Sometimes, you see an asking price and recoil slightly. It’s only natural; we all want to find bargains. However, there are select cases where you can’t help but understand why the seller is swinging for the proverbial fences. In the case of this 1988 Jeep Cherokee Limited, the asking price of $18,800 is heady indeed, but this truck also appears to be absolutely immaculate. The Limited was the top banana of the family tree and rarely comes up for sale, especially in this condition. Find the Jeep here on craigslist in the Atlanta metro area.
Whenever there is a particularly expensive trim option, you can almost guarantee the take rate will be lower than the entry- and mid-range models. While these days it seems like every SUV is loaded to the hilt with an excessive amount of comfort and convenience equipment, this wasn’t always the case. In fact, it was downright odd to see a truck getting the gold badge and leather treatment. But perhaps the top brass at Jeep saw how successful the Grand Wagoneer was and decided to give the XJ-platform Cherokee the same treatment. And boy, did it look good.
In fact, one might even argue the Jeep Cherokee Limited was just the right amount of luxury in a true 4×4. Comfortable leather seats, upgraded audio equipment, every power feature available, and the requisite exterior touches did nothing to diminish the truck’s off-road capabilities or scare you away from using it as designed. However, it’s clear the previous caretakers of this Cherokee didn’t abuse it or even come close to using it any way that would tarnish its high-level trim. The leather seats and entire interior are in spectacular condition.
The Jeep’s 94,000 original miles are low for the year but not as low as I was expecting given the condition. Under the hood is the tried-and-true 4.0L inline-six with 173 b.h.p. and 220 lb.-ft. of torque. The seller reports there is no rust, no leaks, and everything except for the cruise control works. This is one of those times when I hope the seller gets his asking price because it appears he has discovered a true diamond in the rough rows of used-up Cherokees. Thanks to Barn Finds reader Jack M. for the find.
Beautiful blend of 4wd capabilities and luxurious interior.
These are great vehicles and I hated to see them end. The perfect size and still with real Jeep characteristics. And that bullet-proof engine. The only thing that killed them was rust.
At one point, I had a Cherokee, all 3 kids had one, three their friends had them, and my best garage buddy and his son had one. We said we needed to do a group shot but never got around to it.
I always said one more we would be a reservation.
Posting deleted by author. TBH, it seemed expensive, but it goes to show you never know, there are so many niches in the market there are always surprises both up and down.
Steve R
Nice Car. 1988 I believe was the year Chrysler, now Stellantis, bought AMC and started producing Jeeps. I had an ’86 Cherokee 2 door with every option. Unfortunately it had a GM 2.8L v-6 that was a real dog. The car had a strange infra-red remote entry system that never worked. Rust finally caused the Jeep’s demise.
John, the of AMC to Chrysler was finalizing the first week of August 1987. The 1988 model year Jeeps were already in motion by then. No Chrysler impact on 1988 Jeeps.
The sale
Thank you. l stand corrected.
A friend of mine has been a service manager at a Chrysler – Jeep dealer for over 30 years and has always had a Jeep Limited as a Demo to use. Believe he has had one for every year from around 1988 up to this year they are great SUVs but the prices now are crazy and I would never entertain buying a new one.
I had this same year and model in red over the same color interior. One of only two vehicles I have owned that I was able to sell for more than I paid. (Way) more. Fantastic vehicle to boot!
The third owner had over 400K on it the last time I heard about it – AMC was on their A-Game when they designed these!
Renault was the re-designer of all the Jeeps from the mid eighties and handed Chrysler the all new Grand Cherokee series in the sale with AMC.
Chris, AMC handed Chrysler a very rough Grand Cherokee in 1987 that was going to have all Renault electronics.
Chrysler Jeep Truck Engineering completely redid the vehicle with Chrysler electronics, axles and launched in 1992 as a 1993 MY.
AMC wasn’t going to use their V8, just the 4.0L 6 cylinder.
Chrysler added their V8 and ultimately the Hemi some years later. A total home run vehicle.
This is just another clear example of how forward-thinking the product planners at AMC were back in the late 1970s and through to 1987 when AMC was acquired by Chrysler.
The XJ Cherokee, and the Eagle before it, were the true precursors of the modern SUV/crossover boom. I don’t think that all that many people know that Roy Lund, yes, that Roy Lund from the original Ford GT program, had a major role in the development of both the Jeep XJ Cherokee and the AMC Eagle. He was quite possibly one of the most influential automotive engineers of all time.
I’m a bit surprised that Jeff failed to mention this in his otherwise excellent write-up of this listing.
Very nice. Although I was too young at the time to drive a car, I remember when the Jeep Cherokee looked like this. It’s a shame that the ad didn’t stay up, for it would’ve been nice to see more pics of the Jeep XJ Cherokee.
This or a top spec Toyota Landcruiser Sahara of the same era. Anybody ?
Nice but way too pricey
one of the best vehicles ever, imo, with all the options, in a good color, in great condition.. better most any new car today. Definitly worth the money.
My ’99 Limited is still going strong at 160k miles, and I love it.
It’s a Jeep thing.
I’m not sure you can call this a “barn find” – heck, there isn’t even a picture of a barn in the background! Seriously though, this is a beauty! Luxury and the ability to ACTUALLY go off road makes it a true gem!
Already deleted. Price does seem insane but I’ve seen these really creeping up in value lately. A perfect late 90’s one just sold recently on BaT for around $35K. I had a ’97 Sport and currently have a ’99 Sport that I’ve owned for 21 years. Unfortunately the crap MA weather has taken it’s toll on it over the decades. It’s a 5spd and those are super hard to find so I’m hoping to have my Jeep guru buddy do a resto on it this year.