Obviously putting eyes and hands on it in person is the ultimate test. That price seems pretty much spot-on if that were listed here in Dallas. I don't know what they actually sell for, but whoever said it was worth 6500 tops....we should all be buying jeeps in his market and selling them in Dallas, because there is a huge arbitrage opportunity.
The difference in quality I see in the 9kish price point vs the 7.5k is significant...I would think if you could get that for 8 you'd have done pretty well. Not amazing, but pretty good. Just show up with 7 large and work from there. The number he'll take is between 7 and asking, all you have to do tease him lower with the sight of greenbacks.
And remember, there is ALWAYS at least $1k in repairs that you don't know about yet. I'm an additional $1500 into mine and that includes getting a $50 lift kit and using brand new tires from another project.