CRLAMBERTJR

So, as I sit here looking at my 99 XJ,,, it's already nearly 19 years old ! In 6 years, it will become a classic car !!! So I was wondering what everyone's thoughts were on the future of what, if any,,,the collectible value will end up being ??? Especially since they are a favorite of the four wheeling bunch ! Most everyone buys them, and immediately start cutting, modifying and upgrading parts. Yeah, I can just imagine 40-50 years from now, some guy saying that he found a 99 Cherokee that actually didn't have the fenders trimmed ! Obviously many are torn up and destroyed. The owner simply uses the unibody like a disposable unit, stripping off all of the high dollar parts and looking for the next donor !!! Nearly the same thing was going on with the 55-57 Chevys !!! First they became popular on the NASCAR and short track arenas. Then everyone started upgrading and modifying them to be Hot Rods. Many were used in demolition derbys as they became older. The radiators are far back from the grills, and with a large trunk area, they won most of the time !!! Wow, now look at the price of them !!! The production numbers for the Chevys, are right in line with the Jeep Cherokee. But,,, there's one more piece to the equation that you just have to consider, ,, the population density ratios at both eras !!! That changes things even more... I, just like everyone else, make changes, upgrades, improvements and repairs. I really don't want to tear mine up four wheeling. With all the work and cleaning that I've been doing on mine, I cringe at the thought of blasting thru a big mud hole! Plus, I have to have mine ready to go as a daily driver for numerous Dr's appointments! I don't know about all of you,,, but I'm saing all of my parts !!!

PatHenry

Well, when I was looking for my XJ I came across a listing for an 88 MJ (the Comanche pickup) with 16k original miles. It was presumably climate controlled garage stored. They wanted 22k for it, which is at least 6-8k higher than the original sticker price.

There was a guy who mentioned he collects old XJ's with the same thought in mind in a recent post.

There really isn't a vehicle that's comparable to the XJ, so who knows.

s346k

did this guy really compare an xj to a tri-five chevrolet? puff puff pass.

TwistedWrench

The XJ is the Foxbody Mustang of the offroad world.

Plentiful.
Cheap to buy.
Surprisingly fun even stock.
Cheap and easy to modify.
Low $$$ investment keeps them fun to beat on.

Lets all hope they never see any "collector value".

BillyBoy

As they STILL will be loved.... like the old Scouts, the price of everything goes up. As do the individual parts.

CRLAMBERTJR

No, I don't, but some one down the road might ??? Puff, puff, pass,,,, cough ! You sound like the guys that were driving them in smash up derbys !!! Puff, puff, passed !

fb97xj1

Theres no collectors value with the XJ when you can buy them clean, never modified and runs great with no rust for under 4-5 grand. The newest XJ had an msrp of nearly 20 grand 17 years ago. They are popular, but hold very little monetary value today. Sentimental value, yes. Monetary, no. Not really. Someday, maybe. If there are any left by then lol.

Speaking of a tri-five, an uncle of mine used to own a 57 Bel Air convertible. Light blue, tutone interior and a white top, automatic with a 265. Sold it in the late 70s for less than a grand. He still kicks himself over that one knowing what they go for now.

s346k

i sound like the guy who uses his xj as a daily driver. i appreciate it for what it is. i love it to death and do not plan on getting rid of it. i have the money, knowledge, tools, skills and connections to repair and potentially restore it - indefinitely. but it is what it is. just because we adore them does not mean the barrett jackson investors and collectors will.

CRLAMBERTJR

Sounds like you do love it. But you have to wonder about how many thought the same way about the Chevys back in 67 ? Especially the station wagon grocery getters ! There were just around 7000 Nomads produced in 57!!!

jpz

Agreed, I love mine too and enjoy keeping it on the road. That being said, I don't think they will ever be a "collectors item". Like someone said above, they are the fox body of SUVs, awesome vehicles but not worth $$$$

derf

Any ordinary mass produced vehicle that has nearly 2,000,000 copies over the 18 years of production will never really be a true collectors car.

There was nothing distinctive about the XJ that makes it special in any way. Not to people who drive up collector prices anyway.

Good thing is that replacements will be a pretty good bargain for a decade or more down the road since there are so many on the market.

Tbone289

I fixed that for you. Total = 2,884,172

derf

Sorry. Typo.

CRLAMBERTJR

There were 1.5 + million 1957 Chevys alone, that's not mass production? Not counting 55s & 56s. That figure is for all variants.

derf

Numbers alone don't make a car collectable or not. Go back and re-read the middle paragraph of my post.