luckyAD80

Hey guys. So a while back I posted about a lifted cherokee I was looking at and it turned out to be terribly maintained, so that was a NO-go. Last week or so I posted about looking at another one at a dealership, had been in a crash, but good title. The fenders were bent and paint mismatched, and y'all talked me out of it thankfully. I want a 98-01 Cherokee XJ that is either Red Chili Pepper, Sienna Pearl, or Light Blue. I just found another 99 light blue that I looked at today, 150,000 miles and listed at $4500.

Here's the Craigslist: http://richmond.craigslist.org/cto/2826382767.html

Looked great to me when I went. Female owned, claimed to be second owner, but Carfax said third, possibly because of multiple dealerships it went through. She seemed honest and all. She said it had a tow package, but I forgot to check... What all am I looking for again?

Alright, now here's the catch ...
When I showed up I whipped out my CarFax report. Guess what it has, Salvaged and Rebuilt titles... Now I know all of you are immediately going to say, stay the hell away from this vehicle, but before you do, here are the specifics: Owner #2 was in an accident in Maryland (involved front impact, hit motor vehicle, front of vehicle primarily damaged, damaged reported to: front, right front, functional damage reported). Next statement says in big bold red: TOTAL LOSS VEHICLE. Two statements down: SALVAGE TITLE/CERTIFICATE ISSUED. Two more down and ending #2's ownership: SALVAGE TITLE/CERTIFICATE ISSUED and REBUILT TITLE ISSUED. For owner #3 (this girl, who purchased it 2007 with 75000 on it), every statement has REBUILT TITLE ISSUED listed under things like "Loan or lien reported".

PHEW... sorry y'all had to read that. I'll attach pictures of my printed version of CarFax along with more pictures in a post.

As for minor cosmetic things...
-windshield got hit by a rock a couple of days ago - needs to be replaced
-area around grille has paint chipped and possibly primed? Crack on Jeep logo because the owner's dad dropped a hammer on it when he was under the hood

Not sure if that front cosmetic damage was from that crash from owner #2 or what, but she seemed VERY surprised when I showed her the CarFax and all the bad titles.

So, I KBBd this car with as much specifics as I have, and in Fair condition it's worth $2742. CarFax says to take an extra $820 off this, so it's apparently worth $1922, salvaged title and all.
---

Okay, so what do you all think? Aren't the rebuilt titles a good thing, and if it was rebuilt with quality parts and professional installation (as it appears to be), wouldn't it be a good buy? What about the insurance company, will they cover it? She said she had insurance. Alright, thanks so much in advance!

---

EDIT: forgot to ask... it has Dana 30 and Chrysler 8.something right? Not the rear Dana 35? And if so, no ABS correct?
-also, front tires have 50% tread left, rear tires need replacing very soon.

luckyAD80

Pictures she emailed me...

luckyAD80

Pictures I took...

luckyAD80

And finally the CarFax...

luckyAD80

Anybody? I really like this Jeep but if it's doomed I'd like to hear your input. Thanks.

Ineedabeer

Man, no one has a crystal ball. Cliche, I know. My question is if she wants $4500, do you think you'll get it for less than $2k? I'm sure she will wait for some chump who HASN'T done his homework to come along and pay more. I know I would. Good luck.

helmut

For 2000 I would buy it. For 4500 no. That simple. Why would she sell it for 2000 whan she is asking 4500 tough? Just as a point of reference I baught my 2000 xj with a 4in lift, 33in tires, custom bumpers and roof rack with clean title, 130k miles for 4500 in very nice shape. And I felt like I paid too much, but thats just me.

mr white

It's been totalled and you want this one more than the other one? The other one had a CLEAN title for like $500 more.
Some insurance companies WILL NOT insure a salvage titled vehicle, and for good reason. Who knows who rebuilt it. Did they cut corners? There was probably frame (unibody) damage if it was totaled. That means the frame (unibody) could have weak spots now.

luckyAD80

This one doesn't seem to have any damage though, looks rebuilt really well. The other one had fenders pushed in and some dents. But I hear what you're saying.

mr white

I wouldn't by a salvage titled car unless it was:
1. Super cheap AND
2. going to be made into a toy (ie. not a daily driver)

Keep looking is my suggestion on this one.

helmut

I see even from the pics that the front fenders dont match the color 100% And the front grill surround is peeling because it used to be a diiferent color and was repainted.

MoabMyk

If you choose to lift it you will unleash a legion of suspension demons. I bought a previously wrecked NON SALVAGE title XJ, it was clean, ran good, nice and shinny. No suspension issues besides shocks.... Then I lifted it....I don't have enough time to list the head aches but trust me unless the "minor" repair was done by an elite shop (which you wouldn't know anyway)
it will be a nightmare to lift correctly. IDK if anybody on here has lifted a wrecker for highway travel I'm sure it can be done but hold on and save your
money for a XJ without such a checkered past...

JMac202

Def wouldnt pay 4500 for it. I bought my 01 with 142k and 3" lift and 5 BFG At tires and Ravine rims for 3200.

Like others stated if you lift it you can run into major problems. Im sure you want an XJ asap just like I did. I passed on several. One I really like had 6" lift and sye with Tom Woods drive shafts and a WARN winch and bumper. Why? Because the Jeep place took off the wheels Mickey Thompson's and tires Baja MTZ's and put them on a Wrangler and put on some ugly american racing wheels and mastercraft tires. They wouldnt put them back on unless I paid an extra 800 even though the original price was with those tires. so I walked away from it.

I waited a few months and boom I found the one I want color and all. She was asking 3900 and gave her 3200. She has a few body flaws but 12k later I havent had a single issue with it. Just maintenance and upgrades.

I live by the thought "Wait for exactly what you want and be happy. Jump into something even though it's not exactly what you want and you'll never be happy."

9greenmachine8

just a reference i bought my 1998 cherokee with a clean title 140k miles 6.5 inch lift and brand new 35 inch goodyear wrangler m/t tires a 12 inch sub and amp for $3,500 and it came with a running 1980 j20 pickup

i think your paying way too much

Bustedback

A salvage title can be misleading at times. In most cases it means the insureance company did not want to pay for the repairs needed, especialy if it was their client's fault and they're already on the hook to repair the other party's vehicle. A salvage title does always mean the vehicle was pounded into a lump and hammered back into shape, it could just mean the insureance adjuster was a dill hole.