I've finally reached a conclusion to Cherokee ownership.....


A Cherokee is a hole in the road you throw your money into.........


While my Cherokee was down I went out and bought an '06 Tacoma, what a nice ride on or off road.........


Anyone in South Jersey looking for an '01 Cherokee ??

 

The "a hole in the road" might not have been the Cherokee...

 

It isn't for everyone...

 

The newest XJ is almost 16 years old. And, generally, a 4x4 SUV has been used a little harder than your average sedan. You have to understand that stuff will need to be replaced every year to keep them road worthy. It's still a cheap ride, just not free. What are the payments on a 2006 Toyota? I spend about 400 bucks a year keeping my XJ going. That's 1/12 of what a newer 4x4 would cost in payments. But, as it was said, it's not for everyone.

 

Everyone I know that's traded out their old xjs for "nicer" vehicles have always sorely regretted it. If nothing else just to keep around as a backup/weekend vehicle. There's a reason there are still so many xjs on the road....

 

My first Cherokee was my first ever Jeep. It was an '87 model, I bought it used in around 1990 with around 70K on it. I kept it for several years, sold it when it had 140K and during that time all I did to it, other than the normal stuff, was to replace the alternator and punch out the catalytic converter. It had the 4.0 in it and was a 5spd, got great gas mileage, it pushed 20 in mixed driving back and forth to work, I loved that Jeep and only sold it when I bought a new house to free up some cash. I've always regretted getting rid of it. I finally found another one at a decent price that I like, it's a 1999 Sport, got it a few months ago with 136K. on the odometer It had been somewhat neglected and I am in the middle of doing a few things to it, and getting a few bugs worked out. For the money, it's hard to beat, I picked it up for $1400 and have probably spent around $1000 on it. Hard to find a good beater in my neck of the woods for that kind of money, especially one that has a good interior, and everything on it works, cruise control, cold AC, power everything. I do realize that it's been 17 years since it rolled off of the assembly line and it will need maintenance, but anything that is mechanical needs proper care and things do break. Just all depends on what one wants, and so far, warts and all, I am happy with mine. Good luck with the Toyota.

 

Hell, the first 200,000 miles are almost free with XJ's. After that you'll probably have to spend a little money.

 

Rust + 10 year old Toyota trucks leaves me with a really uneasy feeling.

I make my monthly vehicle payment to myself, it's the only check I enjoy writing.

 

If you're constantly modding them, sure they can be a money pit. Keep it stock, and they are cheap to work on and maintain.

 

Truth is, any vehicle that is a hobby/fun toy will have money thrown at it. It's all about if you feel if it is worth it. This is my first Jeep and I got it in Nov for $1200, have put about 8 hours of work into it and $300. I plan on throwing about $4000 into it.(lift/bumbers/tires etc..) For a camping/trail vehicle, I think that is pretty good value and since I love working on 'em it's not a waste of time or money.

 

I don't know if there is any cheaper AND better 4 X 4 out there than an XJ.

 

I'll give you $300.

 

Saving money for the LS swap to get away from the cracky 0331 head and wiped out bearings it causes.

 

I don't usually like overkill solutions, but this is one I could get behind!

 

Almido, if I may ask, what was the point of this post? trying to sell your XJ ?