Looking at buying - part 2

As per my previous thread - went down to pick up the CJ2A and there were a few surprises. The jeep is totally taken apart. The body is sitting on the frame and the axles and tires are still mounted. I was told the engine was rebuilt and RUNNING, the fact is, the block and trans and transfer are mounted. Nothing else is complete or hooked up, no carb, intake, wiring, gen, radiator, etc.., but it does appear to have been rebuilt. The body was repainted a couple years ago, but is showing rust bubbling in four spots under the paint. All the parts appear to be there, in several weather soaked boxes. The front and rear seats are there, needs recovering, the roof is shot, but all the hardware is there. The owner says that there are a couple more boxes somewhere of additional parts. The final surprise was the price has gone up from $1,000 to $1,500. I know its all relative, but is this still a good price? As I said before, not very knowledgable on the older jeeps and can only assume that to bring it back to a full restoration I'll be chasing parts and is eventually going to cost me some money. Not looking to re-sell, just wanting it for a project and something fun to drive around on weekends. Any comments or suggestions would be appreciated.

 

seems high to me for a project in boxes and with all the aditional "surprises"
when sellers say or state one thing and then inspection reveals something totally the opposite, I think it's time to walk away, IMO

 

Man, if I had the cash and a place to put the Jeep, I'd shove you outta the way and grab it myself! I don't see them old ones getting any cheaper, and they ain't makin' any more! If my financial and shop situations were different, I'd be snatching up every one I could find. But, that's just me and my opinions, and I'm a pathetic packrat. What can I say, my heart tells me to save old rides.

 

X2 if the guy upped the "final" price I would walk.

 

$.02 I would really have to consider all the missing pieces that are not in the boxes regardless of what the "owner" tells you- parts you will have to buy if they are gone. More $$$. And where are the other boxes? If he can give you a reasonable why he's raising the price, then offer him a lower amount. There's a lot to be said for buying a completely ASSEMBLED jeep and not just a bunch of parts for $1500.
I'd keep looking, you could always go back to him if a further search reveals nada.


Just my grey hair talking fom experience.
Get something you can wheel first then restow later.

 

The fact that he went up on the price after he told you one thing would make me walk, but I'm pretty hardheaded when it comes to stuff like that. Its one thing to raise the price if he wants to sell it to someone else but he already told you he would sell it to you for a certain $$. Plus if he did that whats to say the motor and all that other stuff is in as good a shape that he says.

I say keep looking, unless the body and frame on this one are in ver GOOD shape. You can find them for that price in near driving condition, may need a tune up and brakes. But thats no big deal.

 

would walk away at a rather fast pace from this one. guy must think he has 'gold'.................

 

That's why I sold my cj5, just didn't have the time and didn't want to commit the resources. I got 900 Canadian for mine, plus he left some of the parts with me. The tub on mine was worth that alone, and I know it's going to get used. I've dealt with guys like this before, and I would walk too. You have to consider what's actually there not listen to his song and dance. You also have to ask yourself if you have the time and money to put this thing together. For a little more money you could find one already in one piece, even if it meant a road trip. I spent 4 or 500 dollars on "stuff" that never saw a wrench, and ended up trying to sell it, for less than I had into it. So I had 1500 into my project, never touched it, and never enjoyed it. For less than a thousand more, I could have driven one home, and still be enjoying it. Just keeping these old vehicles running is a project in itself, let alone buying boxes of parts.

JMO, Paul

 

Thanks Warloch, but I've got a serious lust for this M38 that I've got spotted waaaay back deep in the mountains. Looks to be in good shape too, might even run....tires aren't flat and it has a license plate (year unknown). Next time I'm up that way, I'm gonna go beat on the door and have a chat with the owner. I don't get the chance to go up there very often, but it's probably snowed in right now anyway.

 

X3, or offer the guy $750.00 and start going down if he is going up in price.

 

Yeah but it is assembled, and you can see what your getting plus what it would need without surprises.

 

Yep, I'd walk away from this one. I don't deal with people like that anymore. It only takes one bad experience...

 

In the immortal words of the Monty Python troup

RUN AWAY!!!! RUN AWAY!!!

just my thoughts

there will be more to come along and more likely in better shape

I know I got in a bit of a bind with a similar situation

Luke

 

Yeah, offer him $750, then walk when he turns you down.

 

Thanks everyone!

I had the same feelings, the majority of you are confirming. I thought $1000 was a good deal from what I first was told. After seeing it, it kind of scared me about why the engine wasn't back together, began seeing problems that may be there and thinking I was maybe getting into a complete engine and trans rebuild. The body is sweet, but would need to be pulled and surface rust on the bottom stopped. Figured I would be taking it completely apart, to do the frame right. One thing led to another, offered a cash deal at $1000 at that time, but the price went up and the seller was firm at $1500. Dam - really got excited about building a Willys, but the fact is all original it would only be a weekend cruiser and would have to tow it or trailer it to go wheeling. Can't get to many places from where I live without traveling on the freeway for a while. Anyway, thanks for all the input, I appreciate and respect everyone's opinion on this site! As suggested, I'm passing on this one and will probably keep looking for another early CJ5 to rebuild. My son and I just finished a two year project on a 76, brought it back to factory condition and we really enjoy running that one around - we're hooked, so I got to find us another project. Thanks again, if I can help anyone out with anything from the Denver, Colorado area, drop me an email.

 

OMG, you're in Denver? Is that 2A here too? I might want to go take a look at it.