what is my sell or trade-in value

ultrasnd

ultrasnd

New Member
Joined
Nov 28, 2016
Messages
10
Location
San Diego, CA, United States
I need the help of the forum. I have a 1998 TJ with 110,000 miles in perfect condition and is absolutely loaded with extras. I just turned 70 and now decided to trade it in on a new passenger car or sell it. But I have no idea of its value. I don't want to be taken advantage of nor do I want to ask or expect too much.

I've had the jeep for 14 years, 2nd owner I think, and have never abused it, using it only for hunting, fishing, and prospecting. I am outgrowing it now, and looking to sell or trade it in. I have attached several photos and here are a list of upgrades. It is currently licensed in the state of washington and passed smog tests there, although I currently have it in San Diego with me. I would appreciate your help. Thanks

HARD TOP & SOFT TOP
BESTOP BIKINI TOP
OR-FAB ROCK DOORS
MASTERCRAFT BAJA SEATS
REAR CARGO CUSTOM TOOL BOX
MASTERCRAFT 5 POINT SEATBELT HARNESS W/ ROLL BAR
WARN WINCH MODEL S9500i
STINGER FRONT BUMPER W/ DELTA LIGHTS
FRONT HEADLIGHT & SIGNAL LIGHT BAR TYPE PROTECTORS
DELTA SIDE LIGHTS ($100)
SAFARI SNORKEL
HI-LIFT JACK--MOUNTED ON HOOD
33 X 12.50R15LT ALL TERRAIN TOYO TIRES (ALMOST NEW)
ULTRA BLACK RIMS
REAR BUMPER & SWING OUT TIRE CARRIER
BUSHWACKER FENDER FLARES
LOCKING HOOD LATCHES
DIAMOND PLATE ROCKER GUARDS W/ TUBE RAILS
DIAMOND PLATE REAR CORNER GUARDS
RANCHO ADJUSTABLE SHOCKS
3.5” RUBICON EXPRESS LIFT KIT (
2 FIRE EXTINGUISHERS W / HOLDERS
HARD TOP SUSPENSION CABLE/RATCHET FOR CEILING STORAGE

jeep-back (1).JPG


jeep-5 pt harness (1).JPG


jeep-front (1).JPG


jeep-left side (2).JPG


jeep-right side (1).JPG
 
Personally I'd give you about 15-18k but I already have a jeep and that's what custom TJs go for in my region...


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
 
It won't be worth trading it in. A dealership won't give you anywhere near what it's worth. I would definitely sell it to a private party. It looks to be rust free and in pretty good shape. If it's a 4.0 liter i think you could sell it for 15k - 17k. And remember San Diego sales tax is going to be around 8% so anyone buying it local will have to incure another $1300 in sales tax and have to register it in California. Registering an out of state vehicle in California is a pain in the but. So why does your photo show Montana plates if it's registered in Washington?
 
Ultimately it's largely going to depend on where you're located.

TJs in different parts of the country are vastly different in terms of resale price.

A good example is a clean TJ Rubicon. You can't find them for any less than about 18k (rust free and in good condition) up here in the Pacific Northwest, but that's because we don't really have rust issues up here. So they'll sell between 18k to 23k all day long, no questions asked.

However, in a state where there's rust issues, the same vehicle would go for 14k sometimes (assuming it's got rust on it).

So, my suggestion is to browse your local Craigslist and see what people are asking for vehicles in similar condition.

The one thing that's going to determine value more than anything else (to an educated TJ buyer) is rust. If you have serious rust on the underside, it's going to dramatically reduce the value of your vehicle.

As for trade-in value, well, a dealer will only give you what the KBB trade in value says it's worth. They won't give you a penny more for any modifications you've done.
 
  • Like
Reactions: JP98 and glwood
Chris said:
Ultimately it's largely going to depend on where you're located.

TJs in different parts of the country are vastly different in terms of resale price.

A good example is a clean TJ Rubicon. You can't find them for any less than about 18k (rust free and in good condition) up here in the Pacific Northwest, but that's because we don't really have rust issues up here. So they'll sell between 18k to 23k all day long, no questions asked.

However, in a state where there's rust issues, the same vehicle would go for 14k sometimes (assuming it's got rust on it).

So, my suggestion is to browse your local Craigslist and see what people are asking for vehicles in similar condition.

The one thing that's going to determine value more than anything else (to an educated TJ buyer) is rust. If you have serious rust on the underside, it's going to dramatically reduce the value of your vehicle.

