Originally Posted by Gee oh Dee

Welcome to our forum!

Thanks for joining on thanksgiving!

Any year Cherokee would be fine, however the 2000for and 2001 models are prone to having head issues.

Cherokees are VERY reliable, and if properly taken care of will last a very long time.

Originally Posted by ToledoXJ

Here is my cynical take from 3 years of reading about XJs and owning and modding mine.

They are maintenance ****** that have 17,000 U joints and a billion steering parts.
if any more than 3 are out of spec you get vibes, sloppy steering or death wobble. (Google death wobble videos.)

97s have 3 variations of wiring harnesses, avoid them.

Door switches. The power locks screw up. There is a jumper wire fix

Door window regulators. These break. They made a billion Cherokees.
There is no reason for this part to be $200. It just is.
There is a kit-fix out there online. Google around for it.
Its iffy and not super cheap either.

2000-2001s have a poor head casting #0331 stamped that will crack if you overheat it slightly. Or look at it funny.
They also have a 2 year only head that features a coilpack so finding new heads is fun.
If you buy a 2K or 01 watch the coolant jug like a hawk hungry for bunnies.

If you lift a 99-2001 they vibrate. A tCase drop fixes 50% of them. An SYE fixes 99% of them.
Then there is my "the 1%" XJ with vibes that nothing will fix. I just take all the loose stuff out of it or wrap it in a towel.

Rust: If you live near a salt shaker they rust.
Pull back carpet where you can and check the floors.
If the roof has rust at all walk away. Same with the rockers.
They rust from the inside out like that scene in Alien.

Clocksprings, if your horn/cruise/airbag is dead that part is $200 from a dealer.
$20 from a junk yard.

Rear hatch latches. They like to fail and not open the hatch.
A swift bang just to the right of the handle will usually open it. When it does open fix it on the spot.

Console latches. Yours is broke. You haven't bought a Jeep yet but trust me. Its broke.

Ignition switch. They can wear out and not allow you to start the Jeep.
It won't turn.
You're usually OK until you go camping or get to the top of the mountain.

AC evaporators. Oh dear God. Just plan on sweating. Hell Job to fix.
You cannot afford to pay a shop to do it.

Crank position sensor.
Its on top of the bell.When they fail you stop and the zombies get you.
Jeeps should come OEM with 48" of extensions and a swivel for this job.

Wheel hubs. You can get them for $59 each.
If you do, plan on changing them frequently.
Buy Timken for $99 each or plan your weekends accordingly.

Fluid leaks? Yes.
Luckily I have Fords so the driveway is already a lost cause.

Engine clatter. Lifters or rodknock? You'll never know. It'll start after an oilchange and never stop until it grenades or rusts away. According to a few things I have read the 4.0 has a poor fitting wristpin. They eventually all clatter. Mine sounded like a diesel at 140k.
I drove it from Toledo to Traverse City 10 times like this and never worried about it. The only time its a issue is when you go to sell it.
Then the only guy who will buy it will be a Jeep-guy.

Never use an Orange Can of Death (OCOD) aka Fram oil filter.


4.0s last 300,000miles or they last 150k No real in-between

15-17mpg average as they get older and you ignore codes.
PS 96 and up have no key on-off provision for codes. Reader-only to get em.

If you are a DIY guy they are great.
If you need to take it to a shop for everything, I'd suggest an Accord.


It all sounds super negative but just wait until it snows.
Then the Cherokee shines. It kills the little white fractals with glee.

Hope this helps. I hope no one gets pissed but this has been my experience, personal and anecdotal.

On the other end of this scale my wife's 81k mile XJ is a champ.

Originally Posted by ol'DixieJeep

oh he forgot to mention 1 thing... bolts snap, often. its a pain but it happens often.

Originally Posted by ToledoXJ

98-99 seem to be the desired years. 97 had several harness revisions and the 00-01 head issue is a legit concern. I wrote this up on another guy's post when I was frustrated with my 00:

Originally Posted by AdrianVall

Wow! Thanks so much for the unbelievable replies! This is the exact information that I was looking for. I'd give a lot more detailed reply if I wasn't on my iPhone right now.. lol!

Anyway, thank you all SOOO much for the help. Guess I'll hold off to find a 98-99 model. =) having a hard time finding them with a manual transmission though.. =(

Originally Posted by ol'DixieJeep

i like manual transmissions but think about when your on a trail... your gonna be shifting a lot, how ya gonna drink a cold one? and going up steep rock hills sucks with a stick.