In reply to bigdaddylee82:
Hmm, I suppose that could very well be the case, as the underside had obviously recently been washed very thoroughly (though there was still some dried mud up around the transfer case.) I just didn't have a good gut feeling about the seller for whatever reason, it just felt like the whole showing was rushed and something felt off. What it ultimately came down to was 1) the presumed heater core issue and 2) we couldn't come down to a price I was comfortable with.
This may eventually be one I kick myself for passing on, and I'm sure it will sell by the end of the weekend, but I had a number in my head and I stuck to it.
Ever take the doors off one? I swear they must bee 100+ lbs apiece. It should be fairly svelte sans top and doors 
Vigo wrote:
Everyone is in denial about how much of a fatass a JK unlimited is.
Another XJ popped up today and I went to see it after work. This one is a 96 2 door with the 5 speed.
http://york.craigslist.org/cto/5138799099.html
Really clean overall, guys dad owned the car from 30k on, then the seller inherited it a few years ago when his father passed and mostly used it to put around the neighborhood. Aside from the few minor issues mentioned in the ad, there are a couple big ones.
1) Brake lines going to the rear are totally rusted out, would plan on totally replumbing the brake system.
2) Rust on the driver's side floor. This is what concerns me with the XJ being unibody. Where are the structural areas around the driver's side floor pan and door will and what can easily be repaired?
Plumbing the brakes doesn't bother me, but I need to figure out how serious the rust is. The price was left at $725, so if the rust isn't too bad I think I'm gonna pull the trigger. With a bit of work, this one could be pretty nice I think.
XJ floors aren't bad, the frame rail underneath isn't prone to rotting out, if the rocker is rotten people like to replace them with 2x4 tubing.
I owned an XJ. It was my DD for 12 years. The single most trouble-free car I've ever had....or could be had. It needed nothing in that whole time. I did change the water-pump but not because it stranded me. It started weeping a tad bit so I just did it. Super easy to work on.
I did lift it. I finally got it right but it was a job. I didn't understand how every system has to work together to make a lift work properly. I ended up having to put a slip-yoke eliminator in...howled like a banshee beforehand. Then I had death-wobble. Finally fixed that with adjustable lower control arms and an alignment shop that actually understood what they were doing. I did all that work and then practically gave it away on trade for my 4-door Rubicon. 
Well the $725 XJ is now officially mine, although it doesn't come home until Saturday.
Plan is to first pull the seats and to asses the extent of the rust, then grinder, buy a $99 HF welder, patch, and maybe bedline the floors. Then all new brake lines, maybe new pads/rotors and a ZJ rear disk swap. Hopefully that's enough to get it on the road then I can address the minor stuff like the radio, hatch struts, and headliner at my leisure. I may do a build thread, as this will be my first attempt at rust repair and automotive welding and therefore could result in some amusement for the general public.
Anyways, in hindsight I'm happy to have ended up with a little project instead of a car payment and the XJ is probably the best vehicle for my needs. Thanks for all the input everyone!
