Hello, first time here and need buying advice. First time Jeep buyer. Looking to buy an old pre-2000 Jeep Cherokee because I like the old, boxy look and have heard a lot about the legendary long lasting engine and simple build. I really liked the look of the old Laredo with the chrome trim, and found a white 1988 with 90k miles for $5k, but will have to buy online sight unseen and get it shipped (extra $$). Looks great in pics and seems to be well maintained. Nothing has been replaced, all original parts. So was a bit concerned if anything will need to replaced soon in the next few months, was not sure when in terms of mileage things start needing to be repaired/replaced on older Jeeps. I also have some local options none as perfect as the Laredo, for around $3k and 150k or more miles, all basic XJs. Any advice will be greatly appreciated. Thanks.

 

No disrespect, but are you willing and able to do your own maintenance and/or do you know a good mechanic? These things will last a long time and are relatively simple in their design, but that's a 30-year-old, Renix-era Jeep with French electronics. You can stop thinking about if it will need work - it's going to need work. What that is - who knows!? The fact that you can't go drive it is a big no-no in my book.

Where do you live? Rust is a bigger killer of these things than anything else.

 

Hi Battle, thanks for the response. I have absolutely no automotive maintenance/repair skills neither am I looking to learn. I was looking for something old and reliable (as a fancy) with a distinctive look and I love the look of the old cherokees especially the Laredo and the Country. I am in the Dallas area and these are pretty hard to find down here, there are quite a few of the basic XJs with higher miles but not very exciting. The 88 Laredo looks perfect but is in NC (your state?) and will need to be shipped. I did notice that lot of these old Cherokees are in the eastern part of the country not much in the south (except FL) and west. Down here in Dallas area, we see either crappy/not maintained well type cherokees for cheap or expensive but well maintained/fixed up ones. I am looking to spend max $3k. So is it better to buy a higher mileage but well maintained cherokee vs/ lower miles (<100k) since the lower miles one will need repairs pretty soon? Thanks again.

 

Mileage isn't a factor to me when buying a used car - maintenance is. Cars are like humans - I think they last longer, as cars not as trophies, if they get "worked out."

Do you have a link to this 88? I'm in the Chapel Hill area so if this thing is in "The Triangle" I'd be happy to go check it out for ya!

Also - screw shipping. Come out here and drive it back!

 

Thanks Battle for the offer to check it out, very kind. The Cherokee is in Taylorsville, I think about 2 hr west of you. So not really close to the triangle area. I considered driving, its about 15hr so may not save lot of money driving but definitely will be more fun. I will keep looking here locally, found couple higher mileage ones that seem to be well maintained. There is a 96 Country with 250k miles on it for $1600 or a Cherokee Freedom with 230k miles on it for $2500 (negotiable) with A/C needing to be fixed. The Laredo in NC pic below (https://www.hoyleautosalesnc.com/198...C_32241755.veh). Thanks again.

 

Looks like it's in pretty good overall condition. Being in NC I don't think you need to worry about there being a huge rust issue but I'd still like to see the belly of it. Then a test drive and yeah, I'd buy it.