Help buying 86 GW, Carfax?

[StevieRT]

Im new to the boards here but i grew up with an '86 Grand Wagoneer, but the parents sold it despite my request to save it for me, and now I am looking for another one. I found an 88 with new paint and no rust on it which was amazing seeing that I live in the Chicago suburbs, I found it at a five star chrysler dealer and it was a trade in, but the kicker is the salesman says it needs engine work. I test drove it and it feels like something with the timing but I cant be sure. It has a really bad miss when accelerating but idles fine, even in the zero degree weather. It has good oil pressure too and only 90,000 miles but the salesguy even told me that it has blowby and the engine may need to be replaced. It freaked me out because the SALESMAN told me this. They usually will say something like "a couple of bucks and it will be good as new". He said their service dept. looked at it and thats what they told him. It didn't feel THAT serious though so I wonder if they just dont wanna fix it or what? Anyway I figure I'll call the service department tomorrow and see what they say about it. One last thing, can anyone run a carfax for me? Thanks alot in advance. -Steve
1jcnj15u1jt133207

[babywag]

I'd buy it if the price was right...most chrysler dealerships don't know **** about AMC 360 engines.

Could be something like a bad plug wire, or it could be a burned valve...
Really no way to tell without careful diagnosis.

If the price is right, buy it and get the compression and leak down tested.

Looks low mileage, unless neglected AMC engines routinely go 100k-200k w/ proper maintenance.

1988 JEEP GRAND WAGONEER (1JCNJ15U1JT133207) (http://www.carfax.com/viewEmailReport.do?a=eFyth2GnSQbbkJX%2B9PO9lK6zoKX uTBlR0gC0KJ0xlgtO%2BM3tQTvEyTXjPEWOzhjU)

[Heavy_Metal_Thunder_81]

Where abouts are you located? Im in Algonquin, you anywhere close? Depending on the price and what shape everything else is in I say go for it, engine work is easy.

[HeavyHauler]

Typically, dealerships don't bother much with cars over 5 years old. But if they say engine is shot,which is possible at 90K, I'd believe them. If otherwise in good shape & price is right, I'd buy it but be prepared for a rebuild. Good luck

[StevieRT]

Thanks for all the help guys. I called the service manager today and asked him his honest oppinion about the car and he just said that it wasn't ignition or fuel related and definetly had something to do with internally. The Jeep has a really nice int. and the locks and wondows work, except for the rear of course, it has a new paint job which seems to look good and there is no rust anywhere. The dealer says $3900, which is what they SAY wholesale will give them. What should I offer them do you think? If it were in decent running shape I think it would be a steal at that price but it is definetley not running right at all......Thanks again for any help.

[grand_wag_85]

Well call them up and see what they want to replace and engine and work from there. Should be arround $1,200. Now they know you're interested in it and they're trying playing a game with ya by saying almost $4K. When dealerships get something they don't want or that they know that they cannot sell they usually take it to auction and get whatever they can for it. What person in their right mind(besides one of us) would pay $4K at some 2nd hand used car lot? I saw this kind of thing all the time when I worked for the stealership :rolleyes:

Try haggling with them based on similar ones on Ebay, maybe not but similar shape ones still. I think if you can get it for $1,200 or less than go for it if it's in good shape body-wise and interior-wise.

[babywag]

Thanks for all the help guys. I called the service manager today and asked him his honest oppinion about the car and he just said that it wasn't ignition or fuel related and definetly had something to do with internally. The Jeep has a really nice int. and the locks and wondows work, except for the rear of course, it has a new paint job which seems to look good and there is no rust anywhere. The dealer says $3900, which is what they SAY wholesale will give them. What should I offer them do you think? If it were in decent running shape I think it would be a steal at that price but it is definetley not running right at all......Thanks again for any help.

That's BS, move on and forget about it.
NO WAY IN HELL $3900 is wholesale on a 1988 GW w/ a bad motor.
They probably didn't even pay $1000 to the poor individual who traded it in.
Wholesale is ~$1000 for a excellent condition running vehicle that needs no engine.

[jason b]

hey stevie,
ran a carfax report for you and everything looks good. No slavage, wrecks, etc. I can print it out and send it to you if you like. I wouldn't offer them more than 1000 because we all know they didn't pay much for it.

Jason B
Riverside, CA
88 GW
06 Commander

[babywag]

hey stevie,
ran a carfax report for you and everything looks good. No slavage, wrecks, etc. I can print it out and send it to you if you like. I wouldn't offer them more than 1000 because we all know they didn't pay much for it.

Jason B
Riverside, CA
88 GW
06 Commander

I already ran one the link is in the second reply...@ the bottom

[StevieRT]

Again thanks alot for runnin' the carfax both of you. I think I'll go in there tomorrow and try to get it for somewhere under $1500. I cant remember seeing a GW that clean around here so I think its worth that but not anymore, plus it's my favorite.....dark blue. You guys have been a big help and it's appreciated. Thanks again, Steve.

[trailsforus]

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Anyone want to run that for me? thanks!


MIGHTTYYYY MAXXX

-Dillon

[HeavyHauler]

If they will not be reasonable, try to find out where it will go if they don't sell it. Probably a used car lot or auction. You may have better luck there.

[Mud Thrasher]

That's way too much. If they won't deal then I'd just keep an eye out for something else. I've only seen one FSJ that didn't have any rust. Besides what's the fun in getting one that's rustless?:D Rust just gives you something to do in your spare time.

[YellowJeep]

I don't see a steelership going anywhere near 1200 for the GW. It makes no sense, but I think they would rather send vehicles like that to auction just so they don't have to deal with liability, customer complaints etc... 5 star steelerships are REALLY cautious about what they sell because enough complaints to Chrysler and they loose their 5 star distinction. Putting it on the lot at a rediculous price at least looks like they tried to sell it to managers and book keepers

That being said, go lowball them! I'd be surprised if they had more than $500 into it as a trade in or whatever. You might get lucky. And, if you need a motor, I'll have one after tommorow that I'll be looking to get rid of. Located in Milwaukee!