Bought a 97 Jeep Cherokee. Opinions welcome!

[Nate]

Hey, brought home another vehicle, this one ALMOST made it home under it's own power...

97 Jeep Cherokee, 212k miles, 4.0 auto, part time selectable 4wd with low range...
Its a dark metallic blue, and has no rust, and no major dings, or minor scratches. Has a trailer hitch. Rear end recently rebuilt, new brake pads and shoes (he reused the rotors and drums, but no shimmeys) New rear lift struts. CD player. AC, PW, PL, Cruise, Premium sound (has sound-bar thing in back) map lights, and alloy 15" wheels. No current suspension problems! :pardon:

Paid $700. I feel that's about a hundred high, but he had alot of offers, and I was the first to show. Clear title.
Needs:
Transfer case ($75)
Drivers seat, the PO was heavyset! ($10)
Drivers Tail light ($10)
Rear liftgate handle ($10)
Tires ($300-$400)
Muffler ($30)
Windshield, possibly. Cracked in FAR passenger side ($150?)


Books out at 2200 fair, and 2700 good. Excellent is 3100 but would take alot of little work to bring up to that level, and there's no market for a $3000 97 SUV

Curious as to what to do for tires... IF I can find a nice matching set of used tires, I'd buy them in a heartbeat. It's wearing 235-75r15's right now, I "think" it could take either a 30x9.5 r15 or possibly a 31x10.5 without lifting it, and without rubbing, but I dont know for sure. The price difference, new, is less then $50... Wonder how large I could go without needing to lift, and wondering if slightly oversized tires would help sell it during the winter. "may" keep it though also.

Has anyone had any experience with BFG LT all terrain tires?

Any other comments on the rig are appreciated. Pics that the owner took are attached, they're like 1.5 meg each or so, and HUGE
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v644/NathanEbert/Jeep/jeep_001.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v644/NathanEbert/Jeep/jeep_002.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v644/NathanEbert/Jeep/jeep_004.jpg

Tks
~Nate

[TylerH860]

You didn't mention how much you paid for it...

I just picked up some BFG all terrains for my Dodge Dakota used for $35.00 a piece installed. 60-70% treadlife on 2 and 90+% treadlife on the other two. I like them so far.

Through the dealership I have bought and sold 3 XJ Cherokees in the last year, along with a '97 Grand Cherokee and 87 Wrangler. These are the Cherokees:









All 4 of these sold in the $2800-$3500 range. The red '98 had 158k, very clean and everything working. Sold for $2800 the '97 GC was also very clean 130k limited leather package with only a few little nits not working. Sold for $3500. The '88 was exceptional for the year, 134k miles and everything worked with that one. Sold for $3000. The green '98 had light hail, but only 130k miles and everything worked. Sold for $2800.

Because you are over the 200k mark on the engine and transmission I don't see how its possible putting in a used transfer case/other nits, and getting more than $1500 for it.

The last windshield I did on one was $110.

If that one were to pop up at my dealer auction with everything you described I couldn't see myself going more than $500 on it. Unless the tires were showing threads I wouldn't change them, fix all the cheap stuff, and throw it out there for $1450. Some offroader would buy it and want to make their own build anyway.

Keep in mind you are not a retail seller and cannot expect retail prices. Even with my dealership people don't expect to pay retail prices. Its also VERY hard to sell vehicles with issues unless they're deeply discounted. The buying pool for project cars and much smaller and much more savvy. This vehicle would only qualify for that buying pool. The average buyer will see the 212k and move right along to the next one at basically any price.

Just recently I had a woman walk away from a purchase because I forgot to tell her the windshield was cracked. I offered to replace it for her, but she said she had a "bad vibe" with the car now. Drove all the way from Tulsa!

[TylerH860]

Also, you can throw KBB and Nada out the window when it comes to a vehicle with this age and mileage. If you were to put 600,000 miles in rather than 200,000 it would give the same number. I imagine if you put in 150,000 miles the number would be within a few hundred as well. Its just silly.

[TylerH860]

Okay, I see you edited the post to add a purchase price.

Assuming $700+ taxes, tags and insurance puts you at around a grand in three months. Don't even think about just curbing the title over. Bad things can happen.

