The XJ-series Jeep Cherokee is a bona fide modern classic 4×4, and I doubt we’ll see these rigs ever get cheaper than they are now. The later editions came with some cosmetic improvements that make them look a bit fresher against a modern-day backdrop while still retaining all of the classic Cherokee styling. This 1999 model listed here on craigslist was apparently recovered by the seller’s towing business after the original owner passed away with no heirs to take over ownership. The asking price is $15,000.
That’s a heck of a story from the seller’s side. Imagine having the chore of recovering vehicles left on properties that could otherwise be considered abandoned and finding out an actually desirable specimen resides behind the locked garage door. The seller maintains that it is mostly a one-owner vehicle, but due to his towing business having to register itself as the rightful second owner and then transferring it to his name due to the legalities of recovering an abandoned vehicle, it now looks like a three-owner specimen on paper.
That doesn’t bother me, personally, as the condition inside speaks for itself. There are some dings and scrapes on the exterior that you might associate with an older driver, but according to the listing, the Cherokee didn’t see much use in the last ten years. The original owner was stricken with a terminal illness and the truck fell into disuse. Combined with residing in a temperate California climate, there are no apparent rust concerns, either. And the interior condition certainly speaks for itself.
The engine bay is in very nice cosmetic condition, and certainly seems to pass the smell test of being a low-mileage specimen. The seller claims he has been driving this Cherokee around like any other daily driver, but he has proactively replaced the fluids, thermostat, brakes, tires, spark plugs, battery, and radiator, along with adding a few new hoses. Overall, this looks like an ideal specimen to use as a fair-weather driver without any real penalty to future value, assuming annual mileage is kept around 2,500 or less.
Oh. My. Goodness. What a beautiful wagon (in AZ they are registered as wagons, LOL). I had a ’97 with a home brew lift (Ford F100 coils with spacers up front, Dodge dakota main leaf packed onto the stock XJ leafs), Detroit Locker, front sway bar disconnects. Roughly 4″ lift on 31″ tires. Wheeled pretty much everywhere we pointed it. Great truck. At this mileage, buy it and drive it for the next 20 years. Man I miss my XJ.
If everything is Kosher, buy it today and love it forever. This looks too nice to hesitate and what can you buy today for 15 k?
I have a gold 99 Cherokee Limited. Still looks great for 155k. Everybody comments on it being in such good shape. Don’t plan to sell anytime soon.
Would suggest investigating title history before buying. That Cal # plate starting with a 9 is a late series. Original plate # should have started
with a 2 or a 3.
Too bad about that Minty odor. Hard to get rid of. .
I currently own and drive a1998 model just like this one and I found it two years ago on a used car lot. It has 74000 miles on it and I paid 3900.00 bucks for it, and right now I wouldn’t sell it for anything, the inline 6 engines in these things are tougher than army tanks
Wow that’s a STEAL, especially at that mileage! If left alone, they’re pretty quick out of the gate for being a boxy truck. It’s when you start lifting them, adding weight, etc. I’d LOVE to have a 2 door, manual trans, manual windows, no sunroof with a Golen 4.6 stuffed in there. FUN!
I bought a really nice 1992 Cherokee Sport last year with 62,500 original miles on it from the grandson of the original owner. 4.0L, automatic, 2WD, four door, silver with a gray interior. I did have to repair a few things due to it sitting for so long, but in the end I had a nearly flawless ’92 Cherokee. I put it up for sale for $6000 and literally sold it within 10 minutes of listing it!