So you love a Wrangler—maybe you’ve driven a friend’s car or rented one while traveling—but you’re in the market for an old truck to take to the lumber store on weekends and sometimes. I present to you the all-new Jeep Comanche Rad!
Are Jeep Comanches Rare?
Jeep built its Cherokee-based “Comanche” truck from 1986-1992. It only built 200,000 Comanche (versus 2.8 million Cherokee XJ). Many Comanche are hard driven and are long worn, so finding one in good condition can be very challenging.
Compete in the Dakar Classic 4×4 off-road race.
Why did Jeep Comanche production stop?
Conspiracy theory featured: Wear your aluminum foil hat! Comanche fans say Dodge killed a Jeep midsize truck to reduce competition against the D50 Dakota after acquiring Jeep in 1987. But the boring truth is, there was no market for the Comanche.
Dodge seemed happy to let Dakota competitors onto the market, such as the mechanically identical Mitsubishi Mighty Max. But after Jeep had only sold 200,000 Comanches for more than six years, it became clear that the world wasn’t ready for a midsize Jeep truck.
It may still not be true. Jeep was wise to make the Gladiator a full-frame, hard-axle truck based on the Wrangler. The Gladiator has a top towing capacity of 7,650 pounds and the option of a diesel engine. And of course Stellantis couldn’t care less whether that engine and other shared components wear a Ram or Jeep badge, as long as they get paid.
But even so, it’s not quite as cool as the Comanche’s retro driving. It also starts at $37,000. Finally, the new four-door Jeep’s 218 feet of length and a turning radius of 44.5 feet are enough to snag it on some off-road tracks that the Comanche can easily tackle.
What is the value of a Comanche pocket?
If you can find a used Jeep Comanche, its owner might be willing to part with it for very little—about the same as a (8k-ish) Cherokee. This modified Comanche March 2023 Model 1 sold for just $12,100.
Several Jeep Comanche’s have sold at autos and auctions in the $8,000 range, with the all-time lowest priced at just $5,900 in 2020. If you sort through Ebay by Comanche’s sold in 2022 and 2023, you’ll get similar results: Final prices It ranges between $6,000 and $8,500.
So is Jeep Comanche right for you? If you want a vintage mid-size truck to drive around on the weekends, you could do a lot worse. The Comanche offers a Cherokee fix-up while it was a Jeep that very few people have ever seen in person. Its quirky personality and 4WD capability make it the most “jeep” truck you can buy. Just be wary of rust, and make sure you know the history of the truck you’re buying.
See the Jeep Comanche for yourself in the video below:
