Combining the First Car question with the Cherokee Question

So in my ongoing search for a first car for my daughter, I have an opportunity for a 1995 Jeep Cherokee for the low price of free. The best part is, it is in great shape, everything works, almost no rust, reasonable miles, etc. All I have to do is drive it from Florida to Pittsburgh. And I'll be there soon anyway, so all it will cost me is gas. I even have a place to stay half way home.

So, does this thing have ABS and Airbags? (kinda a deal-breaker for mom if it doesn't) It might be a great first vehicle. If not, I am not turning down a free Cherokee, so it will be a great winter car or flip.

Airbag - Driver Only

ABS - Rear ABS was optional in '95.

I know this because my Cherokee of Doom is a '95.

You'll want to check on the airbag... the 98 that just got buttberkeleyed on Tuesday did NOT have any airbags. From factory.

In reply to Swank Force One:

Really? Because drivers side airbags became standard in '95.

SyntheticBlinkerFluid wrote: In reply to Swank Force One: Really? Because drivers side airbags became standard in '95.

Airbags not on the build sheet, overall build of it was pretty strange in general. Imagine my annoyance when trying to find a wheel that didn't look out of place in it at the junkyard because the grip was destroyed, and finding nothing but airbag wheels.

Maybe it was special order? But IIRC all U.S. Spec trucks were to have drivers side airbags starting in '95.

That's so bizarre.

I'm looking hard at XJs for my son's first vehicle since he likes Jeeps but can't afford a Wrangler. But an airbag is a must, so I'll be sticking with the later models.

I bought an '01 for my boy's first vehicle and told him if he wrecked it, it'd probably kill him, so drive it accordingly.

Dubious safety aside, he loves that thing.

Tim Baxter wrote: I bought an '01 for my boy's first vehicle and told him if he wrecked it, it'd probably kill him, so drive it accordingly. Dubious safety aside, he loves that thing.

I can't speak to a side impact or rolling it... but i can tell you that it holds up REALLY well to being rear ended hard. And that the front half has so much mass and metal to it, it'll do pretty well if he runs into something.

Mine was totaled on Tuesday and killed two cars with it. They had to be towed. Cherokee drove home because it don't care.

Yeah, but I probably would have told him that no matter what it was :-)

Tim Baxter wrote: Yeah, but I probably would have told him that no matter what it was :-)

Well of course. Maybe tell him that YOU'LL kill him if he wrecks it though? Might be more accurate.

Can you ask the owner about the Airbag and ABS before committing? Or at least get the VIN?

Either way, seems like getting a free Jeep is worth the time. If it doesn't fit your requirements you can sell it and use extra funds toward the appropriate vehicle.

Swank Force One wrote:

Tim Baxter wrote: I bought an '01 for my boy's first vehicle and told him if he wrecked it, it'd probably kill him, so drive it accordingly. Dubious safety aside, he loves that thing.

I can't speak to a side impact or rolling it... but i can tell you that it holds up REALLY well to being rear ended hard. And that the front half has so much mass and metal to it, it'll do pretty well if he runs into something. Mine was totaled on Tuesday and killed two cars with it. They had to be towed. Cherokee drove home because it don't care.

Fair enough, but just remember, "holding up well" != "safe". Crumple zones are there for a reason.

True, and anecdotes probably not as important as actual testing.

The owner's aren't even sure about the year, but....Free Cherokee. I found some photos of it when the owner's bought it used in 2011. It has accrued about 1000 miles since, stored covered on a covered porch in Florida since.

All I need now is a ride from Jacksonville to Hudson, FL.

If it's in Florida, there may be fewer than 4 wheels driven. Two would be a common figure in a Florida Cherokee.

Maybe this matters to you, maybe it doesn't. But you might want to look into it.

I think you can see a diff in the front shot. Looks legit for $$Free-fifty

Looks good for free. Definitely 4WD.

I'll give you $10. Infinatly multiply your money!