What is my TJ worth?

[LakeBeard]

I'm thinking about selling the TJ to buy property, not sure it its worth it, how much do you think I could get for it? I live in So Cal if that matters. Info in the Jeep
below

2004 Rubicon
150,000 Miles
New transmission ( 11/19)
4” Currie Short Arm Lift w/ double adjustable Johnny Joints
Currie Front and Rear track bars w/ Johnny Joints
ARB Springs
Rancho RS5000X
Currectlync
JE Reel 1350 CV Rear Drive Shaft
5.13 Yukon Gears
Rock slides
Antirock (front)
UFC aluminum engine skid plate
Sport Cage
Smittybilt Seats
Twin ARB Compressor
Custom Air up-down system
9500 Winch (in cab controls)
Steel tube fenders
(2) 10” Kicker Subs
Kicker speakers in dash and sound bar, both water proof
(2) Amps
Odyssey battery (1/21)
Hard wired in cab radio
Rock lights, light bar, whip, rear lights, fog lights and spot light all w/ individual relays and fuses.
Hard Top
Soft Top
Tube doors
Full doors

 

[1TrackJack]

Miles are a little high but shouldn't bother a knowledgeable buyer. California prices always seem a little high to me but in Florida I would say it is worth $20 to $25K. Just don' forget, they make Jeeps everyday but they don't make property anymore.

 

[CharlesHS]

In CA start with an asking price of $25K and then negotiate if you think it's necessary.

 

[Rubicon88]

I was in the auto business many years...trust me these Jeeps are worth gold to us owners so just know I'm not being offensive..

In fantasy your Jeep should be worth a lot with all the upgrades.

In reality that can be a double edged sword. In other words you've taken all the fun and direction of modifying away from someone.

Most TJ buyers are builders!!!

This is very important!!!

I'll repeat.
Most TJ buyers are builders..

Why????

Because it's now 2 generations old.

Someone hell bent on a TJ has studied things out and is also wanting to build it a certain way.

I'm not saying you won't find someone interested with your build design but it could take awhile. Moreover while your build might be perfect to you it might be insufficient to someone else. Perhaps they despise smittybilt....or ARB...
It doesn't matter why. They're the buyer so what they think matters.

My advice to you is this...
Your Jeep has 2 things going for it.
It's a 2004 real Jeep. Updated interior etc...
#2 and most importantly it's a Rubicon.

That's it!!!

That's where your focus needs to be kept so it stays in perspective.

I would say your real number is 13-15k

It's a 150k Rubicon 18 year's old

***remember i dont mean offense and if someone is willimg to pay 25k for a modified 150k Jeep...
They're buying a more capable built JK for the same $$$

Think about that and good luck

 

[CharlesHS]

I was in the auto business many years...trust me these Jeeps are worth gold to us owners so just know I'm not being offensive..

In fantasy your Jeep should be worth a lot with all the upgrades.

In reality that can be a double edged sword. In other words you've taken all the fun and direction of modifying away from someone.

Most TJ buyers are builders!!!

This is very important!!!

I'll repeat.
Most TJ buyers are builders..

Why????

Because it's now 2 generations old.

Someone hell bent on a TJ has studied things out and is also wanting to build it a certain way.

I'm not saying you won't find someone interested with your build design but it could take awhile. Moreover while your build might be perfect to you it might be insufficient to someone else. Perhaps they despise smittybilt....or ARB...
It doesn't matter why. They're the buyer so what they think matters.

My advice to you is this...
Your Jeep has 2 things going for it.
It's a 2004 real Jeep. Updated interior etc...
#2 and most importantly it's a Rubicon.

That's it!!!

That's where your focus needs to be kept so it stays in perspective.

I would say your real number is 13-15k

It's a 150k Rubicon 18 year's old

***remember i dont mean offense and if someone is willimg to pay 25k for a modified 150k Jeep...
They're buying a more capable built JK for the same $$$

Think about that and good luck

Need to consider that you are in PA and he is in S.CA where demand and prices for Jeep’s are dramatically higher than in other states which is why I posted the negotiable price I did.
When I was looking for a TJ while in CA Jan ‘01; the prices for TJRs were much higher than 13-15K.
That price would only get you a TJ Sport 4.0L in decent condition.
I found TJRs going for 19-20K and LJRs going for slightly more; built ones could go for slightly more.

 

[Moab]

I would say closer to 18k in Socal. Everything is more expensive here.

I would agree about mods. In that your never going to get back what you "added" to the vehicle. A small percentage.

Pics mean alot too. We cant see the actual condition of anything without more detailed pics.

 

[CharlesHS]

I would say closer to 18k in Socal. Everything is more expensive here.

I would agree about mods. In that your never going to get back what you "added" to the vehicle. A small percentage.

Pics mean alot too. We cant see the actual condition of anything without more detailed pics.

IF you can find a TJR for 18K then the market changed since Jan '20; the prices I posted where what I found at that time.

