Hello all. I’m new to forum and looking for an XJ to tow with rv and take grandkids exploring. They are still young so nothing crazy right now. Don’t want to scare them. That being said I have been looking for a Jeep for the last few months now. Was looking at TJ’s and YJ’s at first but came to conclusion that an XJ fit the situation better. I have found a 89 XJ online and am going to see it tomorrow. Don’t know much if anything about Jeeps and little about 4WD vehicles. Been found a lot of research and have learned a bit. This is a 1 owner with 195k on odometer. Carfax certified. Totally stock highly optioned XJ. Up country package, tow package, Laredo trim. In pictures it looks amazing for a 31 yr old vehicle. CA born and raised car so rust shouldn’t be an issue. Although I will look closely. It is Automatic and has Select Trac transfer case. Price is fair from what I have seen since looking. Any opinions as to things to check for in inspection and test drive would be appreciated as well as thoughts on vehicle. I’m thinking I may have found something pretty special here. The owner even has original window sticker for vehicle. Can’t imagine him having the car and sticker for 31 yrs if he hasnt taken care of it. Any input is appreciated

 

Welcome!

My advice is go with your gut feeling, other members will tell you things to check in detail if you choose to but if it were me unless something was flagrant considering the one owner status with window sticker (which was important to me too) and you feel the price is fair I would buy it and not look back.

This purchase in my opinion doesn’t take the level of attention that the RV did, and it literally took more time to decide which ***** we wanted on the cabinets in our home than it did to rule in or out which Jeep to ultimately buy.

In other words you will know when you see it pretty quickly if you want to spend your money on it.

Sounds like a wonderful find and best of luck,


Eric

 

At that age, rust is a big concern. Look at the floor boards and "frame rails" underneath for rust. If you can see the bottom of the carpet, that's a bad sign.

 

It is a California car born and raised. Rust isn’t likely but I certainly plan to get underneath the vehicle as part of my inspection. It has spent its whole life in Southern California and has been garage kept according to owner.

 

Went and looked at and test drove the car today. Met a 75 yr old man who bought the XJ brand new when he was 44. I asked him what he did with a 4WD and he told me he fly fished and used it to get to some streams in the Sierra Nevada mountains to fish. This things looks brand new all but some paints chips on the plastic bumper caps and a few scratches on the bottom of the rear hatch. That’s why is dubbed it a time capsule. Interior is about flawless. He had all service records since he purchased the vehicle as well as the original owners manual and window sticker. Shop serviced from day one. Owner admittedly has no mechanical knowledge. Garaged always. And service at only two shops since new. The last one has been servicing it for last 25 yrs. I drove it 100 miles home to the high desert and it drove perfectly. No shakes, shimmy, no vibration at all in the steering wheel at any speed up to 75mph. I wanted a stock XJ so that I could do the mods I chose and hopefully get my grandkids involved in the build as they get older. Now I’m torn, almost seems wrong to alter the vehicle.

 

Congratulations! Let’s see some photos!

Eric

 

It got dark before I got home last night. I will post pics today if I can figure out how

 

It sounds like a good vehicle. Garage kept, one owner and professionally serviced are all good selling points. A lot of time, XJs are heavily modified if they have lasted until now. This should be a Renix-era Jeep unless the engine was changed along the way. This can be challenging to work on as most mechanics no longer have equipment that can read the computer outputs. That being said, there are plenty of them still around and this forum is great for help. Rear leaf springs tend to sag on these although the PO may have changed them over the years. I enjoyed my 87 up here in the rust belt and it was still relatively rust-free except for the floor in the back cargo area and the floors. I replaced those. The steel is good on these so if from California, it's probably good still.

Have fun with it!

 

Sounds like an amazing find. Keep us updated.

 

 

That XJ is SWEEEEET!

 

Nice!

Eric

 

I'd do anything to have a one owner, garage kept, Cherokee with service records and all. Whatever you do, do it right.

 

I appreciate the compliments. I was fortunate to find this one right when it popped up online. I have been watching the Internet sights for a couple months for prospects. I was actually first to call to see it and while I was inspecting and test driving the owner’s wife told my wife that another person was coming today to see it. That had nothing to do in my decision. The wife told me that on our way home with it. I’m sure they would have done exactly what I did and I would have missed it if he had the first appt.

 

That is absolutely amazing. If you want to modify it, please make sure it is tasteful and hopefully reversible. (We can't tell you what to do, it's your truck.) You will most likely never find another one like it.