Take a gander of this super clean 1999 Jeep Cherokee XJ 4×4. Although total sales reached three million over its successful 18 model year run from 1984 to 2001, you’re seeing less and less XJ’s in this kind of original unmodified condition. Here’s a true “one-owner-time-capsule-survivor” with only 46,250 original miles on the clock. It’s located in Bassett, Virginia and is for sale here on eBay for a current bid of $10,800 as of this writing, but the sellers reserve had not been met.
This Cherokee, which started the SUV movement nearly 40 years ago, brings back memories because my wife had a blue one identical to this with the same gray interior. It was her first Jeep, she loved it, and she’s been a Jeep gal ever since. This Jeep has its original window sticker and other paperwork and shows that it was bought new at Bergland Chevy-Jeep-Eagle in Roanoke, Viriginia for $23,185. (Berglund is still around but is now a Chrysler-Jeep-Dodge Ram dealer.) It’s obviously been garage kept and led a pampered life as its original Stone White paint looks great as does the black trim, badging, glass, lenses, and body panels. The seller claims the Jeep has “Slick original paint, no door dings, dents, only a few small scratches here and there.”
The gray interior is in remarkable condition based on the photos, and the front bucket seats and rear bench seat look impressive for their age. The dash, door panels, arm rest, carpet, and all look very good. About the only thing I spot is a noticeable stain on the driver’s floor mat and I’m not sure why an air freshener tree is hanging from the turn signal lever. This Cherokee also features power windows, mirrors, locks, A/C, cruise control and an AM/FM radio with a cassette player. The seller claims that everything works like it should.
Under the Stone White hood is a clean engine bay housing Jeep’s reliable 4.0L inline-six engine that’s paired with a 4-speed automatic transmission. It’s not been monkeyed with and has been driven only 46,250 miles. My wife’s Cherokee had this same engine and I can attest to its reliability.
The groundbreaking XJ was the second generation of Jeep’s Cherokee line and is now recognized as an important vehicle in automotive history since it started the popularity of SUV’s and 4×4’s (and led to the decline of station wagon sales). I still see a fair amount of these Cherokees on the road here in my neck of the woods in North Carolina, But, they’re not this original, as most have been “modified” for more action off the road. They’re also not this clean. Muddy Brown seems to be the preferred color of choice for the youngsters now owning these iconic, fun-to-drive Jeeps. So, what do you think? Have you ever owned a Jeep Cherokee XJ?
We had 2 of them, my wife had 2001 that I think was her best favorite vehicle ever. 230,000 miles before the tin worms got to it. Mine was ’99 with a 5sp. got almost 200,000 out of that one. Great vehicles both of them, but here in N.E. Penn. rust is the big issue. These were like tanks, nothing could stop them. This one will go high not many left.
Nice nice Jeep. I had a red 99 limited and drove it for ten years, 170k. Never a problem with the drivetrain, changed a couple sensors, water pump and the electric fan quit around 150k. She ran fine when I sold her, I was just tired of it honestly. Not a smooth ride but I’d put it up there with the 8 Toyotas we’ve had in terms of reliability. The rough ride led to loose electrical connections causing Intermittent non op’s for things like the fan blower and rear window defroster, but other than that it was a solid vehicle that never owed me a dime. The sport model is very utilitarian which can be charming, but I felt the options that came with the limited were well worth it (select trac 4×4, heated leather, infinity sound and digital fuel MPG tracker (always 16-19 mpg) never 20.
Since the new Jeeps are horrible as far as being reliable go, this is the way to go.
Honestly. The Italian reliability combined with some bad design and engineering choices overall have made me steer clear of the new Jeep that I’ve long wanted to buy. My wife had a ’95 Cherokee Sport and that 4.0 had well over 200,000 miles on it before the surrounding body and frame literally rusted away. That motor might still be out there somewhere working hard, for all I know.
I currently own a 1999 model, stock but not as nice as this one. Still going strong with over 250,000 miles. The 4.0 engine is the ultimate evolution of the Rambler 232 six that debuted in 1964.
It’s crazy how much these have been going for lately but the current Jeeps manufactured under Fiat/Stellantis are junk in comparison.
Our 2000 is going strong with over 275k km on it. Rebuilt the engine two years ago, the flawed factory 99-01 head finally started leaking and figured might as well go through the whole engine. It’s kept in the gf’s parkade so no rust issues… yet! Love that Jeep. Forest green with the camel interior. Ex-forestry service vehicle so quite a few odd options and interesting deletes.
I nave an EX-USFS as well. 256k, no rust, and gets quite a few comments because the color. Super reliable and I love it.
340,000 on my 01, daily driver.
There are a lot of these here in the Boston area, but really nice stock XJs are getting rare. Most are either rusty winter beaters and ski cars, or hacked up off road rigs.
2 low mileage units just sold at Carlisle for around 10k. If either had a 5 speed I would have bid. Definitely climbing, why not? Great design. Great drivetrain. Simple and dependable. Had a 85 2 door 5 speed. Chevy 2.8 went out of time every 6 months. 4.0 s a amazing motor.
Had an ’87 Laredo 4×4 with the gold standard of reliable engines, the 4.0. Beautiful white with maroon interior, all the bells and whistles. Sold it to my nephew at around 300K miles. He enjoyed it with his family until some idiot T-boned and destroyed it. Wife, 4 kids emerged without a scratch! A blessed vehicle, hopefully in Jeep Heaven. Would buy this one if I could.
Beautiful Jeep! I’d take this over any new vehicle out there! That engine has a lot of life left in it!
now over 15k reserve not met
Awesome ride and obviously worth preserving! Kudos for keeping it so clean. My son is now selling his 2000 XJ Sport (5-spd). We picked it up 4 years ago in Ohio, from a guy that got it to drive to Quebec in winter. Good for his safety but unfortunately all the salt has taken it’s toll. He put 50K on but at over 200K it also has tell-tale low oil pressure and will need a bottom end rebuild. He loves that Jeep and doesn’t want to part with it but is getting offers 5X over KBB!
I curently have a 2013 jeep cherokee. I think I would like to bid on this vehicle but do not know how! Help!
Simply the best, my 95 has 70K , mint, my winter 97 has 270K, getting rusty, patching it up for another winter. After the 4.0l version , forget it.
I had a 2000 that I bought one year old for $16k. Great vehicle and was outstanding in the snow. Loved that thing. Should have never sold it. Had 145,000 miles on it when I did sell it.