Is a 1997 Jeep Cherokee Worth $5,000?

Michael Thompson

March 3, 2017

Is the XJ Jeep Cherokee Collectible?

I haven’t really announced it here, because no one really cares. But I own a 1997 Jeep Cherokee Sport 4×4. And recently someone asked if it was for sale. It really wasn’t, but I figured for the right price everything is for sale. So I told him $5,000.

He said ok and came for a test drive and through inspection. The next day he emailed me passing on the car. He didn’t even make an offer. He cited the Kelly Blue Book value was $2,200 and maybe he’d go up to $3,000 if it was in perfect condition.

But it got me thinking what they hell is my car worth? Is it of any value? Is it worth five grand or am I freaking out of my mind?

What are the selling for on Craigslist?

Go to Craigslist right now. Search Cherokee and minimum year; 1997 and maximum year 2001. In Washington D.C there are over 70 listed. All in various conditions, mileage, make, model, etc. The cheapest starts at $300 and the most expensive is $8,000. So I felt like my pricing of $5,000 was perfect. But I can’t wrap my head around the value of these in the market place. Are the in demand? Do people seek XJ Jeep Cherokees out?

But if you go to the land of Doug DeMuro and look on Autotrader the prices are totally different. The average price is much higher, and people are selling them for more then $8,000. But that’s the thing – are they selling or is it just their asking price?

What are the specs?

The car is a 1997 Jeep Cherokee Sport 4×4 with the 4.0-liter inline six-cylinder engine. I bought the car from the original owner in New Jersey (Cape May), and I still have the original window sticker on the car. The currently mileage is around 157,XXX miles, and it runs amazingly well.

Over past four years the serpentine belt, power steering pump, radiator, hoses, thermostat, head gasket, ignition wires, coolant, front brake lines, tires (4), brakes, rotors, catalytic convertor, oxygen sensor, cooling fan, wheels, and exhaust have all been replace. I have every service record for the Jeep since 2006!

It’s been well loved, my parents owned the car before me. It’s registered and inspected in the State of Virginia and everything is up to date on the car. I have the title to the car. The two issues with the car are the air conditioning need to be recharged, and the front left drivers fender flare is missing and will need to be replaced if you want to make it look like new.

What would you pay for a Jeep Cherokee?

I guess it’s not worth $5,000. Or is it? It can’t be worth only $2,000. That seems too low for a classic in the XJ. Or if you are interested you can just make me an offer. Comment below with your thoughts on the value.

2 comments

Justin Hughes says:

March 3, 2017 at 9:31 am

Yours, in near perfect operating condition with a cosmetic defect or two, should be worth around $5000, I think. $8000 would be for the perfect examples, which admittedly yours is not. Definitely more than $2000, though – I believe we paid $1700 for our unfinished Project MJ Comanche, which definitely needed some work (before the engine fragged, which was my fault).
But really, a car – or anything – is worth what someone is willing to pay for it. I’m selling some leftover aftermarket parts from my BRZ, and feeling this myself right now.

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1. Mikey says:
  
  March 3, 2017 at 1:19 pm
  
  Thanks Justin. You are totally right. Market dictates the price. The Jeep market is something I’m not familiar with.
  
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