So, how much of a headache is it to buy through eBay? (Updated)

"Just Jeepin'" (macintux)
09/06/2020 at 22:50 • Filed to: why am I obsessed with these, jeep, cherokee, unnecessary jeep shopping with jj

Update : bid, came close, wasn’t willing to go all out for it.

There’s another one in !!!error: Indecipherable SUB-paragraph formatting!!! that boredalways found for me that, sadly, probably will go to someone else, but it’s exactly what I was hoping to find. Very tastefully built, nice compromise between on-road and off.

The search continues.

!!! UNKNOWN CONTENT TYPE !!!

$900 shipping from Maryland. Tempting. 4.0L, manual, 4wd: all the checkboxes except for 2 door.

Of course, the bidding may reach 6k by tomorrow.

!!! UNKNOWN CONTENT TYPE !!!

DISCUSSION (63)

E90M3 > Just Jeepin'
09/05/2020 at 10:41

I assume no harder than buying a car over the phone. I’ve done that twice now and it was no more difficult than doing it in person. Only issue I could see is if you needed to get a loan for it.

Just Jeepin' > E90M3
09/05/2020 at 10:43

I’ve never done that either. I’d feel a lot better if I could get a PPI before buying.

E90M3 > Just Jeepin'
09/05/2020 at 10:49

I have yet to get a PPI before buying a car. With my M3, I bought sight unseen over the internet. It still had a year on the warranty, so I wasn’t too concerned. I understand why you’d want one, but it doesn’t look like there’s time to do this on the auction. I don’t know what the common issues are with these, but if they’re minor it might be worth a gamble.

HammerheadFistpunch > Just Jeepin'
09/05/2020 at 11:10

I accidentally bought a car off ebay once, so apparently very easy.

I was looking at a subaru and I asked if he would consider an offer and suddenly I had bought a car. I had to go through ebay disputed to get out of it. he really wanted to sell that car I guess.

XJDano > Just Jeepin'
09/05/2020 at 11:12

Floor pans are rusted gone. And crappy replacement. See that smooth part, that’s the replacement The rest of it is barely hanging in there. They actually sprayed the bottom of the Jeep black, right over the rust.

It be a good start if you want to rip out the interior and replace floor pans correctly. I’m sure it’ll run and drive fine.

Kinja'd!!!

UserNotFound > Just Jeepin'
09/05/2020 at 11:34

Wow they did a great job spray painting all the rust black.

Kiltedpadre > Just Jeepin'
09/05/2020 at 11:48

I bought an old truck off eBay. It went very smoothly, but I was able to pick it up so I can’t say how much shipping a vehicle will complicate things.

I know a few oppos have shipped vehicles so hopefully one of them can chime in on the pitfalls of that part.

Just Jeepin' > XJDano
09/05/2020 at 12:05

Good catch. There’s always a catch.

Just Jeepin' > HammerheadFistpunch
09/05/2020 at 12:05

How did you phrase it? Crazy.

XJDano > Just Jeepin'
09/05/2020 at 12:23

I’m not trying to shit on your parade or anything.

I’d prefer the 4 door now after I’ve owned a 2 door. The lon ger doors are heavy and sag then drag on the door sill when you close it. There is a company that makes a repair hinge door frame to weld in, which I actually need for mine as I’ve leaned on it enough to make it sag.

Here is what mine look like. It’s a slow morning so I just crawled under as I didn’t know how bad they actually are.

Kinja'd!!!

XJDano > Just Jeepin'
09/05/2020 at 12:25

I’ve heard that is sometimes caused by the heater core leaking, sitting under the carpet to let it rot like that.

ITA97, now with more Jag @ opposite-lock.com > Just Jeepin'
09/05/2020 at 12:46

I bought a boat through Ebay once. It was basically the same as buying a car from a private party in person. Clicked buy it now, sent money via paypal, picked it up the next weekend.

XJDano > Just Jeepin'
09/05/2020 at 12:51

https://www.ebay.com/itm/114390765144

This one shows good flooring.

boredalways > Just Jeepin'
09/05/2020 at 12:57

This one seems nice. Plus, it’s closer.

https://www.ebay.com/itm/174407497785

HammerheadFistpunch > Just Jeepin'
09/05/2020 at 13:18

Pretty much "would you take this account?" And then it was sold to me

HammerheadFistpunch > Kiltedpadre
09/05/2020 at 13:20

It sucks. It’s about a grand and whatever they tell you about a delivery date is a straight up fabrication designed to get you on the hook

Dr. Zoidberg - RIP Oppo > XJDano
09/05/2020 at 13:35

Good LORD

XJDano > Dr. Zoidberg - RIP Oppo
09/05/2020 at 13:42

Uhh, what am I missing?

