Despite having over 92,000 miles, this 1994 Jeep Cherokee Sport looks almost like new, and at under 14 feet in length, this is a nice size, at least for me. I’m not a huge fan of huge SUVs, in general. Plus, its unibody construction makes for a pretty tight driving experience. The seller has this XJ Cherokee Sport listed here on eBay in Stanwood, Washington; there is no reserve, and the current bid price is $9,800. Thanks to Cliff for the tip!
This has to be one of the nicest ones I’ve seen in a long time, and don’t mind the goop on the ground in the photo above, I don’t think that’s a gushing oil leak, but maybe water from a recent wash job. The Cherokee was made from 1983 for the 1984 model year until 2001, here. My aunt bought a new one every three or four years, always a two-door in red.
This Cherokee is Gray Mist Metallic, and there are a few little dings and some scratches visible. Given the fact that it wasn’t living in the upper-Midwest or Northeast part of the country, it appears to be solid with just some regular surface rust underneath. The seller says it was bought new at a dealership in Seattle, and it’s been in that area for the last 31 years. Here’s what the rear cargo area looks like: nice and clean as expected.
The seller refers to the seats as being “leather”, but I don’t see that as an option on the Sport model, which received cloth and vinyl seats as standard equipment. They show a copy of the window sticker, and I don’t see leather seats mentioned anywhere, and it’s listed as a Sport trim level. Any idea on these seats? Are they original? Two or three trim levels came with leather or had it as an option, but I’ve only seen fabric seats for this model. The rear seat matches, and they say the headliner has been replaced.
The clean engine is an AMC 4.0-liter OHV inline-six with 190 horsepower and 225 lb-ft of torque. It’s sent through a transfer case and and four-speed automatic to all four wheels as needed, and they say it runs and drives “excellent.” It’s reported to be original, other than the hitch on the back, a tow bar attachment on the front, and a different stereo. And the headliner, as mentioned. This looks like the one to have if you’ve been looking for a Cherokee. Any thoughts on this one?
My youngest just bought a ’99. Interesting factoid about these: they were built under 3 different corporate overlords, American Motors, Chrysler & finally Daimler.
A recent ride in the back seat reminded me how awful that back seat is!
Not an SUV fan, but a Cherokee fan. This is 95% of the way to my “ideal” spec, lacking only the five-speed manual transmission. The 4.0 is a wonderful engine that lasts and lasts.
Never rode in the back seat of one, but the front seats were pretty nice, especially after the AMC/Renault merger, when the French showed Kenosha how to make comfy seats….
Nice price right now, but if I’m going to drain my penny jar, I want three pedals.
Agree with you on the 4.0. Wife had a 90 Cherokee with 4.0. Bought a 95 Grand Cherokee after test driving the 318 and the 4.0 bought the 4.0 again. That was the last of the small SUVs, kids, dogs, lake etc. had to step up to Expeditions.
Now back down to a crossover. The circle of life!
Hear ya Ray 4door 5sp is the cats meow for these beauties. Drove a Jeep Wrangler w the 4.0 and stick. Alot of fun.
Nope, the 2 door with the 5 speed is the coolest. Had one, black, no AC. Kids and dogs cooked in the back. But it was sharp, and went anywhere my CJ7 went
I’ll take 4doors over 2 in any 4wd or “utility” vehicle just on convenience alone greybeard. But your 2door was undoubtedly a great looking rig. 👍
My parents were the second owner of a 93 Cherokee. Around 100k miles, it developed a piston slap, and they had some aftermarket warranty that covered a rebuilt engine from Chrysler. After that, all it needed was one hub bearing until it was sold around 200k miles. My brother knew the people who bought it, and the last he heard, it had over 300k miles on it, with the original transmission, axles, transfer case, etc. It just might still be on the road somewhere in the south.
I have a ‘90 Cherokee 2dr. With 334,000 miles on it. I’m the original owner and the only major thing I’ve done to it is change the engine at 185,000. They last forever!
I like the boxy look of these Cherokees, that’s why I bought a 2015 Jeep Patriot!
I like the boxy look of these Cherokees, that’s why I bought a 2015 Jeep Patriot!
I’m confused about this one Scotty. My memory says that the driver side airbag appeared in ’94, but I may be off by a year. In addition it looks like an SE with previously Laredo chrome. The vinyl interior was exclusive to the SE as well. I done picking nits. For what it is we have a decent looking 30 year old Jeep. The automatic would not be a disappointment.
Dang, those are great observations, Nelson C. I didn’t see “Sport” on the side or interior, but the dealer info says SPORT on it.
https://i.ebayimg.com/images/g/bxoAAeSwLDJolinp/s-l1600.webp
It also says this is a 1994 Jeep, and it had standard “Reclining cloth front bucket seats”, and “Cloth folding rear seat with removable cushion.”
That window sticker just adds to the mystery. I wish I could lay hands on a brochure for this and the leBaron convertible from the other day.
Great car👍you can get wrong with that workhorse! I got one and i went over 250.000 touching nothing ( manual transmission) jusy regularu oil change! Great engine! Hope enjoy!👍👍👍
I’ve had my 99′ Sport for 20 years now and love it but the northeast rust is starting to get to it. Wouldn’t mind finding another clean rust free one eventually but it would have to be another 5spd, and those can be tough to come by.
Bought a 1993 for my boy in high school. 2WD base model with the 4.0L and 5spd. We ended up converting it to 4WD from a donor and he proceeded to use it like a teen would. Engine finally went, now its for sale. If I had the time, I would take it back and redo it. Went about everywhere and were quite reliable.
In 2014 I bought what I believe to be the last XJ 2 door surplused out of the State of Oregon motor pool. I was holding out for a a three pedal 2 door but by 2014 it had been over six months since the motor pool had last released one. It was an early one with the V6 and of course its motor was blown. By time mine came along I was so worried that I’d missed the boat that I bid for the moon on it even though it was an automatic. I paid 2800 for it. Mine had been used as a livestock inspectors vehicle. I took pictures of it before I removed the decals. Turns out the automatic is much better for crawling around in 4 low anyway. I gave it to my Son and treasures it.
Love it. We had a ’99 with the 4.0. Went almost 300K. We loved that ‘lil rig
Sold on 8/18/2025 for a high bid of $10,900.
Steve R
Thanks, Steve!
Not bad for the condition, the miles and the price. I have a 1990 Jeep Cherokee 4×4 auto 4.0 engine with 260,000 miles on it!