Pros/cons of buying an ‘84 XJ

[Incommando]

I am thinking of buying an ‘84 XJ 2dr 2.5L 4-spd 4x4. The body is in good shape for around here but it has 180,000 on it.   Besides the miles my concern is the one-year only nature of the ‘84.  It seems it has a lot of exclusive items like the one-barrel carb. The main negative is that the door seals leak badly and the floors are damp but not rusted through yet. 

 

Thoughts?

[Pete M]

what are the plans for it if you do buy it? 

[Incommando]

Putt around town.  Maybe a budget lift and 30’s.  It is very stock 

[eaglescout526]

Not many people can say they own a first year run XJ. Get me the VIN and I’ll decode what it has. 

[Incommando]

I will try to get the VIN.  It is a base and has little to no options

[Dzimm]

May be a good one to grab and hang on to.  Keep it stock for what you are doing and keep it in good shape.  May become worth a little more than you pay for it after a little while.

[Jeep Driver]

If it runs and drives and you can pick it up for $500.........there are no cons. 

[Incommando]

There’s the rub: they want $1200

[Eagle]

Carburetors are easy to tune and easy to replace. I would say, "Go for it," but $1200 is a ridiculous price for an '84 XJ. $500 would be my absolute top.

[Dzimm]

1 minute ago, Incommando said:

There’s the rub: they want $1200

Talk them down on it.  I doubt there are many people in the market for an 84' XJ.

[Incommando]

I just checked rockauto. Almost everything is still available

[JMO413]

I'm a sucker for a stick shift so I would try the cash in hand with what your willing to spend. 84 XJ just sounds cool to me!

[Incommando]

Still can’t get in touch with the seller again

[Incommando]

Well he is firm at 1200 and it has issues such as a push button start and a $299 spray it all paint job.  I passed. 

[Eagle]

3 hours ago, Incommando said:

Well he is firm at 1200 and it has issues such as a push button start and a $299 spray it all paint job.  I passed. 

 

In other words, he doesn't want to sell it.

[DirtyComanche]

16 hours ago, Eagle said:

 

In other words, he doesn't want to sell it.

 

He also might be stupid.  People see adds for them with ridiculous prices and think they're worth that. 

 

There was a 97+ with a rusted through roof, miled right out, and other issues (wouldn't shift into OD or something, I don't remember), it was local and the asking price was $1200.  All I wanted was the doors and some odds and ends.  I said I'd do $800 and show up with my trailer, no test drive and no further haggling.  They said no.  Two weeks later they were begging me to give them the $800, but nope, I'd gone to work and wouldn't be back for two more weeks.  The guy wound up getting $500 for it because he needed the cash sooner than I'd be back.