A day at the dealership or Cherokee vs Wrangler

[viper1861]

So while I had my 90 cherokee LTD in the local Jeep shop (and I was being ripped-off...see my other post), I test drove several versions of the Wrangler.

First, I took out the Unlimited.....LMAO as soon as I hit 40 MPH all I could hear was the canvas flapping. The vehicle had the 4.0L and had VG pick-up.
The salesman opens the hood and I couldn't believe the difference in the engine compartment from my 90 cherokee LTD. Everything seemed cheapafied in the Wrangler. The radiator was the size of a WAFFEL, no auxillary fan, No quick release radiator connections and no cord-reel under-the-hood light. Interestingly, the salesman looked at me and said "this model has a hood light" I almost started laughing (I get more light off my 5 year old Indigo Timex watch).
The price tag was 28K.

I then test drove the X-sport. Same engine but much less pick-up and acceleration response. This was a hard-top model and had the shorter body. Price was around 25k.

The weld marks were visible all over the wranglers. I think price-wise the only way to go is with a basic 2 to 3 year old wrangler and build up with after-market stuff.

I left the dealership thinking, before I ever bought one of these, I'd pay 8 or 10k for a 2000/20001 Cherokee with 50k miles on it.

Anyone hear anything about the 2000/2001 cherokee dependability vs the older cherokee models?

[jerso06]

Best you can do with any used car is to try and find out the history on it. A lot of dealers are offering "car quest reports, check consumers guide and if you find one you like, give it a HARD inspection......have it cheked out by mechan. (I have 2 jeeps....89 Ltd. and 96 Country) both over 220,000.........next is a Grand.
Jerry

[AlmostStock]

Originally Posted by viper1861

Anyone hear anything about the 2000/2001 cherokee dependability vs the older cherokee models?

They are basically the same vehicle with yearly updates. If anything they would be more dependable. Find a nice one and you can't go wrong.

[tblack]

Anyone hear anything about the 2000/2001 cherokee dependability vs the older cherokee models?[/quote]

I've had a 1994 Sport with the 4.0L engine and the Japanese-made AW4
transmission and the one I drive now is a 2000 Sport with the same drive train.

I had a lot of trouble with the 1994 Cherokee Sport, Mostly just small things that added up.

I bought the 2000 Cherokee Sport brand new as a result of so many problems with the '94 and have had absolutely no trouble at all with this 2000. It has almost 70,000 miles on it and runs, drives and looks like new.

The difference is I bought the '94 used and the 2000 new. I did a Carfax on the '94 and found out it was originally purchased off a lot out in the high desert area of Southern California. I was the second owner and there were no bad marks against it so I bought it with 83,000 miles on it. Big mistake.

I have learned that any car or truck model these days if it's been around a while has to be good because there is too much competition out there and unless you just get a complete "Lemon", if you buy new and take care of it by doing regular maintenance, It is going to get you there. The thing with used cars is to buy a car that is not older than three or four years old. Do a car fax and ask for the previous owner's telephone number so you can get a candid history on the vehicle. If the dealer won't give you the number, don't buy it. But always try to buy as new a vehicle as possible.

Cherokees are great because they were produced for over 15 years and had plenty of time to have the "Bugs" worked out. The basic engine (4.0L) design dated back forty years and was tried and true. The Japanese transmission (AW4) was bullit proof and will be the last thing to die on the vehicle. The styling was without frills and solid with a sporty/military look that everyone it seems enjoyed. This is why you will probably find the Cherokee will be the best value in it's price range as a used vehicle. I get more compliments even now on it's classic styling. Hondas and Toyotas last a long time and are good as used vehicles, but are too generic and everyone has one. They are transportation cars that you will not be likely to care about in a couple of years. But the Cherokees are just cool.

tb

tb