1994 Jeep Cherokee Country Sport Utility 4-door 4.0l on 2040-cars

How do I even begin to describe this Jeep?  For the past 10 years, she has been the most reliable and hardworking vehicle that I could have ever hoped for when I was looking for my first car at the age of 15.   Edna Jean, as my family and I have fondly dubbed this old but dependable Cherokee, has faithfully served me on my journey from my home in South Carolina to college in Virginia and Connecticut, and now to the beginnings of my professional life in New York City.  This car would surely be by my side for years to come, if not for the high parking fees and stressful driving conditions associated with having a car while leaving on the island of Manhattan.  Edna Jean was born to run free in the country, and it is my dream that someone will see her value and care for her as much as I have.

 This is not to say that she is without her problems.  At nearly 185,000 miles, Edna Jean is showing her age.  Although the car has driven the entire length of the East Coast from Maine to Florida, in snow, rain, and sunlight, the mechanical wear of so many miles is taking its toll.  In recent months, especially during abrupt changes in weather, the engine is slow to start, and a small cloud of blue smoke can be seen when she is stopped at a red light or a toll booth.  After a recent fix, she does not leak oil or any other fluids, but the AC system needs to be charged with refrigerant and perhaps repaired.  Air will still blow on high, but it is not cool enough for a hot summer in the city.  There also may be a problem with one of the electrical switches for the AC, as the air will only blow on high or not at all.  Her tires and brakes have been replaced recently, but she is due for a small alignment as the steering wheel pulls slightly to the right.  These mechanical problems may sound overwhelming, but this car is a true workhorse, and she has never left me stranded somewhere. I still drive the Jeep almost everyday to look for street parking spots, and Edna starts and handles even the biggest traffic jams and New York highways with ease.  (Honestly, these Jeep engines are insanely powerful)

 As with any car that has been around for 20 years, this car has its fair share of battle scars.  The most obvious of these cosmetic problems can be found on the front passenger side fender, where the metal is dented, the reflector is broken, and the plastic trim is missing a few small parts (please see photographs.) This dates from an incident seven years ago, when my youthfulness at the healm of an inline 6, 4.0L engine on a rainy day led me into a ditch on the side of the road at 40 mph.  In true Jeep fashion, Edna Jean was still running when I hit, and I was able to back her out of the ditch and drive her straight home.  In addition to this dent and a few other exterior markings, the northern weather has begun to remove the clear coat in the driver side rear corner of the car, and the beginnings of a small amount of rust can be seen.  Please see the  photographs for other exterior cosmetic problems, such as wear on the trim around the windows and the roof rack, and glued passenger side mirror. 

 The interior of the Jeep has always been extremely comfortable during my long drives to various parts of the East Coast, but it does not look like it once did during Edna’s golden years.  Although it is still clean with no major spills or stains, there are other problems that you will notice on the interior.  After years of trying to repair the drooping headliner with one “miracle solution” after another, I removed the upholstery and the foam underlay, in order to be able to raise my head without feeling the cloth and foam dust all around me.  I have also repeatedly tried to reattach the rearview mirror in its proper place on the windshield, but to no avail each time.  Maybe you will have more luck with that.  There is one small puncture on the driver’s side seat, but other than that the upholstery is in good condition.  There are also a number of homemade modifications to the physical interior of the Jeep that might be recognizable.  The hood release latch cable was recently broken, thanks to a few heavy-handed mechanics during an oil change, so my Dad and I replaced it with a cabinet doorknob that is attached and operable.  Another modification was about trying to repair the trajectory of the driver’s side door swing, so a rubber “bumper” bolted to the lower side of the door frame helps to raise the door and ensure it latches fully.  In short, everything on the interior works, just not necessarily the way it was intended to from the factory.

 I hope the mechanical and cosmetic problems that I have described here do not deter you from making the purchase.  It is a great car, able to be driven home today, and with a little love it will keep on serving you faithfully as it did for me for years to come.  The asking price is $900.00, but I am willing to negotiate if Edna Jean is going to a good home.  The car is located in New York City (Manhattan / Lower East Side), and the buyer is responsible for picking up the car or paying for shipping / transportation fees.  If required, I can also deliver the car for a fee to certain destinations in New York, New Jersey, and Connecticut.