It’s hard to believe that the 90s were 30 years ago now, and it appears that nostalgia for that era is growing every day. With that, greater appreciation for everything from that era is increasing – old Apple Computers for instance, and with that, the values increase too. However, it’s rare to find a completely unmolested and unrestored car in completely original condition like the Jeep we have here today, which has only covered 30k miles in its life, so only about 1k per year. This 1996 Jeep Cherokee comes at us from White Marsh, Maryland here on eBay and is currently at $5,000 with 17 bids and 3 days left.
In the 90s, Jeep had really hit its stride, selling these all over the world from the UK to China and were sold from 1984 until 2001. In fact, my parents had one of these in the early 1990s, so looking at this one today brings back a lot of memories of long journeys on the rather uncomfortable rear bench seats, but it was a real treat to be so high up above other cars at the time! These Jeep’s were the second generation (codenamed XJ) and over 3 million were produced and sold.
If you wanted to be transported right back, then this extremely original version in white could be exactly what you are after. This comes with the 4.0l I6 engine which doesn’t seem to have been stressed in its easy 30k miles of life so far. The exterior is not perfect, but is one of the best I have seen on a Jeep of this age for a long time – however, there is rust hiding in one of the rear door frames and what appears to be rust repairs in the floor of varying quality. It has a ‘Sport’ badge on the side and rolls on its original alloys. The seller treats us to a wall of images of all the details, including the interior. Whilst the seats could do with a touch-up to repair a few rips and clean the material, it’s held up remarkably well, which is not surprising given it’s been driven so little.
It’s hard to know what to do with this one – it’s not a museum piece by any means, but could do with some restoration to bring it up to spec. However knowing how original it is, would you treat it to live out its life as a pristine city cruiser, or take it to the nearest bouldering festival and actually use it as Jeep intended?
I owned a ZJ model 95 Grand Cherokee with the 4.0 engine. That was a good rig. Same can be said for the XJ. In good condition these command good money to own. I think of these trucks remind me of the Toyota truck. Durable and tough. Easy to work on and good off road vehicles. I know the XJ was going to be phased out but heavy demand kept the series going a long time. Like the classic Toyota truck if they were able to make them again they would be a hit.
Jeeps of this era were solid machines, esp with the six. Todays Jeeps seem to be in the shop more then they are on the road. We have two in the family and both people regret the purchases. Pay a lot for them and are worthless on resale because dealers know how badly you want to get rid of them. Yet, prices are crazy high for new ones. What gives?
Wow, wholesale / trade in prices on Used Jeeps are astronomical and have been for several years. The resale value on the Wrangler is the highest in the industry and has been for many years. My 2015 Grand Cherokee has 105,000 trouble free miles and get 28 mpg on the highway.
What Jeeps are you referring to?
They’re referring to the one’s that should say Fiat on them. 105? You honestly have literally had no problems? Please check back in once you have the first issue.
Sorry, I’m not buying 30K miles. This has had a LOT of quick dress up done to get it look half decent for sale. First big tip off is the black paint job done to the door bottoms and rockers, most likely to cover up that the rockers were replaced. The hood has been repainted poorly, they didn’t even bother to remove the logo, just painted right over it. One wheel is mismatched and there is a lot of hastily undercoated over bondo in the floors. I loved the Cherokee that I had, but if I sere still in the market, I would pas this one over.
Indeed and being a Sport model, it’s had it’s side molding with a red stripe removed.
Wow, rough 30,000 miles! Municipal use on the history report may suggest some high idle hours, and not that this motor couldn’t handle it. Someone painted the bottom half of the doors for some reason. Not the nicest job on the floor patch. The steering wheel.. was this used for animal control?? Did a dog get loose and start chewing on it??
Funny you mention dogs. Looking at all the scratches on the drivers side rear inner door opening my first thought was “dog or dogs in and out?” Tons of scratches on that side and none on the passenger side.
