Ridiculous Cherokee Wanted Ad

[DonkRado]

So, I'm hoping this won't go over too poorly. I'm in Charlottesville, Va, and need to find a good reliable daily driver. My current car (92' VW Corrado SLC) is great and fun and all, but I wouldn't dare call it reliable or fuel efficient. I'm in the process of buying a house, and won't be in an apartment across the street from work and school, so my mode of transportation is going to have to be a bit more trustworthy than a 14 year old VW.
Due to all of my current financial limitations, I've only got about $500 to spend, but would need something pretty much road-ready for that amount. I already have a line on a couple of Jeeps, but I want to put a quick 'want ad' out before I hop on a greyhound this weekend to go check one out. I am very capable of performing my own repair/maintenance work on the XJ's and the 4.0 engine, so I acknowledge that I'm probably looking at a project, but I'm not too worried. I saw the ad for the white 4x4 in Chesapeake, and saw mention of one needing lifters for around $300 near Richmond. Unfortunately, I couldn't find much in the form of transportation to Chesapeake, and I'm wary of getting into a car needing lifters when I don't have much extra cash. So, please let me know of anything that anyone has available.

Oh.. and before the VW bashing even begins. Yeah.. the Corrado is my first VW, and considering the amount of work it took to get it where it is today, I doubt I'd ever buy another VW. However... I do love the hell out of that car and don't think I'd ever sell it. Thanks again.
-Donk

[DonkRado]

Ok.
Time to update this thread. It's about time to take the Corrado off of the road for the winter. Starting to need a new TOB, and the head gasket and timing chains could use a refresh. So, I'm actively looking for an XJ now. My budget is about $1K, and I need something daily driver kind of reliable. It doesn't need to be lifted or anything, just rust free or having only minimal rust. After the initial purchase, I'm not really going to have any funds for immediately required labor, but I am handy with a wrench so I'll be doing the work.
Here's where I get picky...
I would prefer something no older than an '89. Certainly not in a 5-speed if it is older than that. No desire for the Peugot. After that... 5 speed or auto is just fine with me.
4 Wheel drive is almost a requirement, unless the deal is just unbeatable.
2 doors or 4... doesn't make a difference to me.

So, thanks for any help. I've been haunting the forums for a little while now, and it looks like ya'll have a nice little community. I'm pretty eager to be able to post a 'My new XJ' thread, so how about some help? Thanks guys.
-Donk

[rredalty]

Hope this helps you and good luck.
http://bb.tennesseeoffroad.com/ubb/ultimatebb.php?ubb=get_topic;f=42;t=003323

[DonkRado]

Thanks. I have sent him a PM. I don't know how I'd be able to get to anything quite that far away, but it's definitely worth checking into.

[DeezUU]

The words Corrado and Reliable should NEVER be used in the same sentence !! hahaha . I'm an ex-owner of a 92 G60 and run a VW website ( have owned about 6 other VWs and currently own a German imported mk1 Polo ) . Funny thing is ALOT of VW peeps not only own VWs but also drive Jeeps ! I have no clue what the connections is but hey ... it is what it is ! Good luck with the SLC for sure and when you find an XJ , enjoy it to the fullest .

[scottsxj]

i have 96 xj with 98,000 miles, it just needs some tranny work to be a good reliable driver

[DonkRado]

Yep. I had my eye on that one. I just don't know how I'd get it back to Charlottesville, and I can't imagine when I'd have time to drop the tranny in the near future.

[scottsxj]

if theres a will there is a way. Its cool though if you are interested though i might drop the price 100 bucks to help cover transportation.

[Jay R.]

Grundan has one for $500 in Alabama. needs a rear main seal installed. he has it in peices to do the seal. and he has the seal, you just need to complete the labor. its a 87 5 speed 4x4. I want to pick it up but cash has slowed down on me. check it out. if itx not gone in the next few weeks I will jump on it.

[OutputShaft]

Funny thing is ALOT of VW peeps not only own VWs but also drive Jeeps ! I have no clue what the connections is but hey ... it is what it is.

