Thinking about getting an older jeep cherokee.. anything to consider?

[flood]

I've currently got a 91 bmw 735i with angel eyes.
I want to upgrade to one of these, but I dont have the money to do it right now - I'd have to save for about 6-8 more months.
What I want to do is sell the 735i now to cut costs and get a cheap car for the meantime.
The jeep cherokee seems like the most reasonable option I've come into so far... its reliable, safe, cheap, looks good, and it can move people/stuff.
The one I'm going to look at today is an 86 jeep cherokee, 130k miles, 4.0L i6, AT, 4dr, 4x4. it needs a new water pump soon... the price is $1250. I'm going to take it for a drive today and get a mechanic to look at it on tuesday (and get an insurance quote). Assuming all checks out well, I think I'll pick it up.
Is there anything I should know about these jeeps? I'm not too familiar with them mechanically, but I've driven one before and was fairly pleased.

 

[etech]

Originally posted by: flood
I've currently got a 91 bmw 735i with angel eyes.
I want to upgrade to one of these, but I dont have the money to do it right now - I'd have to save for about 6-8 more months.
What I want to do is sell the 735i now to cut costs and get a cheap car for the meantime.
The jeep cherokee seems like the most reasonable option I've come into so far... its reliable, safe, cheap, looks good, and it can move people/stuff.
The one I'm going to look at today is an 86 jeep cherokee, 130k miles, 4.0L i6, AT, 4dr, 4x4. it needs a new water pump soon... the price is $1250. I'm going to take it for a drive today and get a mechanic to look at it on tuesday (and get an insurance quote). Assuming all checks out well, I think I'll pick it up.
Is there anything I should know about these jeeps? I'm not too familiar with them mechanically, but I've driven one before and was fairly pleased.

I would suggest doing some searches and perhaps posing your question on this site.

Jeepsunlimited

I like my 98. Hauls quite a bit and is good on snow when we have it.

 

[iamwiz82]

There is no way that an 86 Cherokee will have a 4.0L. 1986 model year had 2 engine choices, 2.8L V6(stay away!!)or 2.5L(ehh... iffy). I would double check.

Go get am 87 for pretty much the same price. You will get the 4.0L which is very reliable.

 

[flood]

Originally posted by: iamwiz82
There is no way that an 86 Cherokee will have a 4.0L. ]1986 model year had 2 engine choices, 2.8L V6(stay away!!)or 2.5L(ehh... iffy). I would double check.

Go get am 87 for pretty much the same price. You will get the 4.0L which is very reliable.

Yea, thats what I thought, but the guy says its a 4.0L and its an 86... I guess I'll find out.

 

[CraigRT]

Originally posted by: iamwiz82
There is no way that an 86 Cherokee will have a 4.0L. 1986 model year had 2 engine choices, 2.8L V6(stay away!!)or 2.5L(ehh... iffy). I would double check.

Go get am 87 for pretty much the same price. You will get the 4.0L which is very reliable.

I'd get the 4.0L too.. best engine for sure.

 

[flood]

Originally posted by: Yield

Originally posted by: iamwiz82
There is no way that an 86 Cherokee will have a 4.0L. 1986 model year had 2 engine choices, 2.8L V6(stay away!!)or 2.5L(ehh... iffy). I would double check.

Go get am 87 for pretty much the same price. You will get the 4.0L which is very reliable.

I'd get the 4.0L too.. best engine for sure.

Yea, i know to get the 4.0 :-]
And I hear they eat up fuel pumps too... I've found a few jeep sites, but have yet to find one that shows common problems or things to check out when purchasing one. Got any links?

 

[iamwiz82]

Originally posted by: flood

Originally posted by: Yield

Originally posted by: iamwiz82
There is no way that an 86 Cherokee will have a 4.0L. 1986 model year had 2 engine choices, 2.8L V6(stay away!!)or 2.5L(ehh... iffy). I would double check.

Go get am 87 for pretty much the same price. You will get the 4.0L which is very reliable.

I'd get the 4.0L too.. best engine for sure.

Yea, i know to get the 4.0 :-]
And I hear they eat up fuel pumps too... I've found a few jeep sites, but have yet to find one that shows common problems or things to check out when purchasing one. Got any links?

the 4.0L Grand Cherokee's are more apt to eating fuel pumps. Different tank design.