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loves4joe

We are considering purchasing this car. Are there any difficulties/problems you are aware of with this make/model? Is there difficulty sourcing parts should there need to be repair in future? It is at $11,995, kms are 132,000. It will be mainly used for commuting to work with tools in the back and run-around on weekends.
Cheers.
C

ABayliss

The main problems we're aware of are electrical issues and in some cases, transmission and driveline problems, although generally, reliability seems fair.
The price being asked for this particular example seems in keeping with the listed dealer retail price. (ie; Not a bargain, but what you'd expect a dealer to ask).
As you are buying a vehicle as a daily driver/commuter vehicle, my biggest concern with a Cherokee would be the fuel economy. This vehicle will cost a lot in fuel.

loves4joe

Thanks for your prompt response.
Specifically another we are keeping our eye on is the 2007 Ford Escape XLT 4WD, any comment on this vehicle?
Are you able to recommend any other SUV 4WD type makes/models that you believe are more fuel efficient and would meet our basic needs commuting to work etc. We are also hoping to do a bit of off-road driving on the odd occasion in future, after some 4WD courses of course :)
Cheers.

ABayliss

The difficulty is balancing that matrix of factors such as reliability, fuel economy, age, mileage all in a vehicle that suits your needs.
These types of vehicle (ie; SUVs/4x4s) hold their value incredibly well if they meet all the above criteria.
For example, the Toyota Surf 3.0 diesel has a good reputation, is fuel efficient and presumably would suit your needs, but to find one in this price range it's likely to be an older model (1996/7ish?), with 200,000km plus.
The reason the Jeep seems cheap for what you're getting, is that it's not such a popular choice because it falls short on much of the criteria mentioned.
If you don't mind going down in size a little, perhaps something like a RAV4 might suit, but it's more of a soft-roader - not a rugged off-roader.
All in all, a Surf or perhaps Mitsubishi Pajero would be good choices if you can find one that meets most of the criteria - but it's unlikely to be 2002 with 135,000km on the clock.