"JCAlan" (jcalan)
02/11/2018 at 13:05 • Filed to: None
4
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"JCAlan" (jcalan)
02/11/2018 at 13:05 • Filed to: None | 4
| 19 |
I’ve been educating myself on the market for Jeep Grand Wagoneers, determined to become an expert before taking the plunge. My goal is that by the time my lease is up on my truck (16 months out), I’ll have a presentable and dependable daily driver Grand Wagoneer ready to take its place in my stable. I need to get started soon, because I’m assuming I’ll be doing some extensive work to get it ready. This has been the most frustrating auto search of my life. There are two major factors that are working against me.
Photo Credit: AutoTrader lister
Factor The First- Unreal Seller Expectations
There is a huge disparity between what sellers believe these are worth and what they actually sell for. You can find them !!!error: Indecipherable SUB-paragraph formatting!!! , but that is not what they are trading hands for. After extensive research every day for the past couple months or so, I think I can definitively tell you the market value of any Grand Wagoneer. I’ve broken it down into three condition categories, and for each I will provide an example to support my valuation, as well as a ridiculous example of someone asking way too much. Values are for 86-91 models. For 84-85, the values are about 70% of the newer ones, and for 83 and back Wagoneers, the market is so thin that each one would have to be looked at case-by-case (but generally speaking they are not as desirable). Here goes:
Rough (meets any one of the following conditions: rusted through, non-running, trans out, interior destroyed, ran when parked, someone else’s project) : These are worth almost nothing. Think David Tracy territory. Spend less than $2500 , and only proceed if you’re just in need of the parts. !!!error: Indecipherable SUB-paragraph formatting!!! to support my case that is sun-crusted and needs a carb rebuild (actually, that one is probably a good buy!) !!!error: Indecipherable SUB-paragraph formatting!!! with unknown miles, a quirky trans, needs a carb rebuild, has bondo popping off the quarter, rust throughout, failing electrics, and a previous hacked-together FRAME REPAIR that failed to bring the ridiculous $4000 opening bid (thank God!).
Original Condition Driver
(has minor flaws like A/C out, dings, windows inop, needs headliner replaced, but overall is ok. You could drive it home and it looks great. Rust is very little or non-existent)
: These sell for
between 5000 and 9000 dollars
.
As evidence, I present
!!!error: Indecipherable SUB-paragraph formatting!!!
that probably would have sold if the owner was more experienced with Ebay, took better pictures, and didn’t falsely state that it had a “360 Ford Engine.”
!!!error: Indecipherable SUB-paragraph formatting!!!
, and all it needed was a headliner and to figure out what to do with a defunct sunroof. In contrast,
!!!error: Indecipherable SUB-paragraph formatting!!!
that’s masquerading as a newer one and has the wrong grill, wrong wheels, and the dash was rattle-canned the wrong color. I actually really like this one, as I prefer the earlier interior, don’t mind a re-paint, and love that it’s been converted to fuel injection. But it
!!!error: Indecipherable SUB-paragraph formatting!!!
, didn’t sell the
!!!error: Indecipherable SUB-paragraph formatting!!!
, and will not sell for $14,000 either, because it’s worth half that. Also here’s
!!!error: Indecipherable SUB-paragraph formatting!!!
and
!!!error: Indecipherable SUB-paragraph formatting!!!
, and
!!!error: Indecipherable SUB-paragraph formatting!!!
all at a consignment dealer in Colorado that have been listed at that 15k price point forever with no takers. They’re just not bringing that kind of money.
Fully Restored or Mint
:
I have found very little evidence of these actually changing hands, so it’s hard to say. I have not seen any Grand Wagoneer actually sell for over 20 grand, so I’m going to say their actual worth is
in the upper teens, maybe low 20's
.
As evidence, I present this
!!!error: Indecipherable SUB-paragraph formatting!!!
on Auto Trader (it’s the one in the lead photo up there). Offer them 19k and I bet they’d take it, and you’d have yourself probably the nicest original Grand Wagoneer on the road. This one may not be the best example,
!!!error: Indecipherable SUB-paragraph formatting!!!
. But this reality doesn’t stop people from listing them for sale at outrageous prices.
!!!error: Indecipherable SUB-paragraph formatting!!!
for a supposedly restored 88, and this
!!!error: Indecipherable SUB-paragraph formatting!!!
to no avail for months. Again, I have seen zero evidence that any actually sell in this price range.
You can see how this disparity between market reality and seller’s expectations and asking price can make this process very frustrating. Imagine shopping for a new Camry, but for some reason 90% of Toyota dealers think that they’re worth 90 grand.
Factor The Second- Location, Location, Location
There are none of these near me. I live in Ohio, and although I know they sold them here (the dealership that I work for was a Jeep dealer during this time, and I confirmed that we actually did deliver some), I can honestly say that I have never seen one in the wild. There are just none in my area. I’m guessing they rusted out like crazy and went into crushers. What I have discovered is that there are pockets of survivors in the upper northwest, southern California, Colorado, and Texas. Everywhere else is hit-and-miss. Since Craiglist seems to be the only place where people list these at reasonable prices, this makes finding one very difficult for me. Buying on Craigslist is all about watching it like a hawk, and pouncing with cash in hand when the right item comes up. How can I do that when the item is two days travel away, and requires a personal inspection and a trailer? Do you know how much it costs to ship a large SUV from Seattle to the Great Lakes? And would anyone near Colorado Springs like to inspect !!!error: Indecipherable SUB-paragraph formatting!!! , negotiate a transaction, and drive it to Ohio for me? Didn’t think so.... maybe I’ll start looking at Camry leases instead.
