MJ "Barn Find" Value?

[HerbF]

New member here.

 

Back story:  My daily driver XJ is getting eaten by the tin worm thanks to the amount of salt used here.   Thanks to a very inattentive Suburban driver it has some major dent patina so I'm keeping an eye out for a possible replacement vehicle. 

 

Came across a very dusty base 89 MJ with 24K mileage. Didn't have a lot of time to look. 

 

Parked 5 years ago when Grandpa passed away.  Used a utility vehicle so it shows the effects of that use.  No major dents or rust on the body.

 

The Interstate battery put in it 5 years ago seems to be dead.  No lights. No crank.  Not sure if it has additional electrical issues. 

 

Brake pedal goes to the floor as a brake line has probably rusted through.

 

No AC and 5 spd 4wd.  Not sure which 5 speed. 

 

Family has zero knowledge about cars and have no idea what they want for it.  . 

 

Any thoughts on value?  Opinions on value and anything else greatly appreciated! 

[gogmorgo]

Thoughts are mostly related to exposing a rust-free MJ to the tin worm.

[johnj92131]

Herb,

 

Welcome to the club.

 

As for the value of the barn find - a couple of thoughts.   Doesn't sound like the family cares if they sell it or not.  So they don't sound like a willing seller.  You on the other hand are the one who has seen the truck, have a need for the truck.  So you sound like a willing buyer.  The question only you can answer is how much will you pay for a replacement truck?

 

To put it another way, how much would you be willing to spend to get your current truck fixed up to look like this barn find?  If $2500 would fix your truck up nicely - would you pay it?  Then maybe the barn find is worth $2500 to you?

 

Last June, I purchased an old car with only 24K miles on it at auction.  This was the 2nd time the car was at auction in 6 months.  I figured out a top dollar price I was willing to pay for the car.  I did not get it on the first auction.  When it came up for auction the second time, I got it for $500 less than I was willing to pay the first time.

 

I can tell you the truck is not worth anything to me.  It is located too far away from me.  More important, I am not in the market for anymore Comanche trucks.  I have two and do not want anymore.

[desbennett004]

I paid $1500 for my 89 2wd 5 speed with very little rust, but I got a really good deal. Am currently in the middle of a 4X4 conversion. MJ's are worth differnt amounts depending on the region also. I know here in Alberta, my Commanche is worth around the $3500-$4000 as is. I would think it would be a great deal for you at around the $1500 mark, but personally I would take a jerry can of gas and a new battery with you when you go look at it. If it doesn't start, you can talk them down a lot.

 

Sent from my SM-N900W8 using Tapatalk

[HOrnbrod]

What's the year of manufacture and where do you live? Impossible to guesstimate worth accurately w/o that info........

[90 work truck]

Fwiw 3 years ago when I was looking for an mj the closest "decent" one was in Madison, Wi bout a hundred miles from me, everything closer was

Rusted out.

 

Had a lot more miles,(184,000) 1990 4.0 auto 4 X 4 (Did need to put in new floor pans) Otherwise was pretty clean.

I wasn't aware of this site then or its classified section.

 

I think I paid a fair price ($2500) I know I didn't steal it and I was tired of looking (probably have put another $5000 into it, lift kit, tires

Deferred maintenance, bed liner didn't NEED most of what I did, kinda like when you buy a house something's you just do to make it your own.

 

And don't expect to recoup those costs, (no plans on selling her though)

 

Hope this helps

[Hypoid]

New member here...

 

 

Family has zero knowledge about cars and have no idea what they want for it.  . 

 

Any thoughts on value?  Opinions on value and anything else greatly appreciated! 

First, welcome!

 

Second, call your local auto recyclers and ask what they will pay for it. I have picked a quite a few nice vehicles that sold for scrap price. Don't be ashamed to offer a hundred or two more than the recycler.

 

As others have said, leave yourself some head room. Don't be bashful about telling the owners how much money you expect to sink into this project to make it streetable.

[HerbF]

Thanks for all the responses!  Plus I have been doing lots of reading to get a sense of what I might be getting myself into.  Interesting electrical system to say the least.

 

Rust is a concern of mine too.  I do plan to be much more vigilant this time.  The bottom of the MJ definitely shows the effects of driving in rain or snow. That's why I suspect it has a rusted brake line.  It also has a couple of paint poppers (rust bubbling under the paint) on the side like XJs of the era along with scratches from utility use. 

 

The MJ is an 89 base Sport model and I would not be surprised if it has the original factory tires.  The vehicle is located in southern Wisconsin and the family is not actively selling it.  As I understand it will take a family consensus to sell so this may be a slow dance so to speak.

 

I'll probably open with the boneyard price plus a few hundred and see where that takes me.  Scrap prices are really low right now thanks to the Chinese steel glut so hopefully it won't be perceived as an insult. 

[gogmorgo]

Scrap prices in the dirt is true for sure. I scrapped a KJ about a year ago and got all of $50 in yard credit. Would've tried somewhere else but my landlord made me get rid of it and that was the first yard to pick up the phone in a 100-mile radius on a Sunday afternoon.

[Automan2164]

Thanks for all the responses!  Plus I have been doing lots of reading to get a sense of what I might be getting myself into.  Interesting electrical system to say the least.

 

Rust is a concern of mine too.  I do plan to be much more vigilant this time.  The bottom of the MJ definitely shows the effects of driving in rain or snow. That's why I suspect it has a rusted brake line.  It also has a couple of paint poppers (rust bubbling under the paint) on the side like XJs of the era along with scratches from utility use. 

 

The MJ is an 89 base Sport model and I would not be surprised if it has the original factory tires.  The vehicle is located in southern Wisconsin and the family is not actively selling it.  As I understand it will take a family consensus to sell so this may be a slow dance so to speak.

 

I'll probably open with the boneyard price plus a few hundred and see where that takes me.  Scrap prices are really low right now thanks to the Chinese steel glut so hopefully it won't be perceived as an insult. 

 

I'm in northern IL and always appreciate a nice old MJ. Let me know if you want a hand looking at it or need help with it. You can come down my way and check out the MJ's anytime. Always welcome MJ'ers to the homestead.

 

Rob

[HerbF]

Rob,

 

Thanks for the kind offer.  We'll see how things go.   I may take you up on it.  

 

I see in your signature you have a Diesel MJ.  That has to be one rare bird.   I enjoy Diesels myself - Mercedes 617 and 603 versions.

 

Herb

[Automan2164]

I'd be happy to help.

 

I also welcome anyone to see the Diesel MJ, it's an odd little duck that often goes unnoticed. Hard to go wrong with the Merc. diesels you enjoy.

 

Rob

[HerbF]

To provide an update on this topic. Unfortunately, a family member flat out vetoed any kind of sale or sale discussion with no explanation. 

 

I was hoping to document the barn find here.  Maybe another day.  

 

Very friendly and helpful group here and do really appreciate the insights.  I do plan to pop in from time to time.

[johnj92131]

Herb,

 

Thank you for up dating us on this thread.  It is always interesting to know what motivates sellers or, in this case, horders.  Good luck on a search for your own Comanche.