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Purchase Advice

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Purchase Advice
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ColaJeep

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Hello, I am new to the forum and I hope folks can give me some advice. I am looking to purchase a CJ7 , 1981-1986, and I am discovering that the prices are spread out far and wide. Some people want as much as 15k, while others want 5k. I know that has to do with condition, original, etc. I am currently looking at 2 and they are both very similar. I am looking at a 1986 CJ7 Laredo all original. Straight 6, T-5 , white with tan. It drives very good and clutch is smooth. The paint is original and so are the decals. It has some minor surface rust in the driver and pass floor pans but it looks as if it can be easily removed. The mileage is 197,000. It comes with a new best soft top, bikini top, and the hard doors but no hard top. I live in the south so I doubt I need a hard top anyway. All the gauges seem to be working except the tacometer. The seat are all original and have no tears in them. The dash looks great also. It has some minor rust in the cracks where the jeep is actually put together, but it doesn't look serious. The wheels need to be polished because oxydation has set in.

Like I said, it is all original and it runs great. I would need to adress the rust issues, replace the carpet, and a new oil gasket because it has a slow leak. Other than that, it is ready to go.

So my question is, what is it worth? Any and all thoughts are appreciated.
 
200,000 is a lot miles if your planning to use it as an extra vehicle no problem, but I would not plan on using it for a daily driver.:cool:
 
Welcome to the board ColaJeep :chug:.

I have to agree with Longhorn, 200k on the odometer of an "all original" '86 is a lot of miles. And if you don't plan on using it as a DD you may be okay. If the body and frame are in good as shape as you say, but the drivetrain has 200k on it, I would probably offer $4500. But, you should be aware that that engine may be getting ready to go, that's why it's being sold... Just my 2¢
 
It drives really nice and smooth. And yes, it is all original, right down to the paint, seats, etc. It would be a 3rd car. I would never drive it as my primary. The guy wants $8,000 for it. If you look around at various websites like autotrader and ebay, you will find that these are going at pretty high prices. They are all over the place as far as price is concerned which is why I don't know it's worth. 4,500 would not get me a Jeep like this...I don't think.
 
Welcome to the site ColaJeep! :chug:

Funny thing about a CJ... Most of the time they hold their value pretty well and other times you can find steals!

8k is a huge hunk of change for a vehicle with 200k on it but I have seen more miles and more money for a CJ... :)

Remember, the value of the CJ is really only what others are willing to pay for it! It's completely stock CJ huh - do you plan on keeping it stock and showing it? If not, why would it matter if it was stock?

All these questions and more will help you determine what you want... :)

Did you see this Larado one of members just bought? He got a nice deal... http://www.jeep-cj.com/forums/f49/1980-jc7-larado-1486/
 
CJ said:
Welcome to the site ColaJeep! :chug:

Funny thing about a CJ... Most of the time they hold their value pretty well and other times you can find steals!

8k is a huge hunk of change for a vehicle with 200k on it but I have seen more miles and more money for a CJ... :)

Remember, the value of the CJ is really only what others are willing to pay for it! I completely stock CJ huh - do you plan on keeping it stock and showing it? If not, why would it matter if it was stock?

All these questions and more will help you determine what you want... :)

Did you see this Larado one of members just bought? He got a nice deal... http://www.jeep-cj.com/forums/f49/1980-jc7-larado-1486/
Click to expand...


Yeah, I saw that deal. It is nice. And if I'm ever in a friends garage, and I see one, I'll buy it! He got a sweet deal.

The jeep I am looking at is stock, but not show condition, not that nice. Like you indicated, the prices for these are all over the place which is why I am here now. I am looking at another very similar. It's a 1985, mostly original but it's been painted to match the original paint. Also, the driver and pass floor pans have been replaced. Otherwise it's very solid. He wants 6,000 for it. 134,000 miles.
 
You seem to have a few choices... Any way you can snap a few pics?
 
Welcome to the site ColaJeep!
Now I'll just be honest, if not blunt. There is now way in hell I would pay 6- $8,000 for a CJ unless it had some significant collector value, and was in amazing condition. It's true that there are people out there selling them like their gold, but I fully believe, that inflated market is driven by a monkey see monkey do attitude. Someone desides his Jeep is worth a fortune, the next guy sees it in the papar and thinks he can clean up with his as well, and here we go. Everyone thinks their CJ is a retirement fund. I have seen this cycle several times, and just wait it out. It'll burst just like the housing market. There are JJ's out there worth that money, but they have been carefully built and are in fine condition.
 
