Been on a 2-3 week quest for a Cherokee and I "thought" I found the one. I looked at it briefly yesterday at lunch but was in a rush. It's an '01 60th anniversay model. He hadn't got it out on the lot yet so I told him I'd come back tonight after work. He had it out front completely detailed and polished. It looked great with no rust, new tires, perfect interior and loaded. I took it out and it drove great, no problems. Got backed and popped the hood.

Bottle almost empty
milky crud on oil filler cap
rusty, muddy goo in radiator fill

He knew that I wasn't a pushover and I informed him that the head was likely cracked. He asked if it could just be the gasket and I said no. Too bad as the jeep is otherwise a beauty. He had 4 other 01's and asked if I was interested. Told him to find me a 97-98 with no rust and less than 150k and give me a call. In the meantime, I continue to scour for a privately owned Jeep. I think I am done even considering the last 00-01s.

I just checked Craigslist and found a jewel - minty '97 classic with 108k. The dude wants $5450 though and my wallet is a little to thin for that..

 

doubtful he will get that price, then again supply and demand may weigh in pending your area..

If its that clean I could see 3500, money talks... I'd throw the offer out there and tell him its firm, leave your number and let him know if you haven't bought one by the time he makes up his mind to call you...

never know

 

Hah $5400 for a cracked 0331

Nice job, you've spent your time here wisely and saved yourself a major headache! Another CherokeeForum victory

 

Here is a picture of my free XJ. It has some rust, but some filler should take care of it.

 

Nice. Plans for the lift yet?

 

Some free F350 coils up front and Freightliner spring packs in the back. It should ride plush.

 

Did a little digging and the rust free '97 comes with title baggage. Carfax shows "not actual mileage". Seller states 108k and carfax says 236k. While it might be nice, it will always have that crappy title and I'm not touching it! Search goes on..

 

Leatherneck, I was in the same position as you the other night. My buddy from school likes my XJ and wants a similar Renix. So I found one with barely any rust, 150k, and only $650 on Craigslist. On the ad it looked liked it needed some tlc to get back on the road. When we checked it out in person, it had a Fram oil filter, oil covering the engine, cracked exhaust manifold, partial cooling system swap, and the best part was it didn't go faster than 35mph... I told my buddy it wouldn't be worth it. So he'll be on the look out for another one.

 

Good job consulting the forums first! You've made a wise decision. I'd have fought with the owner to haggle him down or make him fix it. It's not that bad of a job from what I understand...time consuming though. Sounds like a great XJ with just a bad cylinder head.