Looking at buying this cherokee

[snakester14]

http://raleigh.craigslist.org/car/684184987.html

It says it doesn't run b/c of broken belts. The only belt i know of is the serpentine belt what else could it be? and if thats it thats not a very hard/expensive part to fix correct? If thats the only thing majorly wrong then im gonna try and jump on that it looks like a deal but i thought id get your guys opinion first.

thanks,
Jake

[Crystalship1]

"Has salvage title"

[medicbear]

i would venture to say he doesnt know much of what of what hes talkin about probably a bad timing belt my guess or if it is the serpentine belt who knows

[snakester14]

Originally Posted by Crystalship1

"Has salvage title"

what exactly does a salvage title mean? This is going to be mostly a trail rig and occasionally driven on the road if that matters.
thanks,
Jake

[medicbear]

salvage title usually means it was junked or considered totaled for one reason or another or found on the road dead and the original owner wasnt able to be contacted for a title transfer etc.... a salvage title isnt always a bad thing but should be investigated

[snakester14]

Originally Posted by medicbear

salvage title usually means it was junked or considered totaled for one reason or another or found on the road dead and the original owner wasnt able to be contacted for a title transfer etc.... a salvage title isnt always a bad thing but should be investigated

I would for sure have it completley checked out by a mechanic first to make sure their is nothing majorly wrong with it. I think im gonna go and take a look at it thursday and all let you guys know how it looks.

[Crystalship1]

Originally Posted by medicbear

salvage title usually means it was junked or considered totaled for one reason or another or found on the road dead and the original owner wasnt able to be contacted for a title transfer etc.... a salvage title isnt always a bad thing but should be investigated

(+1) And let's not forget possible totaling due to FLOOD damage!!!

Dat's da worst!!!

[Tarukai]

$750 for a '92 4-door Laredo with a salvage title? that's a bit high in my opinion. try to talk him down from the $750. I think $500 might be good, but I could just be a bit spoiled, since I got mine for $350 and it runs flawlessly.

Originally Posted by snakester14

I would for sure have it completley checked out by a mechanic first to make sure their is nothing majorly wrong with it. I think im gonna go and take a look at it thursday and all let you guys know how it looks.

good call on this. I'm glad both of my uncles know how to work on trucks/cars, which makes it easier for me, and helped when one of them came with me to inspect mine when I got it.

good luck, and I hope it's something simple that caused the salvage title, so you're not left with buyer's remorse.

[xjfever]

A salvage title isn't always bad. I'd be willing to bet the cherokee on trucks has a salvage title. my jeep was wrecked at 18000 miles and the ins. co. called it totalled. my brother in law rebuilt it and sold it to me, now it has 101000 and no problems.but as stated above if it was flood damaged thats bad. check to see if it has been inspected and passed as roadworthy. but for 750 I would consider it for a parts jeep. around here now you can crush one for about 400 to 600 after you've removed all the good parts.

[SilverXJ]

As longs as it drives fine, takes a decent alignment I wouldn't worry about the salvage title.

As for the belt. I would get more info on this. How long does a broken serpentine belt take to replace? 1 hour at most? Maybe a broken timing chain?

But I would not buy it for $750. 1) It doesn't run 2) you don't know what the problem is, 3) It does have a salvage title.

[medicbear]

if your gonna run it as a trail only rig for the most part and you are mechanically inclined or know someone who is this might not be a bad deal but i like the rest would talk him down at least to 600

[snakester14]

Originally Posted by medicbear

if your gonna run it as a trail only rig for the most part and you are mechanically inclined or know someone who is this might not be a bad deal but i like the rest would talk him down at least to 600

Im deffinetely going to try and talk him down to around 500 and see if I can run a carfax on it to see why it has a salvage title and then go from thier.
thanks for the help,
Jake

[medicbear]

the only thing with carfax you can only find out what was reported ie: a car was rolled 4x on the freeway after a theft engine fire extinguished and was shot at by police carfax wont show any of it if it was never reported...... though it should show why or for whom the salvage was issued

[bikedude189]

here's an idea. talk to the guy. if it seems to be missing a serpentine belt( the only belt on a xj other than seat belts...) go pick one up and put it on! it takes 15 minutes and costs about 20 bucks, i think... if it doesn't start then, maybe pass...

[snakester14]

Just wanted to update this thread I finally got a hold of the owner and it the belt is the serpentine belt. It was purchased from a salvage yard and the reason for the salvage title is it was stolen and when found it was salvaged. Im gonna go and look at this weekend and maybe put a serpentine belt and if i get it running offer 500 for it. Can anyone point me in the direction of a right up on how to replace a serpentine belt?
thanks,
Jake