Valuation Question

[rlars7]

Quick question about how to value a late 70s/early80s Jeep Cherokee. No particular ones in mind or I would post pics but am interested in buying one soon.

If they are in average shape (older paint, little but not overwhelming rust, average engine/tranny) what shoudl i expect to pay in GA and around the southeast? Is this even possible to guess at?

I appreciate the answers - I'm pretty green in this space.

best,
Rob

[Heavy_Metal_Thunder_81]

FSJs aren't worth a whole lot. I don't care what anyone says or how "rare" they may be. It's a 30+ year old vehicle with no collector value. I paid $1157 for my '79 Cherokee in about the same condition as you describe. The most I would ever really pay for an FSJ is $2500 and it better be a d@mn nice rig. An average rig around the $1200-$1500 area for me. I know a lot of people think their Jeeps are made of gold and super "rare" because they're not very common or have low production numbers and ask a price that reflects that but c'mon, it's not a freakin' numbers matching Hemi Cuda or anything.

And PS, Welcome to the site!

[joe]

I agree with Jon above. These are not collector cars, just old Jeeps. If in good condition mechanically and body wise they are good fun vehicles but no market demand for 2+ ton crappy fuel consumption station wagons. The prices Jon mentioned are reasonable but it all comes down to how bad you want it and what you're willing to pay to satisfy your desires. There were no bad years, but some have more/less desirable features than others. Again it's up to you and what you can or willing to deal with. In any case expect to sink time and money into it after purchase. If you later find out it was a bad idea for your needs plan on looking at it for awhile in your driveway cause you ain't just gonna run a CL ad and flip it over the weekend. What you pay is your call but do start with one in good condition, A $500 crap FSJ that "oh I'll just fix it up" is a bad economic and time management plan.
Good luck, hope you find what you want.

[sXeMike]

That's a really tough question.
In my area, 2 83s just sold for $800 and $1200. Both ran and had semi-recently rebuilt motors and transmissions.(less than 25k) Both had very minimal rust....complete vehicles ready for daily driver use.

I'm looking at buying a Cherokee now.(maybe from a forum member) He's asking $2000. It's a 77 with a little rust, a recently rebuilt transmission and a few extra parts...and a bad motor. It's almost worth it. I know where I could get a 360 but it would cost me at least $500 to buy it a drop it in. At that point, I'm at $2500 plus the cost to trailer it back to my house.

NADA puts the value of a DD cherokee at $2775.

In the end they're only worth what you're willing to pay for them. In perfect shape, I would think $5000 but that would be rust free and running perfect. The sad part is it would be worth at least twice that parted out.

[svining]

To me.. a little rust is the same as a lot...a hole in the floor or half the floor gone, means it needs a new pan. So I'm willing to buy repairable bad...I've been doing this awhile though! If I want it and the work is done right, I know what it costs to do it. I'll pay for it.

The cars I buy, I buy for me, I repair them for me to drive! I'm not Flipper. If you are looking for a classy rig for Soccer Mom, Skiing trips, Beach excursions. This is the original SUV! Insurance and registration is cheap and makes up for a little extra for gas money.

I respectfully disagree with those that don't think these will evolve into collectible cars. Now is the time to get one, parts are easy to find but not reproduced anymore...body/interior parts especially.

Who-ever on here coined "Built not Bought" is right on! You will go through every system to make this reliable again. But the mechanical parts are really cheap and you will get an appreciation for these simple, tough built "American Steel Icons"!

Originally Posted by sXeMike

That's a really tough question.
In my area, 2 83s just sold for $800 and $1200. Both ran and had semi-recently rebuilt motors and transmissions.(less than 25k) Both had very minimal rust....complete vehicles ready for daily driver use.

I'm looking at buying a Cherokee now.(maybe from a forum member) He's asking $2000. It's a 77 with a little rust, a recently rebuilt transmission and a few extra parts...and a bad motor. It's almost worth it. I know where I could get a 360 but it would cost me at least $500 to buy it a drop it in. At that point, I'm at $2500 plus the cost to trailer it back to my house.

NADA puts the value of a DD cherokee at $2775.

In the end they're only worth what you're willing to pay for them. In perfect shape, I would think $5000 but that would be rust free and running perfect. The sad part is it would be worth at least twice that parted out.

[Rich88]

Originally Posted by rlars7

Quick question about how to value a late 70s/early80s Jeep Cherokee.....

I trust others have given you an idea of what to pay. But the "value" part is what you put into it, as well as get out of it. Care and feeding of FSJs is a lifestlye, not a gas & drive (only). Few of us could sell our FSJs for what we put into it financially. Instead the value of it is what we enjoy after X amount of blood sweat and tears, and is not an open market thing.

[rlars7]

"An average rig around the $1200-$1500 area for me. I know a lot of people think their Jeeps are made of gold and super "rare" because they're not very common or have low production numbers and ask a price that reflects that"

Hey guys, thanks for the help and kind words. By reading this you have saved me some $$!

Would these same thoughts apply to early/late 80s Wagoneers as well? Is one more/less desireable than the other? How about J Trucks?

Thanks for the answers - really appreciate it.

Best,
Rob

[jaber]

Welcome to the land of empty pockets and unfinished projects...

Good luck with your search. Hope you find a good one.