1998 Jeep Cherokee Sport from North America - Comments

For the short time that I had this Jeep, nothing went wrong with it. But like I said, a short time.

The only thing was I would always be late for oil changes (7000). I drove about 3500 miles a month.

Gas mileage is a issue that needs to be discussed because it's not what the manual says that it is. It's about 8 miles in the city and 12 miles on the highway.

This was my first SUV. I wanted a '98 Cherokee Sport because my cousin had one. I liked the way Sport was written across both side fenders. One thing I didn't like was the the bumper and the black part over the wheels was being faded by the sun. The part over the wheels (its on the fender) looked very ashy and only turned black when you put Armor All on it.

Well, I lost my baby (Jeep) in July of 2002 in an accident. I was T-Boned by an old station wagon who blew their stop sign at 50 mph. They hit me on the passenger side and I rolled over onto the roof landing on the sidewalk. TALK ABOUT SCARY!!! I had to climb out from under a caved in Jeep, laying on its roof top. I'm alright. The Jeep had no hope for restoration. TOTALED MEANS TOTALED. I wish I had pics, but I didn't take any.

Now, I got a 2000 Jeep LEMON Cherokee. I should have went another way.

You have a 2000 Cherokee Lemon also??? So do we! I'd like to compare problems you are having with our problems. I am looking for a connection with that production line.

~Stefanie

email me pepperpot13 @ yahoo. com (without the spaces)

1998 Jeep Cherokee Sport 4.0L also, and I get about 16mpg highway and approx. 10 mpg city, and I have a 4 inch lift, and live in a not so flat part of the country, also known as West Virginia.

The fact that you went over twice as long before changing your oil probably had some effect on your gas mileage, and since you couldn't change your oil that often, this also leads me to believe you probably never changed your air filter either.

My point is, if you perform regular maintenance on your Jeep, and by that I mean 15 minutes a month checking your oil and other fluid levels, you probably would have saved yourself $1,000 in gas.

You've gotta make sure you check your tire pressures too, because if they're not where they should be, it can and will greatly effect the performance of your vehicle...

I have a 2000 Jeep Cherokee Sport 4.0 also. I bought used for 7K in 2005 with 70,000 miles on it. Now has 160,000 miles on it. I put a 4.5" rubicon express lift on it, and also BF goodrich mud terrain tires 32" The gas mileage dropped to around 10 mpg. The lift kit definitely put some strain on all the other systems... I just did an overhaul of the vehicle:

Upper and lower ball joints, both sides

New muffler

New plugs

New wheel bearings, both sides, front

All new seals and gaskets in motor (she leaked a lot of oil)

New tires 31" All terrains

New Heim Joint

New shocks all 4

New rotors drums pads and shoes

New power steering gear box

New power steering pump

New power steering hoses

Alignment

New timing chain

New speakers (front drivers side wire broke)

New AC compressor (BEARING WENT)

New radiator (water hammer after thermostat went, my fault)

New thermostat

New belt.

Sounds like a lot, but if you do it yourself it's not so bad, and it beats having a car payment.

I abused this thing... the only thing I kept up with was oil changes. When the thermostat went the car overheated 5 times (I kept trying to get home like an idiot), which might have had a lot to do with my seals leaking oil after... but the point is the engine on this car is BULLETPROOF. I'm assuming the tranny will not last much longer, but I will replace that when it goes. I'm lucky enough to have friends who can do the hard stuff for short money.

I've owned a Cherokee Sport before this, a 93 with 117k on it. I feel like the older model was more sturdy, but this one is still a great car.

If you are leaking oil it is most likely the rear main seal, which will be pricey to have done, even though the part is cheap. Lots in the way and hard to get to.

I'd like to have the car repainted, and have a 2002 style bumper put on it front and rear, but not sure if that is possible (sure it could somehow be done though).

I love these cars, wish they didn't stop making them. It's done a lot these past few years putting up with me.