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Why are TJ's sooo pricey?

4K views 59 replies 44 participants last post by  bulldawg9921 
#1 ·
I think I have my car sold and 5500.00 is what I will have for a TJ sport 4.0 in good shape for that price. I have looked all over the place and anything in good shape costs 7-9 k. I see where you guys buy them for 4-6 k easily why so high here? Independence Kansas or Oklahoma even Missouri WTF
 
#2 ·
Johnboy11 said:
I think I have my car sold and I have 5500.00 burning a hole in my pocket for a TJ sport 4.0 in good shape for that price. I have looked all over the place and anything in good shape costs 7-9 k. I see where you guys buy them for 4-6 k easily why so high here? Independence Kansas or Oklahoma even Missouri WTF
Idk if it's true for everyone, but I bought mine in your desired price range, knowing I had to put some work into it. If you're willing to put forth the effort to have a great jeep, you can start with one at the "steal" price.
 
#4 ·
i picked my 87 yj up for $300. needed some work but well worth it. and hte reason they cost so much is because wranglers hold their value really well. ive seen some rebuilt yj's go for like 8k here in co. just depends on your area
 
#8 ·
Few things..
A lot of people budge the truth to feel like they've won, or to brag.
Many people get deals from relatives, I've heard more storys of "Im giving my jeep to my nephew, daughter, etc" than any other car
Many people have needed to put a lot more work into their Jeeps than they're willing to admit on a forum.

I got a very good deal on my Jeep, however I didn't get it for a "STEAL" per say, two thousand or so under blue book value. Not to mention it's about the most desirable Jeep of the year 2000. (5 speed 4.0 d44 rear, never modded, no rust anywhere..) If you find one for around blue book value, and it's in good shape, buy it.

They have one of the best resale values of all time, so it's nothing to worry about.
 
#12 ·
um $300 was a jeep that kinda ran with all 5 tires/rims, sure now the best, they got replaced. and a full good interior. oh and it has the I6 4.2 so ya mine was truely a steal deal. dude wanted it gon because the plates were 10 months old and barely ran.
 
#14 ·
I got $5500 for my commuter coffin. Not enough, so I sold my boat. Now I have a Jeep. I think I came out on top of that one.
 
#15 ·
Traded my 98 sport/5spd 67100 miles for $6550, for an 06 rubicon LJ/auto 47500 miles for $12,500 difference. I was going to give you the web site to check out my old Jeep, but it's sold, in less than 10 days, with a list price of $9875. I bought the 98 in june of 2009 for $8400!

They do have a 2004 SE, 40000 for $12900 - familymotorsllc.com, Brant is who I delt with, I feel I was treated right.
 
#19 ·
Also, look out in the less populated areas, around here (decent sized beach city) wranglers are gold plated! Had major issues find one in my range...and my range was under 10 grand. Craiglist search under general Eastern NC, drove 2 hours in blizzard the day after Christmas, but only paid 6,500 for my 99 sahara with 125,000 miles. Be patient and search hard..the deals are out there!
 
#20 ·
Demographics are everything! The more populated the area the more product the lower the price. Just a couple of weeks ago I sold my 2009 Ponti G6 GXP in the Buffalo area for $1000 more than I paid for it in December in Chicago.

I also agree with the others that said you might have to put a little work into it if you expect to get it cheaper. I bought my 99 Sport w/91k miles for $5000 just last week but I knew I'd have to put another $1500 into it to make it decent. But even if I had bought it for $6500 it would still be less than the going rate for similar TJs in the area.
 
#24 ·
I've read that the TJ has the second highest resale value. Living in Illinois, I had a hard time finding any Wrangler or CJ. Most of the 97-99's I found were the 2.5 with soft top, half doors and 5 speed were around $6700. Some looked good, others looked thrashed. I ended up going to my home state of New Hampshire and saw Wranglers everywhere. I picked up my 97 Sport with new wheels and tires, 4.0, auto, air and after market bumpers for $4800.00. She had 113K on her. A steal? I dunno, you tell me. She has been off road as her body testifies, but I think the owner was a real Jeeper cause mechanically the Jeep is solid. I have driven her from New Jersey to New Hampshire three times and New Jersey to Illinois and back three times, twice this past month.

Also as corny as it sounds, remember the Jeep picks the owner. An old Jeep guy told me that once and it has been true with every single Jeep I have ever purchased.
 
#26 ·
I think it has a lot to do with where you look. For instance... Sacramento CA to SF Jeeps are gold. Here in Wisconsin, not so much. But even with that said, it is unbelievable how well they hold their value. 4 years ago I got my stock red soft top 4 banger 5 speed for $6 grand and I could sell it now for close to that. I did put a new top on it. Oh ya... not for sale.
 
#28 ·
Bought my 98 2.5L, 5 speed with 130K for 2250. Had a cracked head on it. Guy had a new cam kit, new bearing kit, and new gasket kit. I spent 250 on a new head and 4 hours overhauling it, runs like a champ. Just have to be willing to do some work. Right now, with radio, bumper, lights, tires, and misc. stuff I have about 3200 in it.
 
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