Thinking of getting an 88 GW...Need some advice

[YoungClayB]

Hi Everyone,
My wife has always wanted to get a GW, but all of the ones we have ever looked at are in pretty bad shape. I was searching my local classified ads earlier this week, and I think I might have found one thats in pretty good shape. It has 123k miles on it and looks to be in good shape from the pictures that were in the ad...see below.

http://www.southeastforestlands.com/pics/Gw1.jpg
http://www.southeastforestlands.com/pics/Gw2.jpg
http://www.southeastforestlands.com/pics/Gw3.jpg

I am planning to go take a look at it and test drive it next weekend. I am certainly no mechanic, but I was wondering if you guys could give me some things to look out for to make sure that this GW isn't at death's door.

The seller is asking $6,500 which seems a little high to me, but if its in good shape, I would consider paying close to that considering the condition of the ones I've looked at in the $3500-$4500 range.
Any tips or pointers would be greatly appreciated.

-Clay

[Wagonforever]

It's hard to tell from those pictures, but it doesn't look like it's in any better shape than my 86 that I bought this fall with 133,000 miles on it for $3,500. One BIG thing to look for, though it's not as much of a problem down south, is rust on the fuel tank skid plate and frame in that area. That area is prone to rust on the 80+ Grand's. Other than that just like any other 20+ year old vehicle just make sure it runs and drives good. No odd noises, vibrations, etc. and check to see what works and what doesn't. Some typical failures are the Tail Gate window, and tail gate, the power windows will get really slow and sometimes need help, power locks can fail, cruise, A/C, and look for broken seat frames. I'm sure some one else can come up with a few more to add to the list.

[Wagonforever]

BTW I just noticed that it looks like it doesn't have a stock front bumper, the front and rear bumpers should have rubber strips on them, even if they fall off there should be holes behind them. You may want to look really close at the front end and run a carfax report to check for accident damage.

http://jeeperz.tenmagazines.com/gallery/NightShift/96062.jpg

See the strips I'm talking about in the photo?

[FSJ Guy]

Wow. For $6500, I want a rebuilt motor with a warranty.

Check for rust, the prev. mentioned skid plate/frame rail issue (rust), previous body work (use a magnet to check for bondo), rust and look behind the front and rear bumpers. The sheetmetal there should be STRAIGHT. (hard to see on the rear, you may have to look underneath). If it's wavy, it's been hit.

Look for evidence of rust under the carpet, in particular, in the front footwell areas and the rear seat area right by the dogleg (just inside the rear door, before the floor rises up to the rear seat.)

Also, look for evidence of a re-paint. FSJ's with original nice clear paint like that are rear.

If it really IS rustfree and good paint, maybe offer $4,500 cash. Who knows, they might take it.

[YoungClayB]

Yep, thats a good catch. I'll be sure to take a close look and see if the front bumper has any holes in it for the nerf bumper. I know that the driver side nerfs are available through teamgrandwagoneer dot com, but it looks like they are out of the passenger side nerfs. Are there any other GW parts suppliers out there that might have these?

[jeepfan93]

Yea what they said check for rust sagging headliner oil leaks. $6500 is alot. He better have every reciept and piece of documentation to go with it.$4500-5000 I could see if it's perfect.