New Member From CT With Questions

[18thcenturyguy]

Hello all,

I’m Eric. I’ve owned two Jeeps in my life. First was an 05 TJ Sport, drove it for almost 13 years and had a lot of fun. Was in my 30s and was by far the best vehicle I ever owned. Unfortunately I sold it and bought a 370z, thinking I’d enjoy a sports car. That lasted about two years and four big speeding tickets later. So, then I bought a JK, the one in my profile pic. Hated it. Too big, didn’t feel like my old TJ, head gasket problems, exhaust manifold leaks, electrical issues, agh. Sold it. Been driving an Infinity Q60 since. Now I have the inch to buy another TJ.
I’ll be 50 next month, and my wife thinks I’m too old to have a Jeep again, especially one without all the luxuries of the new ones. But I fell in love with an 04 Rubicon that is for sale a half a mile down the street from me. It keeps calling to me. I find myself pulling over and checking it out every other day. The poor salesman has come down like three times in the price, and has called ma a few times.

This Rubicon has 90k on it and has been garage kept. Super clean, not a spot of rust. It’s an automatic and other than those oversized tires is bone stock. The top has never even been down. Some 70 year old guy sold it to them. Only owner. The price is now 17000.
Questions one: Can I go back to using a 20 year old Tj as my daily driver? I only drive 9 miles to work and back.
Question two: how to handle my wife, lol. Do I buy it and deal with the aftermath or spend days convincing her to let me buy it.
Question three: Do I need a Rubicon? Other than some dirt roads and light trails, it will never go rock crawling.
Question four: is that a decent price? I’ve done some looking around and prices are all over the place.
Question five: after 20 years, why am I still drawn to these old Jeeps? Lol

If and when I buy it, I’ll let everyone know. Hope to be a part of the Jeep community again.

 

[Westtown Willy]

I bought my TJ as a 50th birthday present to myself almost 7 years ago. I recommend you do the same.

You only live once, you already have 13 years of experience to understand precisely what the TJ is all about & how much you love it, this is a no-brainer.

Yes, you may use this response as certification you have made the correct choice, print it off and hand it to the wife if need be.

 

[18thcenturyguy]

Better to deal with attitude for a week than ask permission. Got it.

 

[txbemis69]

it’s easier to ask for forgiveness than to ask for permission. same amount of trouble either way. i’d say the price sounds reasonable if it’s in good condition.

 

[TWiG01]

Get it! I think if you can find a clean Rubi it’s always a good buy. Not that vehicles are an investment, but it’ll certainly hold its value a little better. And yes, it’ll be a fine DD as long as you’re ready for the drastic change from the Infiniti

 

[Chris]

You’re going to get better responses if your questions are broken into separate threads. Welcome to the forum also!

 

[ufatbasted]

if you decide to purchase check the frame inside and out for rust. They rust from the inside out.
Use a boroscope or long flexible magnet to check the inside of the frame.

Also aren't all dealer sales garage kept and owned by an old lady who only drove on sunny days??

 

[Jerry Bransford]

An '04 TJ Rubicon is a great year and model, it's what I drive and it's been great. That it's an automatic is even better, that really helps it on more difficult trails like I enjoy. And I really didn't seriously get into offroading until I hit 50 and I turn 76 in August.

And you're not too old, your wife just doesn't understand.

This is me and mine, I'm 75 in this photo. I was out rock crawling at my "Last Hurrah" desert/rock crawling run in SoCal before retiring to Florida this past May... where there is no effing wheeling. Note the name of my TJ just above the round yellow decal, that decal was made for me by a fellow Jeeper and I love it. (Geezer 1 was stolen 12 years ago)

 

[primetime4]

Turning 50, half a mile away, Rubi w/only 90k and for 16 grand. I think the stars are trying to tell you something. If the frame is in good shape I would treat myself to a 50th birthday I present and never look back. A Rubi like that would go for over 20k in most places. But it would be a shame to daily it. I would try to buy it as a second vehicle even if it means downsizing to an economy car for a daily. A TJ makes an ideal second vehicle in my opinion.

 

[TheBoogieman]

Hello all,


I’ll be 50 next month, and my wife thinks I’m too old to have a Jeep again.

You might be, but you're not too old to have a new wife that likes Jeeps.

 

[hardtailpan]

Damn, I'm in my 50s and own two Jeeps, guess I got to sell them as I'm too old!

