How much will someone pay for a Jeep?

DrDmoney

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There are two used car dealers in the small town of El Dorado. Both regularly have Jeep vehicles for sale and both sell them rather quickly. Highway 49 runs through the town and thousands of off road enthusiasts drive by them on their way to the Rubicon. In the last 8 years since I’ve moved here, I have noticed the prices of older wranglers going up. I used to see good clean stock TJ’s and nice lifted and modded YJ’s going for $6,000 to $8,000. I guess those days are gone.
This was probably your average stock LJ that they added a RC lift, a TC Drop, steelies, Federal tires, some flares, and Smittybuilt bumpers at both ends. Believe it or not, this won’t be here next week 😲
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This YJ down the road doesn’t even come with a top, or 6 cylinders. Both will be gone soon.
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That LJ would easily sell for that here in Atlanta. Our asking prices seem high, not sure how many get what I see they are asking for it though.
 
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I've seen LJ's at dealerships around here listed for 18+, stock, 120k miles, and in worse shape than the one pictured here.
 
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As someone in the market for my first Wrangler, based on the pics alone, that LJ is pretty reasonably priced. I started my search first for a TJ, but the more I looked, the more interested I became in the LJ. Decent LJs I see tend to be priced in the $15k-18k range.

Good deals can still be had, but you won't know unless you're glued to the computer. The clean TJ Wranglers I see popping up around $8k usually get bought the same day on craigslist (and sometimes within 2-3 hours).
 
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As someone in the market for my first Wrangler, based on the pics alone, that LJ is pretty reasonably priced. I started my search first for a TJ, but the more I looked, the more interested I became in the LJ. Decent LJs I see tend to be priced in the $15k-18k range.

Good deals can still be had, but you won't know unless you're glued to the computer. The clean TJ Wranglers I see popping up around $8k usually get bought the same day on craigslist (and sometimes within 2-3 hours).
I guess what I consider a decent is different, I paid $1500 more than this brand new. I would call this fair condition and here’s what KBB values it at.
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I get KBB for a 2006 unlimited of
Dealer
Fair Market Range
$10,555 - $14,316

Private Party Range
$9,012 - $11,259

for the 114142 miles.

Is it a CA car like the plates show and is the frame it good condition? I see a wedge by the front left tire on the frame that looks like the new paint wasn't put on evenly. What modifications on top of the stock KBB price?

I saw LJs from $9500-$25,000 when I was looking. If I wanted 180,000 miles I could by one for $9500. If I wanted 35,000 miles or a diesel/LS swap frame off restoration with lift and tires it was $25,000.

How many LJs were made and how many disappear from the market each year?

The hard top adds $1500 to $2000. I haven't seen a good one within 400 miles of me for less than ~$15,000.
 
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Good deals can still be had, but you won't know unless you're glued to the computer. The clean TJ Wranglers I see popping up around $8k usually get bought the same day on craigslist (and sometimes within 2-3 hours).
the salesman said it was priced for a quick sale. I think people see the lift and tires and aftermarket bumpers and don’t see the condition of the vehicle underneath. I could stick my hand between the skid and frame with those spacers. To me this LJ needs lots of work to get sorted.
 
I get KBB for a 2006 unlimited of
Dealer
Fair Market Range
$10,555 - $14,316

Private Party Range
$9,012 - $11,259

for the 114142 miles.

Is it a CA car like the plates show and is the frame it good condition? I see a wedge by the front left tire on the frame that looks like the new paint wasn't put on evenly. What modifications on top of the stock KBB price?
funny you ask they have the CarFax for all their vehicles setting on the dash. This is a Wyoming LJ that migrated 7 years ago, it also shows that it was in an accident 4 years ago but only indicates left front.
 
I recently paid $11K for a '97 (sahara I think) 4.0/5spd with 120K miles on it. The hood and doors have peeling clear, plastic flares are all busted up, but the interior is pretty clean.

It's got D44s with 4:88 and ARBs on both ends, what appears to be a RE longarm lift, FOX 2.0 shocks, SYE, Currie Steering, warn hub conversion, OMF beadlocks w/ good Goodyear Wranglers, aluminum tub armor, roof rack, Ramsey winch, sliders, aftermarket bumpers, and a whole bunch of other stuff I can't remember.

I would have rather bought a clean stocker for $7-8K and built it myself, but to get to where this one is would have cost me $20K.

I've invested about $1000 and about 15 hours of work at this point fixing a bunch of little stuff that has transformed it from almost undriveable into a vehicle I'm comfortable letting the wife drive.

I think I did OK, from my perspective.
 
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the salesman said it was priced for a quick sale. I think people see the lift and tires and aftermarket bumpers and don’t see the condition of the vehicle underneath. I could stick my hand between the skid and frame with those spacers. To me this LJ needs lots of work to get sorted.

I sorta ran into a similar situation for an LJ I checked out recently at a used car lot. With the exception of the hardtop and wheels, it wasn't modified. It was priced just below $16k and looked great in pictures. Once I saw it in person, I started to notice all the defects. What I thought was a good asking price quickly became overpriced for the condition. Since it's still sitting in that dealer's lot, I'm not the only one that came to that conclusion.
 
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I sorta ran into a similar situation for an LJ I checked out recently at a used car lot. With the exception of the hardtop and wheels, it wasn't modified. It was priced just below $16k and looked great in pictures. Once I saw it in person, I started to notice all the defects. What I thought was a good asking price quickly became overpriced for the condition. Since it's still sitting in that dealer's lot, I'm not the only one that came to that conclusion.
Well good thing that you know what you’re really looking at and can see past the fluff. The paint on this one wasn’t in good conditio, I saw lots of crazing on the hood and scratches on the doors but not so much on the sides of the tub.
 
Yep real question. I remember not too long ago guys selling them for $2500 and less in the shape that black one is in.

I bought my ROUGH YJ 2.5 without a top in ....2006 or so for $3500. Needed all sorts of work, but was ready to drive.
I sold it in 2017 for $3500 in WORSE shape than I bought it. Needed tires, needed 2 shock mounts welded on, dented, 225k miles, etc...

I paid $14k for my 2003 Rubicon in 2017 with 112k miles, no frame rust, no body rust, and a crappy lift I'm slowly replacing.

16K for a non-rubicon is HIGH, but does not surprise me at all.
 
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You think TJ unlimiteds are high, try to find an M38A1. This guy just came up for sale here.

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My father in law was looking for one like he rode in Vietnam when he manned the 50 cal on it. I was finding rusted garbage for $4k. Finally found one from a former military guy in KS and got them in touch. He got his for $7,500 and paid to have it hauled here because the top speed is 55 mph and he has no top. I think it has 40,000 miles on it because the guy drove it to a military base as a commuter on nice days.

It didn't come with the 50 cal installed though. :(

TJ Unlimiteds will go up in price. TJs too. It's the nature of cars. Ours get abused so much they'll go up sooner.