Would I be crazy to spend this much on an XJ?
The other thing I consider is the 4.0 is pretty bulletproof. I've got 258k miles on mine (daily driver) and it runs like a champ. 300k+ is not out of the question with these things.
How long do you plan to keep it? How many miles will you put on it each year? Does it make sense to pay $10,000 for 60k vs $3000 for 150k? Personally I don't think so. Prices drop dramatically past 100k miles, that number scares 90% of the car buying public away.
How long do you plan to keep it? How many miles will you put on it each year? Does it make sense to pay $10,000 for 60k vs $3000 for 150k? Personally I don't think so. Prices drop dramatically past 100k miles, that number scares 90% of the car buying public away.
Yeah.... but you can buy a $3k xj and put $6k into it and have a $10k jeep. If you buy a stock xj at $10k what you have is a $8k jeep and its only going downhill from there. Even in perfect shape....once it hits 100k miles, you have a $8k xj if you're lucky.
Tell the dealer you will give them NADA price plus $100 and not a penny more. See if they take it. *shrug*
Tell the dealer you will give them NADA price plus $100 and not a penny more. See if they take it. *shrug*
CF Veteran
Joined: May 2013
Posts: 1,056
Likes: 3
From: Washington, MO
Year: 2000
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0
$10k on an 01 is a trap. You dont want an 01. do some research there. Keep looking and be patient, something will come up. If you're in a hurry you'll pay more ways than one.
this. I had a horrible experience with an XJ that had 100k on it. everything was rotted and clogged because it hadn't been ran, but it looked fine to the naked eye. cars are made to run not sit. you figure 10k miles per year is 100k per decade. if it's not going at about that rate I would be wary
and FWIW I would pass on buying an XJ from a dealership in any case. do some research and figure out what you're looking at. give it a good inspection and pick it up off craigslist. these rigs are very straight forward and it will be pretty easy to pick up a good one for 3-6k cash
and FWIW I would pass on buying an XJ from a dealership in any case. do some research and figure out what you're looking at. give it a good inspection and pick it up off craigslist. these rigs are very straight forward and it will be pretty easy to pick up a good one for 3-6k cash
The ones that aren't selling immediately are either WAY overpriced, 2wd, or just generally pieces of crap.
CF Veteran
Joined: Feb 2010
Posts: 3,353
Likes: 1
From: Missoula, MT
Year: 1999
Model: Cherokee
Engine: Golen 4.6 Stroker, AFE Headers, 62mm TB, 24 LB Injectors, Brown Dog kit, HF Cat, 3" Exhaust
I think that is probably the right choice... I know it's hard to not just pull the trigger when you want something but IMO.. That's just way too much! Good luck man! Hope you find one soon.
CF Veteran
Joined: Feb 2009
Posts: 2,203
Likes: 3
From: Houston Tx.
Year: 1995
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0
CF Veteran
Joined: Feb 2010
Posts: 3,353
Likes: 1
From: Missoula, MT
Year: 1999
Model: Cherokee
Engine: Golen 4.6 Stroker, AFE Headers, 62mm TB, 24 LB Injectors, Brown Dog kit, HF Cat, 3" Exhaust
Maybe some places Haha. They are still everywhere here... Bought my stock XJ for 1000 last year.. 92 man 4x4. 150k. Still running great! Cash for clunkers probably killed allot of them off in more liberal/ less snowy states though.
I'm near Houston. Not much snow here (finding a lot of 2wd for sale). I think way too many people and not enough XJ's to go around.
Last edited by Brill; Mar 27, 2014 at 10:26 AM.
CF Veteran
Joined: Feb 2010
Posts: 12,367
Likes: 23
From: Oroville, CA
Year: 1995
Model: Grand Cherokee
Engine: 4.0 with all of the noise and clatter
The whole 331 cylinder head thing is blown out of proportion. We have a fleet of XJs where I work of all different years from 94 to 01. We have had no issues with the 00-01 XJs. We have had no real issues with any of the Jeeps in our fleet. Water pumps and the A/C have been the two main problems. A cylinder head on one out of 200 Jeeps, shift solenoids on one, rear diff rebuild on another. These are not babied by any means. They are driven like a rental car most of the time. We service them every 6k miles and repair as needed. When they finally go to auction they will typically get about 4 grand for a clean runner. Check your government auction sites, you might find a nice one there.
CF Veteran
Joined: May 2013
Posts: 1,056
Likes: 3
From: Washington, MO
Year: 2000
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0
You might have to extend your search area a little... despite the controversy on the 0331 head, its happened to me, for that reason I would buy another 00 again now that I know what to look for, and only if it has one cat. Not that precat or abs crap. But I like the 99's for the hp d30.
Also, dealers cars scare me. I test drove a 98 and it rode like total crap. Looked stock.. but someone neglected it pretty bad.
Also, dealers cars scare me. I test drove a 98 and it rode like total crap. Looked stock.. but someone neglected it pretty bad.
I've basically been searching all of Texas and Louisiana. My problem is I have to wait for a day off to see anything outside my local area and with the way my work schedule is sometimes I don't have a day off for nearly two weeks straight.
Seasoned Member
Joined: Nov 2013
Posts: 347
Likes: 0
From: Boston
Year: 1993
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0 Litre
There were 690,000 vehicles trade in under the program, I can't find any hard numbers on how many were XJ's but I'm guessing between 40-75,000 based on their 6th place ranking.