Chariotoflove
> JCAlan
02/11/2018 at 13:09 |
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I met a lady on the 4th of July last summer who had what looked to be an absolutely show room fresh example, wood paneling and everything. I had to go up and chat with her for a second about how impressive this car was. I didn’t and don’t want one, but you have to respect the care that went in to keeping a care like that in it’s state.
415s30 W123TSXWaggoIIIIIIo ( •_•))°)
> JCAlan
02/11/2018 at 13:11 |
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My dad had one in the 80's, it was ok. I like the older ones, my friend just sold an older one. I always see this pic and want it:
farscythe - makin da cawfee!
> JCAlan
02/11/2018 at 13:38 |
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surprisingly enough theres quite a few of them for sale in the netherlands reasonably priced too.... wierd (most have been converted to run on lpg )
8 grand... im half tempted lol https://www.autoscout24.nl/aanbod/-d2170cb1-7fe7-4fa2-9380-0fa2e8b2e3ab
XJDano
> JCAlan
02/11/2018 at 13:39 |
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Back in 2001 I looked at a grand wagoneer to replace my fuel thirsty 91 Suburban with a 350. I was still rough on cars so I probably would have tore it up. I bought a 99 XJ as I wanted something newer and less than 8 cylinders.
I bought some other XJs and did the beater thing. I am mature enough now to handle a grand wagoneer. I do think about it as the one that got away. White with wood panel and tan interior.
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JCAlan
> farscythe - makin da cawfee!
02/11/2018 at 13:45 |
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That thing is gorgeous! I love the way the faux wood has aged.
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farscythe - makin da cawfee!
> JCAlan
02/11/2018 at 13:49 |
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only 31.000 miles on the clock too... bit of a unicorn lol
AM3R, lost another burner
> JCAlan
02/11/2018 at 13:58 |
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It’s funny, a few years back around like 2013 I really went on a kick for these. I wanted one bad, and almost bought one. I stopped only because I don’t have a garage so I wouldn’t be able to fix it up myself. The market was a little nicer back then.
itranthelasttimeiparkedit
> JCAlan
02/11/2018 at 14:26 |
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Mine sits in the driveway most of the time, its mechanically quite nice but rough looking (paint is way faded, wood grain is half worn off, big dent in steel bumpter). But I still have people come ring the door bell 2x month and try to buy it. I always throw out $10k hoping I get a sucker, I’ve had 2 that came back but decided against it. I’ll get it restored the rest of the way eventually, i have most of the stuff already. I just focused on the mechanicals so far, it runs, stops, turns and does not overheat or anything =) 540iT hiding in the bushes for your time
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itranthelasttimeiparkedit
> itranthelasttimeiparkedit
02/11/2018 at 14:29 |
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dammit kinja wont take my edit with pic
vondon302
> JCAlan
02/11/2018 at 14:34 |
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Spotted this the other day.
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vondon302
> 415s30 W123TSXWaggoIIIIIIo ( •_•))°)
02/11/2018 at 14:53 |
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That’s almost perfect. I want it too.
Berang
> JCAlan
02/11/2018 at 15:10 |
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A few years ago a concourse level restoration SAAB 95 sold at auction for 40K, and for a couple years after that you’d see lots of people trying to sell ho-hum daily driver level restos in the 20K neighborhood, lots of them cited this auction too. A couple more years and asking prices settled down and rip-off artist flippers seem to have wised up a bit and gotten out of the way, and now even really nice restorations are back in the 10-12K territory.
Unfortunately, this is a common problem with collectibles that are “sort of” uncommon. Uncommon enough that finding good ones takes some effort, but common enough that a lot of them end up in the hands of nutcake owners who think they’re “rare”.
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JCAlan
> Berang
02/11/2018 at 15:34 |
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Ya, I hope it all calms down, but due to Jeep about to revive the Grand Wagoneer name, I doubt this insanity will end anytime soon.
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JCAlan
> vondon302
02/11/2018 at 15:35 |
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NICE
sn4cktimes
> JCAlan
02/11/2018 at 22:01 |
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Always catches me by surprise how many interior parts are the same for the GW’s as my AMC Eagle and then I see an under the hood pic and totally different scenario going on down there.
Rusty Vandura - www.tinyurl.com/keepoppo
> JCAlan
02/12/2018 at 09:16 |
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I think the Grand Wagoneer (SJ) is one of the most handsome vehicles ever put on the road. The specimen I saw most recently had a Howell aftermarket electronic TBI installed. I owned a really clean Cherokee at one time, plain Jane, I6 4sp with A/C:
Honestly? I don’t miss it at all. Handsome car, but not my taste. Having only two doors didn’t help...
Good luck in your quest.
Akio Ohtori - RIP Oppo
> JCAlan
02/12/2018 at 16:25 |
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Here you go . Mostly rust free non-runner with shit paint and pictures. Buuuuuut... it is only $1000. It is down here in flyover country though...
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JCAlan
> Akio Ohtori - RIP Oppo
02/12/2018 at 17:45 |
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And I can finally cash in this three point disc I’ve had laying around!
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Akio Ohtori - RIP Oppo
> JCAlan
02/12/2018 at 18:06 |
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Right? I’ve got no idea on that one...
Still seems like a fairly solid car for a grand. If I had any loves for these I’d go take a look, but they really don’t do anything for me.