Planning to buy a 2000 Jeep Grand Cherokee?

Question

My wife is looking for a truck and she found a 2000 Grand Cherokee automatic, but the truck has 200,000 miles on the transmission. It is a 6-cylinder automatic. We test-drove it and it was real smooth, a good ride, the dealer is selling it for 3,995.00$. The only bad thing besides the miles on it is that when I put it in gear (Reverse or Drive) it made a little thump sound as I changed gear. I didn't like it, but I didn't know if it was because there's something wrong with it, or if it was that they hadn't turned it on in a few days. But like I said, it runs good, very smooth, and everything. What do you think? Would it be a good idea to buy a well-running 2000 Jeep Grand Cherokee with 200,000K miles on it.

2nd question:

How much do you think a dealer would give me for my wife's 1999 Pontiac Grand Am?

4 Cylinder

Fixed security light problems- 300.00$

New tires- 250.00$

Well taken care of inside.

Ain't nothing wrong with it really.

Thank U.

Answer 1

Do not buy a Grand Cherokee with 200k on the clock. That's just a time bomb waiting to go off. The 4.0 litewr engine is probably good but everything else is near done.

Also, find Kelley Blue Book or NADA on the web to know what something's worth.

I calculate the Jeep is worth about $1800 in a private party sale and the Pontiac is about $1900.  

Answer 2

The clunk is fairly typical, even with nothing wrong, for the WJ Jeeps. At 200k though it probably has some worn parts. It could be in the drive line, or the rear suspension ball joint. We just traded our '99 with 145k, it was starting too really show it's age. Nothing that could not be fixed, but when the dealer quotes over $700 just to fix a seal in the transfer case, you have to think about what is ahead also. I would tend to think you will be in for some repairs at 200k, unless you can get the records and see what has been done to it.