These things were literally the “hot ticket” in the 90s…..especially the Grand Cherokee. They were so frequently stolen, some victims lost 2, or more, and some in insurance companies stopped insuring them, or charged a huge premium. The main issue was the cheap, fragile, “anti-theft” ignition switch. It was common knowledge on the street that any Chrysler of this era could be easily stolen with a screw-driver.
People did love them though. I knew a guy that was so fussy, he even had the undercarriage detailed, and polished on his Cherokee. He would actually rent another Cherokee on weekends if he was planning to visit a cottage or drive on a gravel road.
I just looked at the underbody photos, they’re pretty scary. 30K miles? What a joke.
Yup……looks like the Jeep sat in a pool of water for some time. Cant put lipstick on a slushbox pig…….so to speak. I dont want to be hater but I just don’t buy cars from dealers..nice people though they might be.
I bought a new ‘96 or ‘97 (I’ve lost track) in 1997 for my daughter’s high school graduation. It had the upgraded transfer case drive system and “Sport” trim.
Those are not alloy wheels shown here. Her’s had aluminum wheels with numerous round holes and there were probably other designs available.
All in all it served her well through college but fit/finish/quality levels were not high…
No way it has 30k with a worn out steering wheel like that!
for 5-7k i’ll take a flyer on it
It is certainly cheaper than the new Grand Wagoneer, $89K.
Bought a 1999 Jeep Cherokee w/auto, AC, ZERO rust (Z BART sticker) but the paint was faded. My neighbor had it sitting in his carport for almost a year. His brother had driven through 10 Sun Passes w/o paying. His mother was arrested for the non payment and she gladly sold it to me for $1000 in 2008. EZ to work on just needed a new battery, wiper blades, 2 tires and a good cleaning. Logged in about 60K before selling her (2016) w/a fresh $400 Maaco type paint job for $3000. Very dependable 4.0. My kids loved it but also love our 2011 GC limited 4 WD with factory chrome rims.
We bought our son a used Jeep Cherokee when he graduated HS. He then inherited my Saturn Vue. I remember how difficult it was to get in and out of that Jeep.
They should never have stopped building these.
Once upon a time, I rolled one of these in the far southern Arizona outback. Group of 4 guys happened by and together, we rather easily flipped it back on its feet. Put my hand in through the (missing) window, turned the key and boom! back to life, followed by much cheering and back-slapping all around. Gathered up my scattered tools and stuff and as much broken glass as possible and the dog and I jumped in and off we went. Drove it for another month or more including a very breezy midnight drive from Phoenix to Las Vegas and back two days later. Darned thing never missed a beat. That was number 3 of five so far, including my current one: a white ’96.
I have a rust free ’96 XJ (ex USFS) with 253k and my seats and steering wheel look better than this and mine has been off roaded by all previous owners. I don’t buy the 30k at all, but would pay the current bid of 5k. It has the skid plate group, most likely the Upcountry Suspension, and trac-lok rear diff which help.
I own three of these XJ’s (1999 with 114,000 miles, 2001 with 79,000 miles and 1997 with 12,000 miles).. I think they are the best vehicles for the money. I just sold a 1993 that I owned for 21 years with 250,000 miles that ran great but was very rusted.
My 1999 has been my other daily driver for 20 years. My ‘97 and 2001 I have stored away.
I’m not suggesting that you buy the one that’s advertised but if you like XJ’s like I do, get a clean, low mileage, unmolested one while you can and while they are relatively cheap. They are the best and better than Toyotas.
Looks like the Autocheck report shows it as having been totaled for some unspecified reason.
This seller is full of crap. There is NO way a 30K truck is going to have the floor rot or seat fold over as shown in the photos. I’m calling OD crack.
My XJ 1990 has 118k miles, rustless and on its 31s and +2, it drives like a dream. Certainly one of my favorites of all the vehicles I have owned.
Buy a good one while you still can, a clean low mileage older one, and keep it for life !