May have to have you start looking for some to ship east
For 2000/3000 here we get one thats been run to death, rockers are gone, suspension is dragging, etc. Be worth the trip out there!
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| Shopping for a used XJ experience. http://www.lostjeeps.com/forum/phpBB3/viewtopic.php?f=68&t=64227 |
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| Author: | doughboyea [ Mon Dec 19, 2011 3:25 pm ] |
| Post subject: | Shopping for a used XJ experience. |
I'd like to share my experiences over this past weekend while shopping for a used Cherokee. I found quite a few advertisements on autotrader.com of low mileage Cherokees. Most were on third party dealer sites. As I would call/email, I would find out quickly that the advertisements are out of date, meaning that the XJ's are all sold. Yet, the ad is not taken down. I call one dealer selling a 2000 silver XJ with 67,000 miles that is a one hour drive away. He says that it's still there but that it's more of a gold color than silver. He adds that he has two in stock, the other with 20k miles less but the same price since its an SE model. I arrive an hour later at this dealer finding two XJ's there. One bright gold colored classic and dull grey se. The classic had 128k miles and the se had 100k miles. Both had a rough life. I asked about the one I came to see, "oh, that one we already sold". WTF!? Next I saw one more local, about 20 minutes away. It was a 1999 XJ Sport with 58,000 miles. I arrive at the dealer to find it there! Yey! Oh but wait... 58k miles sounds way too low for a 1999 and I asked the dealer if he had a carfax to back up the mileage. "No" he says. I take a look around and notice little spots of rust. Also the trim pieces were re-painted black with over spray on the white exterior. He says that it wasn't smoked in but there are ashes in the ashtray and on the lighter. There are also cigarette burn marks on the sun visor. I look underneath to find a crud covered and rusty exhaust. Pop the hood and see mild rusting along the back of the engine bay. He starts it up and I smell fumes. Open the doors and I see proof of a poor paint job. With 58k miles, he should've sold it quickly, but he's had it for a month! I told him thank you, but no thankyou. No need to spend $800 over blue book when it looks like this XJ has a questionable history. Anyone else have trouble finding a good XJ? |
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| Author: | dieselenthusiast [ Mon Dec 19, 2011 11:25 pm ] |
| Post subject: | Re: Shopping for a used XJ experience. |
doughboyea wrote: Anyone else have trouble finding a good XJ? I only look at Craigslist. We live in Jeep country, so we have literally dozens of XJ's for sale all the time. Jeeps are rust free out here in the high desert which, in my opinion, makes the vehicle worth more. I have found that XJ's are very affordable out here. I paid $2,200 for my 2000 SPORT with 168,000 miles on it. I'm planning to buy another XJ sometime within the next year or so. This time I will be looking for an XJ in mint condition. |
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| Author: | tommudd [ Tue Dec 20, 2011 12:22 am ] |
| Post subject: | Re: Shopping for a used XJ experience. |
May have to have you start looking for some to ship east For 2000/3000 here we get one thats been run to death, rockers are gone, suspension is dragging, etc. Be worth the trip out there! |
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| Author: | dieselenthusiast [ Tue Dec 20, 2011 12:59 am ] |
| Post subject: | Re: Shopping for a used XJ experience. |
tommudd wrote: May have to have you start looking for some to ship east For 2000/3000 here we get one thats been run to death, rockers are gone, suspension is dragging, etc. Be worth the trip out there! Yeah, I know. I thought about buying a few nice XJ's (and other Jeeps) when I can find them for a good price. I could try to make a small profit and put it towards paying for another car hauler. We sold our lowboy gooseneck car hauler a few years ago and have regretted it ever since.  On a side note, Sarah and I took turns driving the tow rig yesterday. We left at 3:00 AM and drove 15 hours to Kansas City. My Dad has a friend here in K.C. who's looking for a nice XJ. I could have hauled one back with me if I had a trailer.
