Advice on Rubi offer

[Markus]

Hello, I am Markus ( newbie), owner of a 98 TJ Sahara. I have a shot at a Rubi at a dealer about an hour from me. It's an '05 with 135k. They have it listed for 13,600. Provided it is solid, frame and body, any thoughts on a fair price to negotiate to? I was thinking maybe if I could get it for around 11K, I might pull the trigger. It is pretty stock, but for a lift and bigger tires (not sure size). I'm asking for pics of frame and any blemishes before I make the drive, but they are claiming tiny surface rust at door hinges, and surface only on frame.

 

[Chris]

To be honest, if it has a clean rust free frame, their asking price would be nothing short of a steal. 11k would be a low ball offer for a clean, rust free Rubicon IMHO.

You can start at 11k and see. I suspect if they have it priced that low, it probably has rust on the frame.

I'm curious to hear what you find.

 

[Markus]

To be honest, if it has a clean rust free frame, their asking price would be nothing short of a steal. 11k would be a low ball offer for a clean, rust free Rubicon IMHO.

You can start at 11k and see. I suspect if they have it priced that low, it probably has rust on the frame.

I'm curious to hear what you find.

 

[Markus]

Thanks Chris! They have been promising pics all day. I'm planning to go tomorrow, but I'm worried about them not coming through with them - I am thinking there is rust they don't wanna talk about I asked for close-ups of those hinges and of the frame, particularly around control arms. I'll let u know what happens. Thanks for the input!

 

[Chris]

No problem at all! If they get back to you with the pics to asked for, that means they aren't hiding anything. If they avoid it, then I would bet dollars to donuts they are trying to hide it.

That's a really good price if it's truly rust free. But the rust around the hinges makes me think that there's something lurking beneath.

 

[Michael Roberson]

Considering Rubicon's go from 16k to 26k around here, if it's in good shape, that's a great price.


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[LTTJ]

Hello, I am Markus ( newbie), owner of a 98 TJ Sahara. I have a shot at a Rubi at a dealer about an hour from me. It's an '05 with 135k. They have it listed for 13,600. Provided it is solid, frame and body, any thoughts on a fair price to negotiate to? I was thinking maybe if I could get it for around 11K, I might pull the trigger. It is pretty stock, but for a lift and bigger tires (not sure size). I'm asking for pics of frame and any blemishes before I make the drive, but they are claiming tiny surface rust at door hinges, and surface only on frame.

For that mileage, I'd expect a Rubicon to be listed for at least 15K in my area if it is in good shape. I'd be careful to inspect it closely and look for rust or leaks.


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[Markus]

Guy some pics of the frame just now.

 

[Markus]

He didn't send the pics of "hinge surface rust", but says it is very light and only on the hinge plates. Im going up there tomorrow - I'll let u all know how I make out. Thanks again!

 

[billiebob]

I'm gonna say the frames been painted. Not necessarily a bad thing. The frame holes look good, clean, etc. But be diligent. Take a small ball peen hammer, tap the frames especially behind the axle and at the transfer case skid plate mounts. Should sound solid every where. But price for a Rubi is excellent.

 

[Markus]

I'm gonna say the frames been painted. Not necessarily a bad thing. The frame holes look good, clean, etc. But be diligent. Take a small ball peen hammer, tap the frames especially behind the axle and at the transfer case skid plate mounts. Should sound solid every where. But price for a Rubi is excellent.

That's what I was thinking. Has to be painted, but not rubberized - u can see the texture of the surface, etc. I'm definitely gonna check it out tomorrow, see what happens.

 

[Chris]

That frame has definitely been painted, no doubt about it. The non-smooth surface of the paint makes me concerned, only because it could be rust underneath that paint (hence the non-smooth surface).

Check it out in person and inspect very, very carefully. You do not want a Rubicon with massive amounts of frame rust, it will be a huge project you don't want to take on.

 

[Markus]

That frame has definitely been painted, no doubt about it. The non-smooth surface of the paint makes me concerned, only because it could be rust underneath that paint (hence the non-smooth surface).

Check it out in person and inspect very, very carefully. You do not want a Rubicon with massive amounts of frame rust, it will be a huge project you don't want to take on.

Thanks Chris. I will check it out carefully. In your opinion, if there is surface rust beneath the paint, is that ok as long as it is otherwise solid and not flake, or should it be a deal-breaker either way?