Your prices on the transfer case, seats, liftgate handle and muffler seem low to me, even if you do all the work yourself. New tires would be a waste of money. New windshield probably as well. at 212k its going to be someone's beater.

Add Murphy's law in there and you might make a few hundred or break even. If it were me I'd sell the Neon, which is arguably the worst car to ever grace this planet, and keep this. They are fantastic vehicles.

[Nate]

The most expensive vehicle is a cheap German or Itailian one

Yep, it's edited, added the price.

Prices reflect a good working relationship with a patricular local salvage yard. Rear tires are 2/32, front tires are 4/32



It would make a great tow rig for my drag car, ie 500hp 10 sec 98 neon. Breaking down at the strip sucks, scrambling for a tow home is pretty hard. Leaving the car at the track, and finding it stripped/stolen would really hurt.

Safer DD for the girlfriend then the neon. The neon is way easier to sell imho.

It will be registered to me, but will not be plated or insured until the car is a dd. I will probably put the '97 beater neon up for sale at the same time as the '97 XJ, and whichever one sells first answers the questions.


~Nate

[75Sv1]

I have a '98 I am fixing to put back on the road. It has 110K on it. A tree fell on it. I would say, your prices on parts are Ok overall. I'd say to low on the seat, and you could get a windshield for less. I bought one for $75. I installed myself.
I would say that in excellent condition and low milage, these can bring $3000 to $4000. Your milage hurts you. I think it would be hard to peg the different types of buyers for this kind of vehicle. The 4 Wheelers would have a different take than someone after a Daily Driver.
You might call around junk yards for used tires. There is one around me that sells a set of four for $100. Sometimes in very good shape. Also, if you have a pick-n-pull by you. Try:
http://car-part.com/
Tom

[MS Fowler]

I drive a '99 Cherokke for work. 204000 miles, but I replaced the engine 12,000 miles ago. I've been driving it for about a year. My observations--
decent overall, but interior a little tight for me and all my stuff.
I average 16-18 mpg, sometimes as high as low 20s, sometimes as low as low teens--especially in winter when I run the heater several hours a day to keep warm!
Driver's seat is a weak item. I replaced mine with a good junkyard one because the previous one was shot. I just pulled the "new" one out and welded the frame and seat pan as they were all cracked and not giving good support.
Parts prices are reasonable.
4WD system works well--better than I expected.
6 cyl engine is great ( unless maintenance is neglected!!)

[Jeff B]

A 29" tire is as big as you can go on stock rims without rubbing when you turn.

Your engine with regular maint. will do about 300K. You should keep an eye on the front unit bearings, if your gonna wheel it hard make sure your front ball joints are in good shape. The D30 front is notorious for the ball joints dropping out. The TC is good, you may want to do a SYE kit, if you lift it at all. The Rear is a Chrysler 8.25 or a dana35

the Dana 35 has a round cover, if thats what you have don't go bigger than a stock size tire.

[SwampYankee]

Originally Posted by Nate

Curious as to what to do for tires... IF I can find a nice matching set of used tires, I'd buy them in a heartbeat. It's wearing 235-75r15's right now, I "think" it could take either a 30x9.5 r15 or possibly a 31x10.5 without lifting it, and without rubbing, but I dont know for sure. The price difference, new, is less then $50... Wonder how large I could go without needing to lift, and wondering if slightly oversized tires would help sell it during the winter. "may" keep it though also.

Has anyone had any experience with BFG LT all terrain tires?

I can't speak to the resale potential, Tyler certainly can and has.

As far as tires, you can fit 31x10.5 without lifting but they will rub at full lock (on control arm or swaybar ends) or full compression. 30x9.5 shouldn't give you any problems for on-road use.

I've seen OEM wheel & tire combos (with lots of tread left or even almost-new take-offs) on CL for less than new tires alone. I've been looking to replace the oxidized and delaminated clear coat ones on my Wrangler but figured I'd wait until spring.

I had BFG LT AT's on a couple pickups that held up well over the several years of hard work that I had them but never kept either one long enough to speak to their longevity.

[Nate]

$80 later I have a new transfer case, and tail light!

Runs perfect, shifts well. Hear transfer case grinding, and causing movement on occasion (usually NOT) I managed to limp it most of the way to where I'm storing it, but it gave up the ghost. I didnt realize that 4lo would still work. I did get to test for other problems, and it drove perfect.

