XJ Sam

Hey everyone,

New to this forum. I am about to buy another XJ. I have owned a few in the past, but they were early 90's models. I am going to look at another today.

Its a 1998 Sport Patriot Blue. Link to Craigslist posted below. Appears to be clean inside and out. Small dent in the passenger fender, maybe a small rip in the drivers seat from the pics.

The mileage is at 200K. Being familiar with the 4.0L, the mileage doesn't really scare me off, but I certainly wouldn't pay $3500 for it. If everything checks out, I will probably pick this thing up today.

My question is, I know a lot of things to check for on any XJ when buying, rust in the floor pans being one of my main concerns. Checking all the lights, functions, power options making sure they work. What I really want to know is, what type of maintenance could I be looking at with 200K if I buy this thing? I don't think I had an XJ with this type of mileage except my last 91, but I only kept it for a short period and never had anything wrong with it. (Other than splitting a rear axle yoke off-road, twisting the cage right out of a carrier bearing only to find rollers laying in the bottom of the diff housing )

So any advice on picking this thing up, maintenance, price, or just whatever I am open to anything. I was thinking about offering $2500. Just don't see myself paying $3500 for this thing.

I have a 4.5" lift and a set of Rubi wheels waiting to go on an XJ. Hopefully, I will come away with this one. The color is my favorite. Link posted below to ad. Thanks in advance everyone!

http://roanoke.craigslist.org/cto/3834204346.html

Gee oh Dee

Any parts that can wear...check them.

Bushing, ball joints, ujoints, etc.

Just like looking at any used vehicle.

CCKen

Looks nice, but remember: Lipstick powder & paint makes a lady what she aint.

See if he was complete maintenance records. Has he changed the front axle U-joints and hub bearings? Drive shaft(s) U-joints? TC fluid, tranny fluid, diff fluids, etc.? Rear shocks - see if the rear shock upper bolts are still there.

If it has lived in VA all its life there may not be much rust on the under carraige but make sure he hasn't hidden it with undercoating.

Check the engine bay. If it's spotless he may have pulled a used car lot trick of removing evidence of leaks by cleaning it.

Listen to it run at start-up and at full operating temp. Does it start right up or does it take forever to light off? Pull the tranny dipstick and touch it to a piece of white paper to check the color of the ATF. Smell the dipstick ATF to see if it smells burnt.

Check under the oil filler cap to see if it's sludged up. Checking the oil dipstick is usesless - it may have new oil in the pan. See if he is using a Fram oil filter.

There's thousands of things to check but as a previous XJ owner this is not your first rodeo so you'll know what to look for.

Good luck.

XJ Sam

Hahaha, That is true.

Thanks for the feedback so far. I am currently making a list of things to check. I just wanted some feedback to make sure I get all I can. As CCKen mentioned, it isn't my first rodeo with XJ's, but when I haven't owned one or much less bought one for the past 7 years or so, a good refresher helps from member feedback.

Firestorm500

Quote: "See if he is using a Fram oil filter."

Are you awarding extra points for that?

muskrat

Deducting points!

Firestorm500

Aw, this thing has only got 200K miles on it. It's still a baby.

We all know that AMC and Chrysler over-engineered these.

What could go wrong?

RTorrez1

It is a nice looking Jeep but they are asking a little to much. At least for where I'm located. I don't know what they normally go for in your area. When I picked up my 98 4 or 5 years ago I picked it up for $2800 and it only had 89,000 miles on her. I would ask like you said, Start at $2500 and go from there. Good Luck on the bargaining.

XJ Sam

X2. I can't stand Fram filters.

As far as price around here, they usually do sell a bit higher. But, I'm still not paying $3500 for it. Average around here, 150K miles as long as its clean inside an out is going to be $4500 to 5K starting out.

Just saw a super clean 2001 with 125k go for 6K easy. We have plenty of mountains and trails, not to mention we do get snow and things in the winter so people are always looking for Jeeps around here and they sell fast.

HudsonN

Ad sounds too desperate to sell it in my opinion. I always try to avoid the ads that scream "buy it now".

Lowrange2

Why? Sometimes folks need cash in a hurry.

XJ Sam

I can see where both of those statements could be true.

After talking with him though, I don't think he is in a hurry. I offered to come look at it yesterday with cash in hand ready to buy if it checks out. He said he was working late until 7, but then he also had plans and couldn't do it.

I would assume if he were desperate to get rid of it, he would have dropped the plans in hopes of a quick sale and be done with it.

98REDXJ2

looks picture nice. I bet its not as nice in person and notice how he took pictures while its wet which make it look a bit better. It has 200K miles. Id give hime maybe 2,000$ MAX

CCKen

Just speaking on behalf of Cruiser "Fram" 54...

Radi

I hear he spent the weekend spraying bedliner on his stock of Wix filters to make them work better.