Maybe the connection is the VW Kubelwagen was the inspiration for the Bantam, then Ford and Willys-Overland jeeps.:lecture:

[DonkRado]

Maybe the connection is the VW Kubelwagen was the inspiration for the Bantam, then Ford and Willys-Overland jeeps.:lecture:
Yeah, I thought it was just obvious and went unspoken.

No, really. It's probably more along the lines of being sick with the frustration and lack of space found when working on the VW. It's nice to have something simple and reliable to fall back on. The I6 may well be the antithesis to the VR6.

Anyway, I just had a lot of unexpected (and spendy) expenses come my way. Looks like my search may be delayed just a bit again. Thanks for the suggestions so far. I'll re-bump when I'm definitely back in the market. Thanks.

[DonkRado]

Finally found myself a new daily driver. After a little bit of work, that is. I just finished driving it home from Pennsylvania to Virginia. It's a good thing those leather seats are nice and cushy.
http://www.richmonddubs.com/gallery/d/12426-2/HPIM0643.jpg

[Jay R.]

nice jeep! what did you end up paying for it?

[DeezUU]

Alright ! Congrats .

And to be honest ... I use my Jeep to hash my VW frustrations on !! It's sort of a 4X4 therapy ! lol

[scottsxj]

and it has some sick nasty clear corners

[DonkRado]

Yep. I've spent the last 3 days under it so far. Looking to finish it all up tomorrow. With days like today, it'll be a shame to put the Corrado to bed for the next several months. I gave her a good chance to stretch her legs tonight, though.

[Jay R.]

how much did you end up getting the jeep for?

[DonkRado]

how much did you end up getting the jeep for?

Well, out of respect to the seller, I won't actually say how much I ended up paying for it. I'll just say that it was below his $900 OBO asking price. He was willing to work with me on the price, especially taking into account that I had to get a hotel room and all to make the trip. It's not without it's immediate needs, but I like it so far. Of course... it hasn't been on the road since I drove it back. Hopefully that'll all be fixed by tomorrow evening.

[DonkRado]

Yeah. Nevermind... I paid $700 for it. And now, it looks like it may have been too much.

Anyone got an engine to sell me on the cheap? May need an exhaust manifold, too. Just found out that several of the bolts backed out and they weren't getting a good seal to the block. I'm hoping there's no heat warp, but I'll have to check them with a micrometer after I pull it all out.

Viva la Corrado... it's back into daily driver status after a whole 4 days in retirement.

[Jay R.]

whats wrong with the engine??

[DonkRado]

whats wrong with the engine??

http://www.naxja.org/forum/showthread.php?t=900774

And that thread only covers the engine side of the problems.

[DonkRado]

Pffffft... It's a project. If I wasn't so broke these days, and hadn't been under the impression that it was in considerably better condition, I know I’d see a lot more value in it. So long as I can get some good miles out of that engine, it’ll make for a good parts car or a sick trail rig; and it’s a whole lot of fun to run it around the 4-Wheeler and hunting trails on my property. I know that it’ll be worth the $700 in the end. Also, every time I fix one of the major issues it has, I find myself liking it more and more.


Now, fear the double sexy:
http://www.richmonddubs.com/gallery/d/12497-2/JeepCorrado+001.jpg

http://www.richmonddubs.com/gallery/d/12488-2/JeepCorrado010.jpg

[DonkRado]

So long as I can get some good miles out of that engine, it’ll make for a good parts car or a sick trail rig; and it’s a whole lot of fun to run it around the 4-Wheeler and hunting trails on my property. I know that it’ll be worth the $700 in the end.
Yep.
http://www.richmonddubs.com/gallery/d/12715-1/RAZR+Pics+017.jpg

Sorry for the camera phone pic, the regular digicam ended up mysteriously broken. I've easily gotten that money out of it by now. It's currently the daily driver as I'm pulling the VR6 out of the Corrado for the big rebuild. I'm not sure how I'll ever get it to pass inspection, but after trying some interesting oil blend testing I've gotten it to lose a decent amount less oil. It's burning about a quart every week and a half, up from a quart a day. :thumbup: