Ever wonder why someone you know has a Jeep Cherokee or why they would decide to buy a vehicle that is no longer made? Here are a few reasons why:
1) They keep going.
In the collection of Jeep Cherokee’s between my best friend, his family and mine we all own 13 Jeep Cherokees collectively. One has surpassed 350K miles, one is within 20K miles of surpassing 300K miles and another is over 250K miles and all are still daily drivers.
2)They are tough.
Late last year my mom’s 93 Jeep Cherokee Country caught fire in the engine compartment. Most people including her insurance, wrote it off as beyond fixing. With some donor parts and a few new parts it was good as new. A friend of mine I go off roading with rolled his modified 92 Jeep Cherokee three times a few years ago. After turning it right side up and letting it sit for a few minutes, he added the needed fluids and cranked it up.
3)You’re not limited.
A four wheel drive Cherokee can do some amazing things, even as a stock vehicle. The first time I took mine off roading I was completely stock. One of the trails I went on everyone was having trouble getting up. It did take me three times and some tire rubber to get up the trail but I did it. Now, I have been known to go over curbs and over ditches if that’s the only way for me to keep going.
4)Easy to work on.
If a lady can do it then most people can. It’s easy to change out a radiator, change the oil, the air filter, battery and even the drive shafts. Of all the vehicles I have owned (from Fords to Hondas) this has been the easiest one to work on.
5)Locating parts.
Majority of the parts are easy to locate whether new or used. Parts stores, junk yards and Ebay will have them.
6)Affordable.
I bought mine for $850 off of Ebay and traveled to Florida to pick it up and take a mini vacation in Daytona Beach. My mom bought hers for $1,500 and I’ve been told by people I meet they have paid less than $1,000 for theirs and fixed minor things.
7)Popularity.
Jeep Cherokees are still quite popular. They are known for there reliability and durability and because of those things most people hold on to theirs until there is absolutely no life left in them.
8)Fun.
Jeeps are fun vehicles. You can take them places most vehicles cannot go.
9)Adventurous.
Jeeps are adventurous vehicles. They love to go off roading, climb over rocks, play in the mud and go through the woods.
10) Easy and affordable to modify.
If you are thinking about doing some serious off roading adventures, Jeeps are easy to modify. If you are on a budget like me, I was able to get some basic modifications done in a years time. A lot of parks recommend a rig have at least a 3″ lift and if possible 33″ tires. Even when I had less than 33″ tires I still could do some things with the bigger rigs.
Lift kits are affordable and for a reasonable price you can purchase bigger tires for off roading. I purchased my 3″ Rough Country one five years ago for about $150.
My first set of off roading tires were the Maxxis Buckhots, 31″ mudder tires that I paid $460 for. Compare that to regular street tires where you will pay close to the same. My next set I upgraded to the Dick Cepek Crushers that cost $850.
Late last year I purchased a custom made drive shaft off of Ebay by a well known long time in business company for under $200. Compare that to purchasing a new regular drive shaft.
So with this being said, if you are an outgoing, fun and adventurous person a Jeep Cherokee may be for you. Of course in my situation I am in the dilemma of all three of my kids fighting over who will get my Jeep Cherokee…