Hello, new here to the forum but I'm likely to be posting here a lot more (soon).

I'm looking into getting myself into a Jeep as a 3rd car for my wife and I to use moderately - in a few years I'll want to lift and enjoy off road.

I'll be looking at this Jeep this Saturday:
http://washingtondc.craigslist.org/n...163673684.html

The seller bought it at an auction. He works as a sales person at used dealer, is selling this on the side and was very up-front about that. My worry here (without having seen it) would be that there probably isn't much as far as service records. The first owner drove it sparingly, serviced it often and put only 60k on it. The second owner drove it quite a bit, and very little in terms of service recorded during that time (SEE BELOW).

Having never owned a Jeep or purchased a used car I'm very hesitant on this purchase. What are your thoughts on this/what do you recommend?

01/19/2004
Maryland Motor Vehicle Dept.
Annapolis, MD
Title #34115180
Title or registration issued
New owner reported

01/27/2004 59,167
Dealer Inventory
Vehicle offered for sale

02/25/2008 59,175 Maryland
Motor Vehicle Dept.
Annapolis, MD
Title #34115180
Registration issued or renewed

01/06/2010
Maryland Motor Vehicle Dept.
Annapolis, MD
Title #34115180
Registration issued or renewed

06/28/2010 104,221
Lexus of Cherry Hill
Maple Shade, NJ
856-727-1111
lexusofcherryhill.com
Maintenance inspection completed
Washed/detailed
Front brake pads replaced and rotors resurfaced
Oil and filter changed
Tires rotated

01/23/2012
Maryland Motor Vehicle Dept.
Annapolis, MD
Title #34115180
Registration issued or renewed

01/07/2013 140,443
Lexus of Cherry Hill
Maple Shade, NJ
856-727-1111
lexusofcherryhill.com
Maintenance inspection completed
Oil and filter changed

10/07/2013 144,504 Auto Auction
Eastern Region Listed as a dealer vehicle
Sold at auction

 

Also - noted that it goes from 2004 to 2008 with only 7-8 miles put on the vehicle. Seems strange.

 

It looks to be in pretty good condition. It was probably garaged by someone or sat on the dealer lot for years if the mileage is not moving for a few years. You can check the smell of the auto trans fluid to give you an idea. Look for rust underneath, and check the driveshaft & front steering for worn u joints by rocking them back and forth for any play. They should be tight. Take it for a test drive, get it to temperature, test all the heaters etc, run it through the transfer case (turning 4x4 on and off), turn it off. Make sure it doesn't keep running when you turn it off, make sure it restarts once you turn it off.

Switch between reverse and drive a few times to check motor mounts, and transmission, and do some tight turns to see if it knocks or is stuck in 4x4 or skips the wheels or kicks back. Listen for any clunking, or jangling noises that would indicate loose bushings or metal on metal contact. Mine was missing a u joint cap that I didn't notice cause I wasn't thorough enough.

It's always a gamble but you can keep an eye out for anything obvious.

Then waste like $4000 putting stupid **** into and drive it into a tree!

 

Looks clean and it's not a bad price for the mileage. 99s are the best years in my opinion and from the pictures, it looks to have a NP242 transfer case. I'd be curious if it has ABS (Dana 35 rear end) or no ABS (Chrysler 8.25).

Go drive it of course, check the coolant, get it up to speed to really test slop in the suspension and look for rust.

 

Thanks for taking a look for me! I'm feeling a little reassured.

Will be looking for no ABS and no 0331 head (though I've heard they aren't on the 99's? mixed reports) if possible.

Either way, much appreciated. I'll follow up later

 

Nope, the 0331 head was on the 00-01 for XJs. I believe some 99 WJs (if not all) had the issue. 0331s have coil packs instead of a distributor.

99s rock some serious socks!

 

You've never bought a used car??

 

Well, not true really. Bought used Honda that lasted 3 months once in high school. I just sold my 97 Dodge ram I bought used from a family member - but that's a more trusting situation. Even so it was a piece of crap so I sold it. That leads me to now... and I want one. This one here is about the best looking of my local list - I looked at a 96 that turned out to be a junker already.

Just curious, any mention of electrical or AC related probs in 99 Cherokees? My 97 Ram had some issues.

 

where i come from, thats a $4k jeep.

 

yeah thats a good deal.. if you're really concearned set up an inspection with a local mechanic, if the seller is on the up and up he'd have no problem letting you take it in..

 

Found another that just went on sale from the original owner here. '96 with 158k for $2800.

It lists it as a 95 on Craigslist. I'm curious there as there is some difference. See link below:

http://washingtondc.craigslist.org/n...206333477.html

 

The 99 is often referred to as the best year for the Cherokee. It has all the improved designs but avoids the 00/01 engine problems. The mid 90s seem to be pretty solid still. I think right around 95/96 a few changes happened to the transfer cases, but that is well after most of the total pain in the *** changes happened in ~1990. I'd find out rear axles for each.

Correct me if I'm wrong.

 

Anyone got a link on a 35 to 8.25 axle swap if the 99 does have the 35? Curious to weigh the down-the-road costs/hassle there. What all has to be changed out with it?

 

Sounds to me like you're over thinking this. Any 15 year old vehicle is going to have issues. Be prepared to have to do some work to it.

It bugs me when people pay $3,000 for a 10 year old vehicle, call it a junker and sell it because the alternator goes bad. lol

Between the two, I'd buy the 99.

 

Give the guy with the 99 3500 and get it.
Seems pretty clean.
242 T-case. (Has its pro's and cons)
Decent mileage.