I've been keeping my prices on these models for the past couple of months before I got my LJ this past week. I'm in AZ and the prices Alex01 mentioned also lines up with what I saw.
- LJ: 14-16k in clean condition with less than 130k miles
- TJR: The two I saw dip below $12k was because both were over 155k miles. Asking prices usually topped around $18k, but some went over that if it was super low mileage and relatively stock.
- LJR: The cheapest one I saw was mentioned in this forum out in Vegas. Someone wanted $16k for a stock, sub 100k mile one. That was a fluke though. The ones I saw in my area started around $18k and quickly climbed from there.
Patience is key though. I started looking around September and let quite a few solid TJ deals pass by because I had my eye on an LJ. Since you mention you may have to wait a year, just keep a regular eye on Craigslist and other sites to get an idea of the market around your neck of the woods.
These are good numbers . Here is the key-
You have to be able to evaluate one and know is this a 13,000 TJ that’s ready to go or a 13,000 TJ that needs 5,000 -8000 in work?
Can this happen? In a heartbeat .
I paid top dollar for one with 20,000 miles, garage kept, and come to find out it was probably many , many trail miles. It was probably the worst one with that mileage I could have found. I have a knack for that stupidity. It had been wheeled, pressure washed underneath and garaged over and over.
The lift was outdated and dilapidated
The shocks were junk
the tires were so old they were no longer even made
the u joints were toast
the gears were wrong for the tires ,now catch this...at this point it’s lifted , set up for all this , and not even safe to drive....and I’m over 20k in when I started .
the winch was rusted inside
(Any one see this adding up ?)
Belt , fluids , hub bearings , had a bent rear axle , every bushing was cracked , dried shot , sway bar disconnects were junk, wiper blades , air box (preferred stock) cracked exhaust manifold, uffler on backwards and loose baffles , plugs , brake pads, belt pulley , and on and on .
Plus there were tons of things I just wanted ...savvy cable ,back up cam, , Bartact seat covers , new kc light covers , new windows , etc.
Now , I’m going even further ..,,all this , and it’s a manual . I had never had an automatic Jeep til I bought my second TJ this summer . The automatic will walk away from a the gappy NV 3550 5 speed plus it’s very effective in the rocks..,you can focus on the obstacle , not keeping the engine alive . I will likely never buy another manual. In short , I should have a stellar rig for what I have laid out ... it’s cool and fun , but it’s not what a TJ should be with this much invested . As I I was trying to buy my way out of all this , I still didn’t know enough , and did the wrong shocks and a lift that works but wasn’t what I needed really .
so what’s my point besides showing the world my mistakes?
As analytical as you are , and deliberate , with this forum and a year to learn...,,don’t let this happen to you .
Know what you want and learn to recognize it . Become really good at how to evaluate one. Know what you are looking for , and you will recognize it when you see it . I killed it on Rubicon #2 , I have 11,700 in it complete with 80,000 and no rust...New tires , new top, new fluids , Bartact seat covers , ready to go ....because I knew what I was looking at.
Good on you for working ahead . This is the place to be for good TJ know how . Hang around .
