I am thinking about buying a 1996 Cherokee sport, It's a 4.0L 4wd. The car has about 190k on the engine and it runs a drives fine. My main concern with the car is it has a lot of rust on the bottom and the engine is somewhat covered in oil. However there has been work put into it already, new breaks, new tires, new universal joints, new engine cooler and exhaust. The car drives fine however it sometimes makes a cherpy sound when I hit the gas but I don't think it is the engine. The price is really good 800$ and i only need it for a few years and I can afford to repair somethings if I have too. I am new to cars this will be my very first car and I don't really know what I am doing what are some things to look for and what are some serious red flags with this kind of jeep. Thank you any advice will be appreciated!

 

The oil isn't a big deal as long as it runs good. Most likely it's just a leaking valve cover gasket. They're pretty bad about leaking there. 5 bucks and half and hour with a wrench and you'll be set.

Rust... I live in South Carolina and don't have to deal with a lot of rust so when I see any rust I tend to run and never look back...

It really depends on what kind of rust, how much rust and where you live...

Is the rust so bad that it's made holes in the floor?

 

I had 2 rust spots in my floor when I pulled my carpet but I wouldn't trade it for my own life, the first mud trip with the carpet out, all stock the girl rideing in the back got her legs covered in mud! She's loved mud ever since!
I paid $300 and have about 5k in it and love it, if you can buy it, do it!

 

BTW I duck taped a saw blade over the hole, ran it that way for 3 mo

 

The chirping might be the belt, push down on the spot between the pulley on the right and the one that is the most exposed at the top, it shouldn't move more than a quarter of an inch

 

I live where every car eventually rusts, even a Mercedes or better. Bottom holes? Take an old license plate, and some good silicone. Wire bristle the surrounding rust (ha) to find something that won't chip off, and slap on the license plate. Works like a champ. No kidding. Good for years.

 

Oil is a good thing, Mine was the same after oil sencer and oil adpter o rings replaced
cleanes up nice with cleaner and car wash. Replacing floor panels or jst rust is that that hard.
well worth the price of 800 bucks