How Would I Like A Jeep Cherokee?

[Red_LX]

So, I've honestly always liked Jeep Cherokees but always heard they got crap mileage.

I'll be in the market for a used 4x4 soon and I always seen tons of Cherokees for sale. I saw that on the gubberment's fuel economy website the Cherokee with the 4.0 is rated for something like 15/18 with the 5 speed manual (which is how I would prefer to get it).

Is real world mileage worse? I know the 4.0 is pretty bulletproof but how is the rest of the vehicle?

Also does the 4.0 have decent performance or can it at least have some decent performance coaxed out of it?

 

[timeless2]

The only negatives I know of from experience are: electrical gremlins and not-so-great automatic transmissions. Else, they are bulletproof, for the most part.

 

[85_SS_302_Coupe]

I've owned my '98 for 10 years. I got it with 74k on it, it now has something like 209k. So far the only things I've had to replace were:

Front track bar, the bushings went out, and I think are out again
Starter
Water pump
Alternator (only to find out it was the plug, not the alt itself)
Exhaust twice, replaced the manifold a year ago (which are tubular and prone to cracking)
Batteries a few times
AC condenser cooling fan, currently the AC is hot, I think the compressor is dead

Aside from that I had this issue where the factory block heater blew out of the block because the screw that held it in rusted and broke, which resulted in all my coolant dumping out while going 70mph down the highway. I bought another one and replaced it because I couldn't get in with a hammer to put a freeze out plug in its place. So far (knock on wood) my automatic trans is perfect. The 4wd works great, but now and then it seems to stick in 4wd when you drop it back down into 2wd, but all you have to do is take it out of drive or stop and put it in reverse and it opens up. Power wise, I've always been impressed with how much get up and go it has, but I believe mine has 3.73s in it (which I think were a Sport option). I towed a car on a dolly once and couldn't really tell it was there until I went to stop. Gas mileage does indeed suck though. Mine gets around 16 or so mixed. We call it "the Immortal" because the damn thing just keeps on running despite all the age and wear we've put it through. If I could find a good deal on a low mileage one, I would buy another one, in spite of the crappy mileage.

 

[Noobz347]

All that I'm going to say is that you need to look at a late model Durango for comparison before you buy one. Specifically, the 8 speed V6.

 

[DocG]

I sought out a Cherokee as my toy. Spent about 4 months looking.

Came across mine from a friend who bought it as a salvage and rebuilds vehicles. Bought it for 2k and he already had the two front fenders and both passenger doors with glass and matching color.

Has 110k miles. It is an auto. 5spd Cherokees are a little harder to find.

Anyways, I have beat the out of this since I have had it and it seems to want more. Gas mileage yeah that kinda sucks.

Depends on what you are using it for. Again mine is my toy and I have lifted it and stuff and so far nothing has stopped of. Went 40mph up a bumpy pipeline once and actually got about 2 feet of air with it.

 

[DocG]

All that I'm going to say is that you need to look at a late model Durango for comparison before you buy one. Specifically, the 8 speed V6.

Ummm...wouldn't that probably cost 10k more? At least?

 

[Noobz347]

Ummm...wouldn't that probably cost 10k more? At least?

Oh... I think I missed the portion where price was discussed.

Carry on.

 

[NTO_GUY]

The only problems I ever saw with the Cherokee are exhaust leaks at the manifold and window regulators going bad. Other than that they seem pretty solid.

 

[DocG]

Oh... I think I missed the portion where price was discussed.

Carry on.

GTFO!

I just took price as a given if he I talking about used Cherokees.

It's ok we can't all have common sense.

 

[Noobz347]

I want a 1968 Pantera Mangusta... Deep burgundy will do.

\kthx bai

 

[88LX5.Oh]

Who cares about fuel mileage in a 4x4 lol. Get a Bronco.
I do however get roughly 15-16 MPG in mine but that's on the highway. Not bad for 6 inch lift, 35's, and 4.10's.

 

[rbohm]

if you are needing room, get an explorer instead the cherokee is a bit small inside.

 

[Red_LX]

Yes price is definitely a factor. I don't currently know what my budget will be, but I'm guessing it will be around $6000 or less. My wife wants a new vehicle and I really only want a truck/SUV for the 4x4 and ability to haul stuff in it, so I wasn't looking for anything super fancy at the time.

So I've mostly been looking at used stuff, but I've definitely noticed people are selling a lot more junk nowadays and everything seems to have 200K on it. Some things I have under consideration are 4runners (if I could find one that wasn't overpriced), Dakotas, Cherokees, Rangers, and older full size trucks (if I could find any that weren't ragged out or rusted out). I used to drive a diesel F250 that got 13 mpg so I'm not expecting any kind of amazing mileage from a truck. Used truck shopping reminds me how much I hate living in the rust belt. Everything needs rockers, cab corners and bed wheel arches.

 

[85_SS_302_Coupe]

I want a 1968 Pantera Mangusta... Deep burgundy will do.

\kthx bai

I'll see your Mangusta and raise you a '85 GT5-S

 

[88LX5.Oh]

Try looking for a southern truck. You'll of course have to drive to get em but still it may be worth it. I don't see too many rusted vehicles where I am

 

[madspeed]

I agree on the GT5, pure sex

 

[85_SS_302_Coupe]

Drove my Cherokee this morning in the ice mess we got overnight. Mine is just stock height with one size wider tires than stock, but I swear this thing is unstoppable in snow.

 

[DocG]

Drove my Cherokee this morning in the ice mess we got overnight. Mine is just stock height with one size wider tires than stock, but I swear this thing is unstoppable in snow.

Yeah I was out playing in mine yesterday. Pretty much will get traction in anything.

 

[DocG]

Ice...snow...pffft!

Apparently need to hit a bigger snow bank to break off the fangs...

 

[ximportdriver]

The new 30mpg diesel option in the 2014 Grand Cherokee seems like a good option with 410ft-lb. But that would be pricier than a Durango. Seems the late model has really become more eco friendly and feature rich.