Greeting and some XJ questions

[Root Moose]

No worries, ask away.

As for common oil leaks, the oil pan and/or rear main seal are common on higer mileage one. Another even more common one is the oil filter adapter housing. If you can get the tork bolt out, it's a cake to do with 3 new o-rings (dealer and aftermarket have the 3 o-ring kit). I built my own tool to make this easy to do and just did it on my 2000 back in Dec. Greatly cut down on the main leak.

Mike nailed the most likely leak points. In addition the rear of the valve cover can have a tendency to leak and work it's way down to the back of the engine as well. These are robust engines. A little leak is not a big deal. All the normal caveats apply - sight unseen and all that.

If the Jeep hits all the other criteria that you are looking for then I wouldn't let this leak stop you from buying it. Worst case it is the rear main seal and you'll spend a messy, time consuming afternoon replacing it.

 

[BIGdaddy]

Mike nailed the most likely leak points. In addition the rear of the valve cover can have a tendency to leak and work it's way down to the back of the engine as well. These are robust engines. A little leak is not a big deal. All the normal caveats apply - sight unseen and all that.

If the Jeep hits all the other criteria that you are looking for then I wouldn't let this leak stop you from buying it. Worst case it is the rear main seal and you'll spend a messy, time consuming afternoon replacing it.

I don't care what they say about you canadians...You're alright in my book, Chris.

:coffeedrink:

 

[Root Moose]

LOL

Now what did I do?!

 

[BIGdaddy]

LOL

Now what did I do?!

haha. nothin', just playin.

you get a double word score for using caveat and robust in the same paragraph, though, i think...:victory:

 

[Purzell]

First of all, you all are great. I appreciate the guidance.

Do you folks find that Kelly Blue Book is not a good guide when it comes to pricing these? It seems that where I am the prices are a little to well over blue book. I'd like to make an offer on this truck at the dealership but the price is almost $2K over blue book and not worth that I don't think, unless I am deluding myself.

Is there a better way or guide to gauge how much to offer on one of these?

 

[Root Moose]

Don't shop at the dealer. There is no value in buying a vehicle of this vintage from a dealer, especially a dealer that deals in new cars with the used cars section as a way to liquidate stuff that they've taken on trade.

If you are not comfortable with buying from a private party then research the hell ouf of the vehicle so you know what to look for then take the Jeep to an indy mechanic that you trust with a list of things for them to check out above and beyond what they would normally do.

You might find a good value at some hole in the wall used car place that is not affiliated with a dealership but that is a crap shoot. Caveat emptor (sorry, Brian )

You can find good values in XJs by browsing the used adverts online. I guess in the 'States Craiglist is big. Up here it is Kijiji - dunno about where you are. Dealing with "people" can have it's own issues though. Lots of flakes and retards out there.

Where are you? There can be regional pricing differences too.

All this said, I bought my XJ at a dealership as a used vehicle and paid too much for it. Two year old Jeep with the colour and transfer case I wanted with 55,ooo kms. Probably paid about $3,ooo too much ($18k for a $15k Jeep - this was in 2003). I knew this at the time. But after six months of not finding what I wanted or to find what I wanted that was beat to snot or was an ashtray inside I said screw it and bought my Jeep in spite of the price. Sometimes you have to do that.

HTH

 

[Root Moose]

Just thought I'd mention... now that I've been thinking about when I bought my Jeep.

The price a dealer has listed is a "asking" price. When I bought my Jeep I had dickered off almost $2,ooo.

So, talk to the dealer. Maybe you can get the Jeep for the price you want to pay. Just say up front that you know the KBB is $2k less than what they are asking.

 

[BIGdaddy]

Don't shop at the dealer. There is no value in buying a vehicle of this vintage from a dealer, especially a dealer that deals in new cars with the used cars section as a way to liquidate stuff that they've taken on trade.

If you are not comfortable with buying from a private party then research the hell ouf of the vehicle so you know what to look for then take the Jeep to an indy mechanic that you trust with a list of things for them to check out above and beyond what they would normally do.

