Good price. And 170K's not much for a '96. Mines about 163K. Let us know how it goes tomorrow.

 

Just looked at it. The exhaust rattled bad but there’s another slight “rattle” noise comin from somewhere on the bottom side. It goes away at a higher RPM. I got there later than expected so it was getting dark but there’s a bad spot of rust on the bottom of one door and two spots on the roof that aren’t anywhere near being holes. The underside looked pretty good all the components looked replaced and I didn’t see any rust on control arms or anything like that. He said he has no idea how long that knock has been there he just happened to get out of it while it was running to talk his neighbor and heard it. Said he took it somewhere and they told him it was in the bottom end (for what that’s worth). Won’t budge on the price. I told him I was going to think it over

 

Good idea. You could take someone with you whose more experienced to check it out but if he's admitting he was told it's the bottom end then maybe no use. Crazy at 170K that the motor could be failing but it happens if not maintained or run hard or Murphy's law.

 

Yeah and with all the exhaust noise it made it hard to really tell what was going on. I’m not 100% on it so I may just pass. I’ve wanted to stay true through the process of looking to not buy unless I was 100% happy with it.

 

How much was he asking for it? These motors are a dime a dozen the 4.0 but you did say he wouldn't budge on price. Too bad or maybe it would have been perfect donor to swap engines with one not knocking or even stroker

 

Bottom end noises don't usually go away with higher RPM.

 

Only $700. But I currently live in a townhouse and they frown upon mechanical work being done on the property. And an engine swap is hard to hide from them lol

 

I hope you're planning to move after you buy an XJ! They're reliable, but maintenance is something you want to keep up with.

 

Haha yeah just have a lease to get through but I can do maintenance and other repairs just can’t pull of a engine swap

 

Found one I’m really interested in but it’s a bit over what I budgeted myself. I’m torn on paying more than I wanted or continuing the waiting game

 

But if your going to have to put money into something you pay less for your ahead of the game by paying more within reason in the first place. IF your able to of course.

 

That has been my thoughts on it too.

 

Sota, are you still planning a trip to GA? I'm sure there are folks here on the forums along your route that would be willing to help if you found a clean XJ and had issues on your way home. I'd be right on your route, for one...

 

Yep I’ll be there next month. The jeep I’ve found close to here has had the appropriate rust repair done so that’s a plus but brining one up from the south is still an option too.

Where are you located, Tbone?

 

I'm 100 miles south of St. Louis on I-55.