Dr. Zoidberg - RIP Oppo > XJDano
09/05/2020 at 13:43

I just don't often see photos of things rustier than my Tercels.

onlytwowheels > XJDano
09/05/2020 at 13:47

That is an awful repair.

HFV has no HFV. But somehow has 2 motorcycles > Just Jeepin'
09/05/2020 at 14:41

I actually kinda bought my first car on eBay motors. I didn’t know what Craigslist was at the time so I hit up EBay, found a car that was 20 miles from my house and set up a in person meeting. Bought it without going through eBay. Probably not helpful tho

Just Jeepin' > boredalways
09/05/2020 at 15:17

Auto. Meh.

Just Jeepin' > XJDano
09/05/2020 at 15:18

Trying to find a stick. Hard.

Just Jeepin' > XJDano
09/05/2020 at 15:22

Tripper said exactly the opposite: after owning a 4 door he wished he had a 2 door.

XJDano > Just Jeepin'
09/05/2020 at 15:23

Yeah there is another in Hobart that’s a auto, that’s closer to you. But a 96 auto.

I want this one. https://www.ebay.com/itm/203097846403

Dead_Elvis, Inc. > Just Jeepin'
09/05/2020 at 15:23

I bought a car on eBay once, not quite accidentally. Put in what I thought was a low max bid, thinking “nah, not a chance”, and woke up to a congratulatory email from eBay for having won myself an $800 Volvo. Guess it worked out OK, since I still have it now, 11 years later & it’s been coast to coast 3 times.

XJDano > Just Jeepin'
09/05/2020 at 15:25

I was single when I had my 2 door. I was fine. Now with kids it’d be way easer than folding the seats up for them to get out.

I’d still prefer the 2-door seats that do fold quick vs the recline one.

Just Jeepin' > XJDano
09/05/2020 at 15:29

That sharp.

I’ve come to the conclusion I’ll probably have to settle for an auto but I’m not quite there yet. If I do there’s no shortage of them around here.

https://oppositelock.kinja.com/xj-tire-kicking-trip-report-1844950334

Just Jeepin' > Dead_Elvis, Inc.
09/05/2020 at 15:30

Amazing. Deal of the century.

Dead_Elvis, Inc. > Just Jeepin'
09/05/2020 at 15:39

Caught it just before the hipster tax really started hammering 240 prices, and it’s not a wagon (although if you slide the passenger seat all the way back & crank the seatback down, a handful of 8' 2x4s fit inside).

It’s no longer my daily, it’s slow & clunky & not all that comfortable with 33 years & 250K miles of wear on the driver’s seat, but I have a feeling I’ll hang onto it. It’s kind of like an old pair of jeans or favorite boots that are well past their prime, but still familiar & comforting. Maybe I’d feel differently if I hadn’t owned a half dozen or so over the last 30 years.

boredalways > Just Jeepin'
09/05/2020 at 17:11

https://www.ebay.com/itm/184423654891

https://www.ebay.com/itm/283993194128

https://winchester.craigslist.org/cto/d/linden-1998-jeep-cherokee-sport-4x4/7188400938.html

https://scranton.craigslist.org/cto/d/hazleton-1997-jeep-cherokee-sport-5/7179552508.html

https://greensboro.craigslist.org/cto/d/pleasant-garden-jeep-cherokee-xj/7174889404.html

https://washingtondc.craigslist.org/mld/cto/d/gaithersburg-1995-jeep-cherokee-sport/7190900771.html

Just Jeepin' > boredalways
09/05/2020 at 17:17

Thanks, I’d seen some but not all of those. I like the price on that Winchester one, wonder what’s wrong with it.

boredalways > Just Jeepin'
09/05/2020 at 17:18

This one was too nice not to send to you, plus the dealership has more to oogle over:

Kinja'd!!!

https://greenfieldusaauto.com/vdp/13132466/Used-1999-Jeep-Cherokee-Sport-4Door-4WD-for-sale-in-Hollywood-FL-33023

Enjoy!

Just Jeepin' > boredalways
09/05/2020 at 17:35

Damn. I’m almost to the point where that’s a reasonable price

boredalways > Just Jeepin'
09/05/2020 at 17:48

Hope you took a good look at all the photos. The vehicles that they sell have been in collisions previously (see ALL photos and https://autoauctions.io/public/18565631/1999-jeep-cherokee-s ), which isn’t necessarily bad. You just have to do your homework. But they seem to do a bang up job refurbishing their cars to like new condition. As for this gold Cherokee, when you consider what they started with to finish it off for sale, the price sounds right.

You might want to check with a Florida [Man] Oppo on buying vehicles like these. I vaguely remember something about the state’s law that are just weird when it comes to these types.

boredalways > Just Jeepin'
09/05/2020 at 17:57

One more piece of torture before I take break from internets:

https://orangecounty.craigslist.org/cto/d/corona-1988-jeep-wrangler-yj-laredo-5/7186174672.html

https://austin.craigslist.org/cto/d/austin-lifted-1997-jeep-cherokee-yj/7186441001.html

*C’mon Powerball!