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| Author: | BugginKJ [ Tue Dec 20, 2011 10:53 am ] |
| Post subject: | Re: Shopping for a used XJ experience. |
 Everybody must be lookin at XJ's  I was toying with the idea of puttin Momma in one and just as Tom says there are plenty here but way too far gone and ragged or nice and they want a premium. BUT there does seem to be more deals up in Michigan just north of us and not toyed with like the ones down here. I have my Mothers neighbor on it, he's a broker and says he comes across them all time in the Oakland county area of MI and they all seem to come from folks that retired to Florida. My phone hasn't rang yet nor have I gotten an email from him but that was just yesterday 
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| Author: | doughboyea [ Wed Dec 21, 2011 6:33 am ] |
| Post subject: | Re: Shopping for a used XJ experience. |
My wife and I went to look at a 2001 XJ Sport last night. It look in pretty good condition. 60k miles, silver. When I did the KBB value, I got $8,700 in perfect condition. The dealer wants $9,000. He said that it is already discounted from $10,400. We also have a 2001 VW Beetle Sport for a trade-in. He offered $2,500. KBB states it's trade in value at the lowest in fair condition is $2,700. He hasn't even seen it. The final out the door, out of pocket expense is $6,500 plus taxes. So, if I get it, I am still paying above retail and getting less than a fair trade-in value for the VW. I am getting the feeling he's ripping me off. |
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| Author: | dieselenthusiast [ Thu Dec 22, 2011 12:01 pm ] |
| Post subject: | Re: Shopping for a used XJ experience. |
doughboyea wrote: My wife and I went to look at a 2001 XJ Sport last night. It look in pretty good condition. 60k miles, silver. When I did the KBB value, I got $8,700 in perfect condition. The dealer wants $9,000. He said that it is already discounted from $10,400. We also have a 2001 VW Beetle Sport for a trade-in. He offered $2,500. KBB states it's trade in value at the lowest in fair condition is $2,700. He hasn't even seen it. The final out the door, out of pocket expense is $6,500 plus taxes. So, if I get it, I am still paying above retail and getting less than a fair trade-in value for the VW. I am getting the feeling he's ripping me off. Low mileage is nice. Tell the dealer that you will give him $8,700 cash and sell your VW through private party. |
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| Author: | doughboyea [ Thu Dec 22, 2011 12:26 pm ] |
| Post subject: | Re: Shopping for a used XJ experience. |
dieselenthusiast wrote: Low mileage is nice. Tell the dealer that you will give him $8,700 cash and sell your VW through private party.  Negotiated last night. $7,500 plus tax and registration. No trade in.Picking her up tonight or tommorrow! |
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| Author: | BugginKJ [ Thu Dec 22, 2011 12:42 pm ] |
| Post subject: | Re: Shopping for a used XJ experience. |
Nice deal, make sure to post up pics when ya get it home 
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| Author: | dieselenthusiast [ Thu Dec 22, 2011 2:35 pm ] |
| Post subject: | Re: Shopping for a used XJ experience. |
doughboyea wrote: Negotiated last night. $7,500 plus tax and registration. No trade in.Picking her up tonight or tommorrow! Nice..........  What's the main purpose for this Jeep?
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| Author: | doughboyea [ Thu Dec 22, 2011 8:23 pm ] |
| Post subject: | Re: Shopping for a used XJ experience. |
dieselenthusiast wrote: doughboyea wrote: Negotiated last night. $7,500 plus tax and registration. No trade in.Picking her up tonight or tommorrow! Nice.......... What's the main purpose for this Jeep?Work truck. Doesn't sound too exciting, I know. But imagine where I work. Imagine a muddy plane of earth.... for the next 5 years I will be working on a construction site as an inspector for the state. 10 years ago, a couple of my buddies and I took a 1993 Cherokee Sport from NJ to California and back, taking 30 days and 10,000 miles. We saw all the sites along the way, camping out each night... visited Mexico (never again)... death valley, national parks, DC and just enjoyed the ride. The Cherokee lasted the entire ride with no problems and averaged around 22 MPG. We experienced hot 110 degree days, rain, snow.. you name it, it was a blast. Unfortunately, when we got back to NJ, my buddies moved back to Europe and the Jeep was left with me to sell. I sold it in 2001 for $2000. For the next 10 years, I've been wanting it back! Today, that ends. She's in my driveway.  She doesn't 'go' as well as my Acura, or stop as quickly. And I don't care! She's silver, she's powerful, and she's mine.
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| Author: | infernicus [ Thu Dec 22, 2011 8:33 pm ] |
| Post subject: | Re: Shopping for a used XJ experience. |
doughboyea wrote: ...and she's mine. Congratulations man!! Live the dream. |
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| Author: | dieselenthusiast [ Fri Dec 23, 2011 8:13 pm ] |
| Post subject: | Re: Shopping for a used XJ experience. |
doughboyea wrote: Work truck. Doesn't sound too exciting, I know. Actually, it sounds perfect! I use my Cherokee for work also. I'll post a pic of mine in action. 
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| Author: | doughboyea [ Fri Dec 23, 2011 11:14 pm ] |
| Post subject: | Re: Shopping for a used XJ experience. |
dieselenthusiast wrote: doughboyea wrote: Work truck. Doesn't sound too exciting, I know. Actually, it sounds perfect! I use my Cherokee for work also. I'll post a pic of mine in action. I dig it. I am unable to snap a photo of my "new" XJ at work since our contractor is off for two weeks. Nothing to be seen until they start up again in the middle of January unless you want to see the XJ parked in a parking lot.... 
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| Author: | doughboyea [ Fri Jan 13, 2012 8:47 pm ] |
| Post subject: | Re: Shopping for a used XJ experience. |
Here she is! 
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| Author: | doughboyea [ Fri Jan 13, 2012 9:03 pm ] |
| Post subject: | Re: Shopping for a used XJ experience. |
dieselenthusiast wrote: doughboyea wrote: Anyone else have trouble finding a good XJ? I only look at Craigslist... Yup! Thanks for the idea. Because of that suggestion, I was able to find her. Haven't thought of Craigslist as a viable source prior. We also sold our pos VW Beetle on the same site. That was an experience all together when you have parents trying to buy a car for their 16 y/o kids. One family came with their newly licensed 16 y/0 BOY. He was so embarrassed that his mom wanted him to get a BRIGHT RED BEETLE. |
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| Author: | dieselenthusiast [ Fri Jan 13, 2012 9:04 pm ] |
| Post subject: | Re: Shopping for a used XJ experience. |
I love it! Makes me want to start looking for another XJ.
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