TonyPa

I didn't know where to post this.
I am going to look at a 1990 Jeep Cherokee tomorrow. It's a 4.0/auto. A little over 200 thousand miles on it. He said the motor was changed three years ago, but doesn't know the mileage.
He says it runs very well, just inspected. Uses it daily.
The only thing it does, is once in a while when he starts it, the idle goes up very high, around 2300rpm, and stays there.
Then sometimes it doesn't? Sounds odd??
He wants 1500.00!!
Is this too high? IS there anything these Cherokees' do that I should know about or look for? Thanks in advance! And the idle thing? Is this a common thing they do?

97AT4x4XJ

is it 4x4?

Char92dj8

This Probably should be in Cherokee chat just a fyi.
But it Sounds like its a decent deal... idle problem might just
Be a bad sensor. He wants 1500... offer him a grand and see where it goes.

Natedg&2

This

I wouldn't pay more than a grand for it with that mileage and the idle problem. My 96 only had a bad cat and less mileage when I bought it. He went from 1350 to 750. It can pay to shop around if you have the time.

TonyPa

Sorry about posting in the wrong area.
He said the price was firm!
He said he thought it was a throttle positioning sensor? I dunno.
It is 4x4.
He just put brand new tires on it. Seem like larger than normal tires. Just inspected, and he drives it daily.
And told me he could bring it here, and have me put it in my garage, and go over it.
He is easy to deal with. The miles scare me a bit. I don't know the 4.0's. Or the trannys.
He said there is no rust anywhere, and the underneath is like new.
Its all in black primer though.
Here's a photo:

Char92dj8

The 4.0 is a beastly motor that can take a beating.
Some say it's bullet proof... ide say its more like bullet resistant, any engine brakes down or needs work at some point Lol
There great motors no doubt.
he wont take anyless then 1500 ?

Phantom1

my 99 cost 2200.00 with 42k on the clock. Needed 4 tires and a battery. I figure I got a good deal. The idle could be a TPS, or not!! get a repair book, Chiltons or equal. Check out the tire size, as that will effect the fuel mileage. 1500.00 may be OK, but have a mechanic or someone who knows check it over, inside and out.

OleBlue

Theres a few possibilities the idle problem could be. Probably a sticky Idle air control sensor if it only happens sometimes. TPS is a likely cause as well. Each of these parts is around 70-100$

With brand new tires, that jeep is worth around 1k-1200 with the idle problem. If the idle problem was fixed max would be 1500 and thats if the body is straight and interior is nice. IMHO

The 4.0 is a great engine and the aw4 is an even better transmission. Dont be scared of the mileage, most of these jeeps last to 275k+. Hell, mine is at 260 and i have hydrolocked it once.

salad

Could be sticky IAC, worn TPS, or even a vacuum leak. An intermittent idle issue something that probably every 4.0L will experience at some point, and high idles are pretty easy to fix.

That one pic is pretty tiny but I don't see any blemishes on the rockers. Check absolutely everything for rust. Are those rims aluminum? A/T tires or just streets? They look like 235/75R15.

Make sure the fluids are all good, and engine sounds fine.

To me $1500 for a rustless XJ that's ready to drive would be a deal.

freegdr

Check floor boards for rust holes also.

TonyPa

thanks for the input guys. He did say the truck has no rust at all. It originally came from down south. He did offer for me to take it in my garage, and jack it up...etc. He even said the rockers were like new. Which I thought was odd.
I didn't know about the idle thing. I guess it don't worry me as much as I thought it should.
He did say the engine was replaced about three years ago, and runs strong and quiet. I have know way of proving that though I guess.
Yeah, I know it seems a bit high. The rest I am seeing are beat up pretty bad near me in Pa.
He just had it inspected a few months ago, and the emissions done. I offered to trade him my 71 4 door valiant, just to see what he would say. He is considering it. I don't use my Valiant. Nice clean car, but not worth much.
SO I may get it without putting out money, and trading my extra car. LOL

Turbo X_J

Time to run away!

TonyPa

Ohhhh???

salad

He means its probably too good to be true...

BimmerJeeper

200k on a 22 year old car? $1500? RUN.

My advice: You want to start with as nice as possible. You'll pay one way or another.
It's way cheaper to buy something nice for a few bucks more than to fix up something rough.

In only the 2 weeks since I bought my 125k miles 1998 XJ for $2200, I have seen a dozen better candidates on CL.
Mint interior. Lower mileage. More recent repairs. Better tires. Zero rust. Everything.
All for not too much more than I paid anyway. I should have paid $1500 max for that XJ, in hindsight.

Do not rush. After watching for a few weeks, I now see that XJ's are a dime a dozen, and sellers can't even GIVE these things away.
NO ONE wants these old trucks. It's just easier to lease a brand new truck for $300/mo. I have seen some of these ads listed for over a month.

Don't just get one that's "ok". I mean, it's not the end of the world, BUT, for $2000-$3000, you can get an 1998-2001 XJ that is mint outside, mint inside, has under 150k miles, never abused, never off-roaded.
You might even find one with tons of recent work you won't need to do. All sunk money for the seller.
I bought my XJ for $2k, and will be in it for $6k total, and will never be able to sell it for more than $3k. THAT is the XJ you want to buy!

I've already dropped $1000 on brakes, suspension, and exhaust. Tires will be another $500.
So, I will easily be into this thing for over $4000 before that list above is settled.
(Then I will drop another $2k in common XJ repairs to make it "nice", but that would happen with any used XJ)

$2000 145k
$2100 121k tons of new parts
$2199 90k
$2400 112k
$3500 85k