Any Jeep Cherokee owners here?

[underpants]

Experiences with them? Good vehicle?

They seem to be and there are some older models on craigslist that are remarkably affordable.

After reading this article
http://editorial.autos.msn.com/10-best-vehicles-for-the-end-of-the-world?icid=autos_0248

I decided to look them up. No I am not worried about the apocalypse or zombies (read the article) but I would like a dependable good vehicle - my Volvo is near its end I suspect.

[Chan790]

1. My parents had two.

Last edited Sat Feb 25, 2012, 02:59 PM - Edit history (1)

I hate them, they're really hard to get out/in of with bad knees when you're 6'3" 245#, they're really hard to get in/out of period...my mom totaled the first one and immediately bought the second one, both used. Someone stole the second one and intentionally drove it into a wall in a high-speed collision and was well enough to walk away before the cops got there...if that's an endorsement. Neither was dependable, nothing but engine problems on the first; electrical on the second. They're wreck-survivable. They're not dependable. I knew a lot of people that had them in HS and college, most-all of them foisted on them by parents, nobody loved their Jeep.

My mom kept buying them because we were teenagers and she wanted a safe car. I refused to get my license because I hated that thing...I'm more comfortable driving in a compact car. I like my cars small. (Really, I'm pissed. I want my brother's car, an '91 Impreza that my mom forced him to buy...I tried to buy if off him and she made me sell it back to him.)

[OffWithTheirHeads]

3. My wife bought one. Worst piece of shit we have ever owned.

followed by a Jeep CJ I owned once.
Mind you, I'm 61 years old and have owned a whole bunch of cars from VW bugs to Ferrarris and the Jeep Cherokie is by far the worst vehicle I've ever come into contact with. That thing spent more time in the shop than on the road.

[mainer]

4. Used to own one. Not at all reliable.

We got rid of it within a few years. It does plow through the snow pretty well, but I found it didn't have good traction on icy roads.

ps, if you're looking for an all-wheel drive, I was very happy with my Subaru. Did very well during our Maine winters. We eventually gave it to our son, who loves it.

[bluedigger]

5. I understand some people have had some bad experiences with them.

Then again, I knew a guy with a pos Honda once, too.

With a 17 year production run (84-01) they must have something going for them. Never had one myself, although I am on my third Jeep. My brother has one and likes it. Advantages would include cheap parts and low insurance. Disadvantage would be fuel consumption. If you have any mechanical skills that is always a plus with Jeeps.

If you are really serious, I recommend you go to jeepforum.com and study up. They can and will help you avoid an obvious purchasing mistake. http://www.jeepforum.com/forum/f165/ and http://www.jeepforum.com/forum/f114/

Links to tsb's: http://www.jeepforum.com/forum/f11/tech-faq-links-tsbs-89273/index2.html

Given the large numbers of them still available, I would decide on what specific model/features I wanted, and then find one whose condition and price met my needs. Don't get a 4 cyl.

[underpants]

7. Thanks

that was what I was looking for

[MorningGlow]

6. I'd vote for a Wrangler instead--I loved mine

Like the article said, they don't make Cherokees anymore, so you'd have to find an old one in good shape. If you're looking at a Grand Cherokee, then you're just descending into generic SUV territory, so why bother?

Wranglers, on the other hand...love. Bought mine new in 2000, drove it nonstop for 10 years (long commute, too, from the boonies to a city) till the transmission went kerflooey and I didn't have the scratch to pay for a new one. My aunt's neighbor bought it from me, fixed it up, and it's still running like a top. Mine was V6, 2/4-wheel-drive automatic--better than Cherokees. (I hear manuals are more fun but I never learned to drive one; besides, I'm a chronic radio-button-pusher, so...) Just the fact that I could drive a paid-in-full vehicle for years made me happy.

Overall, I'd think a Wrangler would survive a zombie apocalypse much better than any other type of Jeep.

[Rob H.]

10. I still have my '91 and second that suggestion

The paint job has seen better days, but I bought mine new and it's still running strong at 203,000 miles (it's the 4.0 liter 6-cylinder; no idea how the 4-cylinders from back then are holding up). I have to say, though, that on the strength of my love for my old Jeep, I bought a 2012 Wrangler Sport S last November and it's so much more refined and just a nicer ride that I can hardly believe it. It's like a Rolls by comparison.

