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UN1CORN XJ Test Drive


White_Comanche
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As probably most of us know, when you buy a car it is rarely during the best time.

 

This beaut shown on my local classifieds a few days ago. Always have been intrigued of the follow that these OG suvs have.

 

This would ultimately be, and replace my daily driver... a 2002 Honda CRV.

 

This vehicle is PRIMO for its age.

 

Am I being really fu5king stupid if I pass this rare bird behind????? 

 

• 1999 Jeep Cherokee XJ 4x4 4.0

• Only 120k miles

• 17,000 firm

 

UN1CORN.jpg.3c7d252a29cd7e5d0b66b7661734453d.jpg

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The seller is locally known for his modern classic Jeep finds. He picked this one up at a KC auction. 'Barn Find' that's always been garaged apparently. Here's a few more pictures.

 

I doubt the mileage was altered, based on the condition of the undercarriage.

 

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listing_pic_2244694_1765132393.jpeg.da0db7454c7568995f6b2338e732dc14.jpeg

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Yes I know, the engine compartment is identically clean as the chassis. Immediate need is new tires. Buyer said it drove well from KC on interstate, but at 60 mph they do shudder from their age.

 

Also, radio needs replaced :dry:

 

Nothing else is very noticeable so far, except for LF strut needs replaced later on.

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120k is still 120k.  that's "low" only by comparison to other old-as-dirt Jeeps. 

 

'tis pretty though :D 

 

keep in mind that 99 was a changeover for the front axle and some brake parts are '98 and some parts are '00.

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I think he’s asking about 5k more than it’s really worth on a good day. $12k seems like about top dollar in my opinion. I also don’t think it’s really a unicorn. It’s a 4 door auto with cloth interior, just like most XJs. 

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1 hour ago, Pete M said:

120k is still 120k.  that's "low" only by comparison to other old-as-dirt Jeeps

 

47 minutes ago, 89 MJ said:

don’t think it’s really a unicorn. It’s a 4 door auto with cloth interior, just like most XJs

I appreciate the honest insight guys. Unfortunately I doubt the guy will go any lower than 17k, he is known for not budging on price. When driving yesterday, it did feel quite solid — but it still is 26 year old Jeep. It's mine if I wanna take the dive, but this would deplete my saved nest eggs.

 

I'm afraid this might turn into another project vehicle, rather than a care-free daily driver.

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Another thought. If it was a barn find, it will probably need a lot of work. Probably needs tires and all of the other rubber components unless they were done already. 

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59 minutes ago, 89 MJ said:

Another thought. If it was a barn find, it will probably need a lot of work. Probably needs tires and all of the other rubber components unless they were done already. 

Agreed.  For $17K, I would expect that it needs absolutely nothing.  There should be all new hoses and belts, new tires, maybe even a few new engine gaskets/seals.

 

Without that, I would lower the price I'm willing to pay.

 

It would suck to lose out on an opportunity to have a clean XJ like that, but in the end it's just a 26 year old XJ.

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Subtle wear indicates to me it has been driven on a somewhat routine basis. Don't think it was covered in a thick mat of dust like you see on Discover+ shows.

 

Yes, tires need replaced. Wish I took a few shots of the engine compartment. The vehicle is very clean throughout. The plastic bits and hoses look supple. Engine mounts look like new. Intake manifold and rest of engine was free of any oil and dirt grime. Also, it didn't look like it had detail job.

 

Dude is already texting me of similar XJs being sold recently online for 17k.

 

If I get a good feeling at the right time I may offer 12k for this one.

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7 hours ago, White_Comanche said:

 

I appreciate the honest insight guys. Unfortunately I doubt the guy will go any lower than 17k, he is known for not budging on price. When driving yesterday, it did feel quite solid — but it still is 26 year old Jeep. It's mine if I wanna take the dive, but this would deplete my saved nest eggs.

 

I'm afraid this might turn into another project vehicle, rather than a care-free daily driver.

 

there's no way on god's green earth an insurance company is going to just magically cover it for that level of cash.  do your due diligence first to see if you can be covered on this investment.

 

I'd pass on it personally. 

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6 hours ago, White_Comanche said:

If I get a good feeling at the right time I may offer 12k for this one.

Its only worth 12k if it doesn't need anything. If I were in your shoes, I wouldn't pay over $8500 for it. Its just an XJ, nothing special. If it were dialed in and had new tires on it, only then would would I think its worth anywhere near 12k

 

I just jumped on Bring A Trailer for some price comps because that's where all of the high priced ones seem to sell. These ones have all sold within the last 2 months and there are plenty more examples on BAT. 

44k mile 2001. Sold for $18k, but is not as clean underneath.

Repainted 2001 with 59k miles. $11.5k

123k mile 2001. $8800

97k mile 2 DOOR. $15k

65k mile 2001. $14.7k

 

I'm sorry, but there is no way that that XJ is worth 17k. Based on what I just linked, I don't even know that its really worth $12k. The prices for these are not as crazy as they were just a year or so ago. 

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2 hours ago, Pete M said:

no way on god's green earth an insurance company is going to just magically cover it for that level of cash

 

2 hours ago, 89 MJ said:

Its only worth 12k if it doesn't need anything. If I were in your shoes, I wouldn't pay over $8500 for it. Its just an XJ, nothing special

Thank you to everyone who has helped me better understand what an old XJ like this is all about. Definitely had rose tinted glasses yesterday, and even while I posted this topic.

 

Thinking that my insurance would NOT go all-in on coverage for this was not even on the radar.

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14 hours ago, pizzaman09 said:

...this one isn't particularly special

Appreciate the words of encouragement. Team Comanche Club helped me decide not to act on buying this XJ. Think I still want one sometime in the future, but for now my baby is the 1986 MJ that's nestled in the garage.

 

A few nights ago I linked the seller this thread to illustrate that he's got it listed at an absurd price. Probably didn't like the push back from researching its honest value. Bet he's hoping some dope will hook with its inflated price.

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13 minutes ago, White_Comanche said:

Appreciate the words of encouragement. Team Comanche Club helped me decide not to act on buying this XJ. Think I still want one sometime in the future, but for now my baby is the 1986 MJ that's nestled in the garage.

 

A few nights ago I linked the seller this thread to illustrate that he's got it listed at an absurd price. Probably didn't like the push back from researching its honest value. Bet he's hoping some dope will hook with its inflated price.

I have found in car shopping, wait for the one you want, you'll know it. I shopped three years for my MJ, looking for one with exactly the options I wanted.  When the right one came along I jumped and didn't question price.  Ended up spending $9800 for a 250k mile Eliminator that really needed some love, but it was straight and clean so everything else was just refreshing work.  It felt expensive for what I got, and probably was but it was the exact vehicle I was looking for.  My list was exacting, Renix 4.0L, 4x4, AX-15 transmission, bucket seats, full instrumentation, AC, and a short bed.  Many trucks came along that had 90% of that but only a couple that were exactly what I was looking for.  

 

XJs have a far deeper pool to choose from, I'm not sure if MJs or XJs are worth more but in the end they aren't hens teeth.

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