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Buying a Used CJ or Wrangler

59 messages,  Last post on Sep 07, 2009 at 8:20 AM

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What is this discussion about? Jeep Wrangler, Jeep CJ-7, SUV

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#55 of 59 1999 Wrangler 4.0 Hardtop Standard Shift by corkscrew Sep 06, 2009 (7:28 am)
The garage a few miles away has this vehicle for sale at 8k.It needs tires and the corner of the rear bumper, right side, needs work. The body and top are in good shape, no rust and it has 75,000 miles. The rear window has a black circle/plug on each side, about one inch diameter. Around these plugs the glass seems to be cracked on the inside. Since it is sunday the garage is closed the vehicle locked so I wonder if the glass is cracked or another problem exists I have never owned a Wrangler and would appreciate any info from Wrangler owners on what type of problems, if any, are common to this year.   Thanks Corkscrew
#56 of 59 How To Price Custom Features on a Used Jeep? by 6horsestew Sep 06, 2009 (4:37 pm)
I found two Jeep wranglers that I am interested in. Both are privately owned. I have an appointment to see each one tomorrow. One is a 2001 with 48K miles on it. The other is a 99 model with almost 100K miles. Coming up with a base price was easy. The problem I'm now faced with is how to price what the user modifications are worth. Both products have expensive mods already installed. For example, both vehicles have a 4" Skyjacker suspension lift. The base price for such a feature purchased new (excluding installation) is about $1800. So, how does one go about assigning value to such a feature? Assuming one is able to determine the current price of custom features what is a reasonable depreciation value to assign to each of those features (e.g. suspension lifts, driveshaft with slip-yoke eliminator, rock sliders, winches, etc.) that a seller has added to his/her Jeep? I'm thinking I should discount the features by 35%-50%. Anybody on the board have any ideas on this? Thanks for your help. Replies to this message: mac24 (Sep 07, 2009 5:20 am) 6horsestew (Sep 07, 2009 5:39 am) steve_ (Sep 07, 2009 8:20 am)
#57 of 59 Re: How To Price Custom Features on a Used Jeep? [6horsestew] by mac24 Sep 07, 2009 (5:20 am)
Replying to: 6horsestew (Sep 06, 2009 4:37 pm) The problem I'm now faced with is how to price what the user modifications are worth.   That's easy, $0 or less. It's only if the particular mods are of particular value to you that you might want to consider paying a premium for them. No other buyer is going to consider them an asset, so it will make the vehicle less attractive to them and therefore worth less than if they weren't installed.   The things that will hurt resale value the least are those accessories that are easily removed, i.e. lights, interior doo-dads that haven't required drilling or cutting holes, side steps, etc. What hurts most are things that can not be returned to original because either the original parts have been thrown away, or because things have actually been cut off or welded on, for example aftermarket bumpers or a suspension lift (and personally I would run, not walk, away from a 4" Skyjacker lift).   The general exceptions to this rule are factory options. Anything available that was factory fitted adds to the value. A specific exception on Wranglers and a few others would be a winch, if professionally fitted. It would add a little less than it could be sold for if removed from the vehicle.   The Jeep that's worth the most among others of similar age and mileage, is the one that's closest to looking just as it did when it left the factory complete with every available option.   Once major alterations are made it's becomes a custom vehicle, and its value is now a matter of negotiation between the seller and the very limited number of buyers now available to him. Replies to this message: 6horsestew (Sep 07, 2009 5:39 am) steve_ (Sep 07, 2009 8:20 am)
#58 of 59 Re: How To Price Custom Features on a Used Jeep? [mac24] by 6horsestew Sep 07, 2009 (5:39 am)
Replying to: mac24 (Sep 07, 2009 5:20 am) mac24 - Thanks for that very detailed well reasoned response. It is very helpful.   BTW - what in you opinion is the problem with the Skyjacker lifts? There are a lot of jeeps in the North Alabama area that are fitted with this modification. I would like to get your take on why they are/might be problematic. Replies to this message: steve_ (Sep 07, 2009 8:20 am)
#59 of 59 Re: How To Price Custom Features on a Used Jeep? [6horsestew] by steve_ HOST Sep 07, 2009 (8:20 am)
Replying to: 6horsestew (Sep 07, 2009 5:39 am) The other thing that Mac hinted at is that the hardcore off-road crowd is more likely to add a lot of mods to their Jeep. That's great if you plan to do a lot of off-roading, but if you already off-road, you know that it can be hard on the equipment.   30 years ago when I owned an unmodified CJ-5 and went on a few weekend trail rides, the following Monday I would see several club members at the dealer getting parts or using the club discount to fix stuff they broke in the woods over the weekend.   I forget what I broke - ruined a shock or something.   If I was in the market for another Wrangler, I'd want one that looked as stock as possible.

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