there is just no talking me out of it. I have my eye on a couple but I would like to see what you guys think first. I will be using it as my daily driver(around town and some highway) as well as camping and very light wheeling (inexperienced as of now) So I need to know if these two crawlers here in Colorado will suffice my needs without being just a toy.

Please let me know your thoughts on what I should look for when seeing the Jeeps up close and what I should ask the owner.


First Jeep: 1998 Jeep Cherokee Sport 4 Door - 76,300 miles

link for pictures-- http://rides.webshots.com/album/5716...zc?vhost=rides

* 4.0 liter inline 6
* Automatic Transmission
* 33x12.50R15 Toyo Open Country Mud Terrain (M/T) radials on 15x8 MT Alcoa Challengers 4.5 BS
* Rear end - Currie 9" w/ARB & disk brakes
* Front end - Dana 30 w/ARB & 297X's
* Axle Ratio - 4.56:1
* T-case - NP231 w/Advance Adapators HD SYE
* Rubicon Express 4.5 ZJ coils
* Adjustable upper and lower control arms
* JKS adjustable trackbar.
* Aluminum front bump stops
* Rancho RS 9000 Shocks
* JKS upper shock mounts and Bar Pin eliminators
* National Leaf Springs with 11 leafs
* ORGS boomerang shackles.
* Tomken gas tank skid
* ORGS transfercase skid
* Custom 4x4 rock rails
* Olympic Front Rock Winch Bumper
* Custom 4x4 rear bumper w/Tire carrier with full size spare
* Con-Ferr roof rack
*$5500

Second Jeep: 2000 Jeep Cherokee 95,000 Miles
-4.0L inline 6
-Power locks and windows
-Cruise controle
-6.5" RE lift
-35" tires mud terrains (50% on 4 and a spare tire with 100% tred)
-Heavy metal front bumper with D-rings
-Custom Body armor along the sides
-Rocker Gaurds
-Diff Covers
-8.25 axle in the rear locked with a detroit locker
-chrome alli axle shafts in both front and rear axles
-4:56 gearing
-Slip Yoke Elimonator
-aftermarket drive shafts
-Onboard air (so you can easly fill your tires on the trail)
-A full tow package (to tow your trailer or camper)
-Brand new tint
-7" flip out DVD/CD/TV/IPod with full Navigation
- $6500

http://i33.photobucket.com/albums/d7...5e59b5a311.jpg

http://i33.photobucket.com/albums/d7...6746053f10.jpg


Thanks a lot guys Im looking forward to hearing from you

-Adam

First, welcome to the board. I understand about the affliction - I joined yesterday, put down money on an older ('89) Cherokee today, and am picking it up on Saturday. So, yeah, the sickness takes hold pretty quickly... :D

Second, that's some awesome flex on those pics. Mmm...

Third, you didn't mention what transmission the 2000 has?

But other than that, it looks like a bit of a toss-up equipment-wise. Personally, I'd lean toward the '98. This may sound stupid, but the fact that the listing doesn't mention things like window tint or sound systems is a plus in my book - the owner may have spent more time thinking about the mechanical side of things rather than spending money on frivolous stuff.

i would personaly go with the 98 with lower miles and try to talk him down to 4500

The 98 looks sweet in my book...

no need for a DVD on the damn trails, (must have been a metrosexual that wheres guyliner) lol

i would say the 98, how much lift?

I would go with the 98 and try to talk him down due to the trail damage. If i had to pick one of the two.

Personally, I would buy a bone stock, low miles, XJ and build it myself. When you buy one already lifted, locked and armored, you just never know how much of a beating it has taken. Just my 2 bits, Bro.

I'd have to agree with Buck. There's definitely something to be said about knowing how bad your heep's been beat on. Also, if you install all the stuff yourself, you know how to fix it when it breaks on the trail.

Search around and get a couple listings for bone-stock XJs. Use the extra money that you would've spent on these two XJs on parts to build your rig. Trust me, you're going to feel so much better about building your rig from scratch. Plus, you can wheel as you go, testing out new parts and getting a feel for your rig. That way you can tell people you built your rig from Day 1, and have the off-road driving experience that will come with it.

Thanks for the input guys. I really appreciate it. We talked on the phone today for quite sometime and it is sounding like a good deal after he said he would take 4500. Im just looking to do a little camping and have a decent driver. I dont like my other car options in that price range ya know?. I might go take it for a drive here pretty soon who knows.

sweet man. i would get the 98. sucks you gotta drive 5 hours but it should be 110% worth it. Good luck and congrads on becoming a xjer.
4500 for that 98 is a great deal IMO. specially with the air lockers!

But i also agree with BamaXJ on the stock cherokee deal also. Its a great learning experience deciding and adding your own parts so you learn how to work on it. This sight is a great place for asking any kind of questions you may have like i told ya on the phone.

Whatever you decide plz let us know!:cheers:

Good luck with everything buddy. Make sure when you get it you post some pictures of it. I'd love to see more of your future rig. A shame you didn't build it yourself but hey, I guess if you just need something for camping and all, that should suit you well. I go camping in my XJ all the time, about every 4 weeks, and let me be the first to tell you that the XJ is a great camping vehicle.