What should I look for ?

[camarors8992]

I sold my rotted 95 jeep today and found this 98 xj a week ago. I got his number and some basic information from the guy. 78k miles, power windows, locks, mirrors blah blah the usual. What should I look for when I go tommorrow with the money ? I know from my 95 that the floors of the hatch area rot pretty fast along with the floor boards. At $3,000 the cheap price has me pretty cautious.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v610/camarors8992/100_1799.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v610/camarors8992/100_1804.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v610/camarors8992/100_1800.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v610/camarors8992/100_1803.jpg

[Sniggs]

Make sure there's no wool or sheep poop in the back seat. :farmer:

[WB9YZU]

Make sure there's no wool or sheep poop in the back seat. :farmer:

This must be a local problem as I don't believe XJs are known for having either in the back seat on a habitual basis ;)

Seriously, The drivers door is par (pinch seam rust), as may be some rust where the gutter meets the windshield pillar. The floors hold up pretty good just inspect above the pipe on the passenger side.

[89Daytona]

Looks like its a chicks car... beads on the signal stalk.
Make sure all the power locks and windows work and test each from each door. Check blower speeds. Make sure it starts cold and drives well when cold and warm.

[rcnerd]

look for rust
look for leaks
look for damage
look for signs of abuse
look to make sure everything works

any other questions?:laugh2:

[Begster]

Those beads aren't on the signal stock, the signal is above that. What are those beads on?

[XJPhoenix]

Check for rust on the rockers, and the boxed portion of the rear quarter panels (behind the wheel.) Check to make sure the lock on the rear hatch works with the key (most will get jammed up and only work with power locks.)

Pop the hood before you start the Jeep; fire it up and listen for ticking. (Could be a cracked header.)

Look for obvious signs of wear and tear. Worn pedal covers, worn carpet at the driver's feet, sagged out driver's seat... That Jeep has unusually low miles for that price and year.

Hmm... That's all I can think of.

:)

[camarors8992]

Thanks. I can put all of the advice to use today when I got to drive it and look it over really well.

[RichP]

Thanks. I can put all of the advice to use today when I got to drive it and look it over really well.

It's a NY State thing for rust, seen 4 year old wranglers come out of there looking worse than CJ3's that have been parked in a farmers field for 50 years..
Must be that liquid stuff they use on the roads up there...
Rule of thumb up there is two cars, one for winter and one for the rest of the year.

[mrrbby]

Check for rust on the rockers, and the boxed portion of the rear quarter panels (behind the wheel.) Check to make sure the lock on the rear hatch works with the key (most will get jammed up and only work with power locks.)

Pop the hood before you start the Jeep; fire it up and listen for ticking. (Could be a cracked header.)

Look for obvious signs of wear and tear. Worn pedal covers, worn carpet at the driver's feet, sagged out driver's seat... That Jeep has unusually low miles for that price and year.

Hmm... That's all I can think of.

:)

Don't forget to check the hvac for proper operation. Repairing it is a pain. Good luck.

[UNCC_99XJ]

Those beads aren't on the signal stock, the signal is above that. What are those beads on?

I didn't even catch that untill you said something....what the heck are those beads sitting on??????

I think everything has been pretty well covered. That is pretty low miles and a damn good price for the year. Take it out for a nice long test drive and see if anything seems unusual.

[camarors8992]

It's an aftermarket cruise control system I guess. That kind of scares me.