Hello to all I'm an Australian Jeep Enthusiast re-locating to Ontario I just posted in the CJ5 forum looking for advise to find a CJ5 project vehicle, now I'm here cause naturally I'll require a daily driver with some style & as the XJ Cherokee is my favourite Jeep Station Wagon here I am.
My preference is for as early an XY as possibile not later than 1987 but 84\85\86 prefered, in Australia these machines have a good reputation for rust resistance \ long life but as I'm all to aware Canada is slightly diferent climate wise so how do these older Cherokee's hold up???.
Next I am a capable Automotive Enthusiast mechanice\panel work\ electrice dont worry me much & I have many years of automotive parts [ new & 2nd hand } behind me so though naturally I dont want a wreck a machine driveable but needing work would be ideal what I would like is some idea as to prices & where to look ie would wrecking yards be a viable source of a suitable XJ Cherokee???? & how much would I reasonably expect to pay?????, or would I be better to prowl the smaller back street type used car yards [be almost like going home for me cause I grew up in them}.
OK I'll finish here for now & await comments\suggestions Peter C Trevanna.

 

Hi Peter:
We use a lot of salt to melt the ice on our winter roads in most places in Canada, so expect to see rust on anything but a new vehicle. I have a 1990 Comanche that has some rust around the rear wheel wells but most of the rest of it is okay.
As far as finding a used car, if you have access to the internet, Autotrader.com is a good place to find prices and availability. Some of the cars are listed by dealers and their markup influences the prices. I always try to find an owner selling their car as they are almost always easier to buy from. You can talk them down in price and if you have enough confidence in your ability to judge the machanical shape of your prospective purchase you will usually come out ahead.
I hope this helps you.
John