About the Jeep, I'll say this: You do not need a Rubicon and you would be able to find something cheaper, probably around $10k or so that is in good shape. I'd stick with the 6 cylinder, and I'd probably try to look for an 02-04, most of those should have the better cylinder head and none of the issues with the 05-06, but in general, it probably doesn't matter much, especially if you know how to wrench. If you were a serious off roader a Rubicon might be the right choice, but for off road like you (and I) do, they just aren't necessary and you pay a lot for something you'll never appreciate or use.

Also, you do not want to daily drive one of these unless its not during the salted road season. These things just dissolve. You can find some good examples up north here, but it usually requires a lot of looking. If you're willing to pay $17k for a Rubi, you could get a nice example from down South for probably around $10k and pay to have it shipped up here. This Rubi may or may not be ok. If you are not familiar with looking for structural rust, be very careful. I've seen people bondo and undercoat frames up here and send em' to auction. Look at the underside really really well. There are many threads on what to look for and how to find it on this forum.

As for the wife, I can't help much there. I would tell her I want the Jeep as a toy vehicle. I would try to agree on how much you can spend on it. She may end up loving it, you never know. My wife doesn't care, and actually likes the Jeeps, tho she hates half doors for some reason, lol!

 

[hardtailpan]

You might be, but you're not too old to have a new wife that likes Jeeps.

That will likely cost a sh*tload more than $17k!

 

[TheBoogieman]

Questions one: Can I go back to using a 20 year old Tj as my daily driver? I only drive 9 miles to work and back.

Yes. I do.

Question two: how to handle my wife, lol. Do I buy it and deal with the aftermath or spend days convincing her to let me buy it.

Tell her Valentine's Day is coming up and you won't ask her for sex if she lets you buy it.

Question three: Do I need a Rubicon? Other than some dirt roads and light trails, it will never go rock crawling.

No. I didn't either, but my one owner Rubi only cost me $9500 when it had 120,000 miles on it.

Question four: is that a decent price? I’ve done some looking around and prices are all over the place.

It might be for CT. I grew up there and everything is expensive.

Question five: after 20 years, why am I still drawn to these old Jeeps? Lol

It's a Jeep and an addiction. There is no known cure. I'm on #20.

 

[TheBoogieman]

That will likely cost a sh*tload more than $17k!

That depends HOW you get rid of them. I have a nice flower garden out back.

 

[sam53]

Never to old. Got a 1948 cj-2a when I was 14. Drove the wheels off it till I was 20. Sold it but never got it out of my little head. So at 62 i bought an 01 sport, took it to the cabin by the BWCA in mn. Still live in Dakota, couldn't live without the TJ, so bought an 88,000 mile 03 rubi wrecked in Texas so my addiction is satisfied. Jerry is so right my 01 is an auto and the 03 is a manual, give anything for it to be an auto. If your rubi is spotless, 17 is fine.. I will be 70 in 10 days.

 

[Ruth]

Go for it! I AM a wife who just purchased a 1999 sport. I am almost 77. Started out with a CJ7 back in the 80s. Always owned a TJ until I gifted my 1998 sport to my grandson two years ago. I thought that was the end of the jeep fever, but the yearning came back; so I found another one the same gunmetal pearl and bought it. It is 100% stock. It even still has the cassette player. I love playing all my old tapes. So, "no" you are never too old. I refuse to drive a cell phone on wheels.

 

[wigsajumper]

Go for it. Turning 48 this year and I have no plans on selling my LJ. Tell the wife it was either a 2004 Jeep or a 2004 Mistress you went with the Jeep because it was less trouble.

 

[hardtailpan]

That depends HOW you get rid of them. I have a nice flower garden out back.

Brother, always love your posts and this was spot on!
Oh, and my wife is great, but that being said, I have a backhoe.....

 

[TWiG01]

An '04 TJ Rubicon is a great year and model, it's what I drive and it's been great. That it's an automatic is even better, that really helps it on more difficult trails like I enjoy. And I really didn't seriously get into offroading until I hit 50 and I turn 76 in August.

You're not too old, your wife just doesn't understand.

This is me and mine, I'm 75 in this photo. I was out rock crawling at my "Last Hurrah" desert/rock crawling run in SoCal before retiring to Florida this past May... where there is no effing wheeling. Note the name of my TJ just above the round yellow decal, that decal was made for me by a fellow Jeeper and I love it. (Geezer 1 was stolen 12 years ago)

View attachment 399679

Walker evans beadlocks

 

[Amberfire01Tj]

You know buying the Jeep is only the first step in spending money the wife may not happy about…there will be mods and upgrades you’ll want but hopefully not unexpected repairs.
Luckily my wife also enjoys off-roading and exploring so I’m actually the only one upset about money I’ve put into it