As for trade-in value, well, a dealer will only give you what the KBB trade in value says it's worth. They won't give you a penny more for any modifications you've done.
Click to expand...
That. :emoji_arrow_up:
 
  • Like
Reactions: Chris
I am assuming that you are selling this due to the issue of not being able to register it in the state of California, as per your one other post. Just curious as to why in each case you posted a question, you have not followed up on the answers given. Everyone here wants to help you with your questions, but we are going to need feedback once advice or input is given. Help us help you!
 
  • Like
Reactions: Chris
glwood said:
I am assuming that you are selling this due to the issue of not being able to register it in the state of California, as per your one other post. Just curious as to why in each case you posted a question, you have not followed up on the answers given. Everyone here wants to help you with your questions, but we are going to need feedback once advice or input is given. Help us help you!
Click to expand...

Hello and thank you for the replies. I will try and answer all the questions and feel free to ask any additional questions that come to mind. Yes it is rust free because it has seen little snow use, even in Montana. Most of its life, it was used in the state of washington where it is currently licensed, titled and has passed smog testing. I moved to Montana in 2008 where I bought a horse ranch and then retired there. I titled and licensed it there with no difficulties. It was driven very little there as I had a new Silverado. Pictures show Montana license because it was licensed back there although I had moved back to Washington (2014, I think) by the time these photos were taken. I am currently living in San Diego since August 2016 where I now have the jeep. I had issues with smog control in California where I am assuming I am not alone with issues with them. Washington licensing and tags are up to date here and I continue to drive it occasionally but tentatively plan to take it back to Washington this spring or summer and trade it in or sell it outright, where smog tests are not such an issue as CA. I may try again at another smog station in CA. I thought as much as some say that trade in value will be minimal and thank you for the input. Please let me know if you have any other questions or comments as they would be appreciated. I may put the jeep for sale in classified too. Any suggestions or comments on this? Thanks again.
 
glwood said:
I am assuming that you are selling this due to the issue of not being able to register it in the state of California, as per your one other post. Just curious as to why in each case you posted a question, you have not followed up on the answers given. Everyone here wants to help you with your questions, but we are going to need feedback once advice or input is given. Help us help you!
Click to expand...

OK, did a reply in my last post answering most questions I think, but have not read any more replies. Anybody got a reasonable idea of the value of my custom jeep? The one thing I did get from the forum responses is that trading it in would not get the best value. I will list it for sale in Washington State (Seattle) where it is currently licensed and passed smog tests.
 
I'll play! I would think here in Ohio, you could look at possibly listing it for $10-12K. Unfortunately, you can't always expect to get your money back for most "add-on's", the same goes for Harleys. I see alot of people trying to sell an $8000 bike for $12000 because they have added a ton of chrome, etc.
As Chris said, it all depends on location. What sells for $10k here may go for $15k somewhere else, or less.
I would look on Craigslist or an Auto trader type magazine, if you have them there, to see what others similar to yours are going for in your area. Trading it in will surely get you less. Also, have you checked Kelly Blue Book for the base price? Good Luck!
 
SELL PRIVATE !! Dealerships have no idea of how well TJs hold value, or they do know and want to lowball you and make $$$$. I bought my TJR in 2010 for $13,800. The Subaru Dealer took it on a trade the day before. Yours, it looks great. Lots of desirable mods. Driven by an old fart..... Start at $15K... or higher. Eventually a kid or mid life crisis will show up. Time is on your side.
 
Realistic value is in the 10-12,000 range in some place where you can actually sell it. Your San Diego market will bring you a higher price but as you know, it has to pass smog to transfer title.

Private sale with patience and persistence will get you the most return. The 98 year will hurt you the most over mileage. What will hurt the most is the smog issue.

To put that into perspective, I wouldn't give you more than about 6000 for it as it sits as is where is.
 
billiebob said:
SELL PRIVATE !! Dealerships have no idea of how well TJs hold value, or they do know and want to lowball you and make $$$$. I bought my TJR in 2010 for $13,800. The Subaru Dealer took it on a trade the day before. Yours, it looks great. Lots of desirable mods. Driven by an old fart..... Start at $15K... or higher. Eventually a kid or mid life crisis will show up. Time is on your side.
Click to expand...
No, dealerships absolutely know what the value is around here. The second part is right, they want you to think they have no value because the better they are at that, the more money they make.
 
Top Bottom
Back