I just stumbled onto a 86? cherokee 2.5l auto, 4x4 4dr. 215k miles. no ign key, or battery. body is ok minor rust and dents. Owner says it runs, he lost the key 6 mos ago. Will sell to me for 500$. I'm sure I can get it for less.

Anything I should know about the 4cyl cherokee's?? I'm thinking this would be a good farm truck.....

 

Its an absolute gutless dog, takes about 10 minutes to warm up before you can drive it and they tend to backfire when you shut them off. If one was offered to me for 500 bucks i would buy it just for the coolness factor. I have personally driven a '85 2.5 auto, it was interesting to say the least, never had so much trouble getting to 45 in my life

 

It would make a great farm truck or just something to drive around town, the warm up time is really only relevant when its around freezing or below

 

Thanks. Just curious if there were any mechanical or electrical issues with the 2.5 I should be looking for. I know my 2000 4.0 inside and out. I didnt think the 2.5 would be a herculese, but I hope it could pull its tail outta a ditch? I dont think the the heater will be a big issue.

 

Idk anything about the 2.5 but for $500 you can't go wrong. That's just my opinion.

 

I disagree. He can go wrong b/c it may take $8000 to make that Jeep nice. The buy price is just one slice of the cost of ownership.

Bear with me...

I got what is probably a decent enough XJ. 1998 124k miles. Average interior could use a new console and carpet to make it "nice". No dents. Just one small rust spot. Good drivetrain. Owner changed all fluids regularly. But, he wasn't exactly rich, and didn't really fix anything else. There are many small issues to be addressed: 1 rust spot, Airbag light, bad window switch, needs alignment, new tires, u-joints, hubs, exhaust, new carpet and console) Listed for $3000. My gut was conflicted, but I decided to buy it when he said $2200. I should have waited.

Right off the bat, I already dropped $1000 on brakes, suspension, and exhaust. Tires will be another $500. So, I will easily be into this thing for over $4000 before that list above is settled.
(Then I will drop another $2k in common XJ repairs to make it "nice", but that would happen with any used XJ)

My advice: You want to start with as nice as possible. You'll pay one way or another.
It's way cheaper to buy something nice for a few bucks more than to fix up something rough.

In only the 2 weeks since I bought my 98 XJ, I have seen a dozen better candidates on CL.
Mint interior. Lower mileage. More recent repairs. Better tires. Zero rust. Everything.
All for not too much more than I paid anyway.

Do not rush. After watching for a few weeks, I now see that XJ's are a dime a dozen, and sellers can't even GIVE these things away. NO ONE wants these old trucks. It's just easier to lease a brand new truck for $300/mo. I have seen some of these ads listed for over a month.

Don't just get one that's "ok". I mean, it's not the end of the world, BUT, for $2000-$3000, you can get an XJ that is mint outside, mint inside, has under 150k miles, never abused, never off-roaded. You might even find one with tons of recent work you won't need to do. All sunk money for the seller. I bought my XJ for $2k, and will be in it for $6k total, and will never be able to sell it for more than $3k. THAT is the XJ you want to buy!


$2000 145k
http://newyork.craigslist.org/wch/cto/3391959955.html

$2100 121k tons of new parts
http://newyork.craigslist.org/lgi/cto/3341874814.html

$2199 90k
http://newyork.craigslist.org/brk/cto/3381571150.html

$2400 112k
http://newyork.craigslist.org/wch/cto/3390190107.html

$3500 85k
http://newyork.craigslist.org/wch/cto/3360513781.html

$3700 132k
http://newyork.craigslist.org/stn/cto/3319612838.html

 

I think I can get it for 350-400$. If my homework is correct it will have 4:10 gears. I have not heard it run, so.... Even if it's a junker it should be worth that. Those gears would set my 2000 xj off. And I could part the rest out.
If it does run good, Well... I'll put it to work and give her to my lady.
I'm still studying the 4cyl. Hopefully it's a runner.

Bimmer, those are some nice one's. I'm in SWVA, and people here love them. They go for top dollar. Especially this time of year.

 

$350 I'd buy any jeep

 

Not to hi jack but where in swva? As I am from swva as well

 

I'm with you man lol. Nothing against BimmerJeeper tho. I bought mine for $2500, it's clean and low mileage. But it took awhile for me to find it, had to drive about 2 hours to get it. There's not a lot of XJs for sale near me, especially cheap ones. So I'll hop on a cheap one quick. Like how I bought my in-laws a 1997 XJ for $1000.

 

Woodlawn. Just outta Hillsville. I know you have some great 4wheelin spots in Richland.

The lady said go for it. She's a wheeler too!

 

There used to be but the gas lines took over and graveled all the good logging roads but I sold my jeep a couple of months ago and currently looking for another