Questions on buying my first XJ
#1
Newbie
Thread Starter
Join Date: Mar 2017
Posts: 4
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Model: Cherokee
Questions on buying my first XJ
Hey guys,
First post. I've been getting into XJ's and finally have the funds to jump in and buy. Im looking at a 2000 sport, owner is a mechanic that buys jeeps, fixes them up and sells them. Spoke with him a decent amount and seems like a good dude.
Refreshed Trans: flushed and internally cleaned, new oil/filter and pan gasket. Several new parts including: ALL Fresh fluids
complete front brakes
shocks links bushings. Hub/bearing
water pump
thermostat
Radiator
new engine head, not junk yard head
All gaskets
tires
sensors, working fog lights.
Has small exhaust leak from muffler.
Body is pretty clean, no rot. $1800
What do you guys think?
First post. I've been getting into XJ's and finally have the funds to jump in and buy. Im looking at a 2000 sport, owner is a mechanic that buys jeeps, fixes them up and sells them. Spoke with him a decent amount and seems like a good dude.
Refreshed Trans: flushed and internally cleaned, new oil/filter and pan gasket. Several new parts including: ALL Fresh fluids
complete front brakes
shocks links bushings. Hub/bearing
water pump
thermostat
Radiator
new engine head, not junk yard head
All gaskets
tires
sensors, working fog lights.
Has small exhaust leak from muffler.
Body is pretty clean, no rot. $1800
What do you guys think?
#3
Newbie
Thread Starter
Join Date: Mar 2017
Posts: 4
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Model: Cherokee
#4
Banned
Join Date: Oct 2016
Posts: 1,553
Likes: 0
Received 4 Likes
on
4 Posts
Year: 2000 and 1998
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0
check the head. the 331 head is prone to crack. mine is still ok at 169000 in a 2000.
i paid 1200 and put ?300 in it since oct, still have 331 head. if your head is new id say youre good.
pull up carpet to check rusted floors, probably need work..
i paid 1200 and put ?300 in it since oct, still have 331 head. if your head is new id say youre good.
pull up carpet to check rusted floors, probably need work..
#5
Newbie
Thread Starter
Join Date: Mar 2017
Posts: 4
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Model: Cherokee
Ok thanks, I'll make sure to check under carpets.
#6
CF Veteran
Generally speaking (and I mean very generally) that is a very attractive price for the vehicle if it is mechanically sound.
However, you can sometimes get a feel for things by looking at what has been messed with, and the following:
water pump
thermostat
Radiator
new engine head, not junk yard head
All gaskets
Get my attention. Someone struggled with an over-heating problem and likely a cracked head or blown head gasket situation. Now if it has a new non-331 head on it, great. However, what I would worry about is that the motor has been "baked" a few times, and you'll end up having to work on it. Not the end of the world, but there is more to the motor than just the head.
I would definitely want to do an extended test drive, where I got it fully up to temperature and put a few miles on it in varying terrain (hills, flats, etc.) to help flush out any problems that show up only when it has been running for a bit. I would also want to do a coolant exhaust gas test (they can be bought cheap and done on the spot).
But, if after doing as much due diligence as you can, and making sure it is not falling apart due to rust underneath, you think it is in good working order. The price is definitely fair. Keeping in mind that many people here got their XJs super cheap a few years ago, but a decent condition XJ is becoming harder to find these days, so their prices are slowly creeping up. $1800 is pretty hard to find unless now days unless it is in pretty rough shape. A good condition, high mileage (150k+) around here will run about $3500 (low end) right now.
Good luck, let us know how it goes.
However, you can sometimes get a feel for things by looking at what has been messed with, and the following:
water pump
thermostat
Radiator
new engine head, not junk yard head
All gaskets
Get my attention. Someone struggled with an over-heating problem and likely a cracked head or blown head gasket situation. Now if it has a new non-331 head on it, great. However, what I would worry about is that the motor has been "baked" a few times, and you'll end up having to work on it. Not the end of the world, but there is more to the motor than just the head.
I would definitely want to do an extended test drive, where I got it fully up to temperature and put a few miles on it in varying terrain (hills, flats, etc.) to help flush out any problems that show up only when it has been running for a bit. I would also want to do a coolant exhaust gas test (they can be bought cheap and done on the spot).
But, if after doing as much due diligence as you can, and making sure it is not falling apart due to rust underneath, you think it is in good working order. The price is definitely fair. Keeping in mind that many people here got their XJs super cheap a few years ago, but a decent condition XJ is becoming harder to find these days, so their prices are slowly creeping up. $1800 is pretty hard to find unless now days unless it is in pretty rough shape. A good condition, high mileage (150k+) around here will run about $3500 (low end) right now.
Good luck, let us know how it goes.
Trending Topics
#10
CF Veteran
Join Date: May 2012
Location: Lost in the wilds of Virginia
Posts: 7,964
Received 951 Likes
on
767 Posts
Year: 1998 Classic (I'll get it running soon....) and 02 Grand
Model: Cherokee (XJ)
Engine: 4.0
There are trans flushes that use high pressure to flush out crud, and they can ruin a transmission by breaking stuff loose that then clogs passages.
There is also a low-pressure flush that uses the transmission's own pump to circulate fresh fluid through the system. This is a good thing.
Then there's a manual flush. Details in my sig.
Which did he do?
Uh, don't go ask him something like, "Did you do the high power flush that's really bad? Or the low power flush that is good?"
What do you think his answer would be?