Team-BHP - Buying a cj3b. THE STORY

Hi I would like your inputs and suggestions for buying a cj3b model jeep.

I saw an advertisement on the local news paper yesterday, stating a "Classic for sale". I called up the jeep guy and fixed an appointment to meet him up & He arrived at the agreed destination with the "Classic" . I greeted him and vice versa, Then I asked him where is the "CLASSIC"? and he is like this is it! I was like "HUH"?? This is a classic? He said yeah! I was like ok. What model classic is this? He says its a 1962 classic. Then I corrected him saying its a CJ3B. he said "OH" I did not know. I said ok and I said I wanted to test drive it. He said fine, and I got in. started the engine and raved her up, she cranked up in just one swing . The engine was exceptionally smooth and purred like a cat. there was absolutely no rattling or any squeaky noise. So, I lifted off and took her on road. The gears were like butter, very smooth and was easily applied without any much hassles, and had three gears. The torque was good enough. On the way I started enquiring more about the jeep.
heres the discussion:

Me: how many owners has this jeep had?
Jeep guy: 3 and if you buy you will be 4th!

Me: What engine is this? International?
Jepp guy: yes it is.

Me:[/b] do you know how many kilometers has the engine made?
Jeep guy: Nope! No Idea. It was there while I purchased it.

Me: Is the 4x4 disconnected?
Jeep guy: yes, I run it around the city and I needed Mileage, I have the connectors intact though, Will give it to you along with the jeep. And you can fit it back.

Meanwhile while conversing with him I took the jeep into huge pot holes (Very famous Humongous potholes in Mangalore), I never heard or felt any squeaks or noises, and she kept purring. after a 5 km test drive and a pothole survey I parked the vehicle on its exact location from where I started up and hopped down, heres the discussion:

Me: Can I see the engine?
Jeep guy: Sure, No problem.(Opens up the hood, has a 3 day old amaron battery with bill and purchase date)

I check for the tires, Very poor condition, (No alloys) can run 2000 km more after which it will become bald. and will need replacement. No body rust, new paint. chassis painted, leaf springs are fine. Clean papers, I was quiet happy, I was not happy because it was not a classic that I was expecting it to be and as stated on the newspaper. The vehicle has not been restored but it was reconditioned into a sports jeep. bucket seats, convertible top and cassette player with speakers and yes its a short chassis.
after all that heres the discussion:

Me: How Much? is the price negotiable?
Jeep guy: 1.65 lakhs, Yes negotiable!

Me: How much?
Jeep Guy: 1.55 last but you can quote your price. ( I am :Shockked:)

Me:ok, I will call you up tommorow and will tell you how much i can quote.
(hehe actually will post this on t-bhp and let you know:uncontrol)
Jeep guy: ok, Please let me know.

and i leave on my RX-100

ok, now you guys know the story. Do you guys think the jeeps worth it? How much can i actually pay for this?

ps: sorry guys, But i could not click pics.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Parm (Post 950489)

check with the previous owner than the current one for details to be sure of the condition of the jeep.

if its new paint, even chassis is painted....just take the jeep to a known workshop and get it checked for few details like:

condition of the engine and its components.
put it on a lift and check for any accident or collision marks/tell tales on the chassis or body.

its better to spend 500 rs on getting the jeep checked by a known garage or workshop than to spend 1.5lakhs and repent later!

cheers
cheers:

Yes! You're right, But i wonder is i worth so much? that he says 1.55? If it was rebuilt I would agree, The previous owner I checked is a NRI and is not in India for a few months.

Price for a vehicle over fifteen years old (i.e. 1993 or earlier) is entirely driven by what it is worth to the buyer and expectation by the seller.

The older the vehicle, the more important it is to have it in near complete condition. At least with all parts provided.

Just for comparison, a 1993 Mahindra Armada Standard 2 wheel drive model is worth Rs. 50,000 in Pune in 2008. So this should give you an idea.

Another example:

What's the price of a driveable 1957 Chevrolet BelAir ?

All these prices are correct, depending on condition.

prices ranging from:
$ 1,200 [Rs. 52,000 ]
$ 37,000 [Rs. 16 lakh]
$ 85,000 [Rs. 37 lakh]
$ 227,000 [Rs. 98 lakh]

Original new price in 1957 was $2,511

A car with with the correct paint and interior, correct and working dashboard instruments, correct and working lights, correct and identical tires, attended to by the right specialists, with all bills properly filed, fetched $227,000.

So you see, it all depends on the buyer and seller.

Ram

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ram (Post 950633)

Price for a vehicle over fifteen years old (i.e. 1993 or earlier) is entirely driven by what it is worth to the buyer and expectation by the seller.......

car with with the correct paint and interior, correct and working dashboard instruments, correct and working lights, correct and identical tires, attended to by the right specialists, with all bills properly filed, fetched $227,000.

So you see, it all depends on the buyer and seller.

Ram

Yes Ram! You are right. Although I can not pay for this vehicle much. He has tried to make this vehicle look as much like the classic but has failed to. I regret that he has wasted such a good cj3b!:Frustrati

ok! Here is an update on the jeep. Called the Jeep guy up, And tell him I can pay max 75K and nothing more, As I would have to install new tires as well. He says no its too less. I say cool and drop the case. after two hours he calls me back and says 1.10 laks last and cant negotiate more. He says sorry and says its not possible. But then I told him a few facts that you guys suggested here on this thread for eg:

Quote:

a 1993 Mahindra Armada Standard 2 wheel drive model is worth Rs. 50,000 in Pune in 2008.

1962 makes it 46 years old.
I wouldn't be very sure about its reliability.

And Plus the jeep was not in its original condition. :eek:

I am expecting a call from him again today. And Will update you guys further.

Quote:

Originally Posted by GTO (Post 952474)

If you are keen on off-roading, ensure that the 4x4 is compatible and functional. From your description of the drive, it sounds like he is running a Toyota diesel. Good for driving onroad, but the 4x4 part is extremely tricky to get right. My guess is, it will stay a 4x2 only.

Quote:

Originally Posted by yamaniac (Post 950251)

I got in. started the engine and raved her up, she cranked up in just one swing . The engine was exceptionally smooth and purred like a cat. there was absolutely no rattling or any squeaky noise. So, I lifted off and took her on road. The gears were like butter, very smooth and was easily applied without any much hassles,

From your description, i really don't think this jeep has an International engine.:D GTO may be right here, pls drive another International engined jeep to confirm.

Quote:

Originally Posted by GTO (Post 952474)

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No it had the international engine! As we have a 1989 jeep in our estate and it has the same engine as well! Although its not the short chassis type. I always drive it whenever I go there. Its loud and noisy . But This CJ3B was exceptionally smooth! I wonder probably a well maintained engine! Although noisy. I don't think that jeep guy will let me go near his jeep any more :D after the price i quoted for the so called "Classic" that he mentioned!:uncontrol