I am in the market for a cherokee because I miss my old one. Here is the one I am looking at now:

http://cnj.craigslist.org/cto/5075267778.html

What do you guys think? I have talked to the seller and it has no leaks, no vibrations, no wobble, and seems to be done right. However, there is 197,000 on the engine, but the tranny was rebuilt. Obviously he will not get anything close to $6,000, but I think I may offer him $3,500 and see where that gets me. Let me know how much you think it's worth. Thanks

 

If that was mine I personally wouldn't even consider 3500 that's what a stock clean xj with average miles goes for in my area but it changes from place to place looks pretty nice though good luck with it.

 

It has relatively high mileage on it. The lift, I believe, is newer and the tires have good tread, but still has 197,000 on the clock. A stock xj with that mileage get's about $2,500 at best where I live. I am checking it out in the next two days so hopefully it is in good condition.

 

Well you could look for a stock 98 in good shape and then do all the things he has done, and you'd prolly be in it more than 6k. I'd take a bet he would never go to 3500. It would be a good deal for 5k IMO.

But then I like to help keep the value of these things up - not drive them down...

 

I bet he might get offended if you offer $3500 that's a low ball. The jeep alone in that condition stock would go for $3500 around here and that jeep looks like it has a lot of money in parts and done right. You can't really use the high mileage card to lower the price either that's not terribly high and it's a 4.0 we are talking about here. $4k cash in hand sounds more apealing I'd start there.

 

The police spotlight through the a pillar would make me pass on it fully.

 

at 197,000 miles its on the lower side of mileage for the year. its under 12k a year that was put on it.


isn't rough country a bottom of the barrel lift?

if he is asking 6k for it then i doubt he will even consider 3500 unless desperate for money or its been for sale a long time.


i'd rather find a clean stock one and do it myself. there is no shortage of them on craigslist in our area.





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Why is that?

 

Okay maybe I'll bump my first offer up a little. Around here, jeeps tend to sell for a lot cheaper. I guess they're less desirable or something

 

Rough Country honestly isn't that bad. I had the same kit on my 89 xj and it lasted a long time without any issues. I never replaced a part actually. Their short arm isn't the best for offroading, but I won't be doing much of that during the school year anyway.

 

^ This right here.

It's not my style, but it's a nice one, and the money's certainly in it. If somebody offered me barely over half my asking price, it'd be an excercise in willpower to not b**chslap that person. $4k cash in hand to start, another grand in your back pocket.

If $3500 is simply where the budget is at, you may want to look at Jeeps in the $4500-$5K range. Or buy a $1500 XJ and build it how you want it.

 

When they install that police spotlight they drill a good size hole all the way through your driver side a pillar.Its fine on something with thicker a pillars like a crown vic but on a jeep i wouldn't trust that a pillar in a roll over.

 

I see what you mean. That's actually a great point. Maybe that'll be my excuse for a rollcage 😉

 

My budget is a little higher. I just was unsure of the value, that's why I posted it to here. So you're thinking it's worth around $5,000?

 

In some states he can probably get $8500 for it with the right buyer. $5k is fair man coming from someone who built a jeep and sold it then bought a stocker and building a new one. Parts aren't cheap. Do some shopping on craigslist other states and compare prices. If the right jeep came along I'd fly somewhere and drive it back home.