just a general run down on what to look for when buying...Im going to look |removethispart|@ an 88.5 Sami...all the usual great and good...runs like a top stuff...very clean...great mileage...looked at one yesterday...sounded good to me...very tight...took it to a friend who knows engines says right off its got a miss...pull plug wires while running sure enough...check compression...notice new plugs...125...83...85...120...I can't afford to pay premium and then have to rebuild motor or trans... any help would be appreciated...guy is asking 3700...all stock with exception of front seats...put in toyota seats for comfort...he says...thanks in advance

That seems a bit aggressive on the price if your going to have to rebuild the motor.  The price really depends on your area though.  I would check craigslist or another local used car guide and see what else you can find to give you an idea of the prices in your area.  It might be worth it to go as far as a state or two away if you can save a grand or so.

The important thing is to set your budget for something you can afford to both buy and drive around after, then stick to it.

What do you plan on using this vehicle for?

daily driver/hunting....no intentional mud bogging...the 88.5 I'm going to look at I think I will be able to get it for around 3k...owner says it needs nothing...he would drive it anywhere...just talked to him about meeting and asked him again...about leeks/smoking /4x4/trans/brakes/ he says all ok...it looks very clean all stock with the exception of toyota seats...did say that it has a manual choke...is that common...says revs to about 2k warming up once warm drops to around 800...my f250 diesel 4x4 is killing me now...thanks for the response...will do some adds but only beneficial stuff not to worried about flash...

If it has a manual choke he might be running a Webber carb on it instead of the stock Hitachi.  That is usually a good thing, more power and all of that.

For a Daily Driver/Hunting rig you might want to also take a look at a Geo Tracker, while they look quite a bit different they are solid little off-road vehicles and have better road manners along with more power and about the same mileage.  But I understand the allure of an SJ. 

Make sure that it is not an SJ-410.  They also had manual choke but only have a 4 speed and, while I love mine, are not the greatest DD vehicles.

Bought the 88.5 very,very clean...no rust no leaks no smoking,EVERYTHING works...even the wiper washer...be back soon for money spending

Post some pictures so we can see your new toy. 

Yes pics please!  Sounds like a gem!

just a general run down on what to look for when buying...Im going to look |removethispart||removethispart|@ an 88.5 Sami...all the usual great and good...runs like a top stuff...very clean...great mileage...looked at one yesterday...sounded good to me...very tight...took it to a friend who knows engines says right off its got a miss...pull plug wires while running sure enough...check compression...notice new plugs...125...83...85...120...I can't afford to pay premium and then have to rebuild motor or trans... any help would be appreciated...guy is asking 3700...all stock with exception of front seats...put in toyota seats for comfort...he says...thanks in advance

I'm sorry I didn't see this soon enough to stop you - those numbers are low, very low - you should be seeing over 170 on an engine in good condition, and the similar low numbers on 2 & 3 suggest a burnt head gasket that is leaking between them.

My guess is you're looking at a rebuild in the near future - I had 120s across the board and got another year and some before I did the rebuild, but that lower pressure on 2 & 3 does not bode well.

hey thanks but I didn't buy the low compression one the new one's compression was 190/190/190/176....I still don't know where to start...dang thang  cold idles at 24 or 2500 rpm after 10mins or so drops 10 around 1000 was dropping to 800 then it eventually wouldn't idle it would just die when I mashed the clutch...I hate not being mechanical...and having to depend on everyone for almost everything...and to top it off broke....but I'll just try and lean on you guys....had to buy a top the seems in the other one was bad...plus it didn't really fit...too tight...had some funny horse emblem on it...anyway ask more questions later thanks for all the help

How cold was it when you tried to put the new top on?

not cold...haven't got new top yet...the one on there is a steel horse...ordered a bestop should be here friday...