What would you pay for this TJ?

WallyWest

TJ Addict
Joined
Nov 6, 2019
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1,854
Location
PA
Looking for opinions on buying an '04 TJ. Pics attached, this is in PA so rust is always an issue. It has 200k miles, and I think it looks quite clean for that. Description is that it's mechanical good, no issues, and condition is described as excellent overall. It's a 4.0l 6 cylinder, 5 speed manual. Comes with a nearly new soft top (about a year old), and a hard top. As well as two sets of wheels/tires, summer and winter. Summer look to have decent tread, winter are pretty worn.

Anyway, asking 6k for it. Pics attached, hopefully that works. So yeah, buy or pass?

Thx.

jeep1.jpg


jeep2.jpg


jeep3.jpg


jeep4.jpg


jeep5.jpg


jeep6.jpg
 
The fact that is has two sets of tires tells you it ran in salt. It was not a garage queen in the winter. From the pics, you know rust has started, were those pics the best or worst areas? While it looks reasonably okay, I'd say 6K is more than top dollar. 8K in a southern state could buy you a rust free, lower mileage rig.

https://tampa.craigslist.org/hil/cto/d/valrico-2006-jeep-wrangler-lj-unlimited/7015167471.html
https://sarasota.craigslist.org/cto/d/bradenton-jeep-wrangler-4x4-straight-sp/7011075249.html
https://sarasota.craigslist.org/cto/d/clearwater-jeep-wrangler-tj-sport/7013304842.html
 
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I’m confused by the underbody pic, on the frame I don’t see much sign of issue but then the body mount is sprayed - the bolt head is a tell.

I would proceed with caution or save a little more for something with a little less unknown.
 
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Not 6k that’s for sure. 5k maybe, 4K yes but doubt the owner would shoot for that especially with both a soft and hardtop.
 
The fact that is has two sets of tires tells you it ran in salt.

The fact that it's Jeep in PA tells you it ran in salt, lol.

rasband said:
I’m confused by the underbody pic, on the frame I don’t see much sign of issue but then the body mount is sprayed - the bolt head is a tell.

Good call, I didn't notice that. I will definitely be poking all around the frame when I see it. If that pic is the worst of it then it's actually quite good for the age. You should see the '02 4Runner I'm replacing, with less miles.

Thanks for the info guys, I was thinking the price was pretty good, but maybe not.
 
I see obvious rust between the bolts holding the skid plate on. Don't we all? It may still be passable but definitely needs to be stopped. It also may be a bad sign.

I'm guessing the "summer" tires are still on it which makes me wonder why the other set, that looks worn, is called "winter" tires. They look like all season radials for a 2 wheel drive truck. I could be wrong on that but if I'm not why the misleading information?
 
I'm down south and salt/excessive rust is not an issue.

So I'm just replying from being around for a lot of years and making a few mistakes in my life.

so take this with a grain of salt.:)

if you are serious and if possible, take it to a reputable shop for evaluation. the miles are high but if it has been well kept you may be O.K.

if it is good, the price seems very reasonable to me.

if it has rust that has been very well concealed, you're screwed or out a ton of cash.

jmo,
Rik
 
Looks like the driver floorboard is starting to rust thru in the 4th picture.
 
With the mileage and the pictures shown, the asking price is high. It looks pretty good from above though.
 
Seems to me there are a lot of people who run TJ's into the ground and then try to sell them while they are taking their last breath for quite a high price simply on the basis that they retain their value. My thinking is that this has to end. They hold their value to a point, but then they become worthless. If someone sold that for 6K they would be making a killing. My rig would be worth $30K comparatively.
 
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My favorite all time jeep is the WJ. A couple of years ago I found a 04 decked out H.O. on Craig's list. I lost sleep worrying someone might beat me to it.

when I got there, it looked decent exterior and in. but after a stand back, emotion free evaluation I realized and told the guy that I wasn't going to buy it.

He asked me why, and in the most polite way I could, told him if he gave me the car, I could not afford to repair all that was wrong with it.

I guess what I'm saying, there are deals to be had but only if one can recognize a shiny turd. and not saying this is that, just if you are not sure find someone who is and pay them to evaluate if you have to.

JMT's post above has a lot of wisdom.
 
Well, I test drove it today and I think I will pass. The frame actually looks good, all the suspension mounts were virtually rust free. I poked and prodded and couldn't find any parts of the frame that seemed suspect. Banged on it with a hammer, stuck my fingers in the holes and felt around, the metal seemed fine.

