Why have TJs come down in price?

[chili_pepper]

Oh well, I still enjoy my toy.

While mine is more than a toy in the stable, based on the current market I definitely paid more. But I had specifics and spent over 2 years searching, kind of had to move when an opportunity appeared, which was rarer than I expected. But I've resigned myself to not caring, I love working on and driving the thing so the money had to be worth it...right?

 

[jeepguy03]

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.

This. Combined with the fact that it's harder to get a loan for a 20+ year old vehicle. Most people don't have extra funds for toys right now. A friend of mine does a lot of buying and selling on Facebook Marketplace. Things that were hot commodities before like ATVs sit for months now, and you will only get messages if something is a screaming deal. It's a weird mix of people still wanting high prices for stuff, but also nobody having any extra funds.

 

[macleanflood]

While prices are down I'm on the hunt for another TJ to part out. While dealing with folks on FB Marketplace is a special treat, I've almost doubled what I spent on the rusted out Sahara. I need a tire carrier and want a spare 231J. Easier to buy a whole TJ IMHO than the individual parts.

-Mac

 

[GoldenGorilla]

While prices are down I'm on the hunt for another TJ to part out. While dealing with folks on FB Marketplace is a special treat, I've almost doubled what I spent on the rusted out Sahara. I need a tire carrier and want a spare 231J. Easier to buy a whole TJ IMHO than the individual parts.

-Mac

On that note - the DeXJ you-tube channel has some interesting info on the economics of why he chose to specialize in the XJ versus TJ for his business. The difference in junk TJ vs XJ prices was crazy. It's a shame there isn't more parts crossover between them.

You've got the patience of saints to deal with people parting that out.

 

[jeepguy03]

On that note - the DeXJ you-tube channel has some interesting info on the economics of why he chose to specialize in the XJ versus TJ for his business. The difference in junk TJ vs XJ prices was crazy. It's a shame there isn't more parts crossover between them.

You've got the patience of saints to deal with people parting that out.

I don't understand why XJs are so sought after and priced so high, and I drove them for 13 years and have owned 3 of them. They are great vehicles for what they are, but when my last one rusted out and I started looking at replacements, they were priced higher than TJs with more miles on them, and some of them were pretty beat up. Just not worth it in my opinion. My TJ is only on 31s with 1" lift, so pretty mild by most people's standards here, but it drives better than any of my XJs did, even when they were stock. If I wanted another 4 door classic Jeep I'd probably be looking at a 4.0L ZJ before another XJ.

 

[TheBoogieman]

I don't understand why XJs are so sought after and priced so high, and I drove them for 13 years and have owned 3 of them. They are great vehicles for what they are, but when my last one rusted out and I started looking at replacements, they were priced higher than TJs with more miles on them, and some of them were pretty beat up. Just not worth it in my opinion. My TJ is only on 31s with 1" lift, so pretty mild by most people's standards here, but it drives better than any of my XJs did, even when they were stock. If I wanted another 4 door classic Jeep I'd probably be looking at a 4.0L ZJ before another XJ.

I've been checking out XJs and everyone I see is a POS or has 300,000 miles on it (or both). I paid $3,000 for mine and sold it for $7500 to buy my Rubicon back. I'd love to find another 99' with 120,000 miles on it for $3,000. I miss the luxury.

 

[GoldenGorilla]

I don't understand why XJs are so sought after and priced so high

They weren't.

I think there have been alot of people out there evangelizing the "greatness" of the XJ lately. Jason Camissa, Doug Demuro, Dex, Uncle Tony's Garage and a bunch of others. If you were looking a Jeep content, the Youtube algorythm would take you there. For a long time they were way cheaper than YJs/TJs. The unibody construction was pretty innovative in it's time and I enjoyed driving them when they were new. Where you could find one in really good shape 7 or 8 years ago for $3000 and rough ones for $800, it seems too many are chasing too few of them and those days are gone.

They're one of the few crossover SUVs with a solid front axle and are pretty easy to mod as a result. One advantage was that people did not tend to mod them until the prices dipped, so you could find nice clean ones, at least out west. The paint would fade, but the rust isn't bad. ZJs and WJs are out there too and a WJ 4.0L shares the motor mount layout with the TJ. I considered buying a high mileage running WJ as a donor for a stroker build, but it doesn't make financial sense either.

