I am a new member here so if this is in the wrong section, just let me know and I will move it. I just looked at a Wrangler yesterday that I am thinking about buying but I need advice. I am currently a 4runner owner and am trying to move over to the jeep family but don't know much about them. The one I looked at has the following:

RIPP SUPERCHARGER 8K MILES ON IT
RIPP SUPERCHARGER STAINLESS LONG TUBE HEADERS INTO DYNOMAX EXHAUST ( ALSO INCLUDES SECOND EXHAUST MAGANFLOW/FLOWMASTER COMBO WHICH WAS USED FOR LITTLE WHILE BUT REMOVED BC I WANTED SOMTHING LITTLE MORE AGRESSIVE SOUNDING)
B&M TRANS COOLER/DEEP ALUMINUM TRANS PAN TAPED WITH TEMP SENSOR
DYNATRACK PROROCK 44 UP FRONT PROROCK 60 IN REAR 5.38 GEARS
RCV ULTIMATE FRONT AXLES
ARB AIR LOCKERS STAGE 2 COMP WITH TIRE AIR UP KIT
TOM WOODS FRONT AND REAR DRIVE SHAFTS.
SPOD FUSE BLOCK N SWITCHES FOR COMPRESSER N REARS
3.5" METAL CLOAK FULL SUSP LIFT INCLUDING UPPER N LOWER CONTROL ARMS FRONT AND REAR (BILSTEIN SHOCKS)
REID RACING STEERING KNUCKLES
POLLY PERF HIGH STEER DRAG LINK N BOMB PROOF TIE RODS
POLLY BALL JOINTS
37" GOODYEAR MTR KEVLAR TIRES/AEV WHEELS 8KMILES ON TIRES
TERRAFLEX "BIG" FRONT BRAKE KIT
POISEN SPYDER ALUMINUM FENDERS, SIDE ARMOR,REAR BUMPER HOOD LOVERS,REAR TRAMP STAMP
DROP DOWN TAIL GATE KIT
TRUCK LITE LED FRONT HEADLIGHTS
FULL INT FLOOR RYNO LINED FRONT TO BACK
FRONT GRILL RYNO LINED
STOCK NAV AFTERMARKET **LADYS VOICE NO LONGER WORKS FOR SOME REASON BUT NAV IS FINE OTHERWISE JL SPEAKERS AMP N BOSTON ACOUSTICS 10" DUEL COMPACT SUB ( TAKES PLACE OF FOLD DOWN SPLIT SEAT BOTTOM)
NEW 33" SPAIR MOUNTED ON STOCK RIM HELD IN PLACE BY POISEN SPYDER HEAVY DUITY SPAIR HOLD DOWN


Its a lot! The wrangler had barely any rust on it, and drove pretty well. The steering wheel seemed to have a tad bit of play but that was all. He is asking 30k. Its a 2008 with 52k miles. What do you guys think? worth it?

 

Here's a for instance, Our 08 had 33K miles on it.. barebone, no thrills etc.. The dealer even posted a note on the window saying "Like New" but I could tell it had seen a few miles seeing how it was own by two previous owners.. Our cost?.. 17K (March 2012)
It would appear someone is attempting to make up for the money put into the jeep at 30K.. Mind you if you had looked at the kelley blue book or alternative.. you may find a substantially lower posted price. I would suggest buying new at that price..

 

Unless you actually want all of those upgrades which, from the list given, appear to be well thought out. I'd love to have most of that on my Jeep and if you total up the cost of those upgrades and add it to the book value of that Jeep, I bet you end up with a number a lot higher than his asking price. The one big exception to that list is the 33" spare tire which is basically useless with 37" tires everywhere else. You'll cause the traction control and ABS to go nuts driving with one tire that's a very different size from the rest if you actually had to use it.

 

OP
That jeep has at least $12K in axles, $6K in the supercharger, $2K in suspension and $1500 in tires. Lots of money invested in quality parts.

Obviously the jeep is not worth Blue Book plus all the mods but somewhere in-between the two. Used after market parts are usually worth about 50% of new(give or take). When they are on the jeep as part of the over all price they are probably worth half of that.

If you are interested in wheeling it, its ready to go. I don't think his asking price is outrageous quite frankly and anything under $30K would be reasonable.

If you are not going to wheel it, this may be overkill for you and you could get something else for well under $25k .

 

I would think so. Wouldn't you?

 

Well he's a horrible speller and it's over priced. Sadly, aftermarket parts are only worth more if the buyer is willing to pay for them.

 

Be aware of the engine though. The 3.8s are not known for reliability and a supercharger isn't exactly going to make it last longer. Might be fine or might blow in 5k miles. Keep some change for an LS upgrade. Call it $8-10k.

Yeah, has some good parts, but it's over priced. Probably more than it cost new 6-7 years ago.

Now, if you can talk him down quite a bit, then it's worth a look. As I'm sure you know, if you plan to get an auto loan, the most you can borrow is the retail value. So, you're talking less than $20k I'd guess.

 

For the $30K price range, I'd look at buying a 2012 or newer to get the new 3.6 engine with an extra 80HP.

 

Most people are not looking for and would not want all those upgrades. This simple fact means that the seller will have a tougher time finding a buyer, even at a low price. Id say that price is not bad IF you actually want a JK built up like that. Many people on this forum have and love Jeeps like that, so I would say you will get some honest answers to the value. Personally, its not my style, but I do agree it sounds like a nice ride. Id bet you could get the price down a few grand. And if thats your style, you would have a nice ride thats ready to go on most any off-road trip you feel like doing. Im sure my post does little to actually help, but I thought Id chime in anyway.

 

so firstly, I was sad thinking about selling my 4runner. The community it has is great and my forum I love. But going off the fast response and useful info you guys just came right back with, I think I will like it quite well over here! Thanks all!

I am definitely going to make an offer in the low 20's and see how he responds. If not, looks like I am going to go buy myself a new Rubicon and start putting work into it. I will definitely be taking this vehicle offloading. That's part of the reason I wanna switch to the wranglers.