XJray

Hey all,

I came across a craigslist ad for a 2001 Cherokee Sport. 4 door 4.0 with 190k miles. This won't be my daily driver. I've got a gas sipper for that. I plan to use it for hunting camping fishing wrenching and just weekend fun. I don't mind tinkering at all, but I would like it to be as reliable as possible.

I took it for a test drive and was pretty impressed other than a slight grinding/whining noise. I couldn't tell if it was coming from the wheels or drivetrain. He took me to a pretty steep hill off the side of the road (as in I couldn't see anything but sky and trees on the way up and the 4x4 crawled right up without even spinning a tire.

He was originally asking $3300 but I'm pretty sure I've got him talked down to the $2500 cash in my pocket if I whipped it out. I just wanted to do some research first and ask you guys what you think. My main concern is the mileage. Its about right for its age, maybe a little higher, but I'm not a huge fan of the idea of being stranded at any moment. For my budget though ($2500), I believe this may be the best I can get. I've been looking for a while now.

Here's the ad. And thanks in advance for your replies.

http://columbia.craigslist.org/cto/3887540301.html

Ray

Bustedback

190k is not too bad. The 4.0 can do well over 300k is taken care of. You better hurry and get it before it's gone.

MCG

x2 go get it.
I was looking for something like that and did not have the same luck as you.
I went over my budget, 2k more than the one you are lookin, leaving me empty pocket for lift and tires. Everything here in FL below 4k is a bucket of rust or not 4x4.
It looks pretty clean from the pics, so
Again hurry up ,and even for 3k is a good price.

Good luck.

XJray

That's what I'm thinking. Just scared to death to pull the trigger. Was originally looking for a pickup as I'm trying to get back into hunting (carrying a deer seems like it may be a pain in an SUV). Again though, the main hurdle for me is having never bought a car with so many miles. I just need to keep in mind that I'm buying a toy and off road project and keep things in perspective. Any ideas on hunting with an xj? I know they make the baskets for the trailer hitch but a big enough deer will still be too big for those.

XJray

Also I'd like to give it another once over before I make the decision. Any common problems I should be looking for? I know I read something about the 2001 models having issues with the heads. How big of a problem is this?

Thanks for the replies so far.

dnuccio

if youre worried about carrying a deer, you could always get an MJ Comanche. Pickup version of the XJ Cherokee

andrewmp6

You could get a hitch mount basket thing and put the deer in that.The sound you hear could be the power steering pump which isn't that hard to replace.The price is pretty good it looks clean in out and out for its age and miles.And yes 190k if it was taken care of is nothing for the 4.0 in it they are one of the best jeep engines ever made.The head problem is when people drive them when it overheats that will crack the head sometimes.Some people are dumb and just drive something tell it dies,And the same are the ones that never do any vehicle maintenance tell it dies either.As clean as the engine bay is i believe they took care of the jeep so i wouldn't worry about it.

XJray

Haha...I haven't seen one if those in a while. A pretty truck does not a Cherokee make. I just searched and only 2 came up and both are pretty rough. And one is a 2wd???

nbcaffeine

Good thread here on common issues when looking to buy. It doesn't mention the head cracking issue, but a lot of others things (and general stuff) here: https://www.cherokeeforum.com/f2/use...f-look-161961/

You're probably not going to find one that is perfect, according to that list, but good to know what you're getting yourself into.

XJray

Great list. I'll pull that up on my phone when I look it over again. Hopefully nobody buys it before I can get it. I've got deadlines at work this week and the family's taking a trip for a long weekend. I just don't have time to go look it over, buy it, go to the DMV for tax title and tags and get it home. I can't legally drive it on the street here without a tag so I'd have to ask him to let me keep it there for a week or run to the dmv for a long lunch break that I don't have time for. Plus I'd have to find a ride to take me back up there to get it.

salad

A little whining is not a big issue. Probably ancient fluids. Check for rust! Rust is a Jeep's #1 enemy. Rusty floor boards and rockers are quite common, it's the uniframe you really need to watch for.

Since it's an '01, a cracked head is a possibility, and if it is, it's a huge deal.

Easy enough check though. Check the oil and the coolant. Both should be clean. The infamous 0331 crack lets coolant and oil exchange, so it's quite easy to tell (oil would look like an aborted milkshake, coolant like someone took a dump in it)

Not every 0331 will crack, those that do are from being overheated. Hopefully everything checks out and you can join the XJ family

jamorrowxj

One time I bought a 2002 xj sport on the island of make believe.

XJNVA

LOL

salad

I think you're a bit late eh.

jamorrowxj

With a title like that this thread is bound to get people's attention.