Firemanj

Okay so this is my first post here. I am looking into joining the xj ownership family. I am currently looking at a 89 model. I would like to know from some of the experienced owners what I should look for before buying. I had one friend tell me not to buy anything pre-92. He said they have too many problems. I can handle most repairs myself. Is the 89 any better or worse than other year models? I know they all have their own issues. What are the 89's? Thanks for any and all advice.

mikesplumbing

https://www.cherokeeforum.com/f59/jeep-wife-32944/

Start by reading this thread! I just bought a 98 for the wife and I'm working on buying one for myself now (It's become a family addiction). Anyhow, the guys here helped me out and pointed to some facts that I should be aware of when buying and once I was armed with information it made buying a piece of cake! Beyond this thread I also kept searching the forums each night; Tons of information here! Good luck and keep asking questions.

Mike

Skreed

An 89 will have a Renix engine not a HO ...The renix has a closed cooling system, some people say the have problems with it, My 90 is doing fine tho. As long as you do regular maintenance on it, it will be fine. There are also a lot of tricks to make it cool much better. Coming from someone who has a 90 and a 99 I think my 90 is easier to work on, but either way you can;t go wrong.

ckysodkorn_xj

any xj is the way to go. have a cj and the xj is cheaper on gas and wayyyy easier to figure out. and the cj is suppose to be simple! haha

Coach

I'm looking at a 91 tomorrow, has almost 300k, been parked 4 years, original owner, body is straight, 4.0/manual. CA rig, no rust. What do YOU think it's worth?? Coach

mikesplumbing

Does it run?

1jeepman

What kinda price?

Skreed

5 or 6 hundred

dieselgriff

My wife owns an 89 and it's a good rig, 170k or so on the odometer. I've replaced the coolant bottle once but other than that no cooling problems to note (it got up around 110 last summer). The only thing to watch on an 89 is the transmission type, if its an auto no worries as that is a great trans, if its a manual make sure it is the AX-15 not the Peugeot 10/5 type thing. I have read that they never lasted long in the jeeps, something about case stretching and the gears never meshing right after that. Anyhew gluck with your purchase.

Coach

Sorry if I highjacked this post but I thought this was kinda revelant, didn't get a chance to see it yesterday, going to look at it today. It's been parked for 4 or 5 years, so I don't know if it will run, they never started it in that time period. All 4 tires are flat. This belongs to a friend of my wifes, they just want to get rid of it, no price discussed yet. I'm thinking 250-500 max, don't know what they are thinking. Thanks. Coach

Skreed

Yeah if its not been started or anything in 5 years goodluck....but its not worth more that 2 or 3 hundred in that condition.

bigbadcherokee

id get it, i like the older xj compared to the newer ones it just depends on what your gonna do with it!

91 limited owner

I've not had any real problems with my 1991, Other than the sagging headliner. But it has only 67k on it.

Coach

Well I bought it, $200. I think I could've gotten it for $100 but it's my wifes friend and she didn't want me to be such a cheapskate. the interior looks almost new, I was quite shocked to see the seats with no rips or tears. The odometer has 321k. the coolant looked good and the oil didn't have a burnt smell. I'm going to change the oil, pull the plugs and dump some in each cylinder, let it set a few days then I'll try and fire it. After I drain the gas tank of course. Its the 4.0 H.O. with 5 speed, build date of 6/91. Thanks for all your help and of course you'll be seeing a lot of me on here now. Coach

Morat

I wanna see video of the first start up!!