killian1701

Hey there! i found a nice looking jeep cherokee, for around 800 bucks. i was told by the current owner, the thermostat body leaks, and that it needs a new head gasket..

I was told that it has good compression on 4-6 and low compression on 1-3 cylenders. I was told it overheats if its taken over 4 miles, (owner said that was due to the head gasket issue.)

it is a 1993 cherokee w/ automatic transmission, 2wd and the 4L engine. new tires, ac power everything..

what do you think the problems could be from? is she worth repairing? im disabled, but can afford some basic work.. would you invest in it? its going to be a daily driver. please reply quickly, the owner wont hold her for me for long.

killian1701

Black00XJ

I'm gonna say pass on it, it sounds like your looking for a good, cheap, reliable vehicle. If the gaskets dont fix it, your still sitting still..(if over 4 miles) and you'll be putting more into it

bmrrwolfe

It looks like it has a clean body, but at least in OH 2WD isn't worth anything..
Is he willing to go any lower then $800?

limegreentj

^ i agree..

also, sounds like a ton of engine bull****. you'd be better off to pull the engine and throw another one in, you never know how hammered on the old one was

Bustedback

Keep looking, you can find better with 4 wheel drive for the same price.

killian1701

the price was 1000 Or best offer. i MIGHT be able to talk them down to 500. WOrth it at that price? The problem i have, is there arent many cherokees around here to buy at ANY price, this was kind of a rare find. if you still think its a pass, ill pass.

bmrrwolfe

At $500 it could be worth it if your alright with 2WD. How many miles are on it? And are you handy with a wrench?

Rikkadog

What's the point if only 2 WD? I would say pass

mdcmn7

If you are looking for a DD then it will all depend on what you are willing to do to it. I got my 4x4 98 for $2700, it ran great, was inspected, handled nice, and had no visible rust.

Over the first 6 months it needed valve cover gasket, oil adapter gask, rear main replaced, new oil pan (rusted through), rear packs rebuilt, every tie rod end replaced, new thermostat, new guages, new vacuume ball, brakes all around, new wiper motor, new hatch shocks, all trans lines replaced, and a bunch of other stuff I dont remember just to get it running nice.

That doesent count the stuff like lifts and tires.

That was all pretty simple and relativly inexpensive stuff on a truck that the guy didnt maintain the last year. If you know what your getting into, then $500 or $800 might not be a bad deal. I have seen a lot of XJ's that sound like they are in worse shape go for a lot more than that on craigs list.

Just my .02, if you want something cheap and reliable, go for a corolla or a civic. My first corolla went 289k miles with only routine maintenance before my wife killed it, my second one went 186k before my wife killed it, and my third one is at 134k and running strong, my wife has crashed it 4 times and it is still running despite her. They all have only need routine maintence, got *****en gas mileage, and I can fit 18 2x4's in them and close the trunk, it is actually harder for me to fit that in the XJ

If you want something that is fun to drive, can get you anywhere, and enjoy (usually?) wrenching on it in the driveway then the XJ could be a great project. I love turning on the radio, opening a beer and having the neighbors come over so we can work on the truck. It is a blast

And, my wife thinks the jeep is too "bouncy" so she refuses to drive it. At least one vehicle is safe from her

Chuck

Chihlidog

IMO, a 2wd Jeep just isnt worth it in general, and especially not with all of those problems.

CAEMI

x2.

Roger this. 2wd in Ohio?? Ah, that would be No.

And never buy somebody else's headache unless you have the skill, means, and WILL to repair it yourself and know exactly what you're getting into. Paying professionals to do things like head gaskets will instantly make this the worst deal of your life even if the gasket is the ONLY thing wrong...and I'll bet Big Cash Dollars (BCD) it is not the only thing wrong with this one. For example...why did the gasket blow in the first place? I assure you, whatever caused it will not be cheap to fix, if it eve can be fixed.

Run away. Screaming.

Bustedback

Chuck, did you marry a woman or a wrecking crew? Keep her out of your XJ!

Caemi, I agree 100%. Might as well plan on replacing the whole cooling system, and who knows what other suprises will be found?

trailsend.lake

could be a can of worms, i think you should pass. You can find a good running 4x4 for the same price. i have a neighbor down at the other end of the lake that has a 94 2 door for 600.00.
the deals are out there, just keep looking

killian1701

Okays. I shall forget it