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What is the jeep really worth?

3K views 42 replies 17 participants last post by  tacoWrangler 
#1 ·
Hello, considering purchasing a 1993 Jeep Wrangler Sahara, it has the YJ characteristic headlights. The jeep has 170K miles, it has A/C, CD/MP3 Player, removable doors, manual locks & windows, power steering spotlights, towbar, and full-size spare tire. Owner's post says, "1993 Jeep Wrangler Sahara, built this jeep for my wife but never drives it so I don't want it to sit here and rot. New paint, new tires, wheels, suspension, exhaust, interior, stereo, bikini top, tow bar, rhino lined cab, lockable center console, window and door seals. Has a 4.0L high output engine w/ 5-speed manual, runs great & just smogged." It looks to be in excellent condition and very well taken care of. He also added that a majority of the miles were added by pulling the jeep behind their RV. With all this in mind, what would you guys say is a fair price to offer? Any help would be greatly appreciated! Thanks in advance!
 

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#9 ·
If you decide to go out of state for a jeep, make sure it has your emissions equipment. I had to leave my 4 cyl TJ in HI when I got out of the military because it lacked sufficient smog equipment. It does look like a very nice rig, however, I would rather take it to a mechanic and $300 now than $2,000 if it is at the end of its life.
 
#7 ·
Just because it has been towed for a portion of its life, doesn't make that much difference, there is still wear and tear on the drive train. Also 170k miles is quite a bit even if a portion was behind a motor home, you will end up putting quite a bit of wear and tear on it. The jeep does look very clean and being from Fresno there should be no rust, I would say a fair offer even in California would be around 4500 to 5000. Also be sure and get a carfax...
 
#8 ·
Thanks for that information, I didn't know that about the towing, as I'm not super familiar with cars, but I'd definitely like to learn. I didn't spot any rust on it and I will absolutely be requesting a carfax report! I appreciate the price feedback, it's much closer to what KBB is pulling up for stock around $4000.
 
#10 ·
Around here, in the heart of the rust belt, that's about a $4-5k rig if its rust free. No one wants YJs here and that thing look clean. Normally YJs are just about free here. Its kind of sad really, but good news for me! :)

Now, if the tires are like NEW and stuff like that the price can edge up.

Personally, my list of YJ upgrades would include a V8, so I wouldn't care about the miles so much. Plus 4.0s are tough as nails. It's not like a Cavalier where you would have to be crazy to spend big money on one with 175k on the clock.
 
#11 ·
Around here, in the heart of the rust belt, that's about a $4-5k rig if its rust free. No one wants YJs here and that thing look clean. Normally YJs are just about free here. Its kind of sad really, but good news for me! :) Now, if the tires are like NEW and stuff like that the price can edge up. Personally, my list of YJ upgrades would include a V8, so I wouldn't care about the miles so much. Plus 4.0s are tough as nails. It's not like a Cavalier where you would have to be crazy to spend big money on one with 175k on the clock.

Now I know where to look for yj's.

That one would fetch 5k here in Utah but YJ's and xj's are hot items here currently
 
#16 ·
It depends... Do you know anything about cars? Can you wrench at all? Do you have tools and garage to store it in?

If you answer no to those things, then it may not be the right thing for you no matter the price. Life won't be much fun if you have to take it a mechanic to put a new top on it (I wouldn't own it for more than a day or two without having a weather "proof" top for it), replace brakes/steering stuff, minor fluid changes, etc. Any vehicle of that age and miles is going to need work. With that said, if it's as nice as it sounds, getting a better Jeep for under $5k might be a tough thing to do. If I were in your shoes I'd count on $1k in addition to the purchase price (full synthetic fluid change is big money on its own), in parts and materials only, to get it right again. That's just the way it tends to go.
 
#13 ·
Does it have top other than the bikini top? I would have a compression test done and check the brakes as well as the transmission, transfer and axles. If they are all in good condition, it could well be worth 5,000 but I would not go as far as 8000... I bought a California YJ in San Diego with 38000 original miles in top condition for 7000 3 months ago.
 
