And that's exactly what I'm here for, so keep it coming. My K5 is actually a retired M1009 CUCV, so it is BARE bones. I'd have to try really hard to mess it up.

My son is kind of enamored with the Jeep mystic. Our old neighbor had a sweet looking '88 Comanche for years as the boys were growing up. Looking is the key word though, because he bought it used, but never could get to run. My son talked for years about buying that truck and fixing it up. Right up until the guy had it towed to a mechanic who declared it DOA.

He's a great kid and his heart kinda set on a Jeep, so I'm going to do all I can, while being the reasonable adult, to make that happen.

 

yeah..I am a born and raised chevy guy, but there is something about a jeep (even though is is a Chrysler) that I really like and enjoy. They may rust out but they will run forever. I think that a Cherokee would be a great first vehicle. I understand that you want to help him and get him something nice but for the asking price of the other Jeep I think that you could get a newer one with similar mods for the same price if not less. Like I said deals are out there you just have to be willing to travel just a bit and be patient. I have made mistakes in the past by jumping on deals too soon and ended up regretting it.

 

I agree with you about looking and waiting. Heck, he won't turn 15 until the end of January. However, I have been looking, and so far, this one appears to be at the head of the internet class. And, it's 10 miles down the road, so I can take me time and really look it over before deciding if I even want to make an offer. I'd like to get him a Jeep, but not necessarily this Jeep.

 

Make sure and check for rust. Get underneath it and look at the floor boards. Check the oil. I know he says he's run synthetic but make sure the oil looks alright. Ask him if his rear leafs were lifted by adding a leaf or were whole leaf replacements. Whole leaf replacements are much more desirable than add a leafs which will eventually sag. They aren't horrible but aren't as nice of a ride. Ask if he's done a transfer case drop. Drive it and listen for vibrations. If its got vibrations you'll need a transfer case drop at least (25 bucks and easy install). Its normal for the 4.0 to have oil leaks but it shouldn't look like a faucet either. It does look to be quite clean and finding a clean xj can be rather difficult. Even if they have low miles.

The Jeep thing might get you too. You guys could get into a Jeep club together down there and they usually have some great people to help you learn how to work on your Jeep and to trail ride together with. Also find people on here. I never thought I'd do the things that I can do now because of this site. Good luck and enjoy the xj. Its a great vehicle for a teenager to have. I've taken mine everywhere including college for five years and it treated me well. Better than I treated it. I hope one day my kids (first one should be here in a week or so!) Will think of it as a family heirloom and will love it just as much as I do.

 

More good advice; thanks everyone. And, congratulations Red82 on the pending birth. They (children, not Jeeps) change your life forever, and that's not a bad thing.

 

Thanks man! I'm super stoked about my little girl. I have my freak out moments but I think any new dad does.

Oh and just so you know.... Jeeps change your life too! LOL.

 

nice looking Jeep, but definitely not worth $3500. Since it's going to be for your son, and a new driver at that, I would actually recommend NOT gettting this particular Jeep. main reason is because it's lifted. For someone who is bran new to offroading, and especially driving, a stock jeep would be better IMO. It allows him to have a capable offroader that he can really learn how to offroad in (what line to take, limitations, etc). Also, unless you know the person who built the jeep up, you don't know how well it was done. Lifting a Jeep can result in a really good Jeep, or it can result in a really bad Jeep. If it's not done right, it'll show in time. Buying a stocker also lets you and your son make it into what you want it to be, rather than buying what someone else wanted it to be.

And Mike, I just had a big freakout the other day thanks to Katie - Grace will be full-term in just over 2 weeks. Let me tell you, that was a "this is actually happening" moment for this first time dad!

 

One more thing I will add since it hasn't been mentioned is that aftermarket parts such as lifts, tires, joints, bushings, etc are going to wear out. So although it might seem nice to have all the work already done for you, realize that the stuff they did is already probably well broken in. (trust me no one dumps a bunch of money on building up a rig and then sells it before they even get a good use out of all those new aftermarket items). This means that for example the leaf springs and shocks rather than lasting you maybe 30,000 miles if you put them on yourself, will maybe only last you the buyer maybe 10,000 miles. So although it seems convenient and cheaper to buy a built jeep already, if you look at in the long run- you end up paying a premium to have all the aftermarket items that is nearly equal to cost of buying all the parts and putting them on new, plus you end up having to replace those items a lot sooner than had you built it yourself from stock. So in the long run when you buy an already built jeep you may end up putting in more money and the same amount of effort to replace everything (when the previous owners stuff wears out).

Anyways this is just my experience with my jeep that I bought "built" and had to replace everything on after realizing how worn out it was. Good luck and if nothing else you could at least use this as a bargaining point if you decide to go for that jeep.

 

i bought pretty much my 1993 few months ago off CL. i am 2 hrs north of you. it was very close to this one. minus roof rack. mine had 20k less miles and aluminum wheels. i paid $1400 for it and drove it 2 hrs home. since i have invested 2800. but thats what i had saved from last jeep sellling and included. Lift, tires, rack, bumper ETC. . I am not knocking a fellow xj'ers price but i have seen far better jeeps for 3500 on here and CL. if he is only 15 you got plenty of time. and honestly i would look for a more stock one and you can build it from there with him. makes him appreciate more if he does the work too. but you got time, and price is only worth what someone would pay!!

 

oh and another thing on the rebuilt 50k ago. if there is no documentation and you dont know builder on reg basis, i always look at is actual mileage. people's opinion of "rebuilt" varies so much

 

$1,400.00?! Dang, does your Jeep have a brother? It is good to finally get a local opinion on pricing (no offense to my out-of-state friends, but there are regional price differences).

I am starting to lean toward the "buy it stock and build it out while he's learning to really drive it" line of thinking, and your point about the value of brand-new installed mods vs. the perceived cost savings of existing mods is well taken.

 

I am on my phone but when I get home I will try to find it. Cl Atlanta post a 1991 xj stock good shape. 140k miles with owners for past 15yr. For $1100

 

this looks to be a fair deal if you could get it for 2500. jeep looks tight.

http://atlanta.craigslist.org/nat/cto/2714765388.html

dont know how far you are from jasper.
i have learned that when looking for a vehicle. never feel like to "need" to buy one. you will always buy and find a better deal later. let the deal come to you. not saying dont look for a deal but let it find you as well. its taking me a long time to figure this out. i am running vehicle #43 now so i have been through a few tag office ventures. and never ever ever think that the one you find is the only one out there. there always jeeps for sale. may not be exactly what you want. i sold my last one and it was a 98 classic. 8" lift, full rack on 35's. sold it because my wife and 2 small kids could not get in it easily. immediately started looking for another similar. could not find one that i wanted so i bought one stock and have transformed it into what i want. i appreciate this one so much more because it was "built" not bought. and i also know that everything that is on it was done right!!. when you find one or want to go wheeling give me a holler. i have miles upon miles of awesome places to ride up here

 

Just found this in another thread
http://atlanta.craigslist.org/wat/cto/2726712203.html
Get it for like $750 or less then fix it and there you go

 

I called and the guy sounded shady about title so I don't know bout it? It may be a good buy. ??