If the 88,000 miles are correct, that looks like a HECK of a deal (provided it didn't get to FL via MA, VT, etc. and the accident history isn't a mess) Only negative is lack of factory rear locker (not a big deal, just a cost savings)
Carfax is showing that it was in NY its whole life until 5 months ago, and it looks like the dealer dropped the price down to the current price over 3 weeks ago. My guess is that it has plenty of rust which is why it's still around because it looks like a great deal on paper of course.
That is incredibly clean!! How can it possibly be a 98 with only 87k miles on it?
I'd ask them for 2 more pics. One close-up showing the bottom of the rear hatch where the license plate lights and the "open" lever are and another one of underneath showing the rear end and lower spring mounts. Another of the bottom of the gas tank protector would be very helpful too. Those lights in the rear hatch are a common place for body rust to show up. If the rear hatch shows no evidence of rust I'd start packing. If the undercarriage looks workable...I'd start driving, ask them to hold it for 24 hours for you until you can check it out.
From the pics shown the hitch looks clean, bottom inside of all of the doors look clean, what you can see of the inside of the wheel wells look clean, the plated inner door latches which corrode very easily are clean, engine compartment is very clean, the upper radiator mounting bolts show a little rust but no worse than mine - no issue.
It definitely has been garaged and kept out of the sun. The lower black trim at the bottom of the windows, the entire interior and seats look amazing for a 1998.
There you go Nick! Popped up today. This is about a hr from me, nice expensive area to live, mall cruiser for sure. 225K miles tho but if its mainly for trails should be fine! I bet that price can go way down still! And you get a CA trip as a bonus.
I am in the same boat Nick. Only I got a Sequoia to try to help put a band-aid on the gaping wound of not having the 100 around anymore. It's a decent band-aid, but the only cure is to actually get back into a hundy. Leaning towards a decent mall cruiser/soccer mom stock version to build up myself. Maybe we can make it back to HiH next year!