But that center skidplate. Yeah, rusted pretty bad where it meets the frame. I *think* it's just the skidplate and probably could be taken off, cleaned up, put a new one on and no problems. Not willing to bet 6k on that though. Small metal parts under the hood all rusted up too.

And that body mount that rasband pointed out? Looked perfectly normal in person, not sprayed. Some trick of the light in the photo I guess.

Drove pretty good, a bit more "chatter" from the front end than I'd like. Not sure if it was suspension or drivetrain, but sounded like it could be expensive to deal with. On the plus side the engine sounded good.

A bit annoyed at the tires though. All five were matched, but he didn't do the 5 wheel rotation. So about half tread on four of them and the spare was brand new. What's the point of a full size spare with the same wheel if you don't include it in the tire rotation?

Anyway, I also drove an '03 Sport today with less miles and better condition. Higher price too, but I made an offer on it so we'll see.

Thanks for the feedback on pricing and such.
 
My favorite all time jeep is the WJ. A couple of years ago I found a 04 decked out H.O. on Craig's list. I lost sleep worrying someone might beat me to it.

when I got there, it looked decent exterior and in. but after a stand back, emotion free evaluation I realized and told the guy that I wasn't going to buy it.

He asked me why, and in the most polite way I could, told him if he gave me the car, I could not afford to repair all that was wrong with it.

I guess what I'm saying, there are deals to be had but only if one can recognize a shiny turd. and not saying this is that, just if you are not sure find someone who is and pay them to evaluate if you have to.

JMT's post above has a lot of wisdom.
Man this is an awesome post and could save a lot of people money and heartache .

Being able to stand back and be objective is huge.

Being knowledgeable enough to evaluate one is critical , as is knowing you aren't and getting help.

Not letting your excitement or fervor or whatever override your common sense is adult thinking.

Once you buy one , you are in the game , and if you don't evaluate it properly , you may wish you had .

I know I did . If a Jeep is lifted , and the lift is messed up , you are going to want to fix it somehow , fast .

If it's lifted , then it likely has big tires , and a lot of the times it isn't geared for them...so there's another chunk of change ...

These are all scenarios , but they happen .. and the more you spend , the more you have at stake , and the more you have at stake , the more pressure you feel to keep going .
 
Well, I test drove it today and I think I will pass. The frame actually looks good, all the suspension mounts were virtually rust free. I poked and prodded and couldn't find any parts of the frame that seemed suspect. Banged on it with a hammer, stuck my fingers in the holes and felt around, the metal seemed fine.

But that center skidplate. Yeah, rusted pretty bad where it meets the frame. I *think* it's just the skidplate and probably could be taken off, cleaned up, put a new one on and no problems. Not willing to bet 6k on that though. Small metal parts under the hood all rusted up too.

And that body mount that rasband pointed out? Looked perfectly normal in person, not sprayed. Some trick of the light in the photo I guess.

Drove pretty good, a bit more "chatter" from the front end than I'd like. Not sure if it was suspension or drivetrain, but sounded like it could be expensive to deal with. On the plus side the engine sounded good.

A bit annoyed at the tires though. All five were matched, but he didn't do the 5 wheel rotation. So about half tread on four of them and the spare was brand new. What's the point of a full size spare with the same wheel if you don't include it in the tire rotation?

Anyway, I also drove an '03 Sport today with less miles and better condition. Higher price too, but I made an offer on it so we'll see.

Thanks for the feedback on pricing and such.
Hi Wally,

I had considered checking out that TJ this past weekend but the skid plate scared me off.
Was the guy flexible on the $6K or pretty firm?

Thanks,
John
 
Seems to me there are a lot of people who run TJ's into the ground and then try to sell them while they are taking their last breath for quite a high price simply on the basis that they retain their value. My thinking is that this has to end. They hold their value to a point, but then they become worthless. If someone sold that for 6K they would be making a killing. My rig would be worth $30K comparatively.

That's been my limited experience so far. It's very frustrating from the buyer side...
 
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Hi Wally,

I had considered checking out that TJ this past weekend but the skid plate scared me off.
Was the guy flexible on the $6K or pretty firm?

Thanks,
John

I didn't push him much, but he seemed firm on $6k. My guess is you might get him to $5500. He said he had other people calling about it, but of course that's what they all say.

I decided to spend a bit more and buy one in better shape. Got an '03 Sport with 146k miles. I think the '04 could be fine with some work, I'm just not up for a project like that right now.

Oh, and one thing that didn't show up in the photos, the rear glass hinges on the hardtop were done. Majorly corroded, I wouldn't trust them. The hardtop in general was well worn, basically worthless IMO. The soft top however was brand new, so a mixed bag there.
 
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