Sentimental Value is Pretty Expensive These Days

06MegaCab

Well-Known Member
Joined
Jul 15, 2013
Location
Indian Land
I am looking hard to find a Green, Dark Blue, or Burgandy TJ for around $5000.

OK, just to vent. Why on earth do these people on craigslist that have a 1997 TJ with 200,000 miles, a 4 cyl, a 4 inch lift, 33s, a winch, and fender flares think their jeeps are worth 12,000? Its driving me ABSOLUTELY INSANE.

Anyone here know of any websites other than these that I can look on?

These are the ones Im using now:
Craigslist
Pirate 4x4
NC4x4
Cars.com
Autotrader
JK Owners

Id like some input on some other websites to use, but it may also be fun to post up some outrageous offers on here. Kinda like the typical craigslist thread but instead of redneck engineering its people who are selling jeeps for Ferrari prices. Donno maybe I just have too much free time on a Friday night......
 
Heres a good one - dont get me wrong GREAT looking jeep but its a 17 year old jeep with a salvage title - 10,500

Am I missing something here?

http://raleigh.craigslist.org/cto/4306181489.html

Disclaimer: sorry if somehow I have my typical luck and this is a forum member's ad and make them angry but geeeeeez.
 
Some words of advise,you better have your money ready if/when the right deal comes along because deals are few and far between on wranglers and they go quick.Might try Jeepforum.com
 
ahhhhh. THATS the one I couldnt remember. Thank you
 
06MegaCab said:
Heres a good one - dont get me wrong GREAT looking jeep but its a 17 year old jeep with a salvage title - 10,500

Am I missing something here?

http://raleigh.craigslist.org/cto/4306181489.html

Disclaimer: sorry if somehow I have my typical luck and this is a forum member's ad and make them angry but geeeeeez.
Click to expand...
I sold one just like that(including the wheels) two years ago for $4500,paint wasnt as nice and the top had about 1 more winter left in it.Sold it in 2 days.
 
1-tonmudder said:
I sold one just like that(including the wheels) two years ago for $4500,paint wasnt as nice and the top had about 1 more winter left in it.Sold it in 2 days.
Click to expand...

Dang I would have snatched that up in a heartbeat. Im obsessed with that Green/Spice color combo I have no idea why.
 
I pass a couple fairly stock TJs on my way to work at 8-10 k.

I've always thought if I ever sold mine what would I ask and I'm sure I'd get your similar reaction if I ever put a price tag on it.

But here's what to look for (stolen from wranglerforum.com)

The best of the best as follows:

2003 and 2004 with the upgraded 4 speed automatic, 4.0 engine, with the optional Dana 44 rear diff, is just bullet proof.
These years have the capability of 300,000 miles or more, with no major repairs needed.
These have earned a rating of 5 STARS *****

The next best are the 2005 and 2006 as follows:

These have all of the upgrades of the 2003 and 2004, but have a serious OIL PUMP DRIVE GEAR FAILURE in the 4.0 engines, with no current Chrysler/Jeep known update repair. So this has down graded there rating somewhat.
These have earned a 4 STARS ****.

The next best are the 1997, through 1999 as follows:

These have been in general well built, and also somewhat bullet proof, with the 4.0 engine.
These have also earned a 4 STAR ****

The year 2000, is the WORST ever built as follows:

This one equipped with the 4.0 engine, cracks cylinder heads, has a 3 speed automatic transmission that has ongoing pump failures, cracking exhaust manifolds, a weak radiator that will burst at any time.
THIS IS THE WORST YEAR WRANGLER, AND SHOULD HAVE NEVER BEEN MANUFACTURED, WHAT A PIECE OF JUNK!!!!!!!
This year has earned a minus -1 STAR.
 
Instead of craigslist I always use searchtempest. It combines all the different craigslists within a 250 mile radius in one search. So you don't have to search Raleigh Craigslist and then search Charlotte and then Winston and so forth and so on.
 
dang this has turned out to be incredibly helpful thanks! That searchtempest might change my life haha

Its good to know the differences between the years in the TJ model. the 97s tend to be showing up the most for me in my budget range.

XJfreak - thats close but Im looking for a manual with a little better paint. I know I will end up scraping it all of eventually but I would like to start with something nice first. Right now my budget is more around the $5000 range. I found one from a dealer for 6000 but I just dont have the funds right now. Im thinking it will probably be August or so before I pull the trigger on one unless there is just an absolute cant pass up deal that shows its face.
 
