Jeep Cherokee....good or bad?

[Scarpozzi]

I'm curious about Jeep Cherokees... I bought one yesterday after doing some checks on it and the only reviews I got were from family members and a couple of friends. I've heard a lot of good and bad things about them and I need the members of Anandtech to set the record straight for me. I'm curious about a 2WD 1999 model. What can I expect for top-end milage on such a vehicle and how many miles should I keep it before I sell it. It currently has 33k on it and I plan to drive the doors off it...so does anyone know about when they'll fall off? Thanks!

 

[freebee]

Why would you buy a 2wd jeep???????


Thats like dating a supermodel with no vagina.

 

[iamwiz82]

the 4.0L is a tough engine if you dont treat it badly, ie: dont change th eoil for 22,000 miles

 

[Cyco]

Originally posted by: freebee
Why would you buy a 2wd jeep???????


Thats like dating a supermodel with no vagina.

What he said...

 

[amnesiac]

The original Cherokees are ok.. not spectacularly relieable but they can take a beating.
Stay the hell away from a Grand Cherokee if you ever get the chance tho.. those things are lemons! Every person I know who has one spends soooo much time in the shop...

 

[Scarpozzi]

Because I use it for city driving and don't need it for off roading. I live in Tennessee and it MAY snow once a year here. 2WD transmissions are cheaper to repair and less problematic, not to mention the extra weight of the additional transmission stuff that's gotta be down there. So I probably saved 300 pounds off the weight of my vehicle and as much as $500-1000 if my transmission fails...not to mention insurance savings.

 

[kranky]

I have a 1994 Cherokee 4WD that I bought new (last new car I'll ever own). 85K miles. Like you, I will drive it until it dies.

I have had very few problems. I'm sure I've spent under $1000 in repairs in the eight years I've had it. The 4.0L engine is probably too powerful for the size of the vehicle, which hurts the gas mileage.

 

[waggy]

a buddy of mine has a 1990 jeep grand cherokee with 225k on it and it still runs great!

i been looking at getting myself a 99-01 grand cherokee myself. i want the 5.2 4wd all time jobs heh overkill but i like them

 

[etech]

I picked up a 98 Cherokee in November. No real problems so far. Gas milage is running between 16-20 mpg. I've heard the 2WD Jeeps only get 1 or 2 miles per gallon more than the 4WDs.

For a more informed view and lots of information I suggest looking through these forums.

Jeeps Unlimited.

Don't tell them you bought a 2WD model. Many of them are hardcore off-roaders and might poke a few jokes at a 2WD.

 

[vi edit]

Watch out for the motor in the power windows to die. Seems to be pretty much a certainty, it's just a question of "when".

 

[Scarpozzi]

Thanks for the tip about jeepsunlimited... I'll be sure to keep my eye on those boards.

I've heard a lot of bad things about the power windows... Maybe it'll be good to replace them anyhow so I can get some good aftermarket motors rather than that crappy stuff Chrysler seems to want to put in their stuff stock. I HATE that company because they let their quality control go all to crap and they always buy from the lowest bidder. Anyhow, I'm going to give Jeep a try and hope that it lasts at least 5 years....

 

[TopGun]

I have a '92 cherokee, 190,000 miles on it, bought it at 155k miles. Runs great, only repair so far on the engine was the water pump(under $200), the 4.0 is great. You can expect it to go 250k+ miles no prob, as long as you keep up with regular oil changes. I have the 4wd btw, 0 problems with the drivetrain, it's never needed repair.

 

[Pocatello]

2WD Cherokee isn't worth it, like others have stated.

 

[dartworth]

We have a 2001 Cherokee Sport. 4X4 4.0L Gets about 20 mpg highway and city...which isn't great imo. The Jeep is alright...to small for my taste, so now the wife drives it Can't wait for the '03 Expeditions...

 

[LAUST]

My only advice, do NOT get the 2.8... that is all I have for now.

 

[Thegonagle]

There's a lot of good, and the typical American bad sh!t on the Jeep Cherokee. They better have it close to right, considering they have built this thing since 1984. Add to that the fact that there are almost no really bad vehicles left on the market, I'd say the Jeep is OK, because the 4.0 L I-6 is a good 200,000 mile engine given regular oil changes. Bonus points will be given for a manual that's had its clutch replaced.

 

[SALvation]

My wife has a 2000 Cherokee and it is an average car.

The interior is average.

The exterior is average.

The drive is average.

No problems yet though.

 

[Fritzo]

The pre 97 models (before the body change) have more interior room, but the design is 15 years old. The cup holder, for instance, just hangs on the side of the console (like it was an afterthought). The post 97 models have a more modern interior, but it's more cramped. Either model is extremely reliable, but don't expect any frills. (The 4.0L engine design in them is 20 years old...so they've pretty much worked out all of the bugs ).

I have to agree with the other guys---getting a 2WD Jeep was a bad move. No resale value, you'll get stuck in the snow (if you have snow) due to the light rear end, I've had two Jeeps that have never had a transmission problem, so the transmission matienence argument isn't valid (every 50000 miles I had to pay $120 to get both tranny fluids changed....big deal). IMHO, you should have got the 4WD

 

[Jeffwo]

I have an '89 model Cherokee with over 200,000 (had 100m on it when I bought it) miles on it and I run the doors off it. I keep the oil changed every 3 or 4 thousand miles.

Mine is a 4 w.d. so it only gets about 22 m.p.g.

I love mine and intend to drive it till it's ready for the scrap yard.

Jeff

 

[LostHiWay]

Get a 4WD. The resale value at the end is much, much higher than a 2wd.

 

[rgwalt]

I've got a 96 Cherokee with almost 70K miles on it. No major repairs except for the break recall several years back. I got a new set of rotors with that one, so I can't complain. Oh, and I just had to put a new battery in it this past winter, but that was no surprise. That care is tight. I have no complaints at all. However, it is a 'no frills' vehicle.

You will have trouble getting around in the winter on snow and ice. A buddy of mine had the 2WD version, and one winter when it was really icy, he couldn't climb the hill up to my apartment. I told him I would hook my up to his and pull him with 4WD.

Ryan

 

[Soybomb]

I bought this 87 Cherokee about a year ago and its still going strong with about 200k miles on it. Its a bit uglier now due to some trees and rocks, but still runs like a champ

 

[iamwiz82]

i do believe the the newer generation Cherokees have a good tranny in them, too. The transmission was developed by the same company that developed honda's 4 speed auto.

 

[Scarpozzi]

hehe....I keep reading about the resale value of a 2wd being lower than a 4wd. For my needs, I haven't had any problems since all I'm doing is city driving....plus I live in the South. It MAY snow lightly once a year. Also, if I do any off roading, it will only be on gravel roads so I doubt I'd be able to take advantage of having 4wd. I appreciate all the feedback on this though. It's always good to hear that other people are happy with theirs... I'm starting to get used to stepping down out of a vehicle rather than getting up out of one...(my other car is a mitsubishi galant). Thanks again for the feedback!