Buying a 5.2 and need some opinions

Gniks18 · 10-14-2010, 09:18 PM

Whats up everybody, new here. Basically I've leafed through this forum for about 2 months now educating myself on the ZJ as I wanted to buy one primarily for winter. So after checking out a few, today I looked at a zj with pretty low miles, as in 70k. Thing had been garaged for a few years and had been run from time to time, so it wasn't anybody's baby but it also wasn't neglected like a red headed step child. When started it ran a little rough at first but after sitting at idle for about 10 minutes it actually sounded great. Drove it around for about 30 mins, tested the gears, 4low, did figure 8's, checked electronics, opened it up a few times etc. etc. etc. Engine and trans were solid. After I scoped out the transmission fluid, which was a little low, and the oil, which was a little dirty, but nothing outside of what I expected. Exterior had a few dings and dents here and there but nothing major.

The only things wrong with the jeep was that the e brake sucked and wouldn't stop the jeep from moving, the steering was really loose (but no DW), and it sounded like the e brake was seized up and scraping against the rotors (happened in my Maxima so I'm familiar and would also explain the garbage e braking). Brakes were also soft. After crawling around under/over/through the thing for about 40 minutes there was, outside of the issues I mentioned, nothing wrong with it as far as I could tell. Literally no leaking fluid anywhere. There was some rust at the base of the power seats but nowhere else which was kinda odd (not a deal breaker but any thoughts?)...

The thing is fully loaded, has literally every option, the tow pkg. and upcountry suspension. Interior is in great condition. Dude put in a new alternator, new radiator, and a few hoses in within the past 6 months. He's "firm" at 3700, but I could prolly bring him down 100-200 because the windshield is cracked.

So, what do you guys think? Thanks for any/all help.

Candymancan · 10-14-2010, 09:35 PM

Sounds like a good Jeep, the E-brake not working is a common and not costly issue. Its due to not being used much if at all.

If the windshield is cracked then yea 100-200 sounds about right for a cheap replacement. Did you do the figure 8's and u-turns after you warmed the Jeep up or before ? If it has only 70k on it i doubt the transfer case is dead anyway. It probably has another 40k on it.

The low transmission fluid. Did you check while the Jeep was in neutral and running after it was hot ? If you checked it when it was cold then the fluid is going to seem a little low. When it heats up it can go up like half an inch on the dipstick maybe more. Does the interior lights work ? Head lights and so forth ?

If it ran rough when you started it it could be because the car wasnt driven much at all. Did you get the carfax on it ? To be sure that 70k miles is true. Any rust under the car ? How even are the tires ? Unbalenced tread can ruin the 4WD. $3700 for low miles with the upcountry suspension and it being a limited is a good deal. Most Jeeps i looked at for over 3 weeks were all $3-4k and needed alot of repairs.

Gniks18 · 10-14-2010, 09:54 PM

Yeah the 8's and turns after it had been running for probably 40 minutes. Checked the trans fluid while in neutral and running after it had been running for about an hour. All electronics work. I checked literally everything. I figure it was a rough run for the first few mins because it had been sitting. Doing the carfax in a few mins here actually... The tires were low so I had em filled up at a shop across the way with the VC in mind.

Gniks18 · 10-14-2010, 09:59 PM

Forgot to address the rust. Regular rusty components in the engine compartment and around the vehicle from New England winters. Nothing serious like body or frame rot. The underside looked very very clean relative to the year and that its been through some salty cold winters.

Candymancan · 10-14-2010, 10:15 PM

Are there any pictures of this car Id like to see it just to look lol. If it were me, i would bring it to a mechanic to look over to be 100% sure, and then just try to get him to go to like $3500 at least and buy the Jeep.. Im not sure what the supply is around in your area, but over in Northern Virginia. ALL the ZJ Jeeps were either $1800 and needed $2k+ in repairs, or they were $3500 and needed maybe $500 in repairs. Or they were $3-4k and still needed costly repairs lol..

This is why i bought my 5.9 for $5350... Yea i know its alot, but it was only 118k miles.. Its the 5.9 really rare Jeep, limited has every options imaginable and for one it didnt need expensive repairs at all. It was already done, they replaced the winsheild, CV Axles, engine mounts, brakes and rotors ect.. The only repair it needed was the leaking transmission which i hopefully fixed tonight.

