This is just a thought I had today as I attempted to peruse craigslist for an XJ... I've noticed lately that the beloved XJ is getting harder and harder to find for sale, and the ones that you do find are priced $5000 or even $15000.

I miss the days when I could look at 10 different XJ's for, at the most, $3000. I am currently living in the north east for a couple years and I bought a rusty rig with a great engine, it only had 120,000 miles on it, and my hope was that I'd take it back out weat when I moved and swap the engine in to a non-rusty body. However, I've been looking around just to see what's out there and I am finding nothing at all. There were only 4 posted Cherokee's in my area and one was 5 grand, the second was 9 grand and the last was 13.

It's unfortunate, but I may have to look at other vehicles. As much as I love the cherokee, I don't think they are worth what people are asking for them.

What are your thoughts on this? Is anybody else moving away from the XJ because of unavailability or price?

 

I agree. Unless one is wealthy and can afford a complete frame-off restoration, and keeping a few spare bodies around, the beloved XJ is getting to the end of the line even for enthusiasts. I have a good body and engine that I need to marry up, and unless I hit the lottery, this will probably be my last rodeo.

 

There is still plenty of them for sale around here from $500-5000.

 

"Cash for Clunkers" was aimed at SUV's and took a massive number of good running and driving Cherokees to the smelter early. That also drove up the prices of used cars. Supply and demand is a thing. Nice clean unmolested XJ's have always brought a higher price than lesser condition ones. AMC & Chrysler did make almost 3 million of them so there are plenty left. Just maybe not in your area. Location, location, location.

 

I've been looking and keeping an eye out for maybe an XJ. I'm not too worried because I am still seeing a lot of them for sale down south in states like Georgia and Florida. They don't seem to value them as much down south like people selling them up north. I'm seeing some good rust free examples periodically show up for sale in the 3 - 5G range down south when I've looked.

 

this. i almost bought a CLEAN 98 white 2dr 2wd 4.0/ax15 xj for $2k last week. they’re still all over around here.

 

I’ve actually noticed that even asking prices for 2wd ones have gone up significantly in the last 3 years or so.

 

Also there are plenty of WJ’s in the price range where XJ’s were 5 years ago. The only ones I see that are really in the higher range are the Overland packaged ones. Which is actually what I would like to buy in the near future. Either that or at least a Laredo with a V8. Almost would rather have the Laredo with aV8 and install my own navigation and tow hooks.

Although now that we have the Touareg, it would probably make a better travel/off road capable vehicle than the WJ. I’m starting to think it’s time to buy something else newer and more fuel efficient. Like an Audi, VW, Mercedes or BMW awd wagon. I already have a few XJ’s and I’ll be keeping at least one of them. I don’t really have the time to wrench on 3or 4 different vehicles anymore. I’m thinking I should have 2 newer good condition vehicles to maintain and an XJ. It would be so nice to wrench on a Cherokee and have it not be out of necessity but for upgrading.

 

Kinda makes sense when you think about.
From what I have read the swap to a 4X4 is not an overly big deal.
Thinking enough part outs and XJ's in the boneyard to get what you need.
Usually not wheeled, owned for a DD, etc. Making them possibly in better shape then their 4X4 counterparts.
Not to mention usually not modded in any way.

I have gone into a parts hoarding mode of sorts to hopefully keep my XJ on the road.
Not trying to have to buy another one.
Thinking parts are just going to be harder and harder to find as time goes on.
I replaced my glass in my '00 with Privacy Glass. Bought a new molding for the hatch window.
Did this sometime in 2017. Getting the molding was as simple as going to my local Dealership and having the guys order it for me. $32 out the door.
Today best I can tell you can't find one anywhere. And best I can tell there is no aftermarket substitute.
Front windshield molding is not a problem but the rear.......

 

ditto, all the ones I've seen the prices were more than I cared to pay for what they were. Then a friend of mine told me about one for sale that his boss bought, blew a brake line and said the heck with it and parked it. $500, fixed the break line and drove it home...had to patch the floor and a rocker panel. Tires were new, the rest of the break lines were replaced and only 210,000 miles....just getting broke in...lol

 

All you have to do is look around for a bit - small towns and the unconsidered areas still have plenty of cheaper ones, from folks who don’t know the cult following and are just selling their old “car.” Engines & everything will be available for a long time; there are still good bodies out there. Picture 3 million XJs together.. sometimes that helps give me hope.

Consider taking a road trip... find a friend, pick a low-rust state a day or two away and take a look

 

Seems to be the trend in my area. Even ones not running are going for 1 to 2 grand. Everyonce in a while an outlier pops up but expect to pay 5 to 7 grand got a clean running stock example. less if it has issues or is lifted and hacked on.

2wd models can still be had for 1 to 2 grand in running condition though.

At the moment this seems to be very regionally based. But id imagine the future it will be common place. Look at the Wagoneer/Grand Wagoneer.

I dont know if well ever make it to those levels on price but it can be a decent barometer of where the used market for some vehicles can go. espeically as people who grew up in those vehicles get older and get decent paying jobs and can afford some nostalgia

Take a look at Davis Autosport as well. 10 to 20 grand for a XJ thats basically been polished up a little bit. And people are paying it.

 

Check on this for prices.

https://bringatrailer.com/jeep/cherokee/

Scroll down farther to see the ones already sold.
OK most of these are super clean low mileage examples.
But still.
This one in particular stands out.

https://bringatrailer.com/listing/20...p-cherokee-11/

 

That's the truth... When I came back to the states 2 years ago I knew I wanted to get my mits on a clean unmolested rust-free XJ. Drove one years before and always loved them.
In my area, they had all been wheeled, bashed, or rusted...so I actually ended up getting mine from clear across the country. which up to me had been a 1 owner from new and had been pretty well maintained since it was new. So big plus.
Where I live now, I have literally had people walk up to me on the street and offer me 7.5 grand for the condition that mine is in. And that was before they even know the solid very low mileage, and solid mechanical condition that it is really in. So yeah... solid examples are getting harder to find for a vehicle that is so popular that has been out of production for nearly 20 years now.

 

the last part of your post is so true....and really the answer to not just jeeps, but everything.
What's the value of a given object at any given time? It's NOT what the owner of it thinks/says that it's worth..... the value is how much someone is willing to pay for it at the time the owner is looking to sell it. And hey... if people are willing to pay 10K plus for an old jeep, then there are people willing to sell theirs for that price.
I love my XJ, but if someone walked up and offered me stupid money for it...then I'd be crazy not to sell it.