I have to agree with coldwater on this one. If you are not a collector or not going to show the jeep, I would never pay that much for a CJ7 .
If the jeep has 200,000 miles on it you will be spending a lot more money on it in the near future.
You should be able to pick up a real nice cj for under 5k.
 
Old Dog said:
I have to agree with coldwater on this one. If you are not a collector or not going to show the jeep, I would never pay that much for a CJ7 .
If the jeep has 200,000 miles on it you will be spending a lot more money on it in the near future.
You should be able to pick up a real nice cj for under 5k.
Click to expand...



I think 5k is a solid benchmark, and dead on the money for a very good condition little CJ. You would have a hell of a time getting me to go a dime higher.
 
coldwater said:
Welcome to the site ColaJeep!
Now I'll just be honest, if not blunt. There is now way in hell I would pay 6- $8,000 for a CJ unless it had some significant collector value, and was in amazing condition. It's true that there are people out there selling them like their gold, but I fully believe, that inflated market is driven by a monkey see monkey do attitude. Someone desides his Jeep is worth a fortune, the next guy sees it in the papar and thinks he can clean up with his as well, and here we go. Everyone thinks their CJ is a retirement fund. I have seen this cycle several times, and just wait it out. It'll burst just like the housing market. There are JJ's out there worth that money, but they have been carefully built and are in fine condition.
Click to expand...

You're right on the money with 'monkey see monkey do'. That's exactly how this guy priced it at $8,500. Spend some time going through autotrader.com and ebay. Take a look at CJs from 1981 to 1986. You will not find one in very good condition for $5000. If you do, please let me know. I trust what you guys are telling me. I appreciate your time.
 
They are both exceptionally clean Jeeps, but IMO just too damn much money. Had they been mechanically rebuilt and made as new, I "MAY" budge a little, but $8500.00 for what basically amounts to a clean body and a pig in the poke drive train is far too much to ask. Good Jeeps are out there at a fair price, just keep plugging away and you'll find one. I check my local CL all the time, and find good examples of rebuilt CJ's quite often in the 4-5k range.
Examples.

Jeep CJ-7 CT title 1985
1981 Jeep CJ-7
Jeep Cj7
85 jeep cj7
 
coldwater said:
They are both exceptionally clean Jeeps, but IMO just too damn much money. Had they been mechanically rebuilt and made as new, I "MAY" budge a little, but $8500.00 for what basically amounts to a clean body and a pig in the poke drive train is far too much to ask. Good Jeeps are out there at a fair price, just keep plugging away and you'll find one. I check my local CL all the time, and find good examples of rebuilt CJ's quite often in the 4-5k range.
Examples.

Jeep CJ-7 CT title 1985
1981 Jeep CJ-7
Jeep Cj7
85 jeep cj7
Click to expand...


So if I can get the green one for around 5k, then it may be a good buy. Some details about that jeep...it has been painted the same as it was back in 1985 so the exterior looks great. The driver and passenger floor pans have been replaced. The rest of the floor is solid with no rust issues. The front seats have the jeep seat covers on them so I may want to replace the seats but I don't really have to. It only has the hard top, not a soft top. It has 136k miles on it.
 
Possibly, but be damn sure you check that frame with a fine tooth comb. Give the drive trane a good looking at, and be certain that the body was done correctly. The lastthing you want to do is drop 5k on a jeep that starts to rot out next year because of bad work done, or discover the frame is shot. Take your time, and be critical. You can't expect to buy a new vehicle for 5k, but at the very least, you want a SOLID Jeep.
 
coldwater said:
Possibly, but be damn sure you check that frame with a fine tooth comb. Give the drive trane a good looking at, and be certain that the body was done correctly. The lastthing you want to do is drop 5k on a jeep that starts to rot out next year because of bad work done, or discover the frame is shot. Take your time, and be critical. You can't expect to buy a new vehicle for 5k, but at the very least, you want a SOLID Jeep.
Click to expand...

I will definately check out the frame. I've seen the white jeep personally, but not the green one just yet. I'm not much of a mechanic, so I'm not sure how to look into the trane, but I will figure it out. I am told that the primary strength areas for the frame is where the roll bars attach. I appreciate your info. It really helps more than you know.
 
Be sure to check the frame behind the rear wheels, where the springs atatch to the frame and around the body mounts. They like to rust out in these areas.:eek:

Also as dave said check out craigslist and some of the other jeep forums for sale adds. You might find some better deals. Summer is never a good time to look for a jeep or a boat as people think they are made of gold right now.:D
 
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