Help Me Choose Please!

[TheBoogieman]

For reference I just picked up a 2006 LJ Rubicon, 6sp, 112,000, on board air, warn winch, 2” spacer lift. Came with hardtop and soft top (in good shape), 32”x10.50 tires on 15” rims, one time owner and most of the service records for 19K here in CA. Might have been a little high, but been looking for about year and was the first Rubicon I’ve seen for sale and was in good shape so made the jump. Compared to others I’ve seen for sale within a few hundred miles overall seemed like “decent deal”.

That's a good deal for Cali. 10 years ago I turned down a Rubi LJ with 125,000 miles on it, after talking the owner down to $10,000. People always bring up high post COVID prices, but 10 years ago that Jeep was still 10 years newer than it is today. Poor folks like me have to catch good deals.
p.s. I did pay top dollar for my white 03' auto with 26,000 miles on it though. $8,900 was KBB and that's what I paid. CNN now tells me I only did it because it was white and I'm a racist. That's why I watch FOX news.

 

[trojandawg]

That's a good deal for Cali. 10 years ago I turned down a Rubi LJ with 125,000 miles on it, after talking the owner down to $10,000. People always bring up high post COVID prices, but 10 years ago that Jeep was still 10 years newer than it is today. Poor folks like me have to catch good deals.
p.s. I did pay top dollar for my white 03' auto with 26,000 miles on it though. $8,900 was KBB and that's what I paid. CNN now tells me I only did it because it was white and I'm a racist. That's why I watch FOX news.
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Just white is bad enough now. No need to be racist lol.

 

[TheBoogieman]

Just white is bad enough now. No need to be racist lol.

One goes with the other these days. That's why I bought a red (American Indian) Jeep now. I still call the Washington Football team the REDSKINS though.

 

[Danarch]

Speaking of the Redskins, my son said they should have just changed their mascot to a red potato then they could have kept their name!

 

[trojandawg]

Anyone used autocheck or one of the other carfax alternatives? Or just stick with expensive as heck carfax??

 

[97JadeTJ]

I used carfax…

 

[Artsifrtsi]

My last 6 cars have been new, including the TJ... so have not used any of the research sites...

 

[trojandawg]

My last 6 cars have been new, including the TJ... so have not used any of the research sites...

I'm having a hard time finding a new old Jeep...

 

[Hokahay]

The correct answer is "Yes".

 

[mudmaster]

LJ, cuz it's an LJ

 

[MikeE024]

Anyone used autocheck or one of the other carfax alternatives? Or just stick with expensive as heck carfax??

Keep in mind that those websites don't show work done by shops that don't report or when DIY work is done.

Carfax's usefulness is limited, but I still use it to ensure there isn't a salvaged title or something major reported like flood damage.

 

[suicideking]

Definitely the LJ, though I'm biased because I wouldn't buy a TJ for wheeling. I would hold out for an LJ. If the mileage was equal, I might buy the TJ and use the $5K to mod it to LJ length. Since the TJ has significantly more miles, this would be an easy decision for me. $12K sounds like a good deal assuming no major issues. Plus the hard top is a huge bonus, even if you don't want a hard top (since you can sell it and get $1000+ for it and buy a brand new Bestop for around that.

 

[MikeE024]

Looking at two Jeeps. 2000 Sahara with 249k for $7k and a 2006 LJ with 170k for $12k. Both are 4.0 and auto. Both are excellent shape body/frame. Which would you pick and why? Are these prices decent??

Thanks in advance for any info!

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I'd get whichever rig you truly want more, and I'd likely pay to have the engine compression tested before making a purchase (certainly on the TJ).

Edit: Oddly enough, my '99 had worse compression numbers at 90k miles than the rig I have now with 189k miles.

 

[TheBoogieman]

I wouldn't buy a TJ for wheeling.

Why and what type of wheeling? Do you hang out with that troublemaker @NashvilleTJ? (Sorry buddy).
p.s. An LJ gets stuck in deep Va clay just as easy as a TJ.
#Richwhitepopleproblems.

 

[suicideking]

Why and what type of wheeling? Do you hang out with that troublemaker @NashvilleTJ? (Sorry buddy).
p.s. An LJ gets stuck in deep Va clay just as easy as a TJ.
#Richwhitepopleproblems.

I just prefer the longer wheelbase and having more room inside.

I do have my DD Sahara TJ. No complaints, but it's not setup for wheeling really. Hopefully give it to one of my sons and also hoping it eventually goes wheeling. So I've never driven a built TJ, so guess I can't really compare the two.

I used to wheel with quite a few TJ's and really only one LJ. I was always more fascinated with the LJ and feel like they're more capable in most situations. It does seem like I'm seeing less TJ's on the trails. I wheel with more JK and JL rigs now which is discouraging.

 

[trojandawg]

Update

Passed on both. Still looking…thanks for all the info and opinions!

 

[deadbeat son]

Update

Passed on both. Still looking…thanks for all the info and opinions!

Wise choice, IMO. Good luck with the search!

 

[trojandawg]

Found a super clean 2003 Sport with 149k miles. 6 cyl auto. It has the factory Dana 44 with the anti-spin upgrade. 4 wheel disc brakes. New tires and fairly new top. Does have check engine light, she says she had it checked and it needs cat replaced. Temp and power was fine so not sure about that. Rails seem perfect. Did not find any rust at all.

They listed it for $13,500 and told me they would take $12,000. I looked at it yesterday. Super clean inside and out. Everything seems great on it. Rode and drove good. Too high??? Offer $10k??

 

[TheBoogieman]

Found a super clean 2003 Sport with 149k miles. 6 cyl auto. It has the factory Dana 44 with the anti-spin upgrade. 4 wheel disc brakes. New tires and fairly new top. Does have check engine light, she says she had it checked and it needs cat replaced. Temp and power was fine so not sure about that. Rails seem perfect. Did not find any rust at all.

They listed it for $13,500 and told me they would take $12,000. I looked at it yesterday. Super clean inside and out. Everything seems great on it. Rode and drove good. Too high??? Offer $10k??

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Working AC? Tell them the cats will cost over $1000 and offer $11,000. Have you checked the code yourself? Key on and off 3 times. Maybe it's just an O2 sensor.

 

[trojandawg]

Working AC? Tell them the cats will cost over $1000 and offer $11,000. Have you checked the code yourself? Key on and off 3 times. Maybe it's just an O2 sensor.

Yes AC worked great. I did not check the code myself, but I will before buying. I’ll take my reader with me when I go back. Didn’t know the key trick…

There was some mud in one of the rails that I want to rinse out and re-check also. But I could not feel any rust under it.


Not crazy about the half doors, but it is a nice Jeep.