Guys With Rides is pleased to offer this unique 1997 Jeep XJ Cherokee in a reserve-style, online auction on behalf of the private seller. Bidding opened Wednesday, May 25, and will continue for fourteen (14) consecutive days ending at 7:30 PM Eastern time on Wednesday, June 8, 2022.

This 1997 Jeep XJ Cherokee currently resides in Jacksonville, Florida.

(NOTE: Click on the picture to stop the slide show and expand the pictures. Scroll down to see all photographs)

Opening Bid = $1,500

While still under American Motors Corporation (“AMC”) and Renault’s combined management, designers started developing a smaller replacement for Jeep’s SJ Cherokee. Development accelerated when management learned GM was busy designing the new S-10 compact SUV and pickup line.  When it debuted for the 1984 model year, unit-body construction helped the new XJ be 1,200 pounds lighter, 31 inches shorter, six inches narrower, and four inches lower than the Cherokee SJ it replaced.

In addition to unitized construction, engineers combined a ladder-boxed chassis integrated into the monocoque unit rather than relying on traditional separate body-on-frame construction. The design was rigid and sturdy and lightweight enough to facilitate the use of AMC’s new 2.5-liter/150-cubic-inch four-cylinder engine, which was really a Pontiac “Iron Duke” four. Optional and much more desirable was a modernized version of AMC’s virtually indestructible 252 cubic inch inline-six.

Jeep marketed XJs as Sportwagons, a precursor to the modern sport utility vehicle (“SUV”) before that term came into vogue. The XJ spawned competitors as other automakers noticed the design cannibalizing sales from traditional station wagons and later on, minivans. Built-in various trim levels through 2001, the Jeep XJ Cherokee earned a reputation for off-road toughness that has even earned the respect of ardent CJ/XJ/TJ “Jeep Peeps”.  It’s becoming increasingly difficult to find unmodified examples of XJ Cherokees, so the example being auctioned here is special.

This Jeep Cherokee is not your typical Rad Era XJ.  This is a right-hand-drive model originally exported to Japan as a top-of-the-line “Country Edition” before being imported back to the U.S. for service by a local postal carrier.

The current caretaker reports their unique XJ features fresh leather power seats, heated power mirrors, power antenna (an Export-only option) factory Mopar skid plates, upcountry suspension, infinity sound system, and overhead console. It has the 4.0L straight 6 and NP242 transfer case. The seats, carpet, and headliner have all been reupholstered in the last 6 months.

The seller notes their unique right-hand drive XJ features a number of “Easter Eggs” specific to the Japanese market that will be the talk at any Cars & Coffee or Jeep event you drive this ride to.  Besides the labels in Kanji, we note the unique side marker lights and power antenna.

The complimentary CarFax® confirms this 1997 Jeep Cherokee XJ was reimported to the U.S. While the report warns about possible odometer rollback, it’s clear from the U.S. history someone incorrectly logged the miles as this vehicle’s odometer remains in Kilometers.

To review the CarFax, please click on the picture below. When finished, click on your browser’s back button to return back to this listing:

GuysWithRides contracted with Lemon Squad to secure a complimentary Pre-Purchase Inspection (“PPI”). The results of the independent third-party inspection can be found by clicking on the picture below. The inspector did a thorough job noting paint defects in the pictures attached within the report as you scroll through it.  When finished, click on your browser’s back button to return back to this listing:

To help you make informed bids, Classic.com, the analytics and search engine for the Classic Car market, provides an interactive graph of recent comparable sales in the past year. By clicking on the green dots, you can navigate to each comparable car sold as a way to help you make an educated bid on the car we are featuring for auction here:

Here’s the Exterior Photograph Gallery.  Click on a desired picture to expand it and then navigate between all of the other pictures

Here’s the Interior Photograph Gallery.  Click on the desired picture to expand it and then navigate between all of the other pictures.

Here’s the Underhood and Undercarriage Photograph Gallery.  Click on the desired picture to expand it and then navigate between all of the other pictures.

Here’s the Tires & Wheels Photograph Gallery.  Click on the desired picture to expand it and then navigate between all of the other pictures.

Here’s the Documentation Photograph Gallery.  Click on the desired picture to expand it and then navigate between all of the other pictures.

If you have any questions about this 1997 Jeep XJ Cherokee, please leave a comment below or feel free to call Rudy directly at 877-468-6497.  Thank you for looking and happy bidding!