#15 ·
I'm also starting to get skeptical about the "towed behind a trailer" story. This is the third time I have read that about a Jeep this month. Even if the guy owned the Jeep for years, how many of those 170k miles could have been behind a trailer assuming that's even true? You should treat it as a 170k Jeep and nothing less.
 
#17 ·
I agree 170000 miles is 170000 miles whether towed or driven, you never know it could have been towed for 5000 miles and driven the rest. If I were you I would either make him an offer that would reflect the high miles or keep looking.
 
#19 ·
I totally agree with what many of you are saying about the mileage, and the more research I do, the more that I see that that Jeep is way overpriced. Additionally, I know basics about cars... ie- jump starting, dealing with corrosion, etc. How to rebuild an engine, not so much. I do have friends that know some, but I'm beginning to think getting something with such high mileage and my lack of knowledge or experience with vehicles is a BAD idea.
 
#23 ·
I would be very suspicious as to why no top, also what are all the cars in the background of the first pix, is he a dealer? How long has he owned the Jeep? Why all the money he put into it like paint and then place it for sale? I would more than likely walk past this deal at that kind of money. You will never get him down to 5000 or under with that asking price.. Start shopping CL all the way from Sacramento to Bakersfield, there are some good deals out there, take your time you will find one....
 
#26 ·
In all honesty, I would pay $6000 for that rig. I think its value is at $5500-6000 due to mileage but nothing more than that.
 
#31 ·
It depends... If he flat towed with the ignition key in the ACC position it wouldn't register mileage, if the key was in the ON position it will register mileage but the battery would likely be dead when he got to wherever he was going. If you really want this Jeep then ask him his procedure for flat towing, he should say transfer case in neutral, transmission in 1st gear (manual) or drive (automatic) and ignition key in ACC position as that is the correct way to do it. If he says anything different he's full of crap and that's 170k of regular, probably hard, miles. And I wouldn't pay more than $5k for it either. You can probably get a newer TJ with less miles for $6-$8k if you're willing to wait for it. I paid $3500 for my '97 TJ with 146k miles.
 
#35 ·
I do not trust anyone that said its been towed it's whole life, it's about as believable as EVERY CL ad that says "it's all highway miles" just assume it has 170,000 miles period
I am pretty sure my Jeep has been towed MOST of it's life!! :lmao:
 
#34 ·
Looks clean in the photos.

Reality is you can find good YJ's in the $3500 $6000 range. BUT they will all need something. If this one is clean inside and out, including engine bay and under side, AND it has new items such as tired, brakes, etc. it could be worth $8k.

I'd look at it. Probably call BS on the "towed miles" claim and figure in the cost of a soft top (I think a previous post mentioned there is no top). Figure out what else it might need and make an offer.

Again - you can't really tell from photos.

But I'd guess picking that up in the $6k range would be reasonable.
 
#36 ·
But I'd guess picking that up in the $6k range would be reasonable.
$3500....stick to your guns! Like I said earlier, there are many more out there.

Besides, If you are not prepared to do your own work (I mean the really difficult stuff, not oil changes & brake pads) Then be prepared to pay someone else $75/hr to do it for you. And the reality of it, there will be problems...just search the forum. Sure you can get advise from everyone in here, but if you are not doing your own work be ready to spend $12k for the Jeep you thought you were only paying $8k for. And then, at the very best it is only semi-reliable.

$3500....Final offer!
 
#41 ·
He might get that 8k here in the rust belt if it had a complete soft top or hard top.

However, as stated, the odometer wouldn't register those miles being towed, unless he converted it to a cable, or left the ignition in the on position. Neither seems very likely. Even if theoretically 50% of those miles were towed, it's still wear on the bearings, suspension, diffs, TC, etc.

Also, the stock tire carrier on the rear door is not meant to hold anything much bigger than a stock tire. That big tire is probably doing wonders for the sheet metal on the door right now.

There isn't really any mention of what kind of upgrades have actually been done to the suspension or drivetrain, so I'm going to assume it's just a generic lift kit and big tires. In terms of value, it doesn't really add much over stock value. I'd keep looking.
 
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