Jane Doeski

Hi all, I’m new here so apologies if I am in the wrong thread. I am looking to buy my first XJ tomorrow and want to know your guys thoughts. It is a 1997 4.0L 5 speed manual 4 door that’s 4x4. Has roughly 175k miles on it. It’s painted a unique citron pearl? I’ve never seen the color before. Rockers Are completely rusted but rest of Jeep looks relatively good. Is this citron pearl a rare color? I’m in the Midwest and have never come across one. I uploaded a google picture of one for reference. What do you think is a fair price for a Jeep like this? Thanks

Battle

Rare color for sure but the rust is concerning. You can get replacement rocker panels or have steel square tubbing welded in as a replacement. However, I'd be really shocked if that's the only rust on the vehicle. You'll really want to inspect the uniframe - especially at the rear where the fuel tank hoses "cut through" the frame - the metal can get really weak back there and if there's rot, you're lookiing at a lot of money and effort to get it repaired.

All of that being said - I can't recommend a 4.0 4x4 5sp Cherokee enough! I have two of them and they are absolutely delightful.

BlueRidgeMark

Agreed. Two things to know about rust:

1. It's never alone.
2. It never sleeps.

Might be okay, but look really hard at that undercarriage.

Joshua White

As others have said, it's a rare color indeed, and rust is always a concern.

I wouldn't care to much about rockers, as Battle said, some square tube in there and you've got some nice sturdy sliders as well as a stronger piece. I have YET to see an XJ with rusted out rockers that didn't have rust issues somewhere else. Now the extent of those issues has varied, some just a few floor issues, others had every low hanging panel with some kind of cancer. Rust can be repaired, but it's all about your time and money, time you can't get back...you can always make more money ;-)

RocketMouse

^^ That there is a 100% true statement.