Jeep Grand Wagoneers need little introduction at this point, but it’s still hard to ignore a true survivor when one appears. Most of them seemingly wear colors like white and navy, but when we see this shade of red – I believe it’s Garnet – it’s even harder to look away. While the truly hard-to-find color is Sebring Red, Garnet has to be a close second. The seller doesn’t provide much in the way of detail, but the pictures do tend to speak for themselves in cases like this. Find the Grand Wagoneer here on craigslist in Manchester-By-The-Sea, Massachusetts, for $34,500.
Now, I expected this Grand Wagoneer to have something like 30,000 miles, but it actually has closer to 80,000. It’s not uncommon to see Grand Wagoneers in exceptional condition like this, as their owners seemingly treat them as part of the family when not owned by a flipper or dealer. And, of course, there are dealers basically set up explicitly for the purpose of restoring or restomodding Grand Wagoneers back to better-than-new condition for absolutely bonkers asking prices. Even without extensive restoration, plenty of sellers with low-mileage examples list their trucks for far higher prices than examples like this.
The interiors of the Grand Wagoneer were quite ornate, loaded with leather and fake wood trim. There’s a lot of red to absorb here, from the exterior to the leather seats to the carpeting (and the steering wheel and the dash!) The good news is what we can see shows us just general stress marks from use in the leather, and the carpets still look quite clean. The door panels are in great shape, and photos in the listing reveal a backseat that appears to have never been used. The interior will also come with original owner’s manuals and cassette tape extolling the virtues of the Grand Wagoneer.
The engine bay doesn’t tell us much, nor does the listing in regards to the maintenance history. But the good news is, the Grand Wagoneer drivetrain is extremely robust, especially in examples like this that have clearly been looked after. Despite residing in Massachusetts, I’d be willing to make a fairly high wager that this one never saw winter use and was just used for summer days at the seashore. While the price may shock those of you who remember when these were used up and cheap, those days are long gone – and this one actually looks like a decent buy if the condition holds up in real life.
I only see them in this color lol
I had one of these, EXACTLY like this one from 1997-2000. I paid $7999 for it. Honestly? It was really nice to own. Smooth, comfortable, mechanically uncomplicated. I sold it because the AC quit and was likely going to cost me $1000 and the gas mileage was rough for a new job that required a lot of driving. I really wish I didn’t have to get rid of that thing. These were really well-made, comfortable nice vehicles. And they had a shockingly tight turning radius!
For 34.5K I’d buy a new Durango.
Even after doing a deep dive research session on a Durango? Google is your friend.
Sure you could Spanky, but why? It will never match the timeless architectural styling and beauty of a Grand Wagoneer like this one, not to mention the reliability of the components used to build one. This is without question the most sought-after classic body style Jeep ever produced, which is why when directors of movies past and present want to make a statement about the importance or opulence of a character in the movie, they have them get into or out of a Jeep Grand Wagoneer. If Jeep wanted to make some serious money, they would make a retro version of this vehicle. It wouldn’t be as good as the old one (plastic crap used today) and it would cost a lot of money but people who have money would jump all over it, including me!
The only new vehicles that would be appeal to the Grand Wagoneer demographic would be some sort of Land Rover, Land Cruiser, or MAYBE a 4Runner or Overland Grand Cherokee. The Durango seems more Podunk or ‘buy here, pay here.’
Grand Wagoneer = yacht club
Durango = red state rally
I dont like dodge products but i would also choose a brand new durango instead of this
Most people would certainly buy a new vehicle instead of this one. The rest of us like old stuff.
If a Durango is even on your radar, then you’re not a buyer for this truck.
Enjoy that depreciation!
If Jeep was still building the Grand Wagoneer (not the present-day pos), they would still have people buying them.
The Durango comparison is an….odd one. How are they comparable in any way besides being full size mopar SUV’s? I don’t even know if the Durango is Mopar, maybe it’s a Fiat. Either way, it’s a disposable appliance with no distinguishing qualities and poor quality while this is a charming, desirable, investment grade iconic classic with glorious fake wood and timeless styling that will outlive the former.
I had 2 Wagoneers no problems at all dependable always got me through the roughest weather ( upstate NY
) I drove the plow . Bought a Ramcharger like dependablity , then came the Durango biggest pos I ever owned , everything had to be replaced under warranty thank God ,engine ,transmission , rear end you name it it fell off . Loved my Wagoneers ! This is a nice one !
John Candy drove one in the Great Outdoors, sharp truck, not on my wish list, but really nice
Isn’t this one the Skyler White Edition?
Not my thing but this is really sweet. At $34k it will go to a home that treats it right I hope.
The perfect vehicle to use in the summer at your lake/beach home
Check out Wagon Masters inventory and this one looks dirt cheap!