1998 Jeep Cherokee Overview
Edmunds experts have compiled a robust series of ratings and reviews for the 1998 Jeep Cherokee and all model years in our database. Our rich content includes expert reviews and recommendations for the 1998 Cherokee featuring deep dives into trim levels and features, performance, mpg, safety, interior, and driving. Edmunds also offers expert ratings, road test and performance data, long-term road tests, first-drive reviews, video reviews and more.
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Consumer ratings and reviews are also available for the 1998 Jeep Cherokee and all its trim types. Overall, Edmunds users rate the 1998 Cherokee 4.3 on a scale of 1 to 5 stars. Edmunds consumer reviews allow users to sift through aggregated consumer reviews to understand what other drivers are saying about any vehicle in our database. Detailed rating breakdowns (including performance, comfort, value, interior, exterior design, build quality, and reliability) are available as well to provide shoppers with a comprehensive understanding of why customers like the 1998 Cherokee.
Vehicle
Classic 4dr SUV 4WD
Review
This is February, 2016. The car is a 1998 Jeep Cherokee Classic with 84K miles. REALLY. 84K. It's my 3d Cherokee. Prior a 2000 and a 2001 Cherokee Limited. I sold the 2000 to a friend when it had 160K. He reports just this week that he's at 245K and still going! The 2001 was much the same. These cars are, by my way of thinking, absolutely bulletproof. Now. 1998 Cherokee Classic. The only addition to the car is a set of 2000 Limited alloy 16" wheels. Other than that, just as it came from the factory. Within a week of this last purchase, the turn signals just stopped. I bought a $15.00 flasher relay, and back to the road! Of the three I have owned, this was the first electrical problem I have encountered. It handles like a Jeep. Not the best, but predictable as the sunrise. Never let me down. Goes where it's pointed. Never stuck, and NEVER left on the side of the road waiting for a tow. When the A/C is charged, you can almost hang meat in the front seats! The heater is capable of burning your feet. The radio is really not bad (the 2000 had the good stereo with door mounted tweeters and and amp under the back seat...that was REALLY great). I wish it had a CD, but I wish I were taller...neither of those things are going to happen, so the radio is fine. This is a SIMPLE car. Point/coil ignition. Climate control with cables. They're adjustable. Not like the vacuum operated controls. Manual 4WD engagement. Everything in the cabin is push-pull-click. No push-pull-click? Replace switch. Repeat. Read the gauges. DO REGULAR MAINTENANCE! Change the oil (You don't need a lift, or a jack). Don't forget the auto trans, transfer case and the two differentials (I do them every 50,000 miles, but I'm obsessive). Lube the suspension zirks. How hard is THIS? I guess I rant. But as long as I can get these, I'll keep buying them. They're getting rare, but they're findable (I made that word up) with a little searching. The car looks good. Anywhere. Party in the high end part of town? Fine. Running down a dirt road producing billowing clouds of dirt? Fine. Axle-deep snow? Smile. You look good and you ain't stuck! By the way, this is essentially a new car! The long and short of it is, this car is a throwback to a simpler time when things broke but could be fixed with a pretty sparse toolbox. My dad the engineer said these cars operated with "tractor technology". Under the hood it's all simple. February, 2017 UPDATE 15,000 miles later the usual stuff. The A/C evaporator, dryer, and heater core were replaced. After 3 of these cars, I think I can surmise that it's certain these components fail after 15 years. Had transmission flushed, and both differentials and transfer case drained and refilled. Fog lamp and rear window washer/wiper switches replaced. So one year out I've spent a little over $1,000.00 on maintenance items. Total into this car is $10,500 and I expect at least 3-5 more years before I sell it for $4,000.00.
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Edmunds Value
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Available Jeep Cherokee 1998 Submodel Types: SUV
Available Trims: Latitude, Limited, Latitude Plus, Trailhawk, Sport, Overland, Classic, Altitude, 75th Anniversary, SE, High Altitude, L Plus, Country, Laredo
Exterior Colors: Granite Crystal Metallic Clear Coat, Bright White Clear Coat, Billet Silver Metallic Clear Coat, Diamond Black Crystal Pearl Coat, Brilliant Black Crystal Pearl Coat, Deep Cherry Red Crystal Pearl Coat, True Blue Pearl Coat, Patriot Blue Pearl Coat, Hydro Blue Pearl Coat, Cashmere Pearl Coat, Anvil Clear Coat, Light Brownstone Pearl Coat, Eco Green Pearl Coat, Mango Tango Pearl Coat, Patriot Blue Pearlcoat, Stone White Clearcoat, Black Clearcoat, Firecracker Red Clear Coat, Flame Red Clearcoat, Forest Green Pearlcoat, Rhino Clear Coat, Lapis Blue, Black, Flame Red, Forest Green PC, Moss Green Pearlcoat, Silverstone Metallic Clearcoat, Stone White, Bright Jade Satin Glow, Bright White, Emerald Green Pearl Metallic, Midnight Blue Metallic, Moss Green Pearl Metallic, Pearl White Pearl Coat, Poppy Red, Recon Green Clear Coat
Interior Colors: Black cloth, Black leather/cloth, Black premium leather, Black premium cloth, Black leather, Black/Iceland Gray cloth, Black/Light Frost Beige leather, Black/Iceland Gray leather, Black/Light Frost Beige premium cloth, Agate, Black/Light Frost Beige cloth, Indigo Blue/Brown premium leather, Brown cloth, Black/Light Frost Beige premium leather, Brown leather, Brown premium leather, Indigo Blue/Brown leather, Camel
Popular Features: Fold Flat Rear Seats, Rear Bench Seats, Audio and cruise controls on steering wheel, Bluetooth, Post-collision safety system, Stability Control, Tire Pressure Warning, Trip Computer, Back-up camera, AWD/4WD, Aux Audio Inputs, USB Inputs, Remote Start, Alarm, Heated seats, Power Driver Seat, Upgraded Headlights, Upgraded Engine, Mobile Internet, Auto Climate Control, Multi-Zone Climate Control, Keyless Entry/Start, Power Liftgate/Trunk, Electronic Folding Mirrors, Leather Seats, Sunroof/Moonroof, Navigation, Parking sensors, Blind Spot Monitoring, Towing Hitch, Cooled Seats, Lane Departure Warning, Adaptive Cruise Control, Pre-collision safety system, 5000lb Towing Capacity, Upgraded Stereo
Engine/Mechanics: 6, 4 cylinders
Transmission: AUTOMATIC, MANUAL
Fuel Types: regular unleaded, flex-fuel (unleaded/E85)
Drivetrains: four wheel drive, front wheel drive, rear wheel drive
