Hey everybody! I used to have a 1998 Grand Cherokee a couple years ago with the 5.9 V8 and I sold it to get a Lexus. I love my Lexus, but, I want another SUV. A close friend of mine is selling her 1997 Cherokee. It's 4 door, 2WD. Shes looking for 1400 OBO. Its got around 175,XXX miles on it. I am going to look at it tomorrow afternoon. She says it drives fine, just needs some minor tweaking and maintenance done. I am posting because I wanted to know your thought on it. What do you guys think of the price? I have looked around to compare but there really aren't that many Cherokees for sale here in Orlando. Also, can you give me some heads up on what to look for on it? I can handle minor fixes and maintenance myself, I am mechanically inclined.
Thanks in advanced!

-Chris

 

Don't buy it, it's 2WD. Doesn't deserve the Cherokee or Jeep name.

 

+1

 

Buy it, it is 2wd, what would you need 4x4 for in Orlando.

I have a 98 2wd, drives great, better than my 97 4x4 XJ....

 

Lies! Nothing drives better than a 4x4!!!

 

1997 and 2wd PASS. Ovoid the 97s like a plague.

 

Huh?

Edit:

Nevermind, reread, I understand.

 

There is nothing wrong with a 97' don't be ignorant.
97' get a bad rep because as the new year/model came out. Jeep figured that people would buy them equipped with everything, so each jeep came with a full package wiring harness. That's why you can find SE(like mine) with connectors leading no where. Nothing wrong with that. Heck I think the 97' is a actually good year if you can find a early 97' one(jan-may) because you can get the late model looks and style but get the early model hinges(like mine) and right there your up one on the late model owners. I love my 97' it hasn't gave me anymore trouble than any other year jeep

 

If its clean inside and out and drives fine buy it.2wd is a down side to most of us but if you just want a daily driver it will be fine where you live no snow lol.

 

No, that's how all of the newer wiring harnesses are. Jeep used up all of their extra parts in the 97s not just the hinges IMO I wouldn't want it. He could easy find a 4x4 model. That's the main reason to pass on it then add the fact that it's the bastard year and I would just pass in it completely. But the main this is that it's not a 4x4 model I mean he's going to spend close to 1000 all said and done to covert it to 4x4.

 

Haha thanks for all the great replies guys. Heads up--I don't need 4x4. I just need an SUV. I'm in Orlando so it's a concrete forest here. Plus, if its 4x4 ill be paying more on insurance. I can live without it. It's just going to be a weekly driver. I'm mostly concerned with how the 97s hold up endurance-wise. I'm probably going to offer her 1100 or 1200 so I don't think I am going to find that much better of a deal.

 

The only places you might need 4WD is deep sand or mud. Just stay off the beaches and out of the swamps. Or in Orlando, maybe sinkholes.

 

97s are fine durability/reliability wise, but as others have said since it was a "transition year" finding replacement parts is a little more difficult (not that the parts themselves are hard to find but it can be difficult to get the right part for a particular vehicle unless you take the "old" part off and compare it to the "new" one). There are going to be some "older style" (91-96) parts and some "newer style" (98-01) parts, with an inconsistent mix that varies vehicle to vehicle (early 97s have more "old style" parts, late 97s have more "new style" parts but all will have some kind of mix.

 

if its in decent shape, i say go for it.

 

If its the 4.0 inline 6 that engine is one of the best jeep ones made,If its a auto or a stick both are good trans.