New Direction / Value of Current LJ

FadeToGray

TJ Enthusiast
Original poster
Supporting Member
Joined
Feb 4, 2019
Messages
201
Location
NH
I've decided I want to take a new direction with my Jeep, and it will be cheaper for me to just purchase a new one and start from scratch, rather than modifying my current LJ. So I wanted to see what you guys thought the approx value is of it if I do decide to list if for sale. The frame is solid, some surface rust but nothing major. Paint is fair, as it has quite a few scratches.
  • 2005 LJ (Black)
  • 196K Miles
  • Automatic
  • Both Hard Top and Bestop Safari Top (brand new, still in box)
  • Both Half Doors and Full Doors
  • Canyon Wheels
All of the modifications / repairs listed below have been done in the past 2 months.
  • OME 2" Lift (heavy springs)
  • JKS Front and Rear Adjustable Track Bars
  • JKS Front and Rear Sway Bar Links
  • New Sway Bar Bushings
  • 8 New Control Arms with Bushings
  • New Ball Joints
  • 4 New O2 Sensors
  • Eastern Catalyic Convertor
  • New Mopar Water Pump
  • WHDZ LED Headlights
  • Raxiom Windshield Mount Spot Lights with MBRP Brackets
  • Raxiom Bumper Mount Fog Lights
  • Warn VR8 Winch (steel line, brand new, not installed, still in box)
  • Drake Grill Insert
  • Wild Boar Metal Grab Handles
  • New Mopar Gas Cap
  • EAG Front Bumper
  • EAG Rear Bumper w/Tire Carrier
  • Smittybilt Rock Sliders
  • New Stock Look Fender Flares
  • RR Stubby Antenna (not yet installed, still in box)
  • AEV Front Hawse License Plate Mount (not yet installed, still in box)
  • Rock Hard Rear TIre Carrier License Plate Mount (not yet installed, still in box)
Other modifications / repairs done prior to me purchasing the Jeep.
  • JVC Stereo Head Unit
  • Four 30" General ATX Tires (fairly new, the spare is not a General but a Goodyear)
  • Rebuilt Transmission (40K miles ago)

IMG_1372.webp


IMG_1374.webp


IMG_1376.webp


IMG_1378.webp


IMG_1380.webp


IMG_1381.webp


IMG_1383.webp
 
Last edited:
13-15k. 15k being the guy that can’t live without your LJ, and love all the mods you have already done.

Based on the mileage I was thinking closer at the $9k - $11k range. It's a lot of miles with good mods, but I think the mileage is the biggest concern. At 200k the buying pool dips...and here are few for sale in the same area:

160k miles for $8.8k - https://newlondon.craigslist.org/cto/d/groton-2005-jeep-wrangler-unlimited-lj/6883491301.html

160k miles for $9k - https://nh.craigslist.org/cto/d/hampstead-2006-jeep-wrangler-unlimited/6883451914.html

65k miles for $17.9k - https://boston.craigslist.org/sob/ctd/d/stoughton-2005-jeep-wrangler-unlimited/6882521078.html
 
  • Like
Reactions: Starrs and pagrey
Based on the mileage I was thinking closer at the $9k - $11k range. It's a lot of miles with good mods, but I think the mileage is the biggest concern. At 200k the buying pool dips...and here are few for sale in the same area:

8-12K is what I'd say out west. You'd get more with stock bumpers and no sliders out here too. I'd sell as much as you can if you have the time. You wont get anything on a package deal except a clean garage.
 
8-12K is what I'd say out west. You'd get more with stock bumpers and no sliders out here too. I'd sell as much as you can if you have the time. You wont get anything on a package deal except a clean garage.

Agreed. If the OP has the skillset to remove all/most mods and replace with stock, the net result should yield more dollars. When I sold my BMW I removed mods and sold independently of the car, which netted me more cash. When trying to sell the modded car nobody cared, or was willing to pay more, for the mods.

Like out west no sliders with stock bumpers may open up the door to more buyers as some, not all, buyers do not want chinese bumpers and would rather have stock or their preference of brand.

Same with winch, a Warn VR4 may have the same value as a Badland to a Buyer, as they are both coming from a Chinese factory, while a Buyer may only want a Warn M8000 or zeon, or the buyer may not want a winch and place a zero value on it.
 
Agreed with the above. More mods narrows your buying pool. If you're looking for a quick sale, either go low on the price or go back to as much stock as possible. If time is on your side, then by all means, wait til that certain buyer comes by.
 
  • Like
Reactions: skrelnik
We have to know the new plan . All the details , even your secret jeep fantasies . Everything , spill the beans man , spill the beans .
 
When trying to sell the modded car nobody cared, or was willing to pay more, for the mods.

This. You need to find a buyer who wants what you did and has the cash for it today (instead of incrementally paying for those mods) or you need to make the price attractive enough to make the buyer ignore what they don't like.
 
  • Like
Reactions: skrelnik
This. You need to find a buyer who wants what you did and has the cash for it today (instead of incrementally paying for those mods) or you need to make the price attractive enough to make the buyer ignore what they don't like.

Also consider if the Buyer needs any financing...the Bank sure is not adding any value to the Jeep for the mods, so the OPs ask price may be way higher than what the bank will lend for that car. Most banks will look at the NADA value to determine how much they will lend, and the NADA value on a 200k mile 2005 LJ is between $5,850and $10,375.

Screenshot_20190513-192432_Chrome.jpg

Screenshot_20190513-192424_Chrome.jpg
 
  • Like
Reactions: toximus
I bought the Jeep for $5,500 and have about $4,500 into it for the mods and repairs.

So I'd be happy getting around $9.5K - $10K for it.

Or maybe I'll put it back to stock as much as I can and go from there.

Or end up just keeping it because I'm crazy indecisive :)
 
  • Like
  • Wow
Reactions: 04 LJ and skrelnik
Man you are in it right .
 
I may be interested in the hard top and a few other things if you decide to separate and/or part out.