Questioni have been looking at a 1998 Grand Cherokee with 200,000 miles on it for sale for 2,450, but the seller is willing to take 2,200 for it. How would having that many miles on it affect how long the "life span" of the vehicle would be. What is more likely to go wrong with it? Would it be worth it?
AnswerProper maintenance is critical with a vehicle with this many miles. I'd want to see ALL maintenance records; if the current owner can't prove an oil change at least every 5,000 miles, I'd pass. Transmission fluid and filter should have been changed at least twice, preferably three times, not to mention air and fuel filter changes every 50,000 miles. If suspension wear items such as wheel bearings, struts, CV or u-joints and tie rod ends haven't been replaced recently, plan on doing them yourself soon.
I don't have a problem with high-mileage vehicles as long as the owner can prove (with service invoices) that all the necessary maintenance has been performed when called for by the manufacturer.
As for whether or not it's worth it, I'd need to know a lot more about the vehicle. Whenever I ask this question, I never get the info I need, but here goes: what trim level? two or four-wheel drive? 6 or V8? What is the COMPLETE list of ALL optional equipment on the vehicle? What is the current physical condition, inside and out?