SmugAardvark > Just Jeepin'
09/05/2020 at 18:22

I bought a Subaru SVX on eBay for $2,000, many years ago. But the seller was only about 90 minutes away from me, so I arranged to just meet in person to pick it up. Transaction went perfectly, and the car was much better than I expected it to be for the price.

Speed > Just Jeepin'
09/05/2020 at 18:41

I’ve never bought a car off Ebay, but I have taken road trips, planes and busses to go purchase and pick up a few. By the way, my wife and I joined the Jeep family this Thursday. It was fairly local.

Kinja'd!!!

Just Jeepin' > boredalways
09/05/2020 at 19:30

Living up to your username today.

Thanks. Rusty wants me to encourage you to search in the SF area, he’s offered to check ‘em out.

Just Jeepin' > Speed
09/05/2020 at 20:52

Nice! Great color.

boredalways > Just Jeepin'
09/05/2020 at 21:50

“ Living up to your username today.”

As soon as I figure out the time zone

Just Jeepin' > boredalways
09/05/2020 at 21:59

I got hosed by time zones today. Sorta.

I have a spot on Patoka Lake I think will be great for sunsets, and I tried to hit it tonight, but I putz ed around too long and missed it by 3-4 minutes.

I was hurrying down the highway looking at the sun and looking at my watch and trying to figure out why the sun was so low when I still had over an hour...when of course I re alized I had strayed into Central.

Second time this spot failed me (or I failed the spot): last time was a thunderstorm.

Kinja'd!!!

boredalways > Just Jeepin'
09/05/2020 at 22:40

As for Rusty's suggest, it would be easier if you use https://www.autotempest.com/ and open the search nationwide. You'll get results from Craigslist and Facebook Marketplace nationwide. Saw this earlier, but figured you knew about this one in Fishers: https://www.facebook.com/marketplace/item/785730872179652

Just Jeepin' > boredalways
09/05/2020 at 22:47

Yeah, I’ve done some with auto tempest but you’re doing better than I did. I really appreciate the research.

No, I hadn’t seen that Sahara. Suspiciously cheap.

I found an automatic XJ that’s clean (for Indiana) along highway 37 in Mitchell this afternoon . Tempting to just call it good enough. There’s an off-road shop in Orleans just down the road, could take it there and have them set it up the way I want.

If I knew what I wanted, anyway.

boredalways > Just Jeepin'
09/05/2020 at 23:29

https://chico.craigslist.org/cto/d/stirling-city-2001-jeep-cherokee-sport/7177587379.html

https://portland.craigslist.org/mlt/cto/d/portland-1996-jeep-cherokee-4x4-stick/7175016281.html

https://seattle.craigslist.org/sno/cto/d/north-lakewood-1996-jeep-cherokee-xj/7181157301.html

https://bozeman.craigslist.org/cto/d/belgrade-1996-jeep-cherokee-xj-5-speed/7190426705.html

https://flagstaff.craigslist.org/cto/d/sedona-jeep-cherokee/7189491971.html

https://denver.craigslist.org/cto/d/westminster-1992-jeep-cherokee/7187862756.html

boredalways > Just Jeepin'
09/06/2020 at 00:45

https://www.facebook.com/marketplace/item/306588163960362

https://www.facebook.com/marketplace/item/307177483902887

https://www.cargurus.com/Cars/inventorylisting/viewDetailsFilterViewInventoryListing.action?zip=94517&showNegotiable=true&sourceContext=untrackedExternal_false_0&distance=200&entitySelectingHelper.selectedEntity2=c2400&sortType=PROXIMITY&entitySelectingHelper.selectedEntity=c6788#listing=279844023

Just Jeepin' > boredalways
09/06/2020 at 15:48

That Montana XJ ( https://bozeman.craigslist.org/cto/d/belgrade-1996-jeep-cherokee-xj-5-speed/7190426705.html ) is essentially exactly what I’d want to do with mine. Intriguing.

Just Jeepin' > XJDano
09/06/2020 at 16:15

Would be interested in your thoughts on this one. Seems pretty much spot on for what I’d hope to do if I found a stock one.

https://bozeman.craigslist.org/cto/d/belgrade-1996-jeep-cherokee-xj-5-speed/7190426705.html

XJDano > Just Jeepin'
09/06/2020 at 16:44

Wow, that sounds to be about the Best case scenario for what you’d want. I did the same axle swap for my 5speed to run the larger tires.

You can eventually look into the Liberty rear disc swap if you feel like you need more braking.

I’d definitely ask for undercarriage photos to confirm it doesn’t have bad floors.

I used to think 200k+ was a lot of miles, but I’ve taken my metro to 260, and my equinox is at 220. I wouldn’t be too alarmed at the mileage.

