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Advice needed - from a 04TJ to Rubi

2K views 23 replies 12 participants last post by  RJL1 
#1 ·
Hi all,
Here's my story.
I have a 2004 TJ Sport that I bought brand new 12 years ago. It currently has 68k on it and has never been in any kind of collision and is pretty solid. My only issue is the rust. I am far far far from an expert on whether or not she is going to stay with me due to the rust for the long haul. I will attach pics of the rust for your opinions. (Trade, Sell, Scrap)

So here's my other question.

I have recently started looking... browsing... at Rubicons and found one that I really like. 2014 Rubi. I am going to test drive it tomorrow but I know nothing about the JK's. The Rubi has 15k and I checked the carfax with nothing out of the normal.

The rubi has half doors and I specifically asked if the hard top was included and they said yes, so how does that work with half doors? Is that even an option for the Rubicon? I will attach pics to see what you guys think.
Asking price is $31,000 (is that reasonable)

Thanks for the help.
J









Here's my TJ















 
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#2 ·
Your TJ is awesome! That seems like minor rust compared to some I saw here a couple months ago. I would keep it in any case and if you get a new jeep, maybe drive the TJ in the winter and keep the salt off the new one? That was my plan anyhow but could not find a reasonable TJ.
Regarding the rubicon, the dealer is clueless about the hard top, won't fit with the raked spare tire. Hardtop and half doors are compatible, but are not sold in that combo from factory.
Regarding price, that seems high, I paid $348Xx for my new rubicon unlimited May of last year. I personally would not pay a premium for those modifications. I love my half doors but would not care to have them year round. I actually only install the upper plastic Windows when it's going to rain, otherwise they are off, not willing to do that in winter, LOL
 
#3 ·
That's a beautiful TJ you have and the rust doesn't look bad at all. You can have it sprayed at a shop to help the rust slow down a bit and not look as bad, but that looks like surface rust to me and totally normal. So I wouldn't worry, but I'm not an expert and maybe someone else can chime in. Your TJs gonna be worth a lot of money with such little miles - so try to sell it yourself.

As far as the 2014 Rubicon goes - you can get a brand new one for the same close to that same price. MSRP on a base 2016 is $34k, depending on local dealers and how willing you are to travel you can get about 10% off MSRP. The 2017 will be closer to $35k, but you can order from the factory with half doors and you'll get a brand new Jeep, full warranty and better financing rates for buying new.

As far as a hard top goes, they don't come from the factory with half doors and a hard top - it's not an option. However, you can run a hard top with half doors, you just have the soft uppers running with the hard top. I suppose it's possible that the person has a hard top too, but it's rare.

If it were my money, I'd go buy a brand new Rubicon and get an aftermarket hard top and wiring harness - just be prepared to spend another $2k+ for the top and harness.

Good luck.
 
#4 ·
Normal rust for a vehicle that age from what I see in the pictures (upside down).

Have a good mechanic check out the Rubicon and go from there. I loved my half door for off roading but is was a noisy ride on the interstate drives.
 
#5 ·
I'm not the one to tell the guy, or gal, looking to buy a 2009 for $17k, to "go buy new" for twice as much. BUT, You're nearing new price in that range.
To myself, and the majority of the market, mods have little to no resale, so don't pay extra for them. If you do want this one, take it to a reputable 4x4 shop and have them thoroughly check mods, to ensure safety, quality, and proper installation. There's a lot if shoddy parts and work out there.

At the end of the day: Looking at that nice TJ, I'd guess, you're one to keep a vehicle and drive it for many years. Unless aftermarket parts are top notch, most of the mid level to cheap does not last like OEM components, and if that Jeep has cheap components, there's a good chance it may not look like this a few years down the road.

As suggested, I'd consider keeping your TJ.

One last note; those black covers over the factory paint/panels, under the windshield lights, are more than likely covering body damage ;)
An untethered door will swing forward and the mirror will dent this section. I'd ask for them to be removed, if paying their top dollar asking price.
 
