What do you guys think about this 2005 LJ Rubicon?

EJ4130 · Jul 27, 2019

Gents,

Long time listener, first time caller here. I've been looking for the "right" LJR for the past couple years, and have appreciated following along on several of these threads. Thanks in advance for any input.

I found this LJR recently, and thought I'd see what others thought about the market value on this one... I'll do my best to attach the pics that the dealer sent over as well.

https://www.findlaychrysler.com/used-Findlay-2005-Jeep-Wrangler-Rubicon-1J4FA64SX5P346328
Thanks,
E

Viking Jeeper · Jul 27, 2019

I would seriously consider this Jeep but you have to make sure the frame is in good condition and in OH it may not be. I'm looking also and many people on this forum are going to think this is overpriced but it is what they seem to go for. Locally someone had one with 41,000 miles on it. Asking close to $27. It was gone in less than a week so I assume he got something close to asking price and it did not have a hardtop, those bring lots of $ in good shape. It appears that the owner of this Jeep did some very light mods with bumpers, lights, clear running light covers etc.

EJ4130 · Jul 27, 2019

Pics attached...

Starrs · Jul 27, 2019

EJ4130 · Jul 27, 2019

A few notes as well...

-Local trade-in with its entire life in Ohio
-New front tires (don't exactly match rears)
-Rock guards/sliders appear to be for a TJ (not an LJ)

Starrs · Jul 27, 2019

Nowhere near worth 19k. Rust everywhere

EJ4130 · Jul 27, 2019

Agree. Yet where does the market put something like this... 12.5K?

Starrs · Jul 27, 2019

Not even worth that. Horrible lift, and rust. You’d be spending will over 7k to make it right. Does the cummin at ha sticker go with the sale?

EJ4130 · Jul 27, 2019

Keeping my fingers crossed for the sticker...Haha.

Thx for the feedback. It does seem like the market is all over the place for these. Dealer pics vs. under frame pics can tell two completely different stories. It seems like its hard to find something between super nice and this...

Viking Jeeper · Jul 27, 2019

Rusty...

Powdermonkey · Jul 27, 2019

I’m not a rust snob like @Starrs but I’ll have to agree with him on this one. Do yourself a favor and look outside of the Midwest. Plane tickets are cheap!

Hell just follow (is that a feature on here) starrs and he will do the leg work.

Starrs · Jul 27, 2019

@EJ4130 your welcome

https://www.carricksautos.com/2005-...-Auto*-Hard-Top*-Rare*-69k-m-Plano-TX/6662781

EJ4130 · Jul 27, 2019

May not be a bad option...Lifelong TX jeep. Thoughts on carfax and auction vehicles? Appears that it had a bit of work done over last several months, and has seen the auction ring twice in that span.

Starrs · Jul 27, 2019

My raptor that I traded in a few years ago was sold at an auction when I traded it in. I wouldn’t let that stop me. If a certain dealership isn’t having luck selling a certain type of vehicle they usually try and move it at an auction.

Chris · Jul 28, 2019

Starrs said:
Nowhere near worth 19k. Rust everywhere

X2. I wouldn't pay anywhere close to 19k for this.

Personally I wouldn't touch it at all. From what I can see, this is a rust bucket that is probably hiding a lot more than meets the eye.

That price is laughable at best.

mrblaine · Jul 28, 2019

EJ4130 said:
Keeping my fingers crossed for the sticker...Haha.

Thx for the feedback. It does seem like the market is all over the place for these. Dealer pics vs. under frame pics can tell two completely different stories. It seems like its hard to find something between super nice and this...

Someone has played some funny games with the stock control arms. That piece welded in does not belong there. I would be concerned over the rust level of them as well as the flexibility that has been removed causing a failure. Someone has half heatedly tried to hide the rust with spray bedliner and some black paint. In this part of the world, that would qualify as a totaled rig with that much rust.

Starrs · Jul 28, 2019

Chris said:
X2. I wouldn't pay anywhere close to 19k for this.

Personally I wouldn't touch it at all. From what I can see, this is a rust bucket that is probably hiding a lot more than meets the eye.

That price is laughable at best.

AndyG · Jul 28, 2019

Negative Ghostrider.

Flivver250 · Jul 28, 2019

Run! It would be a great chemistry lesson however. Here is a good license plate for that that one. Fe2O3

JEEPCJTJ · Jul 29, 2019

This LJ is a good example of what dealers do.

Dealer: Their pictures show it spruced it up pretty good and with the hard top it looks like $17,500 would be about right, so they ask $19,500.

Reality: Your pictures show a TJ that looks like it has done a decent job of surviving 14 yrs in Ohio but it's not worth anywhere near the $17,500 I came up with. The questionable modifications will lower that number and the amount of actual rust between the frame and skid plate and inside the frame will bring it down further.

With the hard top and those wheels I'd call it a great looking $7500 Ohio LJ, but offer $6000 only if they put on decent LJ rock sliders and Bartact seat covers. Finding more frame rust without holes would lower my offer.

Frame rust with holes? I'll take $250 to tow it away from them. Plus mileage since I'm across the state.

What do you guys think about this 2005 LJ Rubicon?

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