I figured I would introduce myself in the Pacific Northwest section of the forum, since that's where I live, and plan to wheel.

I'm 21 year old XJ Freak. Born and raised in Oregon.

In the Summer of 2012 I bought my XJ from a Washington fellow after doing a bit of research. I had the cash for 3 months, and looked at 4 different XJs, after talking with 10+ Craigslist sellers.

My requirements were:
$4000 limit
4.0L, Automatic or Manual doesn't matter to me.
Tow Package
Perfect exterior (nice paint, no dents, large scratches, or missing body parts)
9/10 Interior
Chrysler 8.25 rear axle
Clean Oregon Title
Around 150,000 miles or less


I ended up with this 1998 Jeep Cherokee for 4k cash, with what I call "arctic blue" paint:




Features:
A/C Blowing freezing cold
New Brakes
Manual Locks/Windows
134k Miles on body
Motor/Tranny/Rear-end replaced at 90k miles and new motor had everything done shy of new pistons. (no leaks...yet )
Leaking Np231J T-case
Chrysler 8.25 Rear end.

How'd I do Cherokee Forum?

 

Its actually gunmetal Perl according to Jeep, I have the same jeep except its a 99

 

By same jeep I mean color and wheels. The rest different. Anyway... Why would the motor have been re done at 90k. Shouldn't need it till 250-300k

 

Well that's an awesome name for a paint color, I'm a huge 2nd amendment guy.



I was told by the seller his friend sold him the XJ with a motor that had a blown head gasket, and he already had a motor that was ready to be put in. I'm not 100% certain he replaced the rear end/tranny, he might've just re-sealed them. Though I seem to remember him saying they were replaced...Bad memory.

Anywho, it runs and drives like a top, and I haven't had any issues except for the T-case leaking(soon to be fixed).

 

I got the same color, diff & T-case but its a '99 with 150K on the clock. I paid $2750 but she needed a little work (starter, injectors, minor body repairs).

With yours being a lot cleaner, I think you got a good deal.