#6 ·
Thanks everyone for the advice.
I am going to drive the rubicon today to just check it out without playing the sales game. But just out of curiousity, what should I be paying for this Rubicon.
I want to be armed with info which you all have provided me with.

Here's the link to the jeep.

http://www.tascabuickgmcri.com/Vehi...gler-4WD_2dr_Rubicon-Woonsocket-RI/2799753753

I'm not even going to drive my jeep there because I know they will low ball me on a trade.

Thanks,
Jessica
 
#8 ·
Thanks everyone for the advice.
I am going to drive the rubicon today to just check it out without playing the sales game. But just out of curiousity, what should I be paying for this Rubicon.
I want to be armed with info which you all have provided me with.

Here's the link to the jeep.

2014 Jeep Wrangler for sale in Woonsocket - 1C4BJWCG9EL123299 - Tasca Buick GMC

I'm not even going to drive my jeep there because I know they will low ball me on a trade.

Thanks,
Jessica
I have a 14 JKUR and the price they are asking is not much less than what I paid 2 years ago brand new. Like the others have said if you are wiling to shell out that much cash for just a few thousand more you can have a new one.

As far as stuff to look for on the Rubi. If it is a manual it will come standard with 4.10 gearing. The Automatics I believe are 3.73 and it was an add on in 14 to get 4.10s. I am not sure what your use will be or if you are looking to mod it later but just be aware of what you are getting so you are not surprised later.

You should have electronic front and rear lockers as well as electronic sway bar disconnect. I would check those to make sure they are working. I have heard of the electronic disconnect motors failing if they get corroded and water seeps in. It is located just under the air dam in the front.

I think most Rubicon's came with 430N for the head unit, if it has a 130 they should charge less a 730 will add to the expense.

I have heard the clutch in the manuals for JKs is a bit different than the TJs and may take some adjustment. Otherwise it's a Jeep I think you will like the 3.6 much better than the stock TJ motor.

Either way unless they have some really nice mods I think $31K is pretty high. Good luck.
 
#9 ·
IF you like the "upgrades" $31K might not be a bad asking price. But you still need? full doors? And before you buy price out a new 2016 JKR. Or 2017 if all the 2016s are gone.
 
#10 ·
No way I'd pay $31K for that Jeep. You can have a brand new one for a few thousand more. I had a 2006 TJ Sport before I bought my 2015 JKUR. I was pretty hesitant to let my TJ go. I was looking at used JK Rubicons as well and for the price of a used one, I could have a new one for just a bit more money! Also, my credit union's interest rate was lower on a new one vs. used. It was all pretty even. I brought my TJ in to the dealer and they offered me $10K for it. I left and put it on Craigslist. I sold it for $16K in two days. I went back to the dealer and ordered my Jeep. The 3.6L motor is great. It's smoother and has a lot more power than my TJ did. The 4.0L motor in the TJ was great too. Just kind of a slug on the highway. I have no regrets moving from a TJ up to the JK. Also, that rust on your frame is just fine. Surface rust. There's things that can be done to slow that down or stop it. Here's what some bad rust looks like!
 
#11 ·
Thanks everyone for your thoughts and advice.
This Rubicon is at a Buick dealership and I of course knew more about the Jeep than the salesman did. That's understandable.
When I called and asked if the hard top came with this Jeep, I was told yes. But when I got to the dealership, they advised me that it was a mistake and thought I was talking about the soft top. I wasn't too happy since I drove an hour out of the way.

Test drive was ok. The Sway light kept popping on and then the traction control. Of course when I showed it to the salesman I couldn't repeat the lights on the dash.

Now onto the dance. - The sales guy went to his manager and said that they would split the difference of a hard top with me and kept their price at 31K. I let him know that for a few dollars more I could have a new one. It's the end of the month, its end of the season here in NE for Jeep weather coming up fast, I thought there would be more play in the price. NOPE.

