jeep people:

i am looking for a used 98 - 00 XJ. Around 100k miles.

I have seen a couple for sale at new car dealers, more than likely they were trade-ins that are good enough to sell themselves and not sent to the auctions. If the asking price is reasonable (KBB retail or Edmunds TMV), how much lower can one offer and not be considered making an unreasonable offer or not a serious buyer?

i think i should be able to pick up a good used '99 with around 100K for under $5000 from a dealer (?).

Today i saw a 2000 with 78K, dark green, nice condition. Asking price unknown.

 

I got my 01 XJ with 80k for 7200. The Jeep dealer wanted 8000 (yea right!) but blue book was closer to 7000 so I got them down. They threw in a lot of extra stuff to sweeten the pot, but in hindsight I should have trolled Craigslist for a while. It was 1 owner, dealer serviced, and garage kept in MINT condition so I'm not unhappy (actually very happy) with it, but I could have settled for a cheaper model.

I see a lot of 96+ XJs with around 100k for much lower than I paid.

So for a 2000 with 78k in nice condtion, I would offer 4500 and probably meet them somewhere around 4900.

Definitely buy a STOCK jeep and modify if to your tastes. Buy an offroad vehicle at your own risk.

 

Will you be seeking financing through the dealer, through your bank, or paying cash. If it a cash transaction, look in the private sale papers. You should be able to find a much better deal that way. The dealers will always be overpriced. I know different areas of the country will affect the selling price, but I see them in the Southeast between $2500 to $5000 in good condition on a regular basis.

 

I purchased a 00 Sport with 130k on it for $2900 from a dealer. It was a one owner and looks great, runs great as well.

 

thanks...

definately stock, definately CASH!! i am in new england, so demand for 4x4 may be greater than warmer climates. also, are used car sales "up" because of economy, driving prices up?

-rob

 

Prices havent been giong up in MI. Never pay more than blue book and blot-ons dont increase value either. Professional fab work and high end installs do.

 

try to negotiate as much as possible offer lower than what your actually wanting to pay to give them a chance for a counter offer. ie. the price is 5000, your only wanting to pay 4400 i would start with an offer of 3800 and maybe get where you would rather be in price and you may be suprised at what the seller might take

 

I have not done it for awile but I used to buy a diff rig every year. When dealing with a dealer, I would always make them show me the black book (Wholesale guide). I would ofer them a max of six hundred over that price. They would useually take it if I stood my ground!

It was very hard to get some of them to allow me to look in the book myself but standing firm or leaving would get me what I want. Black book is the same book that they use to beat you up on your trade and tell you it's not worth much...

 

jeez, here are some examples of asking prices from new and used dealers here in massachusetts, all "Sport" models:

'00 w/ 120K $5200
'99 w/130K $4995 (excl maint history)
'98 w/106K, std trans, $5000
'01 w/134K, L&R rockers mashed, $5200
'00 w/95K, $6500

prices a little better in the city(Boston) (-$500) but is 70 mile drive. once to view/buy and one more to return with plates.

-rob