You might find a good value at some hole in the wall used car place that is not affiliated with a dealership but that is a crap shoot. Caveat emptor (sorry, Brian )

You can find good values in XJs by browsing the used adverts online. I guess in the 'States Craiglist is big. Up here it is Kijiji - dunno about where you are. Dealing with "people" can have it's own issues though. Lots of flakes and retards out there.

HTH

Quoted for the truth. As Chris said, I see no need to go to dealer for this particular vehicle. The used marketplace is full of good examples.

X2 on the location, it would help a lot to know where you are,and heck we could even use the web to help you look.

I looked for about 3 months at different rigs, and man, was there a range in condition. I looked at a nice 95, and by nice, I mean from like 20 ft away. that thing was a basket case everywhere else...haha!

It was a day before my rental car needed to be returned (sold my vintage subie and rented a ford focus to drive in the meantime) that I found the 92 I have now. It was a one owner rig, that was cared for, garaged, and babied on the inside. The only reason it was leaving was cuz the owners had just bought their second grand cherokee and didn't use the XJ anymore.

I got it for $2000.00 which after almost a year of ownership, having never had it fail on me, and being able to do all my own work...has always felt like a great investment.

Don't think you need to "finance" to find a great rig. a couple grand is enough, with a good search (and patience) to find you a good rig.

 

[Root Moose]

I know that locally I can find really nice XJs all day long for under $5,ooo. Workable ones are about half that (for the most part - also factor in I'm speaking in CDN $$). Exceptions to every rule and the salt belt (where I am) destroys vehicles.

 

[Black Dog]

No problemo, alex. I'm fairly positive I'm going to get the detours tailbone. its a different type of approach to a tire carrier. Pretty cool and VERY stout.

http://www.detoursusa.com/tailbone.php (I think that's right)

Jeez, this is creepy. This jeep from the Detours site is almost identical to mine (I don't have a tire carrier yet). Same color and body style, same wheels and tires.

 

[BIGdaddy]

what do you think of that setup? pretty interesting huh? I'm all about keeping the XJ looking like an XJ whenever possible, so I really like it.

 

[Black Dog]

That is pretty cool that they can adapt a tire carrier to the stock bumper, but I'm a bit disappointed that they don't have their full bumper any more. I liked the optional diamond plating and it was neat that they wrapped around the side of rear corners to give you a little bit of protection. One place too that the stock rear bumper is lacking is the sheet metal, its so thin that it gets bent easy when you use a hi lift with it, but dings like that are badges of honor for a jeep. :ylsmoke:

 

[Purzell]

Location location location

Hey all...I am located in Sacramento, CA and if you know a place to look besides where I am looking, well hook me up! I sold my car today so I am ready to buy a truck! :wings: (I will admit that I sent an email on a 4Runner...but I'd rather have the lower mile XJ than a close to 200,000 miles 4Runner.)

I have been rabidly checking:
www.craigslist.org
www.crazedlist.org (let's you check multiple craigslists)
www.cars.com
www.autotrader.com
this site and ADVrider.com

I'll spend up to $5500 for the right 1997-2001 body style Cherokee in good condition with 100,000 miles give or take a few. Prefer stock Jeeps.

I'm going to go back to the dealership and test drive the 1997 on Thursday. I stopped to see it yesterday on my way back from Tahoe and it was pretty nice, not perfect though and not worth $2K over blue book. It has been on the lot at that dealer since about Jan 15.

So please, if you see or hear of anything give me a shout! Thanks!

 

[Root Moose]

With the budget you have I'd hold out for the right truck. For that kind of money you should be able to a very good condition, low mileage XJ.

I'm partial to the 2000-2001 for the DIS. 1999 was the first year for the revised intake manifold - also the last year for the high pinion front axle. Other than those points any year is a good year. Depends on what you want to do with the Jeep.

 

[mudbutt]

Yeah, just keep looking around. I found my '98 XJ on Autotrader.

It was at a used car dealer and they had just posted the ad. Didn't even have pictures up yet and I bought it sight unseen.

I sent the wife down to put a deposit on it and I picked it up after work that day.

$5k for a truck with 48k miles on it. One small door ding and a cigarette burn in the drivers seat were the only two flaws on the entire rig.

I have the Detours tailbone..... I highly recommend it. Sturdy, easy to install, cheaper to purchase than most, and it retains the factory look.

Here's how she sits now: