Considering buying a 88 Jeep Cherokee - Advice?

[randal]

I'm out looking for a different car after my truck's recent headgasket issues. I happened by a 1988 Jeep Cherokee Limited:

160k miles on a I6 4.0L
Automatic Transmission
4 Wheel Drive
Just had new o-rings
New water pump
A/C is intermittent off/on - probably a switch

Owner has had it for 5 or 6 years ... back and forth to work only, never been off-road. He's asking $3000, can probably get it for $2600 cash. I'm going to go look at it either later tonight or tomorrow evening -- anything I should look for? I've heard that the pre-89 transmissions are weak, but I am unsure if that extends to the auto.

Any advice?
randal

 

[BeeVo]

My 86' Cherokee Auto trans died at 155k. I don't know if I would trust it ecspecially for that price. All though I am sure someone more knowledgable will chime in. Just my .02.

 

[iamwiz82]

i wouldnt pay more than $2000, personally.

The AW4 is a good tranny. 1986 and 1988 were completely different drivetrains.

 

[flot]

That seems pretty expensive unless it is in remarkably good condition. A quick search of autotrader in my area for 88-90 cherokees, and the *most* expensive one returned was $3000. The avg price was $2050.

The 4.0 is probably one of the best engines Jeep ever made (although that's sort of an oxymoron ;-)

If you want informed cherokee information though, go to http://www.jeepsunlimited.com - they have a great online forum that is almost as active as anandtech! Do yourself a favor and spend a couple weeks on there reading about the jeep you're interested in before you buy.

Edit: the only thing specifically I can think of that sucks about Cherokees (and most jeeps) from that era is the paint. I've heard various stories as for why, but it seems like more than half the jeeps I see from then with original paint have SEVERE oxidation problems. It happened to my parents 88 Grand Wagoneer, and a friend's late 80s cherokee, and there's even one out in the parking lot of my building that's the same way...) But like I said.. jeepsunlimited is the source of all answers. If the "search" feature is up and running (it is often disabled b/c of system load) you'll find everything you ever wanted to know.

 

[Actaeon]

I hear Cherokee's are very expensive to maintain.

On a unrelated yet somewhat related note, my Boss' Grand Cherokee (dunno the year)'s engine blew up or something, cost him about $2.5k in repairs.

 

[iamwiz82]

Originally posted by: Actaeon
I hear Cherokee's are very expensive to maintain.

On a unrelated yet somewhat related note, my Boss' Grand Cherokee (dunno the year)'s engine blew up or something, cost him about $2.5k in repairs.

expensive how? They are very reliable, as long as they dont have the 2.8L engine.

 

[flot]

On a unrelated yet somewhat related note, my Boss' Grand Cherokee (dunno the year)'s engine blew up or something, cost him about $2.5k in repairs.

A grand cherokee and a cherokee are two very different vehicles.

Cherokees should be cheap as dirt to fix, every junkyard on the planet has a couple of 'em and they were fairly simple mechanically. Pretty good vehicles, and cheap to buy. If you're mechanically inclined, would probably be VERY cheap to keep on the road.

 

[randal]

The Jeep has an immaculate paint job and a spotless interior; here in colorado, Jeeps are more expensive than say, Ohio, because we have mountains and an outdoorsy attitude that cranks up the cost (generally).

Anybody have any more info re: tranny & engine? I'm pretty handy, but maybe a 3 banana difficulty guy at best.

randal

 

[Cfour]

I had an '87 and we ran it until 200k then put in the same motor with 90k on it... the one with 200k didn't even die, it ran strong and all it did was eat a lot of oil. That car will run for a long time yet.

 

[iamwiz82]

Originally posted by: Cfour
I had an '87 and we ran it until 200k then put in the same motor with 90k on it... the one with 200k didn't even die, it ran strong and all it did was eat a lot of oil. That car will run for a long time yet.

most 4.0Ls do eat oil and sound like a diesel engine after 100,000 miles, but you live with it

 

[richardycc]

it's a death trap, if you get rear ended, kiss your gas tank and maybe your own rearend goodbye.

rich

 

[randal]

bump to maybe get some more info.

thanks!
randal

 

[iamwiz82]

Originally posted by: richardycc
it's a death trap, if you get rear ended, kiss your gas tank and maybe your own rearend goodbye.

rich

wha?? The gas tank is in the same place as most other vehicles. A good majority of Cherokee's has gas tank skids