[bluedigger]

12. Which one do you get dirty?

[bluedigger]

11. I have to correct one thing.

You didn't have a V6, you had an I(Inline)6. Wranglers didn't get a V6 until the 2007 JK's, which got a weak-ass minivan engine that has since (2012) been replaced with Chrysler's new high tech Pentastar design, which is getting good reviews. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chrysler_Pentastar_engine

The 4.0 litre I6 that you had was based on the 258 cylinder that, I think, was developed under George Romney's stewardship of AMC, and is arguably his only positive contribution to the automotive industry. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/American_Motors

In all those years, they never did really come up with a good auto transmission to go with the I6. I expect I'll have to have mine rebuilt in my 06 LJ soon enough, as I did twice with my GC.

Very few vehicles are defect free from the factory. The problem with Jeeps is that their owners love them, discuss and analyze their their woes to exhausting detail, and grudgingly fix them, if possible. People that don't love their vehicles just get rid of their problems and move on. It gives Jeeps a bad reputation.

[MorningGlow]

15. I stand corrected!

So much for responding on the fly!

I had a factory defect--well, just a brain fart on the part of some assembly-line workers (and I say that with a whole passel of Delco workers in my family). The first time I went to fold down the back seat...CLUNK! Fell right out of the holder brackets. Thank goodness nobody sat in the back seat (and thank goodness I hadn't had a baby yet--I would have had a heart attack if the seat went clunk with a car seat strapped to it!)

I called the dealer and said "Uh...pins?" They told me there was no such thing! Well, I AM just a dumb woman, after all, right? So I said "Humor me. Order me some pins," and they tried to talk me out of it! They wouldn't listen to me until I looked up the instructions in the owner's manual for how to take out the back seat entirely. One of the steps was to "remove the pins holding the rods in place" or something similar. Ohhhhhh...THEN they believed me.

Turned out the pins cost a whopping 23 cents.

[bluedigger]

17. My rear seat doesn't have pins.

I think they changed the seats around '03. It took me about 8 months to figure out I had to squeeze two bars together to get the seat OUT!

Now it's on the floor in the bedroom.

[Mumble]

8. Owned 2 Cherokees

Total pieces of junk. Everything breaks on them. Everything! Made the mistake of buying the first one and thought it couldn't get any worse. It did. The second one was a lemon on day ONE. Chrysler wouldn't honor their warranty. They give you nothing but run arounds and fix nothing. I will never, never, never buy a Chrysler product again or even look at one!!!
I can go on for hours telling you about their junk vehicles and non-existent service. Just don't buy one!!!

[Broderick]

9. Had several of them

Many electrical problems, but the inline six is a great motor, exceedingly hard to kill except for the exhaust intake issues which is a bit costly. Always see and experience electronic issues in the dash for instance and window motor issues in the shop beyond normal maintenance.

[madmom]

13. I currently one one and my daughter owns one. We both love them...

She has a 97 I have a 98. They are both not much to look at but they are pretty reliable for work and school. Bought them both used took to our mechanic and he told us the problems had them fixed, not a problem since. Have had them both well over 5 years now.

[underpants]

14. And interesting mix of responses here

most of them negative REALLY NEGATIVE

That surprised me because of the link in the original post and because I see so many of them on the road.

[bluedigger]

18. Human nature.

Negative experiences imprint more strongly on people than positive/neutral ones do. Combined with a wee bit of anti-suv DU hostility. I'm not accusing any posters here of that, but the overall climate isn't exactly toasty. In fact, it's a little telling how many have had multiple negative experiences.

I was thinking of starting an OHV group here...

And I understand the 97-99 run is the most desirable of the lot. They messed something up on the 00-01s...

[FSogol]

16. Excellent vehicles. Mine (a 97) had $250k miles when I sold it.

Other than a busted radiator and a blow head gasket, it had no major repairs.

Bought a Wrangler in 07 and am happy with it.

[dana_b]

19. I owned a 1994

for only 6 years (bought brand new) and some issues. I took it in for check ups regularly but when I traded it in for my Honda they said that had a lot of problems (at 72,000 miles). I would never buy another one.