What is a WideTrac Chero worth?

[KDeppermann]

I have been watching the following on e-bay:
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/Cars-Trucks___1979-4x4-Jeep-Cherokee-Project-Runs-and-Drives-good_W0QQitemZ220358326178QQddnZCarsQ20Q26Q20Truck sQQddiZ2282QQcmdZViewItemQQptZUS_Cars_Trucks?hash= item220358326178&_trksid=p4506.c0.m245&_trkparms=6 5%3A7%7C39%3A1%7C240%3A1318

just lately it has exploded in price. Am I nuts to think I can find a decent running widetrack for less than 1500? I am ready for a new off-road project (a virtual clone to the Trucks! Bargain Beater) and I really was set on a FSJ, but I am starting to rethink it. I can't see spending 2000 or 2500 on a 70's chero. Anyway, I'm just wondering what these should be worth. Thanks all!

[billyrb]

you can find them for your price-range, but you'd have to look at local classifieds / autotrader / etc.

[krek]

I just picked up a decent NT Cherokee for $500 off of a local Jeep forum and less than two days ago an '88 Waggy with a new (less than a year old) BJs 6 inch lift, DPA, shocks, 38 inch SuperSwampers, etc sold for $600 off the same forum. I would haunt Craigslist and the local forums for a $1,500 WT.

[Chief Gunner]

Craigslist is your friend when looking for a FSJ. I got mine for about 2 grand. My budget was 2500, so I was able to stay within my budget easily, I have a strong running FSJ, and was able to use the rest of my budget to take care of the smaller issues like fluid changes and registration paperwork. With Craigslist, I was able to search about three or four citys within a few hours drive of my home. I spent about two weeks looking and was able to make a fun afternoon of driving up to San Antonio with the wife and kids to pick her up. But looking at the pictures on ebay, that does seem like a decient price for the WT. I guess it just depends on what your willing to spend and what your expectations are.

[Chuck Brown]

I've said it before, I'll say it again, www.craigshelper.com , it will allow you to doa multi-state Craigslist search within whatever driving distance you're up to. Nailed my '77 Arizona kept W/T Cherokee for $1500 and then had it hauled using a Uship.com shipper. Don't give up hope and just stay patient, the rig of your dreams will reveal itself!

[Eugene 1]

Brown is right you look for a bit and be patient and be willing to drive or travel you will find a pretty good deal !

[Gambler68]

I'd say that beater is overpriced, and he spent his $2500 poorly (ie, to a mechanic). just my opinion.

[KDeppermann]

thanks for the encouragement! Maybe I'll keep looking!

[Jeff in north Texas]

I agree, that Jeep is not worth what it is going to sell for from what I see. There have been several Cherokees like you want, sell for more reasonable prices in the last few months. As an example, I gave under $1000.00 for an almost rustfree 77 WT. It has a rebuilt engine that is not even broken in. I know of at least two other good ones, that folks here have purchased recently, for well under the $1000.00 mark.
Keep looking. There are better priced Cherokees out there. You just have to be patient, and may have to travel a ways to bring it home.
Good luck,
Jeff

[chuckchili]

I personally dislike ebay with a passion (although I still look on there almost every day ). I would almost NEVER buy a vehicle off there. Ya know never say never but it would really have to be something special. I really don't like buying anything sight unseen, especially something I see as a major investment like a vehicle. Even as much as a person provides details about the vehicle they are trying to sell, I am sure there are people who forget to mention things like forgeting the day's catch from a fishing trip that stewed under the back seat for two years in the Arizona heat.

I agree with the folks on here that say go for something relatively local. The craigslist search engines are great, so you can search your whole state and the ones around you all at once. My favorite is- http://www.jaxed.com/cgi-bin/mash.cgi

[KDeppermann]

Well it's about to hit 2000, so I'm done. I was so close to buying one in Oklahoma last week off of ebay that I about had the trailer hitched up before I changed my mind. Turns out someone just bought it on ebay this week, drove out there and found it wasn't as represented. I'm thinking ebay isn't the way to go after all. Well, at least I learned a lesson without spending/losing money, so all is not lost.

[cu4whln]

Keep looking - especially here maybe. This site is a great resource.

I bought this one last May for $1000. No real rust except for front floorpans.

As you can see, it was a functional full driver.

[suzq044]

Originally Posted by cu4whln

Keep looking - especially here maybe. This site is a great resource.

I bought this one last May for $1000. No real rust except for front floorpans.

As you can see, it was a functional full driver.

Can we see the "after" pics yet?

[smearig]

It will be tough to find one that isn't a completely rusted out pile for $1500. I'd look at spending $2500-$3000 for something that will be a better starting point for your project.

[fulsizjeep]

We were not even looking for one and found this 77 Waggy for $100 in Ouray in 2000 while filling up the 76 Waggy at the Texaco.

They are out there but not on eBay.

[Lindel]

A WT (or any FSJ for that matter) is worth exactly what you're willing to pay for it.

With that in mind, choose wisely. If you have doubts this is the place to come for advice.

[Headhoncho]

I can't believe bidding got up to $3100.00 on that Chero. I think you'll see it relisted in about 2 weeks due to a non-paying buyer.



JR

[KDeppermann]

I'm glad I'm not the only one who thinks 3100 was pretty steep

[Belteshazzar]

people get impatient and just buy what they can find. the longer you are willing to wait the better. A dealer had mine tucked away at the back of his lot for over two years before selling it to me for $400.