XJ-Rod

Hey everyone,
When you have time could you pls offer your honest thoughts and opinions on a certain XJ I just looked at. I LOVE the Cherokee and my wife and I each have one, while mines been great, it prolly only has a few months left on her. I've been searching religiously and for whatever reason I've either been too late, Jeep looks and rides NOT like advertised, or I've found one and we agreed to meet in 2 days(the day that worked for HIM) and he goes and sells it for just 200 dollars more than we agreed. No call about counter offering, nothing. Anyways, I'm near Central Pa. and Jeeps in and around Pa. seem to run the gauntlet of prices from 1,000 to 7,000..I got my 89 limited for 1,100 and have put over 100,000 miles on it with very little maintenance and it came with 150,00. Wifes the same basically, except 2,200 for a 2000 with 165,000 with no real issues either.

The one I looked at today was a 2 door 94 sport with 2wd (I know). No rust, claims it doesnt leak any oil,(Goes through a quart every 5k) which I think he said is when he gets his oil changed. 75,000 miles..Started right up(barely turned the key) Fast acceleration , smooth, quiet ride. Fresh inspection that just needed brakes...No headliner. No power windows, locks, or rear window defroster. No cd or even cassette player(lol) just bare bones radio. And Jeep mostly. No roof rack(no biggie, but handy and I like the look) big rip in the driver seat, the rest of the interior was decent. Looked liked someone spilled a jug of grape soda on the floor, and some small scratches on the outside. Nothing major. Especially for a 94. Engine bay looked fairly nice, though wife said the oil smelled funny. Had a cold, couldnt tell. She wasn't sure of what but said definitely not oil. Though the color looked normal to me. Anyways its been for sale for about a month. Makes me curious as they don't last long around here when for sale especially low mileage. Though maybe the 2wd is turning people away? Plus he wants 3,000 FIRM. KBB has it listed at 2,350..It's also the 4.0 6...I can off road in my other one if need be. Want a DD with 4wd, but would hate to pass up a low mileage Jeep. But I also know some of the cons. and in no rush at this point. PLS HELP. Would love to hear if you'd pass or not..Price too high? etc...Thanks in advance for ANY responses. MUCH appreciated.

caronaxtr

Price sounds high to me. I bought my 01 in Erie PA 4-5 years ago for $5k 95,000 miles on it & was in "good" condition. That XJ being 2wd may not sell for more than $2,000 as most people looking for a Jeep want 4 wheel drive.

You could always convert it to 4 wheel if you wanted to with JY parts. I'd offer him $2500 or so and tell him if he is interested down the road to call you back. Up in the northern states a 2wd XJ isn't in big demand. To be honest, I've never seen one here in Buffalo NY

Good luck

salad

Put aside the emotions for a sec and think like this:

$3000 for a 20 year old 2WD ultra-barebones base model, stained and torn interior, with an engine that burns oil and probably has some tricky stop-gap goo in it to fool buyers.

Sounds like heartache. Mileage isn't worth what people think it is for these vehicles.

GreenXJ98

It's definitely a bare bones SE model. If I were you, I'd hold out for a 4wd XJ in a little better condition with more options for the same price.

Turbo X_J

A lot of these no option models were ordered as .gov or municipal vehicles (water dept, code enforement and what not).
Given the fact it's RWD (Jeep wannabe) and overpriced I would pass.

XJ-Rod

Thanks a MILLION to everyone that responded. ALL great points, and many I hadn't considered. You've truly been a huge help and I can't say thanks enough. Much appreciated. Have a nice holiday, everyone. All the best!

Puddlejumper97

If you're second guessing it, it's not the jeep for you! You say you aren't in a hurry, so wait and look a bit longer : )

1976gmc20

Good advice!

I'll remember that

XJ-Rod

Thanks, PuddleJumper! Good point, and another to keep in mind. Thanks again.

firehawk618

I work for a large phone company and up until recently we had some really REALLY stripped down 2wd Cherokees. I was amazed that they could be ordered that stripped down.

Fleet models are mostly like that I'd imagine.

dmill89

^This, Winter isn't a great time to look for an XJ (or any 4WD vehicle) in PA (or probably any place else that sees significant snow), you will generally have more options and see better prices if you can wait until spring/summer (they also don't seem to sell as fast in spring/summer than in fall/winter when a lot of people are looking for a "cheap" 4X4 for winter).

madmanmarty

I live in central pa & i agree with all the comments.
Price is too high,smell worries me,2wd. Why is he selling?
Id pass.

dmill89

On a side note why do you say that your 89 only has a few months left (rust, mechanical issues, etc.)?


Depending on what is wrong with it, you may be better off fixing your 89 than what it would cost to find a suitable replacement (which may still end up needing some work given that it will be a 14+ year old vehicle).

XJ-Rod

Sorry, didn't see the rest of the replies for some reason. I took the previous advice and passed. It took him about 2 weeks but after that he must have found someone to buy it as I no longer saw it on CL. And yea my 89 ended up having to many mechanical issues, engine, tranny, etc. all happen at once...(Loved that thing and would have kept it but was too much money to put into it for the price I could have gotten another one without "major issues" on top of other issues as well)...Ended up finding a nice, clean, strong running 96 with low miles that's been well taken care of. Just had it inspected and it passed, emissions as well, with only needing 2 light bulbs. Again I appreciate EVERYONE'S help and feedback and hope the 96 serves me as well as my 89 Renix did. All the best everyone.