It’s seems to be about the right price what what others are asking.

Just Jeepin' > XJDano
09/06/2020 at 16:46

I wasn’t sure whether I was hoping you’d validate my impression or scare me away.

I almost asked for undercarriage photos in my first email; assuming I get a response, I’ll ask for them next time.

XJDano > Just Jeepin'
09/06/2020 at 17:16

I only mention because I’ve had issues with it before and you’ve seen some of the other jeeps that Have had issues with it.

I’m always skeptical of anyone that says a 24 year old car has no rust.

Highlander-Datsuns are Forever > Just Jeepin'
09/06/2020 at 23:15

If you like the one in Bozeman buy it and drive it back to your home state. Bozeman is halfway across Montana so that’s like 7 eastern states wide.

Just Jeepin' > Highlander-Datsuns are Forever
09/06/2020 at 23:17

There’s already someone who’s going to buy it after the owner gets an alignment done. I’d have it shipped, anyway.

glemon > Just Jeepin'
09/06/2020 at 23:40

I have bought three cars off of eBay, the first was my 99 Maxima in Little Rock. At the time it was low miles and balance of factory warranty. Five speed, which was pretty rare, between that and a very good price the eBay but made sense. Turned out to be a great car I owned for about 14 years. I flew down and drove back in a day.

Second was a Toyota Matrix, it was supposed to be like the Maxima, but wasn’t, smoked in, wrecked, air bag popped, I flew down to Houston with the intention of driving back, I said no thanks and caught another plane back.

Third was a whole different animal, my TR250 needing restoration, more rust than described, had it shipped from Massachusetts, the seller promised he would get a title and arrange shipping cheap, he did neither.

If buying something drivable I prefer to go look at it and drive it back if possible.

Good luck!

Deal Killer - Powered by Focus > Just Jeepin'
09/07/2020 at 00:04

Seriously dude, I’m a life long Toledo resident. Jeeps XJ’s are everywhere here. Why the love??

Just Jeepin' > Deal Killer - Powered by Focus
09/07/2020 at 10:05

Quite a few reasons.

I don’t know much about cars, but I’ve had a crash course in Jeeps over the last several years, so I have a half-decent idea of how an XJ will work. Or not work.

Aftermarket support is broad and deep.

The straight 6 engine is both robust and easy to find if necessary.

Manuals. Nobody is making manual 4wd vehicles today for the U.S. market other than Jeep, and if you’re looking at used vehicles, the situation isn’t a whole lot better. Sure, you can find old 4Runners with a stick, if you’re willing to pay 2-3x what an XJ would cost.

Autos. If I can’t find a manual, as you say XJs are everywhere.

And the most important reason: otherwise I’d have to change my Kinja nickname, and ain’t nobody got time for that.

Snuze: Needs another Swede > Just Jeepin'
09/07/2020 at 10:06

CP price, but looks clean (no underbody shots, tho) ! https://frederick.craigslist.org/cto/d/frederick-1998-jeep-cherokee-sport/7189844295.html

Just Jeepin' > Deal Killer - Powered by Focus
09/07/2020 at 10:08

Oops, I forgot: one reason I’m so keen on getting another 4wd vehicle is that I had to cancel a Jeep Jamboree event my dad and I were going to attend because my LJ was broken, and that continues to nag at me . With another Jeep as backup, problem solved.

Just Jeepin' > Snuze: Needs another Swede
09/07/2020 at 10:10

Definitely CP, but thanks for the tip.

CivicWagonEngineer > Just Jeepin'
09/07/2020 at 14:15

Just to be pedantic, but Bronco is coming out with a manual and 4wd.

XJDano > Just Jeepin'
09/07/2020 at 17:29

I asked that seller for under neath photos and it looks clean. Depending on if others bid on it I may fork over up to $2000 to buy it Friday.

I don’t want to get my hopes up at all. I’ve wanted a RHD since I known about them. This will be a long week. I supposed to go camping Friday afternoon for the weekend as well.

I’ve never owned a RED car.

Just Jeepin' > XJDano
09/07/2020 at 17:31

That would be very cool, hope you get lucky with that one.

Let me know if you have any thoughts on my latest shopping list: Jeep shopping with JJ. Again.

Manwich - now Keto-Friendly > Just Jeepin'
09/08/2020 at 00:06

I hate eBay.

I was seriously put off years ago with all the fake bids and then after the auction ends, the fake bidders are let off the hook and they come back to you with the bullshit “you have a 2nd chance to buy this at your highest bid caused by our bullshit fake bidders”

Also when trying to sell stuff, there was some BS between ebay and Canada Post where you’d pay for the Canada Post shipping option, but ebay and Canada post didn’t have their shit worked out which would cause problems and hassle.

It caused me to get so pissed that I closed both my ebay and paypal accounts.