This Jeep Cherokee Costs Half a Compass but There’s a Catch

You see, this classic 4x4 has a salvage title that's blamed on "a minor accident" dating back to last year. However, the vendor says that you shouldn't let it "deter you," as "this Jeep is ready for adventure."

Suppose you can get past its dirty secret. In that case, you will get a nice four-wheel drive high-rider that recently underwent maintenance, receiving a new battery, oil pan gasket set, valve cover set, fuel tank strap, fan shroud radiator, muffler, oil pressure gauge switch, water pump, new brakes, and others. It also has a new clutch and fresh tires, so it is ready to hit the road again.

Complementing the burgundy exterior, which sports chrome and black trim, is a red interior with a matching dashboard and carpets, which looks great for an unrestored vehicle that is almost forty years old. The red look all around might set some classic Jeep fans on a different path, but if you are into this lively hue, you are probably scratching your head while reading these lines and trying to decide whether you should buy it.

Depending on where it was sold, the XJ generation Jeep Cherokee was offered with multiple engines and transmissions, including manual and automatic units. This one packs a 2.4-liter four-cylinder lump that's mated to a five-speed manual transmission. Thus, you might be disappointed if you were hoping for an LS swap with a neck-snapping amount of power available via the loud pedal. However, if the fuel economy concerns you more, then it's probably the one for you.

Anyone looking at a used car is curious about the mileage, and according to the vendor, this old Jeep has seen a lot of action over the years. The odometer reads 132,659 miles (213,494 km). As for the asking price, you are looking at $16,900, which is certainly not bad for a clean-looking Cherokee. But as we already told you, it has a salvage title that you may want to look into if you plan to drive it home.

While nearly $17k was a lot of money back when this Jeep Cherokee rolled off the line, this sum wouldn't even get you America's cheapest new car, the Nissan Versa, today. As for the most affordable brand-new Jeep, it is the Compass, which starts at $25,900. Realistically speaking, you will have to fork out around $30k to buy one after factoring in the dealer fees and destination charge. So, do you think this Cherokee is worth the asking price?