Need advice on 89 Comanche

[fatbelwas]

I've been wanting to buy a Jeep Comanche for a while and one finally came up for sale in my area. It's a 1989 4wd 5 speed with 208k miles. Owner claims it is his daily driver and everything works except AC/Heater. Also says no rust but I find that hard to believe. He's asking 2500 do you guys think that it is a decent price? It obviously needs some work interior and exterior but I don't mind a summer project. 

 

Thanks for the advice!

[Pete M]

pull back the carpet in front of the driver's and passenger's feet and check for dampness in the padding.  all MJs are prone to rain leakage into the cab and then rotting of the floorboards under the carpets.  next poke your head up in front or behind the rear tire and check out the condition of the steel between the inner and outer panels. our trucks like to rust from the inside-out and right behind the rear fenders is a prime location for rot.

[fatbelwas]

Thanks for the tips! I'd heard floorboards are the first thing to go on them. I'd be surprised if it isn't rusted we are in Florida and it's always damp and the air is salty. If it isn't rusted out does 2500 seem like a fair price? I'm struggling to find similar vehicles on the market to compare it to. 

[Keyav8r]

The first photo shows a lot of added/repaired(?)/re-routed wiring so i'd expect some electrical issues. Nothing that can't be eventually overcome by use of a good OEM wiring diagram and a multi-meter. Interesting headliner. I'm curious how the buttons are attached to the backer board. Probably screwed in. Will make for an interesting headliner replacemant.

If it drives out akay and has little rust, it might be worth $2,500, but I'd try to get him down. Based on the hacked wiring and the headliner treatment, I'd suspect some other unconventional repair/maintenence work will be found.

[Minuit]

If they didn't care enough to organize their hackjob wiring they probably didn't care enough to do anything else right. It would have to drive d@mn good (and not be rusty) for 2500. Possible heater core and A/C issues are enough of a problem on their own.

[fatbelwas]

Thanks for pointing out the headliner I hadn't noticed that. The wiring is concerning and something I will have to ask him about. I'm still going to check it out this afternoon but the body will have to be perfect for me to offer anything near 2.5

 

I really appreciate everyone helping me out

[jimoshel]

You want a rust free MJ? I have several to choose from. Just ignore the smashed windshields and extensively dented hoods and cabs from hail damage.