88ComancheMitch Posted August 2, 2014 Share Posted August 2, 2014 So, I bought this and pretty much have intentions of never selling it. I love it, and wouldn't change anything about it right now....with "RIGHT NOW" being the reason I'm asking this question. Originally, when I bought the Jeep, it's intention was to be a vehicle that was super reliable, looked good (to me), was unique in some way, and had all the nice creature comforts that I wanted. My question comes to "future value" of the 5.9L ZJ. I seems now as though they've dropped as low as I can see them going (3-4K for a higher mileage, decent ride). My ZJ has ~140K miles, immaculate inside, close to immaculate outside. No rust. 100% bone stock as far as most are concerned (swapped a 96 ZJ Power steering pump in when my PS went out so that I could have a metal pulley), and that's as far as my modifications have went. I don't plan on selling this anytime soon, but that brings the question, does anyone see these being worth more than what they are now in 5 years? 10 years? I feel like they're never going to be a "collector" car. Especially with over 100K miles. I may never sell it, but I'm also a realist. If I'm going to keep it, I might want to mod it some, and don't want to destroy the value by lifting it, etc. Mitch Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Incommando Posted August 2, 2014 Share Posted August 2, 2014 "Collectible" jeeps can be iffy in price. Very few special models command a premium price and even then the buyers willing to pay a premium for those models is a pretty small group. Take a Hurst Commando, for example. To most jeepers it is just a Commando with goofy stripes and a hood tach. On the practical side the 5.9 was not really much of an improvement over the 5.2 as it is only a 15 horsepower bump over the more common engine. A quick search of the net shows that on average $3-$4 K won't buy you a halfway decent 1998 TJ. If that it is indication of the relative value of the ZJ then in the grand scheme of things I don't think buying one for the potential future value is the best reason to do so. In all honesty I don't think you would be destroying any collectible future value as it just doesn't seem like it will have any. It is just not a model that's current value indicates it being a future goldmine. Of course any mint original vehicle of even basic specs has collector value to the right (read rare) buyer 30-40 years down the road....but at a 140,000 miles and daily driver condition I think the "tucked away in a garage unbelievably low miles mint condition" ship has sailed on that one. Enjoy your jeep as a jeep. I don't think that you will be hurting your retirement fund any by doing so. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
terrawombat Posted August 2, 2014 Share Posted August 2, 2014 Too many of them were made to be a collectible Jeep. The ZJ platform in general has a lot of differing opinions. Many true Jeep enthusiasts (the ones that would actually pay collectible car money) were never on board with the ZJ platform from the start and saw it as a blemish on the Jeep brand. Don't get me wrong - I love the ZJ platform and regret selling my '98 5.9L two years ago, but I moved into a new house with less space and had to decrease my fleet. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Automan2164 Posted August 2, 2014 Share Posted August 2, 2014 I miss my ZJ in general. I love the XJ, but I think I would have loved it a lot more if I had never been in the plush (by my standards) ZJ. A Five-niner is on my Jeep bucket list. Rob Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
88ComancheMitch Posted August 2, 2014 Author Share Posted August 2, 2014 Thanks guys. That's pretty much all the thoughts I was having Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pete M Posted August 2, 2014 Share Posted August 2, 2014 only time will tell, but I'd wager there will be an uptick in value with time. look how much the clean examples of MJs are going for. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
88ComancheMitch Posted August 3, 2014 Author Share Posted August 3, 2014 only time will tell, but I'd wager there will be an uptick in value with time. look how much the clean examples of MJs are going for. True...the only difference I see is that the Comanche is kind of unique....the ZJ had the uber mass production of all ZJs.... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Posted August 3, 2014 Share Posted August 3, 2014 It's worth a decent amount as far as "Rare" Jeeps are concerned (less than 15k of the 5.9s were produced, as far as all of 98's overall sales went); nothing over the top, but I wouldn't ever expect to have it net you over 5k if you re-sold it. At least, you won't get that much money, not for another 10-15 years probably, or until it reaches "antique" status. I DD'd a 5.9 since January and I absolutely love it; but it's got to go to help pay for my schooling costs, and because I simply don't need 2 cars on my insurance. I got lucky and was able to sell it to a family member up in MN for what I was asking for it ($3500), but she knows that she's buying a quality vehicle, not an egg. Do yourself a favor and go check this out, in case you haven't done so already. http://thespeedfreaks.net/ Some of the ZJ's over there are great looking, but everyone's pretty much in the same boat. I think the most I've ever seen one go for personally was around 9k. Then again, IIRC, that one only had about 40k miles on it, and was garage kept and babied since the day it came off the lot. Stock too; no lift kits or none of that nonsense put on. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Create an account or sign in to comment
You need to be a member in order to leave a comment
Create an account
Sign up for a new account in our community. It's easy!
Register a new accountSign in
Already have an account? Sign in here.
Sign In Now