 

[Billy06]

I would think you could get $20,000 for it, maybe a tad more. Good looking rig btw.

 

[ATCKIP]

You can only sell it once so I would start high. All Jeeps are outrageously priced right now, especially clean ones. I bought my 04 this spring and paid...what I thought was a good price for an overpriced vehicle. I turned around and sold my 2001 2.5 for 2 grand over what I paid for it 10 years ago. I felt a little guilty or greedy with my asking price but I had well over 10 folks actively waiting for the first looker to turn it down............he didn't!

 

[Moab]

IF you can find a TJR for 18K then the market changed since Jan '20; the prices I posted where what I found at that time.

I agree. He could find someone to give him 20k maybe. Jeeps are the only car ive seen regularly sell for much higher than bluebook. Like much higher. Bluebook makes no difference to a jeep. They should adjust those numbers by 5k or so. At least. Lol.

Its also in the eye ofthe beholder. What they like etc. If this jeep was bone stock it would almost be better for selling purposes. If its clean. No pics. So i cant tell.

For 20k id want a very clean LJ tho. 150k is alot of mileage for that price.

I know on ebay u can check prices of sold listings. But i dont think u can do that on CL. And ebay will be high. The only way to really determine value is to call on all the othet jeeps like yours that are for sale. And see what price u could get. That's what i end up doing when buying. Same would apply when selling.

 

[CharlesHS]

My experience when looking for a TJ was,,,, after searching for a couple months I stumbled across an '01 TJ Sport 4.0L 5 spd with 149K that was good mechanically, but just needed a lot of TLC. The Smittybilt soft top had tiny holes in the seams, the paint was terribly oxidized, the interior smelled slightly of mild dew due to the soft top, the carpet had numerous cigarette burns, the Smittybilt seat covers were terribly faded, but for 6K I really couldn't complain.

 

[LakeBeard]

 

[AndyG]

Just incidentally, have you guys see new and used car inventories and prices? Its pretty wild right now.

 

[CharlesHS]

Just incidentally, have you guys see new and used car inventories and prices? Its pretty wild right now.

A few months ago i looked at an OD green 2021 JL Sport 2 dr hard top at the Poway, CA Jeep dealership; I was amazed the asking price for the Jeep was $39,600.

 

[Hog]

I would say start at 27k... I’ve been on the hunt for a few months now and every rubicon I see under 20k gets bought up in minutes that is in good condition and has nice accessories...

 

[Moab]

My experience when looking for a TJ was,,,, after searching for a couple months I stumbled across an '01 TJ Sport 4.0L 5 spd with 149K that was good mechanically, but just needed a lot of TLC. The Smittybilt soft top had tiny holes in the seams, the paint was terribly oxidized, the interior smelled slightly of mild dew due to the soft top, the carpet had numerous cigarette burns, the Smittybilt seat covers were terribly faded, but for 6K I really couldn't complain.

Thats exactly what i did. Same price and everything. Shitty top. Everything sun fried. Bad tires. But i got it for 6k. Look at my build thread. Shes a beautiful stock daily driver.

 

[Rubicon88]

I would say closer to 18k in Socal. Everything is more expensive here.

I would agree about mods. In that your never going to get back what you "added" to the vehicle. A small percentage.

Pics mean alot too. We cant see the actual condition of anything without more detailed pics.

Need to consider that you are in PA and he is in S.CA where demand and prices for Jeep’s are dramatically higher than in other states which is why I posted the negotiable price I did.
When I was looking for a TJ while in CA Jan ‘01; the prices for TJRs were much higher than 13-15K.
That price would only get you a TJ Sport 4.0L in decent condition.
I found TJRs going for 19-20K and LJRs going for slightly more; built ones could go for slightly more.

Yes and no...

While geography always plays a small part the internet and shipping companies have changed everything. Your customer audience is no longer local and shipping companies are phone call away.

I have access to some things auto auction related y'all don't but I can give you a tip that will get you a reality check of real world values.
Pull up whatever you're curious about on ebaymotors. Make sure you choose the completed listings.
You'll see really quick real world values. Number of bids, equipment, mileage, etc.
You can see how high they got if not sold and or it did get sold and for what price.

This is particularly paramount with the subject vehicle because they're getting more scarce by the day and it's your best bet for something comparable.

We are talking about an industry still buyer driven...right?

I just now took a look on there to see what you guys will see...

Here is a 2005 LJ with 92,000 miles.
While not a Rubicon it claims "built"...it's Florida clean ... you can see some extras.
So let's just say the fact it's an LJ while the TJ is a Rubicon will be a wash...this "built" "clean" LJ has 60k less miles and that is also significant. It's a year newer.
It got 56 bids but ended unsold @ $16,400

https://www.ebay.com/itm/2748102306...d=link&campid=5337789113&toolid=20001&mkevt=1
Here we have a 2006 LJ Rubicon in Pennsylvania with nearly half the mileage.
This thing looks showroom clean underneath. Astoundingly clean underneath.
Professionally built...Currie this, Johnny joint that...blah blah...full page of the build stuff.
Completed sale @ $20,000

https://www.ebay.com/itm/2651546582...d=link&campid=5337789113&toolid=20001&mkevt=1
So how much more valuable is a 2 year newer, LJ Rubicon with 70k less mileage and a ton of equipment?


