The number of XJ's destroyed by that program was still quite small compared to the 2.8 million of them that were made over 17 years. Heck, more than 200k were produced in 89, 96, and 97 each; 96 was almost 300k (286k were made just that year!). The XJ is simply the opposite of rare. Many other models took MUCH greater hits from that program relative to their production numbers. Careless owners/wheelers who neglect and/or hack up XJ's are probably the biggest threat.

Yes, the price of the good ones is going up, but they're eons away from being any kind of special-valuable.

 

Mic Drop moment. And to add a little treat to this magnificent meal, production numbers were so high in 96 because this was the year the wrangler was not produced. XJ sales skyrocketed.

 

And this is the perfect example of why it will become harder and harder for us xj guys to buy a nice one at a price that we know is reasonable. People hop on google, see threads from 10 years ago about why the cherokee is so great, and bam that makes it worth 8k for a 20 year old vehicle that was extremely mass produced

 

At some point, a stock XJ with low miles, no rust, and a perfect interior (or one that has been restored) will be worth something--just like a first gen mustangs. They made almost the same number of first gen mustangs as they did first and second gen XJs.

But the ones that have been lifted, modded, locked, etc will never be worth anything.

 

Those clean slate xjs are already kind of up there. I would pay a higher dollar for one like you described just to have something basically untouched. But those are getting harder to come by

 

Oh there's a guy locally who's been trying to sell a pioneer with like 86k on it for over ten grand. He's been trying to sell it for months.

 

Haha! See no that's insane. I wouldn't come close to 10k. I would do like 6k for a REALLY CLEAN, low milage xj. Even then that might be pushing it for me haha

 

It's a bigger chunk when you don't compare it to 2.8 million seeing as there wasn't 2.8 million XJs drive around the USA before the CFC. I had a few when I posted that. I didn't mean it was the sole reason. Neglect and/or hack up as well as salty roads are both a big contributing factor.

Settle down Slim Shady. Thanks for the 96 Wrangler info though.

 

I have seen a few locally with super low miles asking for big numbers for them,Those jeeps will take a long long time to sale tho.The ones 3k to 5k range do move if they ain't ragged out or rust buckets.

 

define "gold". you'll never see them cross the block on barrett jackson and claim real money, if that's what you're asking. too many of them were made and they appeal to a very small group of people. i love them and have no plans of selling mine. i will externally restore it soon. i have no desire to own a perfect one as that defeats the purpose.

 

What exactly is the purpose? And no being in barret Jackson wasn't my question. Maybe being worth 10k. But we are just having a cherokee chat haha

 

Check out Davis Auto sportsports of You tube. They specialize in cherokee XJS. They buy low mileage and build them . They sell for $20K $25k $30k up to $45,000.

 

Yeah I know of them haha. And that's my point see. Unknowledgable people think they are gold because "hey jeep". Those are the people driving the price up.

 

 

you asked if they'd ever be worth gold, the answer is no. $10k for a vehicle isn't gold. that's still less than half their original selling price. by your definition i could say yeah they were worth gold 2x when new. the breakdown here is our interpretation of gold.

the purpose of my jeep ownership coincides with availability, ability, and simple nature. as aforementioned, interpretation of such is subjective. i love it for what it is, but that requires a scrutinous eye. utility and durability win for the xj.

edit: i am an inherent car guy. what i drive and the details of it say a lot about me. imho the xj is almost untouchable in its own right. i love engaging the question "why do you drive that 300,000 mile jalopy?". i almost have the questioner wanting an xj when we're done, and all i did was state facts and sprinkle some historical data on top - of MY xj.