Is it worth arguing with a dealership over LJ Rubicon price?

Midwest

TJ Enthusiast
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Location
Iowa
A nearby dealer (non-Jeep) has an LJ Rubicon and they want $19k. The first words out of his mouth were, "Oh yeah this is a rare LJ Rubicon." 🤨
I wished him luck and walked. They are one of those "Best Price" dealers accept they never have the best price. I sent them the '06 LJR from the For Sale Finds thread (about $5k less).

Here it is:
Local LJR
 
Set a price and offer it. Don't waste anybody's time. If they refuse simply walk. Check back regularly and simply ask if they are ready to sell. It will sell or they will eventually give it to you for your offer. Knowing a salesman or two at a place like that can be an asset, just keep it short and friendly. They want you there making offers.
 
If the frame and underside are rust free (which I doubt being that it's in Iowa), then I would say it's worth that price.

A vehicle like that sells itself, so I suspect most knowledgable dealers wouldn't budge on the price unless it ends up sitting for a long time.
 
The carfax I saw had a hit to the left front and it had to be towed.

I agree, they can certainly ask whatever they want. But they don't entertain offers. He told me they will review the price after 30 days or something. Hopefully I'll have a Jeep before then, not really looking for an LJ so I have no problem skipping this one.

Also, he told me the one I linked from the For Sale Finds thread was "rear wheel drive" and had non-Rubi wheels so probably just Rubicon decals.
 
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Looks like a relatively stock specimen. Like others have said, make an offer then walk. When he said it's "rare" you should have hit him with some crazy TJ knowledge. 😁

Like Chris said, if the frame is really nice, that's not really a bad price considering the location.

Do you really want the LJ? They usually command a premium and if you aren't looking specifically for an LJ, there really isn't any reason to pay the premium
 
Looks like a relatively stock specimen. Like others have said, make an offer then walk. When he said it's "rare" you should have hit him with some crazy TJ knowledge. 😁

Like Chris said, if the frame is really nice, that's not really a bad price considering the location.

Do you really want the LJ? They usually command a premium and if you aren't looking specifically for an LJ, there really isn't any reason to pay the premium

I don't have a lot of TJ knowledge, but I'm reading and listening to everyone who does.(y)

Your right, I don't care if I get an LJ, I'd actually rather have the smaller body and not red. I mainly want the Rubicon package.
 
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The carfax I saw had a hit to the left front and it had to be towed.

I agree, they can certainly ask whatever they want. But they don't entertain offers. He told me they will review the price after 30 days or something. Hopefully I'll have a Jeep before then, not really looking for an LJ so I have no problem skipping this one.

Also, he told me the one I linked from the For Sale Finds thread was "rear wheel drive" and had non-Rubi wheels so probably just Rubicon decals.
The Vin says it’s a Rubi
 
Let me first introduce myself by saying I worked for and retired from Chrysler, Daimler/Chrysler, FCA and whatever the latest owner is.

I owned (at employee discount and still get it) Jeeps, Rams almost exclusively, some for a year, several for 200,000 to 300,000 miles.

my only advice is do not pay that price for that model LJ. the frames are fragile in salt, to say the least.

you can do some research and probably find one from a salt free part of the country for probably several thousand less and have it shipped for <$1000.00

jmo,
Rik
 
What does the frame look like? Here is an LJR in Washington state listed for $17,547. Too bad it's black and has a bit higher mileage, or @Chris might go take a look! But seriously, they are out there and can be found at these prices when they have higher mileage.

https://cargur.us/wjTh_
 
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did not see your second "find" at 5K less.

that doesn't seem too bad. My only advice is to get a professional,dealer, evaluation, to include in depth on the frame and consider it money well spent.

the TJ Rubicon does seem to hold up very well in resale.

jmo,
Rik
 
my only advice is do not pay that price for that model LJ. the frames are fragile in salt, to say the least.
Hi, are you claiming LJ frames are more prone to corrosion than a typical TJ? I hadn't heard that one before, I've always heard they were all fragile, LOL.
 
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Hi, are you claiming LJ frames are more prone to corrosion than a typical TJ? I hadn't heard that one before, I've always heard they were all fragile, LOL.