My brother in law has one of the last 2 years of production of the XJ Cherokee in excellent stock condition and he takes as much joy from owning it as most of us do from our TJs. I think he may have bought it new. They definitely have their fans.

 

[inkedrose]

FUNNEST 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.

FIFY- I love driving the Jeep in the snow! Drop it into 2wheel drive and it is a donut make machine!!! Every time I pass a parking lot I look at my girlfriend I ask her if she wants Dunkin's? Have a Silverado as my daily.. it's way harder to spin

 

[inkedrose]

You were outside? While the rest of us were sheltering in place?? No wonder 2 weeks didn’t stop the spread.

I *almost* said that with a straight face.

haha my life barely changed. I hate people and spend most my time in the mountains. Been social distancing since before it was cool . Only thing that changed was there were more people in my secret spots

 

[Moglocker]

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.

Yep,and also too damn old to build another,lots of time spent on the ground,kind of hard to get off the ground now!(lol)

 

[Moglocker]

You were outside? While the rest of us were sheltering in place?? No wonder 2 weeks didn’t stop the spread.

I *almost* said that with a straight face.

Yep,stay 6 foot safe!but it’s ok to get in a giant flying tube with others 6inches away,I hope America doesn’t fall for this crap ever again.

 

[John Cooper]

Yep,stay 6 foot safe!but it’s ok to get in a giant flying tube with others 6inches away,I hope America doesn’t fall for this crap ever again.

We never changed a thing we did. If a store had a sign that said mask required, we didn't do business there.

I did wear a mask to a doctor's visit, but it didn't cover my nose or mouth.

Screw the .gov.

 

[SuspectLJ]

I think we're living in the last good years where you can pick up a TJ for an affordable price.

I hate to be "that guy" but TJs are in my opinion the last "real" jeep. in about ten years when the newest TJ is 30 years old i think they're gonna get much more expensive.

disclaimer: I like JKs and JLs and have owned them, but they just don't compare.

 

[Apparition]

Because Bronco

And Stellantis can hardly give away new jeeps.

 

[JMT]

in about ten years when the newest TJ is 30 years old i think they're gonna get much more expensive.

This is true. Supply and demand. Supply will be lower and demand for the last true Jeep will be higher. One would think stock would be desirable, and that may be today when there are still TJ aftermarket parts available to build it how you want it, but in the future they will likely diminish substantially. This will make a well-modded, well-maintained Jeep TJ and especially LJ highly desirable. Engine swaps can always be done to deal with higher mileage or to get what one wants in an engine/transmission/axle setup.

 

[hear]

Yep,stay 6 foot safe!but it’s ok to get in a giant flying tube with others 6inches away,I hope America doesn’t fall for this crap ever again.

Many of us didn't fall for it the first time.

 

[JMT]

Many of us didn't fall for it the first time.

100%.

It was good to make it plain to anyone who was stifingly ignorant who was full of crap. It’s bad that it changed the world.

 

[tnjeepguy]

Because Bronco

 

[Jezza]

The only reason prices got crazy was Covid. Outdoor activities exploded and cash stimulus payments had everyone spending money in a supply limited market.

 

[Gilaguy23]

I don't understand why XJs are so sought after and priced so high, and I drove them for 13 years and have owned 3 of them. They are great vehicles for what they are, but when my last one rusted out and I started looking at replacements, they were priced higher than TJs with more miles on them, and some of them were pretty beat up. Just not worth it in my opinion. My TJ is only on 31s with 1" lift, so pretty mild by most people's standards here, but it drives better than any of my XJs did, even when they were stock. If I wanted another 4 door classic Jeep I'd probably be looking at a 4.0L ZJ before another XJ.

This is a fact. The last XJ I bought was a 95 that I paid $2500 for. Perfect shape with around 120K on it. I see them now as high as 10K. This will piss of a few, but as far as ZJ's go Ive had 2. Ive never owned 2 Bigger piles of, it dont work anymore pointless electronic POS. No way did these come off the same assembly as the XJ, simply not possible. But look at FJ40ies. last one of those I bought was also under $3K for a cherry original 75 with under 100K on it. If I had it now Id ask north of $25K easy. Consider what can you even buy these days in the US that can be made as serious off roader? Everything is IFS, and an electronic nightmare of over priced complication. Its a damn shame to see all of the XJ's, Square bodies, early F series, turned into hacked up kiddie beaters. When there all destroyed than what?