lfhoward wrote:
'98 was a good year for the 4.0 because it's just before they started using the 0331 heads on them, but it still has most of the modern improvements for more HP. I had a 2000 XJ with the 4.0 and the 0331 head cracked, and I almost toasted my bearings because coolant contaminated the engine oil. Nice to know you won't have to worry about that problem. I would say to check for wobbles when you drive it at speed, because if the suspension is really worn out you can get "death wobble". Also make sure it isn't burning oil, that the oil isn't "milky" from a head gasket problem, or that the coolant doesn't have oil or an exhaust smell in it either. Make sure the 4x4 system works, that the windows, AC, heat, and electronics all work like they should. Check for rot under the rocker panels. This is one place XJ's and ZJ's get hit with rust pretty bad if they lived in a salty winter state. Try to get the antilock brakes to engage if the ZJ came with that option (a few higher end ones did). Take it to a good mechanic to get their opinion too. All in all, the 4.0 is a really good engine design. It has tons of raw torque and has been known to last forever when taken care of! It should be more than enough power for the ZJ. Sometimes I wish we had the 4.0 instead of the 3.7 in our Liberties!
The Kelly Blue Book website puts the private party value for a "good" condition ZJ Laredo with 111K miles at $2,499 at my zip code (in Philly). The dealer value will be a bit higher. But $2,500 might be a good price to shoot for. I'd start bargaining lower.
Good to know. I'll talk to the family then. The owner is only asking $1000. I know the 4.0s are great, aside from the later years. Aside from that, I was pretty lost with a ZJ. No idea where to look for problems nor prices. Now XJs on the other hand, so common around here, you learn what to look out for from friends fixing theirs.
LKW, trust me, my family loves their v8s. But sometimes you have give a little depending on the deal lol.
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