03-11-2024, 11:46 AM | #1 |
Drives: People crazy with my sexiness Join Date: Jun 2023
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Older Jeep for a beater/daily driver
I’m thinking about getting a daily driver with some utility, and 4 wheel drive for Cleveland winters. I’m looking at some older Jeeps and didn’t realize they still made both the old Cherokee AND Grand Cherokees with manual transmissions up to the late 1990s! I absolutely want something with a stick and would love a 1998 Grand Cherokee but I’m just wondering how reliable they are when they’re 25 years old and have 170,000 miles on them.
What are your thoughts?
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03-11-2024, 01:47 PM | #2 |
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The XJ Cherokee was produced through the 2001 model year. People want a mint for them in good condition and later-model XJ's with a manual are rare (and command a huge premium).
The ZJ Grand was the last big Jeep with a manual and they only offered the manual through 1994. Very hard to find these days. Neither would be a good value for daily use IMO, given the rarity and price you'll likely pay. The KJ Liberty is an interesting value and can also be had with a manual, although the 3.7 was generally unloved. Lots of boxy later KK Liberty's still running around as well. WK and WJ Grands are a dime a dozen. All of them are automatics far as I know. |
03-11-2024, 02:29 PM | #3 |
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There is a 1998 Grand Cherokee 4.0 inline 6, 4 wheel drive with the 5 speed stick. 160,000 miles they’re asking $4500. Just some surface rust on spots that were scraped and dented that can be fixed, interior is in nice condition. What do you think for the price?
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Purchase order submitted on 6/23/23
Received and purchased 9/8/2023 2024 2SS 6MT coupe Sharkskin/Light gray Moonroof/Navi/NPP/Mag Ride/Red Brake Calipers Gray painted split spoke wheels Illuminated footwells/illuminated bowtie |
03-11-2024, 03:07 PM | #4 |
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My 1998 Grand Cherokee ZJ (4.0) had an engine failure last winter with 366,000 miles on it.
My current winter vehicle is a 2000 Cherokee XJ (4.0) with 189,000 miles. My wife had a 2004 Liberty JK (3.7) that had an engine failure at 350,000 miles. I also owned a 1994 Cherokee XJ (4.0) that lasted many winters. I gave that one to my son. So, I'd say that they are great winter vehicles. But finding one with a manual transmission is rare. Of course, you could buy an automatic and convert it. |
03-11-2024, 03:25 PM | #5 | |
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Quote:
I knew they offered them with manuals in the first Gen, 1989-95 right (they came out to replace the old Grand Wagoneer right?) but I thought they’d dropped the manual option by like 1995. Other than the surface rust on the body damage I’d say it’s in good condition. If I do buy it I’ll have that fixed just so the rust doesn’t get worse.
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Purchase order submitted on 6/23/23
Received and purchased 9/8/2023 2024 2SS 6MT coupe Sharkskin/Light gray Moonroof/Navi/NPP/Mag Ride/Red Brake Calipers Gray painted split spoke wheels Illuminated footwells/illuminated bowtie |
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03-12-2024, 07:38 AM | #6 | ||
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Quote:
The bad part is that it had newish BFG All-Terrain T/As that went to the junk yard with it. They didn't fit anything else that I owned. I was hoping to get another 50,000 miles out of it. Quote:
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03-12-2024, 09:53 AM | #7 |
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Should probably find out what all was changed during the manual swap, unless it was all brought over from an earlier ZJ. If it's from the factory, that would be 1/1 in existence. Not finding where they ever produced a manual in the ZJ after 1994.
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03-13-2024, 07:04 AM | #8 |
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I Believe 1994 was the last year for a Manual in a ZJ. But you could still get one in the Wrangler and XJ Cherokee. Best options to swap would be either the AX-15 or NV3550 five-speed.
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03-13-2024, 10:15 AM | #9 |
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I decided not to get it. He isn’t the original owner and didn’t even know it was a swap so I’m not going to buy it. Thanks for the tips everyone, I had my doubts that a stick was still available in ‘98 and you’ve confirmed it.
I still may try for a Cherokee. I would like a vehicle with dual airbags which is why I’m trying to stick with late 90s/early 2000s. But man is it hard to find a Cherokee that hasn’t been jacked up, driven hard and put away wet lol
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Purchase order submitted on 6/23/23
Received and purchased 9/8/2023 2024 2SS 6MT coupe Sharkskin/Light gray Moonroof/Navi/NPP/Mag Ride/Red Brake Calipers Gray painted split spoke wheels Illuminated footwells/illuminated bowtie |
03-13-2024, 10:38 AM | #10 |
Drives: 2010 SS M6 ABM Join Date: Mar 2015
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I picked-up my 2000 XJ last summer for $1500. They're out there.
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