If you don't have the cash now, there is no point in looking and you are wasting everyones time.

If your expecting to find a better deal for $3000, your expectations are very unrealistic in the world of TJs.

Good luck.
 
A stock green 03 6cyl. manual w 170k and softop for $6995 in Raleigh. guy said they could work on the price w cash offers. globalmotorsnc.com if you want to check it out online. I looked and the online add says 7995, the guy on the phone said 6995 and I think they may have had it for a while and want it gone!
 
Last edited:
EdJonesJeeper said:
I pass a couple fairly stock TJs on my way to work at 8-10 k.

I've always thought if I ever sold mine what would I ask and I'm sure I'd get your similar reaction if I ever put a price tag on it.

But here's what to look for (stolen from wranglerforum.com)

The best of the best as follows:

2003 and 2004 with the upgraded 4 speed automatic, 4.0 engine, with the optional Dana 44 rear diff, is just bullet proof.
These years have the capability of 300,000 miles or more, with no major repairs needed.
These have earned a rating of 5 STARS *****

The next best are the 2005 and 2006 as follows:

These have all of the upgrades of the 2003 and 2004, but have a serious OIL PUMP DRIVE GEAR FAILURE in the 4.0 engines, with no current Chrysler/Jeep known update repair. So this has down graded there rating somewhat.
These have earned a 4 STARS ****.

The next best are the 1997, through 1999 as follows:

These have been in general well built, and also somewhat bullet proof, with the 4.0 engine.
These have also earned a 4 STAR ****

The year 2000, is the WORST ever built as follows:

This one equipped with the 4.0 engine, cracks cylinder heads, has a 3 speed automatic transmission that has ongoing pump failures, cracking exhaust manifolds, a weak radiator that will burst at any time.
THIS IS THE WORST YEAR WRANGLER, AND SHOULD HAVE NEVER BEEN MANUFACTURED, WHAT A PIECE OF JUNK!!!!!!!
This year has earned a minus -1 STAR.
Click to expand...
Not sure why they think the 2000 models are so bad. A 3 speed auto and cracking manifolds is a bad feature of all early TJ's. The radiator was a terrible design, but beyond that there are a lot of good things, It was the first year of the NV3550, coil over plug ignition, and the best intake design, better NVH on the engine, and, MOST IMPORTANTLY the first year Solar Yellow was a color option! Hahaha.
Also, the rollbar plastic and padding are overboard on the 03-newer TJ's.
 
Why? Have you seen the prices on the new wranglers? Off the show room floor it's not uncommon to see a $40k wrangler. Every freaking soccer mom and yuppie dad wants to sport around the concrete jungle in a lifted jeep with street lock rims that'll never see the edge of pavement. This in turn drives the resale asking price of used wranglers through the roof. People want the rugged go anywhere tough guy/gal look, and they're willing to pay through the nose for it.

Or, I have no idea of the current value of the dollar and I'm stuck in 1997.

It blows me away that someone will pay $10-$12-$15k on a 12-15 year old wrangler cause they want to look cool, but no one will give more than $3-4k on a CJ of comparable condition.
 
shawn said:
Who is the target audience here? Better be one-legged disabled vets... because they're the only people that have any business behind the wheel of a TJ with an automatic transmission.
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Ah yes, the 42RLE. That transmission made me lots of $$$ over the years. Converter clutches fail, clog up the filter and valve body and overheat the transmission. Add oversize tires to the mix and it's time for overhaul.
 
Yeah I won't touch anything without a manual transmission in a jeep. Honestly I don't think I would know how to crawl without one. Do you just feather the brake constantly in the auto?
 
He clearly was a shitty driver. I've done ure in just about every jeep factory combo there is and autos do the best on the rocks

Rarely do I have to put it in 1-2

As with a manual you can't relax at ure bc everyone goes under 3 mph on the trail and your constantly up and down shifting

In a 97 4 banger Tj I did Daniel stock on 31s with a auto , no struggle
Also done same set up with a manual 4 banger and was a lot harder to control the vehicle.
99% of buggies are automatics.....

Including the 4 speed.

Driver error imo
 
And something was wrong with his jeep is the wheels stopped turning lol I have never had that happen in any vehicle off road , my 4 banger would brake an axle before it stopped dead.
 
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