axg1040

Been looking to purchase a 96-99 Cherokee. Really want a 2 door but finding one in good shape for a decent price is almost impossible.
I have found many 4 doors locally but I have a question about high mileage.
There are few 2-3 previous owner Cherokees out there with 120 - 175k miles on them. Most have a few service records but for the most part many have had just fluid changes, tune ups, etc. I know with these there are going to be some high ticket items around the corner.
I found one last night that is a one owner 99 Cherokee Classic.
It has 239k on the clock. That being said the owner has had the water pump done, heater core done, tie rods, A/C compressor, head gasket, rear main seal, harmonic balancer, starter, altenator, headliner and just had the front brakes done. He has owned it since new and I can tell he took good care of it. The interior is in good shape.
No rust and the body is also in good shape.
The transmission is the original.
In reality how longer could this Cherokee last?
It would be a third car for us and not a daily driver.
Obviously if you replace and engine and transmission it could go further but I am wondering with the original engine and transmission is this thing on borrowed time?

Bustedback

Some have lasted 500k miles, and some have lasted only 150K miles. If it is what you want and is in good condition, and the seller is the original owner that babied it, I say go for it if the price is right.

axg1040

Thanks for the info. Pricewise the seller is asking for $4700. The book private party value is $4300. The owner has added a few things like a roof rack cargo carrier, customer front bumper, throwing in a few extras, etc. That being said $4700 seems high but the more and more I look on Craigslist and EBAY these things are selling high. Still....I think $4700 is high and plan to offer $4k or below to see if he bites.
After looking at many of these for sale online and in person I have found prices all over the place. KBB and NADA are good to get an idea but some are well over those books and others well under. Heck just this morning a 2000 popped up for sale with 244k on the clock with a new engine and from the photos it looks almost perfect along with the fact the owner has every service record. This guy wants $6700 for it!!! Crazy.

Coach

I've got about 325k miles on my '91, they can go a long time!

Bustedback

$4700 is a bit steep for the mileage. If everything is in perfect working condition, and there is no body damage or rust, offer 3700. I bet you could meet in the middle at around 4000. Sounds like a lot of money for a high mileage rig, but you will have a turn key XJ. You won't have to put a bunch into it to make it road ready.

redryder2006

Mine is a one owner 4 door with 302k on it. No rust and well cared for, interior is in great shape.

Has new alternator, water pump, brakes, new toyo at tires, low mileage motor that was resealed when swapped with aftermarket exhaust manifold and the updated intake manifold. He also put in a brand new transmission from the dealer about 3years ago that has about 80k on it now.

I paid $1500 cash.

rzldzl

neighbor has 420,000 miles on his

ive got 240,000, 180,000 and 180,000 miles on my 3

i drive my 180,000 mile xj 8hrs to work every month, no worries.

Puddin'

$4700?!!! I got my '01 4x4 limited with 88k on it for $3000

apac020

That's pretty expensive. I live in Colorado (aka. jeeps-are-f'n-expensive-land) and I paid $3650 for my 5-speed '95 with 133K, and I thought I overpaid. I can't imagine VA is more expensive than here, so I think you should keep looking.

tommyxj2000

found a 96 with 113,000 for 3500 by me....really wishing i had 3500

Derision

That is, er, a tad expensive. Mileage on these things is kind of relative; it all depends on how well it's been taken care of. Judging by a lot of the things that had been done to it, as you said, the previous owner may have taken better care of the engine than some people.

Then again, he could have wheeled the bejesus out of the thing and it's hanging by a thread.

Mine just rolled over 215,000 miles, and it was not treated well by all six of its previous owners. Of course, I got mine for $1400 with the knowledge that it was going to need a little bit of work, but I'm also a sucker for hard luck cases. That said, I rarely see these things for sale for much under $3000.

My big worry would be that he'd had the water pump and heater core replaced. I've looked at a lot of cars for sale, where the owner talks about the replacing of thermostats, radiators, water pumps, etc... only to discover under closer inspection that the head gaskets are shot -- generally, they throw other parts at a coolant problem before realizing the actual issue, and then decide to sell the car rather than shell out the cash to do a head gasket replacement. So I'd pay close attention to stuff like that.

Otherwise... no rust, well taken care of (apparently)... I'd try to get it for four grand.

Good luck!

axg1040

Thanks for all the replies. I decided to pass on it and keep looking. What I am finding is that sellers have them listed for dirt cheap and they are beat down or they are well kept and selling for over book. They are also selling fast. Missed a few by hours.
I started this search for a well cared for 2 door only to find they are all selling for well over book and upwards of 7k. Got a seller of a 98 2 door sport 5spd with just over 100k miles on it down from 7k...yes...7k down to 5k. Book is maybe 4.3k. Crazy. My problem is I am looking for one that has been cared for and not beat or set up as a trail rig. Guess that equates to paying more..... I still have faith that Sunday driver XJ is going to show up....someday...

studmuffin

$4700 for a high mileage jeep is insane. If you want a pretty jeep with decent miles id say look at some dealerships but expect to pay around $5k maybe more. My local craigslist has a bunch of nice xj's with low miles for around $3k. Never rush into a buy and overpay, you'll find one eventually.

odgreen

If maintained they can last.

axg1040

The owner of the one with the 239k miles on it just emailed saying he would take $3500 and that he dropped his asking price from $4700 to $4000. Here is the listing in case you want to look at it:
http://norfolk.craigslist.org/cto/3526577918.html
Comments?? Worth it??
Seems like all the big ticket items have been replaced.