Print

Please login or register.
1 Hour 1 Day 1 Week 1 Month Forever
Login with username, password and session length

[silly lily]

Hi guys!
So here it is: Jeep Cherokee, Orvis, 4L, 73000 miles, 1999. Lpg converted, very good looking. £3999 asking. upgraded infinity spec radio, cd changer, casette player, speakers and amp
Never offroaded.
Some fragments from seller's emails:
'The car is absolutely fine, the only small issue with it is that the front radio speakers have stopped working. I have tried changing both the radio unit in the dash and the amplifier under the back seat, but both are fine, so I think a plug has come unplugged in the wiring or something simple.'

' the system I had fitted was the sequential system, not the cheap one most people fit, there is almost no loss of performance or economy, ( I can't tell when it switches over). The lpg tank  gives a range of approx 190 miles. . So to fill up at a garage it's around £28 to fill up from empty'

The tank doesn't hang too much below the original petrol tank level and is still above the level of the axle, so shouldn't
reduce the ground clearance. It is also protected by a heavy duty skid plate.
The suspension on this jeep does sit level as it has extended spring hangers brought over specifically from America to
compensate for the weight of the tank and give a level stance.'

Would you look at it, and how much would you pay?
Many thanks, appreciate your views.

[Ric Jacques]

From your description alone I'd buy it........

Got any pics?

[silly lily]

Got some pictures, let me see if I can put them here:

Also:



Looks clean enough to me. Don't like the speakers issue though.

[Mort]

Looks good, but way overpriced in my opinion.  I'd have put the value in the region of £2000 - £2500.  As nice as XJs are (we've just sold ours) the fact is that the bottom has dropped out of the XJ market recently, and you'll get a hell of a lot of XJ for your money.

Obviously you'll pay what it's worth to you, but I'd check out the book price first, and then start negotiating slightly above that. Get it thoroughly checked out too - you could save yourself £££s in the future - and make sure there's a certificate for the LPG installation.

[Mort]

Just did a check on Parkers http://www.parkers.co.uk/cars/used-pric ... 61&issue=0 - seems I was spot-on with the price  :lol:

[greggmo]

:lol:

[silly lily]

Just did a check on Parkers http://www.parkers.co.uk/cars/used-pric ... 61&issue=0 - seems I was spot-on with the price  :lol:

Indeed, I checked it out myself just now... thank you for your time. Still, it's only an asking price, all come down in the end if they want to sell.

[tim_aka_tim]

Looks tidy, but then those photos are nearly 6 years old. I'd ask for some recent ones. Also, get a side on shot, those springs look too low to me from that shot.

I wouldn't take his word about the radio. If the amp is under the back seat like on my old Grand, then there are lots of wires all over the car, but to be honest, connectors do NOT just come loose, they have one way clips on them. It probably is the radio or amp, so maybe budget for a new one, but bear in mind that a new head unit without the separate amp will potentially need all new speaker wiring.

[Mike Pavelin]

Too dear by far.

[keeko]

I looked at that jeep as well as i`m looking for one. Have you seen the size of Portacabin/caravan parked next to it?
  Its obviously been hauling that around since hes had it. Thats not to say it`s a bad car, just  makes me wonder. Looks straight enough though.(back in 2003) unless his camera settings are off.

[tim_aka_tim]

BTW, the official currency of Birty's is the McVities Jaffa Cake. Offer him 6 packs. If he argues, sweeten him up with 3½ slices of luncheon meat and a small birty dastards sticker.

Seriously though, his asking price isn't just out of the ballpark, it's in another city. The stereo problem is gonna take time/money or both to fix.
Most people think that spending 2 grand to upgrade a vehicle makes it worth 2 grand extra.

[silly lily]

Looks tidy, but then those photos are nearly 6 years old. I'd ask for some recent ones. Also, get a side on shot, those springs look too low to me from that shot.

Seems to be issue with camera, as I've asked for recent pictures of interior and so on, and he emailed them next day, the same old date on them. Sound problem does not sound good though.

[silly lily]

BTW, the official currency of Birty's is the McVities Jaffa Cake. Offer him 6 packs. If he argues, sweeten him up with 3½ slices of luncheon meat and a small birty dastards sticker.

Seriously though, his asking price isn't just out of the ballpark, it's in another city. The stereo problem is gonna take time/money or both to fix.
Most people think that spending 2 grand to upgrade a vehicle makes it worth 2 grand extra.

Yes, I know it's far too expensive... they all are on the asking price. He may also argue that the smart LPG conversion adds value... does it?

[Mort]

He may also argue that the smart LPG conversion adds value... does it?

Not much.  He's already had his value out of it by running it for several years on LPG - and unless he has the all-important installation certificate, then run away.

[tim_aka_tim]

He may also argue that the smart LPG conversion adds value... does it?

Yes, but his 2 grand LPG system is used too. It's worth probably a few hundred extra. Knock off the cost of a new stereo though. If he won't budge, walk away and eat the Jaffa cakes yourself.

There's always another deal around the corner.

[silly lily]

No, I wouldn't buy it unless he agreed to fix the stereo... I wanto buy a jeep that works on all fronts and doesn't need things doing. I'm not into that type of thing at all. I believe the conversion certificate is there.

[silly lily]

Would also consider a Grand Cherokee of same age... is it a better car than the Cherokee generally? Which would you choose as everyday car and offroad use now and then?

[Dave69]

one thing spring extenders on the back might be another cheap way to hide sagging rear springs.

[xjlee]

I used to fit LPG systems years ago and the sequential system is very good and smoother than a single point system. But be warned these systems can be very tempremental if they're not set up properly or if any of the wires haven't be soldered correctly. I think those rear springs look tired too but its a haggling point i suppose, if you go to look at it drive it for a while and see how it behaves on gas.....

[silly lily]

I see... is this sag problem common to all Cherokees and how hard would it be to find one without? Does it affect the GC also?

[tim_aka_tim]

It affects all XJ Cherokees, yes. The rear springs on the XJ are leaves. On the KJ Cherokee (new shape) and on all Grand Cherokees, they use coil springs all round, which don't suffer from the problem.

With XJs being out of production for seven or so years now, even the newest ones should be on at least their second set of rear springs.
It's perfectly normal and an easy fix. Expect to fork out between 200 and 250 for a set of diesel spec springs which will negate the problem somewhat (obviously fitting will be extra). The XJ diesel has heavy duty rear springs.

Many Birty's with XJs run lift kits, so it's not a problem.

[silly lily]

Thanks Tim, thought so... will keep looking and will certainly give you a shout since I see you live close by!
Should I consider a GC too? Is it a better vehicle or much bigger than the Cherokee?

[Dave69]

the leaf springs arent that bad to change just be prepared to soak the bolts with penetrating fluid for a couple of weeks prior to starting the swap. it is possible to do them in one day if everyting goes nice and easily and no siezed bolts. Dont set your heart on the first one as there are still a few out there. i looked at a few but mine was bought on price as it basically cost me next to nothing.

[tim_aka_tim]

Should I consider a GC too? Is it a better vehicle or much bigger than the Cherokee?

I'd consider a ZJ ( upto 1998 ) Grand, yes. A bit more expensive, but better equipped too. I can't honestly recommend the WJ (1999-2004) Grand, as I've owned one and they're trouble.

In common with all Jeeps, the grand is big on the outside and small on the inside. It's slightly bigger internally and taller too.

[xjlee]

Yea the zj cherokee's are better in a way but just depends what you want out of it? Rear leafs aren't too bad at all to do, i can do them in less than 2 hours now!