I have no money, as I am a college student (though not all college students are financially plagued). I am looking at buying a real cheap vehicle... however, I'm a big Jeep man, just like ya'll are. I've been ridin' a ZJ around my hometown in KS for years, but now that I'm off in college, and the ZJ is back home, I was looking for a good XJ.

So here's the deal. Jeeps are reliable. I need reliable, since I don't want to repair the thing all day. Anyway, take a look at this 1989 Jeep.

http://charlottesville.craigslist.or...892393540.html

$800 smackers, which I can probably bring down. Runs and drives. Is an automatic (beggars can't be choosers) and has the I6 in it. As you can see, it needs a new tire, needs the bumper fixed, paint, and needs a gas gauge.

Is this a good purchase, based on the information you've been given and based on the 89 cherokee's track record?

 

why cant you have your zj at college with you?

 

cuz life's a *****.

by which I mean, the ZJ (8 years and not a single problem that wasn't caused by off-roading) is across the country being used by a sibling.

 

Look for something that's not been sitting for a long time. I bought my last cherokee after it had sat for about three years. When I started it the power steering lines blew, the radiator split, and a few other things. Once that stuff was fixed and I went to drive it, the brake lines exploded. These are just a FEW of the problems.

Keep looking. I would not buy that one.

 

Plus, look for one that doesn't have all the EGR crap. 91 and later. Easier to work on and less issues to deal with IMO

 

I agree with jigly due to the fact it looks like its been sitting for awhile issues will cone up especially with the cooling system. Then one thing leads to another.

 

Here's my $0.02 FWIW, I'd run, not walk, from that XJ.......I mean how much does it take for the owner just to get a flat fixed. If he's too lazy to get a flat fixed, how well has he maintained it......3 guesses and the 1st 2 don't count. This post is probably worth what u paid for it. Save u r money and finish school.

 

800bucks for the XJ, and another grand to make it reliable. Keep looking.

 

x2
that's what i was going to say.

 

And Brake lines, calipers, endless. As mentioned, $800 later in parts and you've got a decent XJ, (maybe). If you're having the work done for you, than get ready for another $1000 in labor.

I'd offer the guy $300 after I went through it and verifed what all was wrong.

 

Yea, I'll see how it checks out. If it goes through the gears and drives fine, I may offer him $400 max. The person selling it is a reverend, so I'd hope she's honest about it, but you can't trust anyone.

 

moved to cherokee chat... not tech...