SUV sales are about 50% of all vehicles sold in the US today with sedans way down in the 20-22% range. I don’t know what the percentage of luxury SUV sales are but this 1988 Jeep Grand Cherokee would have very much been considered a top luxury SUV in its day. It’s listed here on eBay in Bakersfield, California, there is no reserve, and the bid price is at $15,400 with four days left on the auction.
That’s amazing to me to read that SUV sales are half of all passenger vehicles sales but people have really taken to these higher-than-sedan “trucks”, not to mention that most of them have AWD for year-round traction. They are handy, I have one now and I guess the 1975 Dodge Ramcharger that I had in the early-1980s could be considered an SUV, although we didn’t call them that back then.
This Grand Wagoneer is from the early-Chrysler/AMC era, as in being the first official year after Chrysler bought out American Motors Corp in early-1987. The downsized Jeep XJ Cherokee was introduced in 1983 for the 1984 model year and in a stroke of genius, Jeep kept the full-sized SJ model and reimagined it as their top model, the Grand Wagoneer and they made them until 1991.
A few years ago, there were many folks who weren’t quite as taken with the Grand Wagoneer as collectors are today. In case you haven’t noticed, this is one of the “it” vehicles and finding a good one with no rust or other issues can be tough. They weren’t on the same scale as today’s luxury SUVs, often having questionable fit and finish, being a little clunky and clanky on the road, the windows sometimes leaked, and there were other issues. Speaking of issues, the seller didn’t include one single engine photo in this listing. I know, unheard of, right? (crickets)
The interior looks great, has new carpet, and the exterior has new woodgrain trim. But even with all that, plus a twelve-minute-long video here on YouTube, there isn’t one tiny glimpse of the 144-hp AMC 360 V8 under the hood. I’m longing for the day when that horrible trend fizzles out, online buyers want to see an engine photo! At least they say that it runs great, although there is an exhaust leak and the AC isn’t working. Hagerty is at $11,600 for a #4 fair condition Jeep and $26,700 for a #3 good condition example. This one has to be somewhere between those numbers given the issues that the seller mentions in the description which you should read. Have any you owned a “luxury” SUV or are you a car person?
We drove these in the early 80s when I worked for the Ohio EPA as a field intern. These trucks would go anywhere/do anything. The coachwork could be a bit chintzy, but the drivetrains were rock solid.
We used CB radios to communicate with the guys in the shock boats. Break 1-9 you got the Cherokee Chief here, come on?
You could spend this on a rusty hulk with no engine or floors:-)
I had a ’83 GW with the 360. It was a great SUV with an extremely short turning radius. It would go anywhere, but it couldn’t pass a gas station and it only drank premium. :( Started having expensive drive train problems and I sold it.
Beware to all potential buyers. The owner has admitted this is a former SALVAGE vehicle. And now miraculously it does NOT.
This one also has some weird stuff going on with the title. It appears to be salvage at one point then removed.
Had one of these. Everything broke. Electrical fire with wires made in Haiti, and the rest a mix of big three parts that must have been seconds. Tiny gas tank that goes dry quickly with no warning. After all of that, it was a favorite vehicle to drive. Steered and rode nice, but keeping up on maintenance was a nightmare.
Park this in your driveway as a status symbol and you’ll be the envy of everyone in you exclusive gated community. Under appreciated in their day these vehicles in great condition have become well received by the wealthy in todays world.
God bless America
Auction update: this one was “ended by the seller because the item is no longer available.”