New to the forum, I suppose I'll post an intro once I pull the trigger and get a Jeep again...
Anyways, I'm looking to get a vehicle for an extended, multiple month road trip across North America, and would serve as my DD after that. I've decided on an XJ because I like them (I've had an XJ (briefly), WJ, and LJ) and it seems to provide enough space without drinking gas like a land cruiser. Also, my 4.0s were much more reliable than the 4.7 in my WJ. I have a few questions.

XJs seem to go for a premium out here (much higher than Edmunds TMV, etc) but I've found a couple that might fit the bill.
1: '99 Sport with 150k, with service records. No rust. $4500
2: '99 Sport with 100k, with some front end body damage but runs well - owner says it was from a low speed collision. Pics look like i would replace the grill, bumper, front driver fender panel. Minimal rust. $2500

(I just posted this in another forum because I couldn't get this one to work for me until now, but I think I may have put it in the wrong subforum and I don't know how to move it. I guess it doesn't hurt to get multiple opinions, either.)

I like the low miles and the price of #2, but afraid of hidden unibody damage. Thoughts? The service records on #1 is appealing. Also, thoughts on other vehicles? Thanks!

 

1st one... with the damage to the second one i wouldnt trust the unibody anymore. 150k isn't anything to shake a stick at with the 4.0 and service records

 

If it were between the two, I would go with option number 1. That is quite a price to pay, I would try 500 lower as long as the hvac is 100% and nothing leaks. I never trust a previous owner.....

 

Thanks, I appreciate the input. Gonna go look at it first thing in the morning. I'll see what I can do about the price, but XJs seem to be selling like hot cakes out here...

 

#1 was sold and I'm avoiding #2. The search begins again....

 

Yeah it must have been a good looking xj. Took me about 3 months to chase one down.

 

When my last XJ got totaled, it took me a little over three months to find another that I was willing to pay for. It was a four hour drive away. We went and looked at it, test drove it, haggled a bit and drove it four hours home. He wanted $2,200 for it and I drove it home for $1,500 cash. I didn't get very much sleep before work that day but, I drove the new XJ on my paper route that night.

 

Sounds like y'all are telling me that this will be a lesson in patience! I hate that haha...

 

I have a 1988 cherokee 4.0L 4x4 that I want to keep as a daily driver, I also want it to take me anywhere I want to go. Can anyone suggest a minimum lift that would be proper for this? I do not think I want tires bigger than 15 or 16.

 

Sorry I did not mean to post here and I messed up trying to edit the post, again I am sorry.

 

yes... hold out for what you are looking for.... i am currently on my 4th XJ and this is the one i hope to have for a long time.. it is exactly what i want with all options. i had to pay a little bit more than i wanted to but there was 3 other people behind me waiting for it at the same price

 

Well, it took a while but I finally picked one up. '99 Sport with a Chrysler 8.25 rear and 146k. Cherokees in Southern California sell for a pretty penny
Oh well, the price of living out here I guess...

 

Nice XJ man! Good choice.

 

Thanks! I've only driven it a few miles so far but it seems to be running well.

 

Chang, are you going to try doing your own maintenance?