I didnt even bring mine to a mechanic.. I was pretty sure nothing was wrong

It was either pay $3-4k for 4.0 or 5.2 that needed close to $1k in repairs, or buy the 5.9. I say be quick on your decision before the Jeep is gone. Winter is coming and even the crappy Jeeps will be bought up. Btw has the Jeep had recent emission and safty inspections done ? If not tell the guy to get them done, or at least pay for it, its not expensive and itll tell you if alot of stuff needs repaird. Like brakes,rotors, suspension, exhaust and so forth.

**Texas ZJ1** · 10-14-2010, 10:49 PM

year and trim level?

Hunter

Gniks18 · 10-14-2010, 11:23 PM

Its a 98 ZJ 5.2 limited.

Wow. Literally the cleanest Carfax I have ever seen. Single owner with all service up to late 2007 noted. Last safety/emissions was like 2 years ago. Has only been driven 246 miles since late 07. Concerns me a little, but after driving in it for about 35 minutes I'm ok with it. Damn. I think I need to jump on the grenade here...

But yeah, I'm not worried about the inspection I'll do that its only 30 bucks. The only thing I can't do in an inspection is check emissions.

Candymancan · 10-14-2010, 11:49 PM

what color ?

**Texas ZJ1** · 10-15-2010, 10:15 AM

Buy it, be happy, welcome to the clinic of Jeep adiction.

Hunter

**HighLonesome** · 10-15-2010, 10:46 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Texas ZJ1

Buy it, be happy, welcome to the clinic of Jeep adiction.

Hunter

x2 on that!

plan on putting a tcase in it tho

Gniks18 · 10-16-2010, 04:52 PM

Sorry gents I lied, it was a 5.9 all along. Deep slate on black leather. I was legitimately concerned that someone around here would catch wind of this thing so I had to keep OPSEC tight (operational security). Mileage upon purchase was 65,704. Dude found all service records back to and including the original invoice. All routine maintenance performed on time all the time. It'll need rotors, minor work on the ebrake, a sunroof switch, and a windshield. Walked away with it at 3700. I'll post some pictures up soon, I gotta buy the 6 month subscription. I figure I owe it to whomever runs this forum... Thanks for all the input guys.

Swagger_Wagon · 10-16-2010, 05:09 PM

a 5.9... with 65k...for 3700?

That's what I paid for my XJ with 135 on the clock.

Gniks18 · 10-16-2010, 05:28 PM

Here's a few pics I snapped quickly before my phone died. And those pictures are huge... wtf over.

Candymancan · 10-16-2010, 05:38 PM

Very nice Jeep man. I hear ya when you say you lied about it lol. When i posted the 5.9 i was looking at i was wondering myself if i should actually do it or not thinking someone would try to buy it over me lol.. However i posted it anyway including the dealers website.. I paid $5350 for mine 2 weeks ago and it has 118k on it.. I say for it needing an inspection,emissions, windshield, rotors, brakes, and the switch for the sunroof you got a good deal at $3700 with that mileage. After you repair the vehicle a little and do all that stuff you'll be probably a lil over $4k.

However one thing i noticed is 3 of the tires apear to be Michelin LT4 tires (Expensive tires around $130 a pop), and the rear right tire is a goodyear wrangler i think.. Check the spare tire and see what brand it is, i heared driving a quadra trac with a diff brand or thicker tread tire then the others for a long time is a no no. Thats why i asked a few days ago if the tires were all the same or not, guess you didnt see that. :P

The other tires from what i can see look newerish, if the spare tire is the same as the other 3 i would actually put that one back on and put the goodyear back in the trunk. I belive the Goodyear Wrangler is the original spare tire actually he might have had a flat at one time, so i suspect the one in the back is the Michelin hopefully. I know my 5.9 the spare is a Goodyear also.

Gniks18 · 10-16-2010, 06:00 PM

Good eye man. Yeah I knew that about the tires, but I had to drive it back to my place. Bout an hour drive unregistered, uninspected and uninsured using an out of state plate on the back of the Jeep from the front of a rental car I have while my other ride is in the shop. I keeps it real.

But yeah, other tire was/is flat. I was planning on getting new tires anyways b/c im buying a 2" bb to fit some 31's on w/ cragar soft 8's. Just needed to get her home.