So what is a "parts" truck really worth?

[Hypoid]

I'm still pretty new to the XJs. People tell me they hold value. I look at prices on craigslist and evilbay, I have to wonder if people are dreaming.

So we go to visit friends on Thanksgiving, there is an '89 XJ parked in the drive. Mom (grandma) wants it fixed so daughter can drive it, daughter wants it gone, cites a busted ignition switch and exhaust leak somewhere under the engine. I'm thinking $60 to $80 parts at Pull-N-Save, daughter is telling me hundreds in parts and labor from a local mechanic. About the time my B-S meter is deflecting wildly, the daughter tells me she'd like to get $800 for it as a "parts" car. I know I'm cheap, are these things really worth that much?

'89 Wagoneer LTD, 210K(?), 4.0, automatic tranny, non-disco front axle, not sure but I think a 242 and D44, factory tow hitch, fairly straight body, somewhat worn interior, reasonable tires. I didn't look too long or hard, just glanced.

 

[old_man]

If it really has a D44, that is worth a few bills by itself.

 

[Hypoid]

I'll have to get some pics of the thing, it didn't look too bad for a 17-year-old. When I looked underneath, I was scannning for puddles, noticed the deluxe trailer hitch. The odd shaped cover is going off memory; we all know what that's worth.

Ok, let me change the question: If it drives OK and passes the E-test, what is an otherwise straight 17-year-old XJ worth?

I'm tempted to offer the old wagon in trade, but I trust the wagon. I think she just wants to be done with the Jeep, I'm guessing she would come down price-wise.

 

[roberbober]

Jeeps last forever.... The 6 cyclinder 4.0 is bullet proof. I think 800 is a steal.

 

[WB9YZU]

I'm still pretty new to the XJs. People tell me they hold value. I look at prices on craigslist and evilbay, I have to wonder if people are dreaming.

So we go to visit friends on Thanksgiving, there is an '89 XJ parked in the drive. Mom (grandma) wants it fixed so daughter can drive it, daughter wants it gone, cites a busted ignition switch and exhaust leak somewhere under the engine. I'm thinking $60 to $80 parts at Pull-N-Save, daughter is telling me hundreds in parts and labor from a local mechanic. About the time my B-S meter is deflecting wildly, the daughter tells me she'd like to get $800 for it as a "parts" car. I know I'm cheap, are these things really worth that much?

'89 Wagoneer LTD, 210K(?), 4.0, automatic tranny, non-disco front axle, not sure but I think a 242 and D44, factory tow hitch, fairly straight body, somewhat worn interior, reasonable tires. I didn't look too long or hard, just glanced.

KBB.com lists a "Private Party" value for a 89 Waggy with 210K, in "fair" condition and a 4.0L as $1,600.

That being said... everything is a variable.
How is the body? Is it a rust bucket?
Does it run well when it runs?
Does the 4wd work well?
Does the transmission shift smoothly?
Does it have a clear title?
Who actually has title to the car?
and of course...Would you pay $800 for it.

Busted ignition switch: Was it jacked at one time and the column all messed up, or are we talking the actual switch which is mounted lower on the column? Exhaust leak could be minor or could be a broken exhaust manifold (actually still minor, but a bit more work).

Cherokees were the most undervalued vehicle on the market for a while, then it appears, someone caught on that they don't die.

The deal with old , non-vintage vehicles is that they depreciate so far, then they are worth a "base price" depending on your local market. $800 may be that price in CO.

A while back a friend gave me his rusty but functional 4.0L 88' Pioneer with 276K miles for whatever I wanted to do with it. I gave it to another friend as a trail vehicle, but seriously, I could have easily got $500 for it in "as-is" condition as it ran and drove and had a clear title.

Ron

 

[Hypoid]

I've done repairs on many of this family's cars for little to nothing. When I told her it was relatively minor, she didn't skip a beat: "parts car". Multiply that by the comments from her mother, the price quotes from her "mechanic". The bullshit meter is going wild, everything is suspect, including the price.

I guess I'll have to give it a look-see. Might be posted above next week, we'll see.

 

[frankenstang57]

An '89? I picked mine('89 140k) up at Klode's for $400 running and driving. I did have to deal with getting a salvage title and replacing the front bumper, but that is not too big of a deal. I bought a running "parts" Jeep that had been T-Boned for $175 off the street. Think about it, all the Jeeps at places like P&S were snatched up for $100-200 or so. I guess it's all a matter of how you look at it. I was just offered a super clean '93 with about 200k miles(yes, way high miles...) with a crack in the T-case for about $1k. Anyhow, offer 'em $500 for it. After all, it's more than a 'yard would haul it away for. Sounds fair to me. If you need a column I have one out of an '89 with key for P&S prices.(PM me) D44? Not from the factory for that year. Should be a D35 out back and a D30 up front. The exhaust manifolds tend to crack, especially on the ealier 4.0's. I doubt you will find a goodone at any of the 'yards. The VC's also tend to leak oil as well. The trailer hitch can be a bit of a score because it offers a decent recovery point. All in all, they are decent enough vehicle capable of well over 200k miles with a little maintinence. Another good thing is they all seem to have the same problems, making them very predictable vehicles.. Good luck!

 

[jdogg4]

800 bucks fix it up get it running swap the D44 out if it is a d44 with a cheap d35 or 8.25 sell the d44 and then sell the jeep for 1000 make a profit off of it and buy your jeep a new part or something.