Comanche Price/Value Guide

[ghetdjc320]

Hello all,

 

As you all know, there is really no official guidance on the value of a used MJ. I remember when I was a kid flipping through old car value books for antiques. We’ve seen everything from $500 barn finds to 25K+ builds. KBB or Nada does not work at all with MJs for the most parts. I was thinking about putting something together which would help us to get an idea what a fair market price is for both buying and selling our MJs. Was thinking along the lines of a “comparable sales” approach. We’re all on the look out for a good deal but it’s also laughable when projects are listed for outrageous amounts.  What are your thoughts on trying to establish some baseline number or ranges of values based on: trim level, condition and finally restorations/modifications?

With enough data and input from club members, I think we could get a respectable general guide to pricing. Obviously there will be regional price differences but I’m not thinking of going that detailed

 

 

*****Updated info*****

Creating a list of different models
base

Custom

X

XLS

SporTruck

Chief

Pioneer

Eliminator

Laredo

street comanche

 

Here are the six rating criteria:

 

Excellent:

A perfect show vehicle with components that either look like new or operate like new or a perfectly restored vehicle in the same condition. This is a show truck that's rarely driven. 
 

Fine:

An original that is considered to be in 'excellent' condition or well-restored though not quite at the level of a classic vehicle rated at number one. The vehicle should be well cared for and displays minimal wear and tear.

 

Very Good:

A vehicle that shows a good bit of wear, yet still operable. The vehicle is presentable for an amateur restoration though it wouldn't quite meet professional standards.

Good:

A vehicle that can still be driven though it likely needs minor work (such as a brake job). The vehicle is likely a poor amateur restoration or a restoration that has deteriorated over time. The car is still usable 'as is' but it certainly needs work.

 

Restorable:

The vehicle is in need of a complete restoration regarding the interior, chassis, and body. The truck may or may not run. Despite this, it's still in good enough condition that it can be restored.

 

Parts Car:

As the name implies, the vehicle is in a state where it's only useful for parts and nothing else.

 

[89 MJ]

Sounds great to me

[ghetdjc320]

I’ll keep updating the original post for the latest info. Ok, let’s start with all the different trim levels

[89 MJ]

There is also the base and X (I think)(86 only)

[tugboat95]

Mine is an 89 Eliminator 4.0 5 speed. But to my understanding the 89 model only came with bucket seats and 2wd. Not a whole lot of options. It just looked good at the time. My current MJ has factory AC but 30 years ago the one I had didn't. Neither have cruise control. My current one has manual windows and a three piece back glass. I also believe in 89 they all were Colorado Red, but I could be wrong. I do know they had specific wheels. Look at picture. XJs had similar but only the MJ Eliminator had the "rivets" around the edge of the wheel. Is this the type of info your looking for?
As for value. It's all in the buyer. No rust and running like mine is has to be worth more than a rusted out bed and a bad engine. Mine is all original even the dull paint (I plan on a paint job this fall), and to me that's worth something. But I know guys have a lot more invested in theirs all modded out, jacked up and even turboed with beautiful paint jobs. That's not my style. Personally I'm restoring mine back to show room floor quality. A lot of of people don't want one like that. So which one is worth more? Factory original numbers matching, no rust ANYWHERE is getting exceedingly rare. That's a thing in muscle cars....is it for Jeeps???

89 Comanche
Eliminator
2wd
4.0L
5 speed PukeGoat
Factory Original

[Pete M]

the pricing is all over the place for a reason; a clean stock MJ in LA is valued differently by the locals than a clean stock MJ in New Jersey would be.  and a heavily modded MJ is different than an MJ pulled out of the woods after 20 years of sitting. 

 

For selling purposes the value of a particular truck will always be the compromise between buyer and seller and the market they are in.  the value will usually be compared to the other local trucks for sale.

 

For insurance purposes, it's all about MJs near you that are in similar condition to yours that are currently for sale.  This can include more trucks than the selling scenario since a buyer might have very particular tastes (needs an automatic for example)

 

 

 

I added in the rest of the models to the original post.    those names only kinda mean something since back in the day you could add a lot of things to a base model to deck it out like a higher end model.  My base model 86 had the big engine, 4wd, AC, metric ton and some other valuable perks.  still a base though.

[ghetdjc320]

Thanks all! Not planning to get too detailed. Just propose getting a general value guide put together. 

[ghetdjc320]

Just added 6 categories that are used for insuring classic vehicles. Let me know if you think those categories are sufficiently descriptive or if they need to be adjusted

[Dzimm]

I like the idea but will echo what is said above about vastly different pricing by area.  A $500 truck in California would be a $2,000 truck in Iowa.  Big reason is rust.  Rust means the cheaper trucks are rusted out and the non-rusty come at a premium.  Even bigger premium if they have some work done to them.  This means a $5,000 California truck may sell for $10,000 here.  MJs just don't exist around here anymore either so they are incredibly hard to find, which also affects price.

 

Maybe you could set pricing categories based on in or out of the rust belt to be as simple as possible but I think it's way to big of a variable to leave out entirely.

[ghetdjc320]

2 hours ago, Dzimm said:

I like the idea but will echo what is said above about vastly different pricing by area.  A $500 truck in California would be a $2,000 truck in Iowa.  Big reason is rust.  Rust means the cheaper trucks are rusted out and the non-rusty come at a premium.  Even bigger premium if they have some work done to them.  This means a $5,000 California truck may sell for $10,000 here.  MJs just don't exist around here anymore either so they are incredibly hard to find, which also affects price.

 

Maybe you could set pricing categories based on in or out of the rust belt to be as simple as possible but I think it's way to big of a variable to leave out entirely.

I agree with the regional pricing differences. It’s going to be a factor for sure. The rust belt has almost depleted the MJs available and the global supply is dwindling. The newest mj is still 28 years old and is appreciating in value. Anymore, if someone is really looking for an MJ it seems that they aren’t confining their search to just a small area (at least, they shouldn’t be doing that if they want to find the right truck). I think one of the biggest factors in pricing fluctuations is that there is really no guidance for what to sell or buy an mj for. I think we all have varying views on what constitutes a parts truck vs something that can be restored also. Perhaps if we can put together a pricing overview it will help keep things a bit more consistent. If someone runs across an 88 chief for example, (always wanted one) that’s been in storage and has low mileage, we should all be able to give an idea what a good price would be for that vehicle. Or if someone find a 92 eliminator 4x4 with every option but has some rust and is a bit run down, I think we can still get a good price range consensus. Obviously there is no way to cover every possibility. 

[NHMJXJ]

Just posted several listings from eBay in the classifieds.  Seems what's 'trending' is decent trucks being listed at $8K plus.   

[75sv1]

To me the descriptions need a little work. Even in the Restorable section. Say a rust free body or roller. I would prize that over a Modded but rusted runner. Also, there needs to be something between Fine and Very Good, or even above fine. Let's say "pristine' or Show room. Then Excellent somewhere in the mix. Also, milage effect the $$ on XJs, so that would include MJ. Still, it all depends to me on condition and not mileage.   Also, does Renix vs HO affect price? Manual vs Auto? What $$ as to trim packages and accessories?  A/C, A/C working or not? I'd say $500 on that one. 4 cyl vs 6 cyl? Long bed vs Short Bed. I have a long bed, but I think short beds are more in demand. More for wheeling.