Hello All,

I recently came across a deal on a 98 6cyl, Auto, 4WD, 4dr XJ. I currently have a 92, 6cyl, 5spd, 2wd. I love it to death but, this is too great deal of a deal to pass.

My question is, what are your thoughts Pro's & Cons about the 98's?? I've never owned and auto and love manual trans. The only thing wrong with this car is the front axle, the 4WD has never been used and the owners says something is wrong with it. I'm going to go take a peek at it in a few hours. Any help is greatly appreciated.

Cheers!

 

As with any used vehicle, maintenance, or lack of it, makes all the difference. Pull all the dip sticks (what do the dip sticks look like, not just the fluid on them), remove the rad cap (carefully), shine a flashlight down in the valve cover, etc., etc., etc. Clean/green coolant and fresh motor oil/tranny fluid r no guarantee but rusty brown coolant and really dirty/black oil and tranny fluid tell u something for sure. What's the bottom side look like?.....rust/leaks? Make a check list before u go look at it/make any offers. Others will chime in with more to look for.

POs r known to do/say just about anything to get it sold......buyer beware, do your homework.

 

Gotta figure out the axle 4wd issue. Also as djb noted, maintenance is the big deal in my opinion. You can generally tell in a hurry if this vehicle has been maintained properly or if it hasn't. Walk if it hasn't. There were a lot of XJs manufactured; there will be others.

But 98 was a good year for the XJ. What is the asking price?

 

Thank for the reply. I will check all that you mentioned. As far as the front axle not working properly. Any clues to what could go wrong with it if the 4WD has never been used??

 

It isn't that unusual to have trouble engaging 4wd if it hasn't been used. Be sure all tires are at the proper inflation as that affects engagement. Then just try it a number of times; it might drop in.

 

My guess is he put it in 4wd and drove it on dry pavement causing the XJ to lurch. And then thought something was wrong with it.

 

THank you I will take my time inspecting and driving it. He wants $1200 OBO. It recently had a tune up, tranny was just rebuilt and it passed smog. Owners says he has all the reciepts. He says it runs good and is clean, but is tired of putting money into it... It won't hurt to look at it.

 

That's a good price. If you like it, he'll likely take a grand.

Let us know what you find out!

 

"Putting money into it" is not always a bad thing.....that's what u gotta do with most old reliable daily drivers.......ask for details as to what he means. Presuming it's a DD, any 15 year old vehicle will require some TLC/money to keep it a reliable DD.

 

$1200 for a rust free XJ?
I'd pay that any day

It may not be the front axle itself. If he never shifted into 4WD, the linkage may just be frozen

 

The Linkage, meaning the front drive shaft?? Or just needs new U joints??

 

the shifter linkage that engages the transfer case

 

Ok. So, I just came back from looking at the car. It's needs some good lovin. Headliner is saggy, seats need a good wash, Front header panel needs replacing, missing right fender flare & needs a new valve cover gasket. The front right wheel was making a clunking noise whenever I stopped at a light. If i put it in Neutral, it would stop. (didn't like that) The paint & body was not too bad. It drove ok, I guess. I'm not used to automatics. My 5spd by far has more pep. It felt like I was driving a 4cyl. Also, since the oil pan gasket was replaced & tranny rebuilt, the whole front end was soaked in oil... I'm going to ask the guy if he can take it to get cleaned. I want to see if it is leaking anywhere else. As is, I am think of offering him 1000... Any thoughts or ideas of what could be wrong with the front passenger side wheel??

 

I would keep the one you have... this one maybe rust free but poor condition... yours is in good shape and 5spd...

 

Yeah, considering I'm on 32's my Jeep has way more punch. On the hand, this may be a good lil car for my son instead. Haha!