HoratioTheJeep
NAXJA Forum User
- Location
- Texas
I test-drove this thing. You can see it here or here. It's a '98 Classic w/the 231 transfer case (Command-Trac) & 186,000 miles (the dealer doesn't list the miles in the advertisements). One owner, acc to Carfax.
I can have it for $3,500 cash from this wholesaler. Same place I bought my 2WD, '96 (currently 111k miles, no leaks, bad O2 heater circuit).
On the test drive it seemed to shift ok, ran ok, _except_ it hesitated when I made a quick left turn, tried to accel hard thru the turn but for a split second it hesitated (didn't stall, no knocking or other noise, just lost power).
I was there when they were cleaning it up just after they got it at auction. The oil was quite black & thick, but no metal shavings in it. Oil sending unit is bad. It may have a small valve cover leak on the passenger side, I'm not sure. No apparent leaks around the head gasket. Underbody is clean w/no sign of leaks or rust. It has small scratches all over the rear bumper, like a large dog w/steel claws was getting in & out of the back. More scratches here & there on the rest of the body. Driver door pivot-pin has been replaced with a large screw, so the door makes horrible noises opening & closing. The passenger rear door was bumped against something & now doesn't seem to close all the way. Power locks don't always work. It has a bloody power sunroof (which works). Cassette deck.
IMO it's too many miles for $3,500. I pd 4k for my '96 at 98k miles. Dealer claims that an insurance company would pay out more than $3,500 if the rig were totaled in an accident, should I believe that? Right now (besides my '96 XJ) I've got a Buick Century with 85k miles worth about $2,500 private party sale, but only $1,500 trade-in. If I were to buy the '98 for $3,500 I wouldn't have money left enough to rebuild the engine if it went bad. I will NOT be trading in my 2WD '96.
I wouldn't be lifting it, but I'd rather have the older style body. And I'd rather have Selec-Trac. & I'd rather have lower miles. I'm probably going to pass on it, what do you all think?
I can have it for $3,500 cash from this wholesaler. Same place I bought my 2WD, '96 (currently 111k miles, no leaks, bad O2 heater circuit).
On the test drive it seemed to shift ok, ran ok, _except_ it hesitated when I made a quick left turn, tried to accel hard thru the turn but for a split second it hesitated (didn't stall, no knocking or other noise, just lost power).
I was there when they were cleaning it up just after they got it at auction. The oil was quite black & thick, but no metal shavings in it. Oil sending unit is bad. It may have a small valve cover leak on the passenger side, I'm not sure. No apparent leaks around the head gasket. Underbody is clean w/no sign of leaks or rust. It has small scratches all over the rear bumper, like a large dog w/steel claws was getting in & out of the back. More scratches here & there on the rest of the body. Driver door pivot-pin has been replaced with a large screw, so the door makes horrible noises opening & closing. The passenger rear door was bumped against something & now doesn't seem to close all the way. Power locks don't always work. It has a bloody power sunroof (which works). Cassette deck.
IMO it's too many miles for $3,500. I pd 4k for my '96 at 98k miles. Dealer claims that an insurance company would pay out more than $3,500 if the rig were totaled in an accident, should I believe that? Right now (besides my '96 XJ) I've got a Buick Century with 85k miles worth about $2,500 private party sale, but only $1,500 trade-in. If I were to buy the '98 for $3,500 I wouldn't have money left enough to rebuild the engine if it went bad. I will NOT be trading in my 2WD '96.
I wouldn't be lifting it, but I'd rather have the older style body. And I'd rather have Selec-Trac. & I'd rather have lower miles. I'm probably going to pass on it, what do you all think?