Trading in my 2007 JK after 5 good years with no mechanical problems.

The jeep looks great in and out. The only thing wrong is the jeep has those small tears that people get on the soft top in the middle between the doors. (3 coworkers have same tears). I tried to keep it from getting worse and was successful(folding correctly every time, conditioning etc), but 5 years for a soft top is a good life.

Question is is the financial gain worth replacing the top before trading it in?

 

my opinion - not based on anything but...
Probably no benefit if you are trading. As a matter of fact, you can remove just about every improvement you might have added as the dealers prefer as close to bone stock as possible. Sell the extra parts on here!
If you are trying a private sale, a new top might make the deal - but wait to throw it in when the buyer is almost hooked!

 

I wouldn't, especially if you are trading it in

 

I wouldn't replace it, but stand firm when they try to act like it's a big deal. They will try any and every trick in the book to make you take less for your Jeep, that's one of the few ways they make any real money on a sale these days with so many people knowing how to buy new at or below invoice. When I tried to trade in my 2006 TJ with a top that had a small cut in it from a break in attempt (which I stitched up myself pretty nicely), they low balled me and threw in the comment, "And that's what we will give you if you replace the top yourself." The low offer and that B.S. made me walk away from the whole deal. They could easily get a new top at cost and have their shop guys put it on in 15 minutes.

If you look at the NADA price difference for "excellent" and "fair," it's a big chunk of change. Tell them to take the excellent price of whatever guide they are using, and work backwards, not immediately declare that your trade in is only in fair condition because of the top.

 

So, what are you trading it in for? You gonna get a new jeep? And I would say no. Like said, the dealer can get a top cheaper than you. The amount less they give you shouldn't pay for it.