2002, 100K - Burnt Valve - Sell or Keep?

[peakbagger]

Hello fellow KJ owners!

My 2002 KJ was running rough and stalling after an incident where it overheated while going up hill (long story).

The short of it is that it has a burnt valve.

I'm debating whether or not to fix her up, or sell it. While I know how much it may cost to fix by a pro, I'm not sure how much I should ask for should I sell it. Anyone have some ideas as to what I fair price is? Is it simply the (private sale value) - (est. cost of repair)? or maybe a buffer where I can ask a bit more?

thanks y'all!

 

[LibertyTC]

Welcome..
I suppose it would be nice to know what trim level it is Sport or.... ? 4x4?
If body/interior is in nice shape & rust free, I would rebuild the engine and be good to go for many miles ahead.
Only 100 K on engine...
Not running IDK how much it would be worth..in USA..

 

[peakbagger]

Oh, hah, forgot that important bit - it's a sport, 4x4! Was looking at Edmund's price valuator, seems I shouldn't be asking much at all for, I think maybe $1000 or less.

Welcome..
I suppose it would be nice to know what trim level it is Sport or.... ? 4x4?
If body/interior is in nice shape & rust free, I would rebuild the engine and be good to go for many miles ahead.
Only 100 K on engine...
Not running IDK how much it would be worth..in USA..

 

[GunnerSchenck]

If I was you, the deciding factor would be rust. If it's rust free, fix it and keep it. If it is even remotely rusty, I'd sell it. Unless you're mechanically inclined enough to fix it, then I'd do so and then decide to keep or sell based on your money put into it.

But, if you're talking as is, I'd have to know prior issues it has had before recommending anything. I mean, 100k for an 02 is pretty decent so I take it that someone either barely drove it, and therefore likely barely serviced it, or that it sat for some time.
So if it's as-is, before I recommend to sell or keep, has it had problems? Rust free? How long have you owned it and what have you had to do it so far? Trim and 4x4?
If you were in PA, I'd probably take it off your hand ld for you lol

 

[peakbagger]

No rust, GunnerSchenck, no major issues before the overheating. The biggest thing was probably the condenser which was replaced. Had regular oil/fluid/brake maintenance. We drove it regularly just not long distances. occasionally I'd take it out on service roads when I was climbing a lot. We lead very boring lives!

I have this fake-fantasy where we'd fix it up and give it to my daughter when she's ready to drive, which would be in 4 years. It is the same vehicle we used when we took her home when she was born!

Trim Level is Sport, 3.7 L v6 w/ 4x4.

If I was you, the deciding factor would be
rust. If it's rust free, fix it and keep it. If it is even remotely rusty, I'd sell it. Unless you're mechanically inclined enough to fix it, then I'd do so and then decide to keep or sell based on your money put into it.

But, if you're talking as is, I'd have to know prior issues it has had before recommending anything. I mean, 100k for an 02 is pretty decent so I take it that someone either barely drove it, and therefore likely barely serviced it, or that it sat for some time.
So if it's as-is, before I recommend to sell or keep, has it had problems? Rust free? How long have you owned it and what have you had to do it so far? Trim and 4x4?
If you were in PA, I'd probably take it off your hand ld for you lol

 

[GunnerSchenck]

Given the vehicles background, if it was me personally I'd be getting the valve job done and take super good care of it for 4 more years. Especially being that theres no rust, i see no reason why you couldnt pull 100kish more out of it. The liberty would be a great starter vehicle IMHO. Once she was used to driving this, she'd feel comfortable behind the wheel of most vehicles.
When you say the condenser was done, was it accident related or just a leaky condenser?

 

[peakbagger]

When you say the condenser was done, was it accident related or just a leaky condenser?

Thanks Gunner - just leaky, had a hole in it. It was a pretty easy drop in replacement. So...if I was able to DIY that, and replace a faulty window regulator, to boot, does that mean I can DIY the valve? Haha, just kidding!

 

[Dave]

You bought it new so you obviously know the history and it has low miles. Sounds like a good jeep. That being the case I think you should get prices locally to fix it since all else is good. I say this because if you got a half way decent replacement you would be looking at what.......$5,000? I don't know how much as I obviously don't know the used car market where you are. At that rate it might be worth fixing. (not to mention you have a sentimental attachment to it)

Personally with the info you provided I would lean towards fixing it as long as the cost was not prohibitive.

Just my thoughts.

Dave

 

[turblediesel]

Keeper!

 

[Conundrum2006]

Personally if the body is good I'd keep the KJ. Even at a cost I figure the jeep is worth it. But that's me, I kinda of take pride in keeping my old jeeps on the road and can do most of the work myself, but it's got to be worth it for your family cause in the worst case scenario it could be significant money dropped in to a 15 year old car. I see it as a choice between a car payment and something you own out right.
Still there are times when it is better to step aside. I've had two project cars I finally understood it was better to let them go than hold on to them for the someday when I had time and money enough to fully fix them.




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[peakbagger]

Thanks for the responses everyone! I looked at craigslist and autotrader for average prices in this zipcode, I don't think I'd get very much as is and I don't think I'd make out very well if I got it fixed and sold it.

With all your responses pretty unanimous, I'm now leaning towards keeping it, heh. Seems to make sense, financially, if my daily driver dies I can just put money into repairing it and then save the cost of a new car!