I'm thinking about buying an 88 Wrangler Sahara edition for a winter beater here in VA. I've got a couple questions. I've already checked KBB and NADA, now I'd like to get some opinions from some Jeep enthusiasts.
I'm not 100% on the mileage, somewhere in the 150k area. I'll be checking it out again tomorrow, as I just gunked/degreased the entire engine and drive train to look for leaks.
It has faded/oxidized paint (will look half decent after a cleaner wax and polish), no major rust, no rust on the body panels, but small spots at area's you'd expect to find it. Such as in torx bolt heads, on the door hinges; again all minor.
It's a 4.2 with a single barrel carb (the VIN states it's a 2bbl) The plastic fender flares need new paint or a strip down to the rubber. It comes with soft and hard top, hard doors, I don't remember it having AC, but the heat works. It has after market solid type (no holes) aluminum rims, with 31x10.5 R15's (decent tread) The suspension was lifted at some point. The front leafs mount to what looks like a set of cheap aftermarket steel 1/4" stock. Not good looking but they seem functional.
Knowing this, and assuming good running condition (engine trans etc.) what would you pay ballpark for this Jeep?
Now for the warts... The reason I asked what you'd pay if it was in good running condition is the owner (a good friend) and I have haggled the price down based on the work it needs to attain "good running condition" He's borderline about selling it but doesn't have the time to fix it up.
It has: relatively new tranny (replaced last year), but reverse likes to slip out if you don't keep your hand on it. An obvious oil leak between the tranny and the engine. Almost certainly the main oil seal. Possibly other Oil leaks (I'll be checking that tomorrow that's why I degreased it). It idles, after a long warm up (but not if you kick off the choke before it's warm), but will stall when starting out after a stop (when applying throttle slowly the RPM's sometimes bottom out). The carb was rebuilt but I don't think they did a good job. It will backfire out of the carb. The engine (obviously) eats oil. There's a good coating of oil inside the air filter housing and a blackened carb after it was cleaned a couple months back (by me). So Oil is getting up in there. It looks like a lot of the smog and vacuum stuff has been disconnected or rendered useless at various times. The two vacuum operated deals on the air intake (before the filter housing) don't seem to be functional. Oh and the right front tire is showing odd wear and probably needs alignment.
I have a good idea of what I'm getting into, it's certainly a project... But the rest of the Jeep is in good enough condition that it's probably worth doing. Now what would you pay (ballpark) for a project like this knowing it may need a new carb, work getting the sensors and vacuum operated stuff hooked back up, possible engine rebuild. New rear seal etc?
I appreciate anyone taking the time to read all this :)