Potential Jeep Owner
 

Hi there! I'm currently looking at a few jeeps. This is going to be the first time I'm buying my own vehicle and I want to try to get one thats reliable. Since I'm new to jeeps, I figured ya'll may be able to help me out. I found one that kinda stood out and overall seems in pretty good condition. I will include pictures and what the ad says about it but I still would like your opinions. How much money do you think I should offer? I think $4,000 is a little steep regardless of the add-ons. Below is the ad:

"2000 Jeep Cherokee Sport SUV 4D
$4,500
160,000 miles
Automatic 6-Cyl, 4.0 Liter, 4WD
I am selling my girlfriends 2000 Jeep Cherokee for sale awesome running and driving Jeep need absolutely nothing besides a new driver a ton of new parts too many to list it has a 3 inch rough country lift 31/10.50 duratracs and 15x8 steel wheel
aftermarket headlights, bumper, and more. It does have some rust on rockers and floor pans but I have new floor pans in the garage just need to be installed she's asking $4,500 obo

https://cimg8.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.che...05836fd556.png
https://cimg1.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.che...78a0386949.png
https://cimg2.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.che...fbfb6650ad.png
https://cimg3.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.che...7df95a10f1.png
https://cimg5.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.che...377f9b95d3.png
https://cimg6.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.che...2f3907d054.png
https://cimg0.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.che...6d74c616d9.png
https://cimg8.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.che...622c4a4128.png
https://cimg9.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.che...8573339acd.png
pm me for more info"

I actually think it's worth it so long as there are no mechanical problems.

Offer $3500 though :D

Regards,
Josh

My biggest concern is the floor pans needing to be replaced. The Jeep is from Michigan so it exposed to a lot of salt and bad weather. I live in Ohio so it would keep being exposed to those conditions. I'm worried that there might be more rust issues than just the rockers and floor pans. I asked him about them and he sent me these pictures

https://cimg4.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.che...f8612df8c7.png
https://cimg5.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.che...42975087a9.png
https://cimg6.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.che...c794932189.png
https://cimg7.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.che...041b3d816c.png
https://cimg8.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.che...b115f04b12.png

Are the rockers and floorpans something you can take care of, or will it have to go to the bodyshop? A bodyshop will not be cheap.

prepare yourself for a cracked head

My advice to you would be to actually go look at in in person. Feel around the underside of it THOROUGHLY, Inspect anywhere the suspension bolts onto the unibody frame very very well. Drive it, listen and feel for anything that seems odd, sounds vibrations etc. This is a very nice Jeep but there are always more in this condition for about this price. Keep in mind that certain years (1996-1999) are more desirable than others because of OBD and axle configuration etc. The last thing anyone wants is a nice jeep that is unsafe to drive on the road because of some rusted mount that broke on the highway at 80mph. Also avoid offering over text or the phone. Make a deal in person, look em in the eyes and be firm on what you can or cannot spend. Shake their hand when you make a deal, start your haggling at $3500 but expect to pay up to $4200.

i only referenced the head because its a VERY common issue for 2000/2001

Paint color sucks
Light bar
Rampage headlights
blacked tails
rust bucket
KBB trade in $1100
KBB private party $2100
offer $1800
(scrap value is $282)

Hopefully I can go look at it this weekend but we just got snow so that kind of sucks. It is higher priced for my area compared to all of the ones that I've looked at but it seems like its had a lot of work and fixable rust which is harder to find. He said the lowest he would come down to is $4,000 and I'm kind of hesitant. He said it had never been off-roading but why would he have built it that well and live in Michigan closer to state parks but never go. It just seems kind of weird to me. I mean, once again, I haven't actually gone to see it so I don't really know how the condition of the jeep is. When I do, I probably won't buy it on spot since it will be the first Jeep I'm going to look at. I just really want to buy one worth my money and reliable since I have an 18mo old.

However, I was looking a little bit in the Georgia/Florida area earlier since they're cheaper and mostly have little rust. The problem with that is I have to worry about water damage.

When looking at any used vehicle, consider how much bad can happen to a dirt bike in 5 seconds, let that be your guide.

Friend, just because he said 4000 doesnt mean that cant change after you go for a test drive and point out some flaws, its easy to say i want 4000 but when someone waves 3700 cash in your face things change. However with that being said dont set your heart on one, especially if you need to transport your kid in it from time to time. The right one will come to you man trust and believe it. Whatever you decide to do good luck.

terrible guide lol.

Before you go poking around at the undergarriage, wear safety glasses.

Or the General Lee in 5 minutes.