In the time I spent learning about frame rust, I noticed that I never saw a rotted LJ frame (that I noticed and remember). I'd be really curious about sales numbers for 03-06 TJ, LJ, and 97-02 safety caps. I'd bet 97-02 vastly outsells the rest. I've noticed that 97-02 frames tend to rot much more than 03-06. If you look through frame rot threads around the internet, nearly every single one is about a 97-02 (I just looked quickly now and couldn't find a single one about an 03-06 in a minute or two of just clicking through google results).

Apparently, Jeep changed from using recycled steel to completely new steel in 03 (if I remember correctly as its been a while since I've looked into it). I'm not totally convinced that the change fixed frame rust issues because the design flaw of trapping water and salt is still there.

Something changed in 03 that resulted in far less frame rot as far as I can tell.
 
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Hi, are you claiming LJ frames are more prone to corrosion than a typical TJ? I hadn't heard that one before, I've always heard they were all fragile, LOL.

no, I'm not claiming there is any difference at all. have no idea where you got that,

you are probably intelligent enough to know they came off the same line? or maybe not.

so LOL back at you.

Rik
 
In the time I spent learning about frame rust, I noticed that I never saw a rotted LJ frame (that I noticed and remember). I'd be really curious about sales numbers for 03-06 TJ, LJ, and 97-02 safety caps. I'd bet 97-02 vastly outsells the rest. I've noticed that 97-02 frames tend to rot much more than 03-06. If you look through frame rot threads around the internet, nearly every single one is about a 97-02 (I just looked quickly now and couldn't find a single one about an 03-06 in a minute or two of just clicking through google results).

Apparently, Jeep changed from using recycled steel to completely new steel in 03 (if I remember correctly as its been a while since I've looked into it). I'm not totally convinced that the change fixed frame rust issues because the design flaw of trapping water and salt is still there.

Something changed in 03 that resulted in far less frame rot as far as I can tell.
Interesting. I was lucky and found a decent 05 when I bought mine about 1.5 yrs ago (it was imported from outside the rust belt by the guy I bought it from). Thanks to you guys on here, I was very aware of rusty frames and where to look when I was shopping!

I've read about certain models having holes drilled that other didn't have etc. Mine is a 05 manual and I recall reading something about it having extra holes for drainage that made me happy, but I can't recall the details. You may know from your experience. I still may look at drilling some extra holes, but that kind of took a back seat when I decided not to drive it in the Winter. I still may look into it this Winter when I am bored in the garage.
 
no, I'm not claiming there is any difference at all. have no idea where you got that,

you are probably intelligent enough to know they came off the same line? or maybe not.

so LOL back at you.

Rik
No worries Rik...it was your wording that I found a bit confusing, so I figured I would double check.

Actually, I'm from the city where they all rolled off the line :)
 
Interesting. I was lucky and found a decent 05 when I bought mine about 1.5 yrs ago (it was imported from outside the rust belt by the guy I bought it from). Thanks to you guys on here, I was very aware of rusty frames and where to look when I was shopping!

I've read about certain models having holes drilled that other didn't have etc. Mine is a 05 manual and I recall reading something about it having extra holes for drainage that made me happy, but I can't recall the details. You may know from your experience. I still may look at drilling some extra holes, but that kind of took a back seat when I decided not to drive it in the Winter. I still may look into it this Winter when I am bored in the garage.

You might of read that from one of my posts. It is just a random theory I have. 03-06 automatics came with a skid plate that had mounting holes similar to where the transfer case skid plate mounts. But, if you have a manual 03-06, you don't have that skid plate, but you still have the holes. So those holes on the bottom of the frame can act like unintentional drain holes. No 97-02 came with any unfilled holes on the bottom of the frame. Only 03-06 manuals did.

You can see the hole in this photo. I believe is a manual 03-06.

framerust-jpg.jpg
 
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I did mention I was retired and I confuse myself quite often.

I was just wanting to convey to the OP that frames on TJ, LJ and Rubi this model can be very problematic and to proceed carefully buying one that has been exposed to salt.

I was in the Van plant in St. Louis part of my career and the Electronics plant in Huntsville for the rest of it. Yall can blame the bad PCM's on me.

Rik
 
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So contact the seller & run the VIN. If nothing else, it'll be fun to prove him wrong.

I had run the VIN and it is a Rubicon. He was just talking out his butt at that point and I let it go, not my first time trying to deal with them. I'd like to buy local, they just make it really difficult.
 
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