1998 Jeep Cherokee Classic from North America - Comments

Emergency Brake handle broken - 80,000 miles.

Battery replacement - 40,000 miles.

A/C broken - 90,000 miles.

Serpentine belt replacement - 90,000 miles.

Replace front brake pads - 85,000 miles.

Gauges can be finicky. Sometimes don't always work. Started at 80,00 miles.

I have talked to several Jeep mechanics and all have said that these problems are generally pretty common on mid size Cherokees.

They have also all said that the 4.0 liter is a rock solid engine. It has 99,000 miles and I hope to run it until about 150,000 miles.

I have driven my Cherokee all over the east coast and put about 20,000 miles a year on it. I have taken pretty good care of it. I change the oil regularly, change the spark plugs, change the air filter, flush the transmission fluid etc.

Its generally very reliable and, other than the quirks mentioned above, has been an inexpensive no frills value for an SUV. I'd like to buy another Jeep in a few years, but I'm not sold on the Liberty yet.

I'm glad you like your Jeep. With the miles you currently have on it, you might want to check your exhaust manifold. On the 4.0 liter engine, they all develop a crack around 80,000 to 100,000 miles. I suggest you go to an aftermarket parts store for a replacement, as Jeep dealers charge far too much for this part.

Your mechanic is correct, the 4.0 liter engine is good for 200,000 miles easily.

I have the same jeep with 200,000 miles on it and it runs like new they r good trucks.

I too have the same Jeep. Could a cracked exhaust manifold cause the engine to suddenly run poorly? I also have 200,000 on my Jeep.

I am 17 years old and I'm looking for a Jeep Cherokee Classic. I have found one from an offroad body shop mechanic who has 6.5 inches lift on it. It's a 98 and has 200,000 miles on it. It's going for $3000. I know it has a lot of miles, but it's my dream Jeep, lifted and everything. Would it last a while longer, say 50,000 miles? It's most likely been taken good care of maintenance wise.

To the 17 year-old looking at the lifted Cherokee.

As a lifelong Jeep enthusiast & owner I would have to say stay away from a highly modified, high mileage Jeep such as this one, as you should start off with a lower mileage stock Jeep. Please remember that any older vehicle can be a money pit, but also a 6 1/2 inch lift can make the vehicle a handful to drive.

"I am 17 years old and I'm looking for a Jeep Cherokee Classic. I have found one from an offroad body shop mechanic who has 6.5 inches lift on it. It's a 98 and has 200,000 miles on it. It's going for $3000. I know it has a lot of miles, but it's my dream Jeep, lifted and everything. Would it last a while longer, say 50,000 miles? It's most likely been taken good care of maintenance wise."

That's a bit iffy. It might, but you have no way of knowing if he has ever rolled it or done any serious damage to it. If it's been off-roaded frequently, that would be counted as a abuse. It may last another 50,000, or it could be totally dead within a thousand. Plus my advice is that you never buy anything being sold at a body shop, because that is basically a dead give away that it has been in an accident. In any case, if you do decide to buy it, realize this, $3,000 is way too much money to pay for it.