Why have TJs come down in price?

James9100

TJ Enthusiast
Original poster
Joined
May 3, 2021
Messages
648
Location
Saskatchewan, Canada
I check out the current prices of TJs on Kijiji/Marketplace semi-regularly. I'm not planning on selling at this point but have been considering the idea of selling my TJ before it hits 250,000KM (currently just under 230k, thankfully I don't put a lot of mileage on my TJ so I've still got some time).
I was looking at prices and in my neck of the woods you can get a decent looking TJ (according to ad pics) with under 200,000KM for under $10kCAD quite easily which I find kinda crazy because the same TJs would've been going for $15kCAD easy a couple years ago, which is even crazier. To give another comparison I got my TJ with 217,000KM for $7250CAD back in 2017.
What caused the current price drop? What causes the fluctuation year to year?
Curious to hear your guys' thoughts on this.
 
because at this stage of their existence they're mostly toys rather than vehicles that the average Joe daily drives, and when prices of everything else we consume have risen double digits since 2020 it has the cumulative effect of squeezing out any cash most people had to piss away on toys like TJs.
 
Covid everyone wanted to be outside. All the RV, boat, recreational vehicle markets exploded plus the added chip shortage. Supply and demand, half those people are back to "regular life" and don't have time to use them so more on the market/less desirable.
 
Joe Biden GIF by GIPHY News
 
Seasonal too Id say. Not everyone thinks a jeep us the best thing in snow and sub 0 temps

Funny you say this as I just had a convo on this very subject with a neighbor last weekend. I'm about half way through 50 and grew up in a relatively rural area of PA, and when I was a kid I distinctly remember Jeeps being cheap to buy in the spring and summer, and more expensive to buy in the fall and winter....because people used them as utility vehicles. Seasonal, indeed, but the exact opposite of how people use the vehicles now, it seems. Funny how times have changed...
 
I don't think it takes a doctorate in econ to figure it out. The main drivers are that the banks tend not to loan for 20+ year old cars at the same rates as new ones and all rates are up. Most Americans don't have $1500 in cash savings and need to buy on credit. Secondarily there are more competitive offroad capable options than ever out there, many more comfortable to drive, deemed more reliable, better fuel economy, more power, more practical, safer... On the toy side of the market, side-by-side lifted golf carts have completely undercut them.

Seasonal too Id say. Not everyone thinks a jeep us the best thing in snow and sub 0 temps

Growing up driving in Colorado snow and alot of it, it is one of the worst vehicles I've driven in snow and ice unless the snow is deep (6"+). The short wheelbase doesn't do it any favors tracking straight or stable in snow and they're easy to spin. It's our last choice of 3 cars for a long drive in the snow.
 
I like to think it’s to make up for the cost of ownership 😂. The cost of modification parts is up 25% this year alone. I’m very grateful I did many of my mods already as I don’t know that I would want to spend the 2025 money on a Jeep for the same results.
Get them know because historically they only get more expensive over time.
 
...I distinctly remember Jeeps being cheap to buy in the spring and summer, and more expensive to buy in the fall and winter...
At a time when most cars were rear wheel drive only, a Jeep could get you around in the snow better than most other vehicles.

..it is one of the worst vehicles I've driven in snow and ice unless the snow is deep (6"+). The short wheelbase doesn't do it any favors tracking straight or stable in snow and they're easy to spin...
They're no better or worse now than they ever were, but with most cars now having FWD or AWD, the whole equation has changed. I take the Jeep out in the heavy snow for fun, but most of the time my wife's AWD car is much better.
 
At a time when most cars were rear wheel drive only, a Jeep could get you around in the snow better than most other vehicles.

People had "hair on their nuts" then as well, we actually got measurable snow and continued to function. Seems like if a dusting occurs here nowadays, everything shuts down and the groceries are stripped of toilet paper and bread (the combo of which I will never fathom), yet everyone's driving an AWD SUV or some variant of "Wall-O-Truck" monstrosity in 4x4... :D
 
Funny you say this as I just had a convo on this very subject with a neighbor last weekend. I'm about half way through 50 and grew up in a relatively rural area of PA, and when I was a kid I distinctly remember Jeeps being cheap to buy in the spring and summer, and more expensive to buy in the fall and winter....because people used them as utility vehicles. Seasonal, indeed, but the exact opposite of how people use the vehicles now, it seems. Funny how times have changed...
No offence to the real jeepers but I do believe much is "fad" inspired. I've had a lot of jeeps and vehicles, mostly big heavy 4x4's. The jeeps have been the worst in snow and on ice for us. Can say the FJ40ies were any better. The wifes 4runner reigns king for our use. We lived at 7500 ele in the western mtns, never a worry driving a hour of two on fresh snow covered roads. Granted a lifter,locked jeep in the right hands would do better but in stock form. 🤩 The absolute worst is my F250 CC 4x4. But what should I expect, a 7000lb 4wd boat anchor.
 
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I bought mine right before prices skyrocketed during the rona if that makes you guys feel better. Perfect timing

I did similar. Picked mine up in '17, and probably should have sold it post 'vid. There was a local one for sale (and sold) in '22 that was very similar to mine but with double the miles, and it had a $16K price on it. I spent $7,500 getting mine. I think I missed my opportunity. Oh well, I still enjoy my toy.