Hey all. Wow, it's been almost 4 years since I signed up here, and still no Jeep. Funny how life gets in the way sometimes, anyway, still wishing for one....
Found a 1989 at an impound lot the other day, asking $800. Nothing special, D35 rear, 30 front, Aw-4. I'm not worried about the Renix, seems to be about 50/50 split on the love/hate with those things. Odometer reads 160K, it either has well over a million miles or it quit working about 150k ago. It's obviously got more than that. Overall it's not in great shape, but not BAD.
I didn't drive it because I wasn't interested, but I've been thinking about it for a couple days now. Guy said it runs and drives fine, I'd have to check that myself obviously. One thing that may be an issue is I think it may be from NC originally, even though it's currently wearing CA plates. Does the lot have to check smog before selling, or is it one of those "as-is" deals? I guess I can ask them.
So...even worth trying to talk them down, to maybe $5-600? Hold out for a while, it's already been 4 years so wait for a better example? What's your guys' thoughts?

 

Sounds interesting to me.

Look for rust!! That's a deal killer.

 

There is some rust on the underside, but I didn't spot anything major from my quick peek underneath. Body looked ok, nothing obviously rotted. Thinking about going back Monday if enough people say it's worth it.
There is one of those dealer tags from NC, and stickers from all over the country on it so it's hard to guess where it spent the majority of its life. Rubber around windows is dried and cracking badly. Where there isn't rust underneath there is lots of grease/oil/fluids.

 

Well I did some online snooping concerning smog. The seller has to make sure it passes, *unless* the buyer signs a smog compliance form which is common on lien sales.
Not sure if this one would be worth the hassle.
Life has smoothed out for me lately and I will be getting one soon, I'm not waiting 4 more years!

 

If you get all the smog stuff settled I'd say go for it! My buddies rule is if you keep thinking about it, and there aren't any MAJOR problems then go for it. The little stuff can be fixed.

 

If it runs and drives and has no rust buy it.

 

Is this happening?

 

Thanks for the replies. I'll go back and look at it more in-depth this week, possibly Friday if they're open. If I recall the tags are expired too, have to see how that works on a lien sale.
LOL at the time scale. Happens to me sometimes, but this isn't that type of case.