I shook his hand and left. Drove home and then get an email that they lowered it to 30k. Kind of puts a bad taste in my mouth because why couldn't you deal with me then. I asked for a 2 to be the first number and he said no so that's why I left. Maybe they will sell it now that its at 30k.

Thanks for letting me vent.

-Jessica
 
#17 ·
There's some good advice on this thread so I am not going to chime in on whether or not you should get the Jeep; however in regard to the traction control light and sway bar light popping o during the test drive I would check two things before you buy and have the dealer fix if required.

The traction control and ABS will engage if the wheel is not centered. It thinks the Jeep is in a skid and does this as a safety feature. If that is what you were seeing they just need to center the wheel which is extremely simple.

If you were getting additional lights like traction control, sway bar etc and a "ding" the battery terminals may be loose. If there are accessories hooked up and someone attached them to the main terminals or the dealership did something to the Jeep or they are corroded it can cause them to work loose and cause an intermittent fault when driving. I had this happen once after I took my jeep in for service. When I checked the terminals I could move them easily with my hand. I tightened them up and all was well again.

Good luck
 
#13 ·
Hi everyone, - to give an update on the JKR. I am headed there tomorrow to buy it at 30K out the door. (excluding sales tax) - I have been searching and searching for a Rubi or a Sahara and I really love the mods done on this one. Saves me thousands to have to do them myself. I know 5k more and I have a new Rubicon but the way I processed this was that @ 35K I would have a base model and then have to shell out more money for the mods that are already on this one. Anyone can justify anything I guess.
I just have a question about the 1/2 doors. I was able to grab a pic of the original sticker and it looks like it was ordered with the 1/2 doors. Is that an option to order from the factory like that?

And what am I looking at for costs to get a hard top for this Rubicon?

Thanks everyone.

-Jessica



 
#15 ·
Did you pick up the Jeep?

New hard top with wiring harness so you have a usable rear wiper will run about $2k or a bit more. Depends if you have the defrost button and wiring harness in there or not, can't remember if it's included on the Rubicon.

If you didn't pick up the Jeep - again, I'd highly recommend looking new. The warranty for your 2014 probably expires in the next year or so (depending on its in service date) and a new one with hard top and soft top (although you'd have to get full doors) would probably run $2-3k more.

Half doors are great to have and if you ever decide to get rid of them you can trade for full doors plush cash - they're worth significantly more aftermarket because they are so rare.
 
#16 ·
Honestly, those mods (what appear to be generic bumpers, tire carrier and light bar) don't add much value and are not expensive as you think.
Are you keeping or selling the TJ? If selling how much are you asking for it?
 
#18 ·
Clearly you want this Jeep, so I'm not going to tell you not to buy it.
That said; since you are paying top dollar, it should be in top shape.
I'd get the drivability issues fixed, ask about those caps (most likely hiding body damage) and any other issues you find. I'd have an off-road shop go over it, if the sway and traction control lights are going on, the lift you are desiring and valuing, might end costing you much more money, if you have to pay someone to go back through it all. This Jeep is only one or two repairs away from a brand new, zero miles Jeep.
 
#19 ·
Too much for a 2 dr. Rubi with a few bolt on's, IMHO. I'm in the same boat looking for a pickup. I'm looking at Tacomas and the used and new prices are so close it's almost a no brainer not to go new. Jeeps really hold their value though, which is good.
 
#20 ·
Thanks everyone. I am not sure if it is a New England thing, but I can not find a Rubicon for less than 30 k with low mileage. I will continue to look. Might have to go outside of NE or buy new and slowly build it.
I will keep you all posted.
Thanks again for all the amazing advice.
-Jessica
(Go Pats)
 
#21 ·
Be patient, you'll be happy when you find what you want. Who knows, maybe that dealer calls you back with a more reasonable offer? If it sits ther long enough, they might. I'd rather buy a stocker though, too many ?s with modded vehicles for me, I'm picky.
 
#24 ·
Good choice not to buy. I'd be worried with the sway bar and traction control lights flashing on a short test drive. You'll find your Jeep. Take your time.
 
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