Now this one is a closer comparable...
https://www.ebay.com/itm/1247153833...d=link&campid=5337789113&toolid=20001&mkevt=12005 Rubicon TJ. It's even black.
But...it's a year newer..has 50k less mileage....
This thing has all the extra equipment... big brakes...and top shelf equipment. A lot and a lot of expensive stuff. The winch is a Warn...as example.
This ended at $15,700 and it has a buy it now of $18,500.
Actually the buy it now was just added as I'm typing this ironically.
This is in Salida, CO.

I stand by what I said earlier.
I hope the OP can get a million dollars for it but the number on the OP's Jeep...
2004 Rubicon with 150k
is 13-15k

 

[Rubicon88]

To add one more....

Here is a fairly close comparable
LJ Rubicon with 144k.
Miles are close ... equipment...probably close..
Texas Jeep
https://www.ebay.com/itm/1147136657...d=link&campid=5337789113&toolid=20001&mkevt=1It was sold with 32 bids for $14,999

I wish it were more but the OP's Jeep is 13-15k

 

[Rick Flair]

Have my 04 TJR with 62k on it, don’t have as many mods but similar build up for $19,900….



Only listed here so my market is small, but no action.



If I hit up FBMP or BAT, it might go quick. Or not.


I did just sell my ‘15 F150 for a few thousand more than I paid a few years back after putting 30k miles on it….to a dealer. It was listed on FBMP and one person came to test drive, lots of internet tore kickers….but a online dealer bought it.





I’d say start at $20k, see what happens. But put it on FBMP and BAT. You need more exposure than here, this is a sight where I hate to admit Rubicon88 is right, is a builder sight for the most part and someone would have to want your exact build.

.02!

 

[Rubicon88]

Yes and no...

While geography always plays a small part the internet and shipping companies have changed everything. Your customer audience is no longer local and shipping companies are phone call away.

I have access to some things auto auction related y'all don't but I can give you a tip that will get you a reality check of real world values.
Pull up whatever you're curious about on ebaymotors. Make sure you choose the completed listings.
You'll see really quick real world values. Number of bids, equipment, mileage, etc.
You can see how high they got if not sold and or it did get sold and for what price.

This is particularly paramount with the subject vehicle because they're getting more scarce by the day and it's your best bet for something comparable.

We are talking about an industry still buyer driven...right?

I just now took a look on there to see what you guys will see...

Here is a 2005 LJ with 92,000 miles.
While not a Rubicon it claims "built"...it's Florida clean ... you can see some extras.
So let's just say the fact it's an LJ while the TJ is a Rubicon will be a wash...this "built" "clean" LJ has 60k less miles and that is also significant. It's a year newer.
It got 56 bids but ended unsold @ $16,400

https://www.ebay.com/itm/2748102306...d=link&campid=5337789113&toolid=20001&mkevt=1
Here we have a 2006 LJ Rubicon in Pennsylvania with nearly half the mileage.
This thing looks showroom clean underneath. Astoundingly clean underneath.
Professionally built...Currie this, Johnny joint that...blah blah...full page of the build stuff.
Completed sale @ $20,000

https://www.ebay.com/itm/2651546582...d=link&campid=5337789113&toolid=20001&mkevt=1
So how much more valuable is a 2 year newer, LJ Rubicon with 70k less mileage and a ton of equipment?


Now this one is a closer comparable...
https://www.ebay.com/itm/1247153833...d=link&campid=5337789113&toolid=20001&mkevt=12005 Rubicon TJ. It's even black.
But...it's a year newer..has 50k less mileage....
This thing has all the extra equipment... big brakes...and top shelf equipment. A lot and a lot of expensive stuff. The winch is a Warn...as example.
This ended at $15,700 and it has a buy it now of $18,500.
Actually the buy it now was just added as I'm typing this ironically.
This is in Salida, CO.

I stand by what I said earlier.
I hope the OP can get a million dollars for it but the number on the OP's Jeep...
2004 Rubicon with 150k
is 13-15k

Apparently those buyer driven values hurt LJ's feelings...but they are what they are.

Here is about as clean of a unit as you'll find. Two years newer...
Zero mods.
Similar mileage.
https://www.ebay.com/itm/2034762408...d=link&campid=5337789113&toolid=20001&mkevt=1No auction...just a buy it now...
With "or best offer"
$16,950 or best offer.

I don't know who suggested 25 or 28k but c'mon...that's just fantasy.

Reality of it is the OP has a
13-15k Jeep.