thaclav

I'm buying a '96 Cherokee country sometime in the next few days. I'm really excited because it's my first car (I'm 16 and got my license like 6 months ago). It's in pretty good condition too, unfortunately its got a kinda bad dent in the left rear quarter panel but I can live with it. I'll post pics as soon as I get it.

XJ Stryker

hmmmm. Come on more details we don't want you to get screwed. Don't pay more than 2500 for a 96.

BlueXJ

Stryker he has other posts that describe it IIRC.

thaclav

http://sfbay.craigslist.org/sfc/cto/875412626.html Thats the ad for the one I'm looking at. Lotsa new components and pretty well taken care of. The only thing that makes me a little worried is the brakes squeak a little bit. The owner thinks it's from brake dust, but I'm wondering if there's something up with the rotors. Does $2500 sound fair for it or should i haggle it down a little more?

BlueXJ

I'd offer $2200 and be willing to go to $2400 but the body damage would be my bargaining chip. Brakes may need a complete overhaul but that is a consumable so not a great bargaining chip. JMHO.

thaclav

Thanks for the advise. We talked about something in the $2500 range when asking was $2850 so I'm going to see if i can haggle it down a few hundred more dollars. If he just had the brakes done, would they still need work to stop the squeaking? Like if he took it to a shop to get the pads done would they check that too?

jamaicanmecrazy

BlueXJ,
It runs and drives and he's 16 and it's wired for and iPOD! He's all set. <grinz>

Seriously the iPOD connector is $99

I have an iPod but never used it. After $1000 for an exaust I like the sound of the engine LOL

XJ Stryker

Wired for an IPOD is not an improvement hell it may cause you problems if it was some back yard wiring.

Crawl underneath the vehicle if there is a leak that could be an expensive rearmain job. although it is an easy home fix!

Check the Exhaust manifold for the very front bottom bolt they always snap off that can be an expensive shop fix too but yet easy at home. There is a ton of stuff to look for on a vehicle with 140K on the clock. Always check the oil dipstick if it is Burnt at all just look for another jeep. The engine won't last much longer. 2500 is fair for that Jeep it does look nice and will be a great starter for you.

thaclav

I'm pretty sure he had it wired for the iPod when he had a new sterio put in. As far as I know its just a cable that comes from an AUX jack on the back of the radio that runs out from under the dashboard. I'll definately be sure to check on that though. I crawled under it briefly to check for leaks and I didnt see any. But having friends who are pretty good mechanics is gonna work out well if anything does arise. I checked almost everything I could think of, the oil level is good, and I don't think the end of the dipstick is burnt but I'll check again. Never thought to check that bolt on the manifold though. The bad thing is I'm already looking for upgrades and stuff like that which I cant afford right now. I don't think I'll lift it mostly because I live in the city and anywhere I could take it off road is going to be far away (Damn left wing liberals in the bay area don't even believe mountain bikes should be allowed on dirt, much less Jeeps) but you never know.