Opinion - 1998 Jeep Cherokee Sport Utility SE 4D 4x4 6cyl

searcherrr · 06-02-2008, 06:33 PM

1998 Jeep Cherokee Sport Utility SE 4D 4x4 6cyl
I went with my Dad today to look at one of these to buy for the sole purpose of a "dog walk" vehicle. For a mere $3000 he could have a 4x4 to go in the spillway with. Anyway, I basically wanted to get some comments from people on what the weak points are and/or what something could be from my descriptions.

It has 140k miles on it.
Its automatic with the 4x4L and H drive.
The front windows are roll up manuals and the rears are electric which is strange to me.
The gas and speedo gauges seem to intermittently work. Cause?
Steering it feels like steering a boat. The response is pretty late. Is this typical/normal? Just alignment? Steering wheel? Just new struts/shocks?
Does it normally shift harsh in 2W or 4W drive? I have never driven one like this before so I don't know, but it seemed abnormally harsh to me from other cars/suv's I've driven.
What does "PART TIME" mean when the 4W drive is engaged? Shows up on the dash.
What is involved in fixing the Oil Leak if its the rear main seal? What are typical leak points for this vehicle? What other gaskets or whatevers would need to be bought and replaced during this repair if its the rear main?
Whats the tire pressure supposed to be? Why'd it seem like the rear tires (on concrete) were making a lot of noise when going slow turning in parking lots?
A/C seemed barely cool enough.
BIG TIME.... BIG TIME.... OIL LEAK all over the bottom? Typical? Rear main seal? Oil pan? Whats do most of you see?
Brakes seem to respond late, but I'd imagine seeing as the brake fluid looks like muddy water its never been flushed and probably needs new pads/rotors.
Probably leave the transmission alone right? Probably never been flushed and would lose it if I flush the fluid? Does this thing have a special fluid setup in the back and front since its 4 wheel?

For the problems mentioned assuming those are "all" and knowing this will not be a vehicle driven anywhere else, but the spillway for walks with the dog would this be a reasonable investment?

Thanks so much !

AlohaBra · 06-03-2008, 09:38 AM

The main problem at this point in history is the poor gas mileage.

With gasoline at over $4.00 /gal., I would think twice about getting a vehicle that gets about 13 mpg for the kind of driving you might do.

How about walking the dog somewhere where you don't need to drive. Just MHO.

searcherrr · 06-06-2008, 01:11 AM

I completely agree with you, but my dad wants what he wants and there's no discussion otherwise. He believes it won't cost him that much gas since it will only be for going into the spillway to walk the dog... but that could occur as much as 3-5 times a week too. Still, I can't tell him otherwise. He just won't listen or budge ever for anything.

POST REPLY TO THIS THREAD