Picked up a future classic - Jeep Cherokee XJ

Hamish · 12 Mar 2016 at 20:57

Sold my 2009 Jeep wrangler last week and bough this 2001 Jeep Cherokee today

First thoughts are I absolutely love it. Always has a soft spot for the XJ Cherokees and since deciding to sell the Wrangler to put towards a Q7 for the family an XJ seem the perfect commuter/weekend toy.

Specs:

2001 Jeep Cherokee (one of the last)
4.0 petrol I6 (sounds beautiful)
60th Anniversary edition
2 previous owners (last owner bought it in 2014 from the lady who bought it new)
previous owner spent around £2500 (with receipts) on off road tyres, lift kit, snorkel (not even fitted yet), exhaust, full service etc. but only drove it 3000 miles due to working away
paid £2500

Future plans are possibly to add fender flares, a roof rack and maybe a light bar, although tempted just to keep it stock as I don't want to spoil it.

phil675 · 12 Mar 2016 at 20:59

I sort of want a 4x4 as a family car but I don't really need one, what is the purpose of this vehicle?

Hamish · 12 Mar 2016 at 21:01

phil675 said:
I sort of want a 4x4 as a family car but I don't really need one, what is the purpose of this vehicle?

Mainly for commuting to work - I work in the Yorkshire Dales so often have snow or flooding to deal with. Also used for carting junk around and the odd Pay & Play.

BigT · 12 Mar 2016 at 21:33

I had one. Loved it. Sofa on wheels, reliable, more toys than normal for an old car. Would go anywhere.

I read somewhere they made over 3 million of the AMC derived straight six engines and so it's no surprise they're bullet proof.

Hamish · 12 Mar 2016 at 21:37

BigT said:
I had one. Loved it. Sofa on wheels, reliable, more toys than normal for an old car. Would go anywhere.

I read somewhere they made over 3 million of the AMC derived straight six engines and so it's no surprise they're bullet proof.

Yep, hugely popular and the consensus is that the 4.0 is bullet proof and if things go wrong the parts are dirt cheap.

Firestar_3x · 12 Mar 2016 at 21:40

Always loved the XJ for some reason, looks like a good car, keep it as close to stock as possible.

Troop · 12 Mar 2016 at 21:43

Good motor the 4lt straight 6 love mine, but the TJ Wrangler is the one that will be the real classic .

Hamish · 12 Mar 2016 at 21:51

Troop said:
Good motor the 4lt straight 6 love mine, but the TJ Wrangler is the one that will be the real classic .

Yes true the TJ is a classic but hard to live with as a daily - struggles at more than 50mph and can't make the most of being topless in UK weather.

Dav4 · 12 Mar 2016 at 21:59

Great looking motor the old Cherokee is. Bet the engine sounds great aswell.

Akagi · 12 Mar 2016 at 22:16

I do really like these for some reason

Could never live with one though.

Joe T · 13 Mar 2016 at 10:46

Good choice.

I'm sure Lewis (Lashout_UK) will be along shortly...

Troop · 13 Mar 2016 at 11:24

If you get the chance listen to one with a Banks Monster exhaust, what a sound with the straight 6 motor!.

Hamish · 13 Mar 2016 at 12:01

Troop said:
If you get the chance listen to one with a Banks Monster exhaust, what a sound with the straight 6 motor!.

music to my ears!

The previous owner has already fitted a decent exhaust, not quite as throaty as the banks but still packs a decent rumble

Mr-White · 13 Mar 2016 at 12:18

Dare I ask the mpg ?

MW

Hamish · 13 Mar 2016 at 12:29

Mr-White said:
Dare I ask the mpg ?

MW

about 18

cainer · 13 Mar 2016 at 13:46

Hamish said:
about 18

i looked at a second hand one many years ago, owner said ~17 mpg which put me off,
ended up getting a 2.5 v6 Alfa 156, turns out that only did ~20mpg

lol
i dont think i could afford to run it if i still had it now

DRZ · 14 Mar 2016 at 09:28

I have a 4.0 ZJ and love it. Needs an MOT at the moment though - must sort that out!