American Motors called the new Jeep Wagoneer and Cherokee “sportwagons” when those sport utility vehicles were downsized for the 1984 model year. Compared with their predecessors, these new versions were shorter, nearly 1,000 pounds lighter and offered better fuel economy. They also introduced “Quadra-Link” front suspension.
The Pick of the Day is a 1989 Jeep Grand Wagoneer, the top-of-the-line model, being advertised on ClassicCars.com by a dealership in Kentwood, Michigan, that says it acquired the vehicle after its ownership by the same family for 14 years, who kept it at a secondary residence where it was used as a vacation vehicle.
“Jeep took the competition of the heated SUV market seriously when it introduced the Grand Wagoneer in 1984,” the dealership notes in the Grand Wagoneer’s advertisement. “The Grand Wagoneer offered refinement and luxury to its long successful Wagoneer. Plush carpet, power options and signature leather / cloth seating were offered standard.
“The Grand Wagoneer’s classic design and reliable mechanicals made them the desired choice among many when purchasing a 4-door SUV. The best and most desirable of these were the Chrysler-engineered models built between 1987 and 1991. These trucks had the most refinement, best colors and highest options.”
The example on offer has been repainted in its original factory shade of Classic White with woodgrain exterior trim with the original burgundy-leather interior.
Power comes from a 5.9-liter V8 linked to an automatic transmission and 4-wheel drive. The SUV has power steering, power brakes, power windows, power locks, factory air conditioning, tilt steering wheel, factory aluminum wheels, luggage rack and fog lights.
“Today at just 115,789 miles since new, this Grand Wagoneer remains in very good quality driver condition,” the dealer adds.
The Jeep is being offered for $29,900.
To view this vehicle on ClassicCars.com, see Pick of the Day.
Apparently, whomever penned this Article / Ad knows ZIP about Jeeps. The vehicle picture is NOT an example of the ‘downsized’ XJ series. This is a Full Size Jeep, both were built for several years.
So he made a mistake. It is possible to correct someone on the details without insulting their intelligence. Or must you always feel like the smartest guy in the room?
Bruce, these details are the backbone of the hobby. Don’t let anybody say otherwise.
It’s a bit confusing, because the first paragraph mentions the downsized Wagoneer and Cherokee models, but then switches to the Grand Wagoneer model about which the article is concerned. If the writer, apparently Mr. Edsall, had clarified that he was mentioning the downsized model, but the article was about the larger model, it would have been clearer. In his defence, if his columns are edited for length, then the submitted piece may have been spot on.😎
Wow, a ‘driver condition’ wagon purchased by a dealer from a nice Midwestern MI family for probably 3.5k to resell for 29.9k? This is why the ‘old cars’ hobby is becoming so prohibitive & out of reach for so many! Sad.
I knew a Grand Wagoneer owner in west Michigan who did nothing but complain about it but replaced it regularly every couple of years with another one. Now that’s loyalty, maybe love. I have always thought they were the most distinctive vehicle on the road. I want one in my garage just to polish the fiberglass trim and simulated wood every Saturday.
In defense of Bruce, the people writing these articles, that are also up for sale, better know what they are talking about. I what someone who can explain in detail what I’m looking at, especially if I have an interest in buying it. Nothing is more irritating as a salesperson who doesn’t know the product very well and can’t answer your questions. This will only lose sales…
Yes, the author of the article made a mistake, and apologizes. I focused early in the article on the downsized version when the story should have been — from start to finish — about the full-size Grand Wagoneer that was being featured in the advertisement.