4lo works still, it whines horribly, but I can limp it from where I'm storing it, to the shop... About 4 miles, on the back roads. If it doesnt make it (again), I can tow it (again)

I found a set of stock size tires for $250 that have 2000 miles on them. I had a set on my POS tracker and liked them alot. The tires cost $312 brand new new, so I'll offer $150. Possibly 200... But no more then that.

Also finding that a ton of parts swap between the years, and I could possibly score a ZJ leather interior for free or cheap, depending on a few things.

So, I may keep it, and use it as a tow rig. If I dont like it, next winter would be a prime time to sell it! They are also selling on ebay with 200k miles for 2 grand every day. I like those odds.


Thanks everyone!
~Nate

[TylerH860]

Actually right now is prime time to sell. Tax return season. I've sold 3 more (1 Cherokee and 2 Grand Cherokees) since I last posted.

[Skid Row Joe]

Originally Posted by Nate

Hey, brought home another vehicle, this one ALMOST made it home under it's own power...

97 Jeep Cherokee, 212k miles, 4.0 auto, part time selectable 4wd with low range...
Its a dark metallic blue, and has no rust, and no major dings, or minor scratches. Has a trailer hitch. Rear end recently rebuilt, new brake pads and shoes (he reused the rotors and drums, but no shimmeys) New rear lift struts. CD player. AC, PW, PL, Cruise, Premium sound (has sound-bar thing in back) map lights, and alloy 15" wheels. No current suspension problems! :pardon:

Paid $700. I feel that's about a hundred high, but he had alot of offers, and I was the first to show. Clear title.
Needs:
Transfer case ($75)
Drivers seat, the PO was heavyset! ($10)
Drivers Tail light ($10)
Rear liftgate handle ($10)
Tires ($300-$400)
Muffler ($30)
Windshield, possibly. Cracked in FAR passenger side ($150?)


Books out at 2200 fair, and 2700 good. Excellent is 3100 but would take alot of little work to bring up to that level, and there's no market for a $3000 97 SUV

Curious as to what to do for tires... IF I can find a nice matching set of used tires, I'd buy them in a heartbeat. It's wearing 235-75r15's right now, I "think" it could take either a 30x9.5 r15 or possibly a 31x10.5 without lifting it, and without rubbing, but I dont know for sure. The price difference, new, is less then $50... Wonder how large I could go without needing to lift, and wondering if slightly oversized tires would help sell it during the winter. "may" keep it though also.

Has anyone had any experience with BFG LT all terrain tires?

Any other comments on the rig are appreciated. Pics that the owner took are attached, they're like 1.5 meg each or so, and HUGE
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v644/NathanEbert/Jeep/jeep_001.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v644/NathanEbert/Jeep/jeep_002.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v644/NathanEbert/Jeep/jeep_004.jpg

Tks
~Nate

It sounds like you bought a nice project. Enjoy it!

[Nate]

I'm quite fond of it currently. Makes it through all the snow storms I want, and it will tow my drag car this summer. Gets 20mpg on the interstate (at 60mph, UGH!)

Just had to change out the converter, and both oxygen sensors. Got them very cheap. Changed out the muffler to a cherrybomb also, since the origional one was rusted away. Sounds good, and doesnt drone.

Might need front u-joints, or it could just be the part-time 4x4 feeling like going forward when I want to turn (steering wheel jerks back twords center during low speed turning) Only using 4wd on the wet snow crap we have now, but, the parking lot turns are mildly annoying.


~Nate

[DrewGerhan]

Originally Posted by Nate

Might need front u-joints, or it could just be the part-time 4x4 feeling like going forward when I want to turn (steering wheel jerks back twords center during low speed turning) Only using 4wd on the wet snow crap we have now, but, the parking lot turns are mildly annoying.


~Nate

My sister had a 96 Cherokee. Did the same thing when turning. New wheel u-joints fixed it.

[TylerH860]

Originally Posted by YoungBenz

My sister had a 96 Cherokee. Did the same thing when turning. New wheel u-joints fixed it.

I've had one Dodge 4x4 new and one Jeep 4x4 nearly new. That's just what they do.