My 89 has 205,000 on it and still runs fine. My girlfriends 96 has 223,000 on the trans/tcase/axles/chassis and less than 100,000 on a new motor, which runs perfect.

Someone on here had one with ~400,000 on it..

 

My 1990 has 187,XXX and my dads 1996 has 189,XXX. Mine ticks, his doesn't, but both are still running on stock engines / trannys as far as I know.

I would say go check EVERYWHERE on it for rust, test drive, push all the buttons, hit the switches, and see if you like it.

 

You're going to get all types of responses on how weel the XJ holds up, can go to 300k miles, my XJ is at 200k+ miles and still runs good, but what you won't find out is that 173k miles is a lot of miles. How long will it last? It all depends on who has owned it, how it was driven, and most importantly how it was taken care of. Also, just because the motors are good for 300k miles doesn't mean that the front ends, bearings, transmissions, springs, drive trains, etc are.

If you're spending your last dollar on a Jeep with 173k miles on it, you'll probably be disappointed, because I can tell you that you'll probably be spending money on it to keep it going. With that said though, these things are easy to work on and junk yard parts are plentiful. Just don't think that you're getting a vehicle that will not cause you any problems.

 

173,000 miles isn't bad as long as it has been properly maintained. To look at it the other way, 173k gives plenty of opportunity for abuse to take its toll if (for example) diff oil or coolant hasn't been changed according to schedule.

Don't be scared of the mileage but check everything you can get to and give yourself (or a more experienced mechanic friend) an idea of what sort of life it has lead.

 

Thanks a bunch on the replies guys. I know what you mean by how it was taken care of and everything, guess i was just a little thrown off because of my contour now lol. I dont mind working on the car at all seeing as thats all i do with mine now. But i do know that im going to try and be patient with looking around and everything, not going to jump right in like i did with my car. Deffinetly a lesson learned on that haha. Again thats for all the info and look forward to joining the club!

 

everyone on the forum can attest to the XJ engines going and performing over 200+k easy. mine has 225k & it's still going.

i agree with both morat & robertj. you will have to thoroughly inspect the XJ and drive it around. ask the PO's questions and see how they drove it, how well they maintained the XJ. knowing that the mileage is 173k, there will be some thing down the line that will either be replaced or fixed. try to talk him down on the price and good luck!!

 

Oh and definitely budget for a few hundred in immediate repairs/preventative maintenance if you can. That way you won't be looking at your "New" jeep sitting on the drive waiting for some stupid part you can't afford until your next payday.

 

Ya i hear ya, keep that in mind..That hasnt happened to you now has it?!?!

 

I say pick it up!

 

it all depends on how it was maintained, i got a 98 cherokee limited with 120k for $1600, you can get him down on price.

 

my 96 has 202,000.the motor and tranny run like new but i have went through wheel bearings and universals because i fourwheel it ALOT.

 

My 89 has 236,000 on stock motor, trans, axles, transfercase, and it runs like a top. I wheel a lot but I spend a lot!!! It is part of the game.

 

Yeah, 173,xxx isnt too bad, but the price is a bit steep. I grabbed my 1995 sport 4dr with 183,xxx mi VERY clean for the year (dent and paint quality-wise) drives better than any stock high mileage XJ I have EVER driven, and i got it for the low low price of $1150. Very outermost edges of the floors are a bit weak, but the vehicle is well worth a little work. i could care less about floors unless they are GONE. I'd rather a nice driving car with recently replaced suspension/steering items to a solid XJ that scares the hell out of you at anything over 55 mph!
Also mine had a 3 month old Walker Quiet Flow cat back exh(quietest XJ ever!), 5 month old oem style CAT, new radiator, new high flow water pump, new starter, recent plugs, wires, cap&rotor, etc.
If you look, you can find a great deal on one. And i second the idea of saving a lil to take care of any little issues that WILL inevitably arise. Good luck!!

 

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