 

[Chris]

Thanks Chris. I will check it out carefully. In your opinion, if there is surface rust beneath the paint, is that ok as long as it is otherwise solid and not flake, or should it be a deal-breaker either way?

Surface rust, yes, but it's hard to tell with paint over it how bad the rust really is. Give it a nice bump with your palm or a really good rub with your hand. If there's any really bad rust, it should flake off, even if it has been painted over.

Any rust for me is a deal breaker, but I'm also willing to spend 20-25k for a rust free Rubicon (I paid 20k for mine), so that's a different story. Surface rust is acceptable, because it can be easily taken care of. It's the rust rot you want to watch out for!

 

[Markus]

Surface rust, yes, but it's hard to tell with paint over it how bad the rust really is. Give it a nice bump with your palm or a really good rub with your hand. If there's any really bad rust, it should flake off, even if it has been painted over.

Any rust for me is a deal breaker, but I'm also willing to spend 20-25k for a rust free Rubicon (I paid 20k for mine), so that's a different story. Surface rust is acceptable, because it can be easily taken care of. It's the rust rot you want to watch out for!

Ok. Thx! I'm taking a tack hammer . Hopefully they will let me tap around the frame with that. Otherwise, a good test drive including highway speeds, and a sharp eye out for any leaks, burnt oil, dirty coolant.... any other advice on things to look out for?

 

[Chris]

Ok. Thx! I'm taking a tack hammer . Hopefully they will let me tap around the frame with that. Otherwise, a good test drive including highway speeds, and a sharp eye out for any leaks, burnt oil, dirty coolant.... any other advice on things to look out for?

Rust is the big one. Other than that, just make sure it's not leaking any fluids and that it doesn't overheat.

If it's an automatic, make sure the transmission doesn't slip either!

 

[Marc L]

It has been painted, you can tell by some of the bolts and washers are black on the bottom but rust on the side. Looks as if they painted it and drove through some puddles to dirty it up a bit. Be careful and take all the advice above when looking at it. Mine had a bad tranny when I bought it that he hid by changing the fluid so it was fresh but the pan was full of shavings. But now it has a nice new one Thats the risk of buying used.. Good Luck!!

 

[Markus]

Rust is the big one. Other than that, just make sure it's not leaking any fluids and that it doesn't overheat.

If it's an automatic, make sure the transmission doesn't slip either!

I just left the dealer "to get lunch and consider". Rubicon is a six spd stick. The frame is great - just a little surface - holes are all clean-edged, and inside the frame is smooth all around. Engine missing (they ran a code on it, said #1 misfire). Check engine light came on during test drive. There is a knocking sound in the transfer case when the motor misses. The tub looks almost great, but for a rust-through on the drivers side floor board. Would need a patch for sure, but like I said, weirdly the rest of the tub looks great. High Beams don't work for some reason, maybe needs a new switch? Maybe a tiny bit of rear main seapage, but not enough to actually drip. I think that's everything. He was down to 11k when I walked out. Any thoughts?

 

[billiebob]

Amazing the dealer has not fixed all those things. So engine miss, 500. Rust thru on the floorboard.... There will be a lot of other hidden rust issues.... 2000?? HighBeams??? Wiring, module, maybe just burnt out HB Bulbs???? But say 1000... RMS yeah, common problem. I'd try to stay under $10K. Like offer $9K.... Walk if he doesn't want to settle at $9500. Those issues indicate this could be a money pit. If it needs tires? Offer $8K.

 

[Starrs]

I just left the dealer "to get lunch and consider". Rubicon is a six spd stick. The frame is great - just a little surface - holes are all clean-edged, and inside the frame is smooth all around. Engine missing (they ran a code on it, said #1 misfire). Check engine light came on during test drive. There is a knocking sound in the transfer case when the motor misses. The tub looks almost great, but for a rust-through on the drivers side floor board. Would need a patch for sure, but like I said, weirdly the rest of the tub looks great. High Beams don't work for some reason, maybe needs a new switch? Maybe a tiny bit of rear main seapage, but not enough to actually drip. I think that's everything. He was down to 11k when I walked out. Any thoughts?

When I went but mine the dealer barely budged on price albeit it was an 05 rubi with 19.5k miles on it. Told him it would prolly need newer tires soon because they were the same mtrs that came on it new. He came down 500. I should have fought harder, but I was obsessed and emotionally attached from the start with it. I prolly would have paid sticker anyway for it