about to bite the bullet...(NSR)

[AbsolutStoli]

just want to make sure its a good deal.

2002 jeep wranger x, 65k miles, theyre asking for 10,995 but im gonna try to talk them down to 9500 or 10k. had it inspected today and the shop said there isnt anything wrong with it thats not expected at that many miles. basically i have to get both differentials and the transfer case serviced. the dealer is going to make the other repairs (new battery, spark plugs, front shocks, front brakes). but the engine runs well and transmission shifts smooth. only problem that i did notice that didnt get brought up was that the stereo isnt working...at least not the radio, i didnt have a cd to test. but i can always put in a deck for less than $200, so its no big deal.

anyone here that knows about jeeps/wrangers that can tell me if its a good deal or if im getting taken for a ride?



thanks guys.

[timvwcom]

I'm no Jeep expert, but in case you haven't done this yet... Try the online Kelly Blue Book.

You'll want to follow the used (right) side of the 2 choices. Then the specifics of this vehicle. It does need a zip to be more accurate, and you'll need to estimate which of 4 conditions you believe it is in... It will tell you 3 different price points.

http://www.kbb.com

[tex1230]

I just traded in a 2003 wrangler with less miles and got $11,500. If you can get this for 10k or so it's a good deal. They hold their value pretty well too.
Do yourself a favor if and when you decide to sell it - go spend $700-800 on big rims and tires - you'll get twice the cost of them on resale

[RShea]

In addition to the mentioned KBB (Kelly site) also do some research on Edmunds and Autotrader's web sites. Price out the vehicle and also get an estimate on the repairs you will be responsible for. (For the radio - also look on Ebay or call a few Auto recyclers to see what a used pulled original equipment runs too and then factor that in.) If you walk in with the price quotes (each site will list the 3 values- retail- what a dealer will list and sell this vehicle for, private sale price- usually in the middle, and wholesale or trade in value- what the dealers try and pay for this vehicle.) Plug in all the details-accessories, miles, condition, etc and then you have a starting point for the value for your region (yes vehicles have different values in different parts of the country)

Also go over and read the Fatwallet forum thread on used car purchase strategy and negotiation for some tips.

http://www.fatwallet.com/t/24/505523/

also: http://www.carbuyingtips.com/used.htm

[rightcoast]

Are you sure thats an X?
I dont see the X on the side between where it says wrangler, and the Jeep logo.
It is badged like an SE (ie. 4 cyl.) Just a heads up to double check the engine before you buy. That would be kind of a steep price for a 4cyl.

[AbsolutStoli]

Are you sure thats an X?
I dont see the X on the side between where it says wrangler, and the Jeep logo.
It is badged like an SE (ie. 4 cyl.) Just a heads up to double check the engine before you buy. That would be kind of a steep price for a 4cyl.

yeah, i thought the same thing, but apparently in 2002 the X wasnt always there. carfax says its an X though, and it definitely has an I6 under the hood.

Thanks for the KBB suggestion. I did all that before, KBB and edmunds, but not really for the dealer trade-in or the other prices, just the retail. Good heads-up to know what they'd pay for it.

[El Chupacabra]

Dana 44 rear axle?

http://memimage.cardomain.net/member...7_182_full.jpg

It'll either be a Dana 44 or a Dana 35. IMHO, hold out for the D44, even if you're not intending to use it hard offroad, or lift + bigger tires.

[AbsolutStoli]

wow, so that went a bit not like i expected.

just came back from the dealer in hopes of making a deal. asking price was 10,995 as i mentioned, i told him that i can give him 9500 cash, out the door. he goes to me, im not budging a dime, im not gonna lose money on it (although he was pleasant about it). so i go to him, "i know you couldnt have paid more than 8k for the car"...he got it at an auction for christs sake, 65k, needs a bit of work (battery, front brakes, front shocks, spark plugs, differential and transfer case maintenance). then he gives me some shit about how he didnt buy the car, his supplier did and he knows he paid more than 9500.

so i say, "youve had the car for what, 3 months at least, on the lot?" and he corrects me and says its actually 6 months. and i ask, "and you dont want to get rid of it by now?" and he says that not bellow his asking price.

that kinda blew my mind. 6 months on the lot and he doesnt want to move the car. not even negotiate. granted 9500 was my starting point, but to not even try to negotiate? weird. hes gotta be losing money by keeping that thing there. even the opportunity cost of it. this was the kicker though, he says to me "you dont understand the market for wranglers out here." im in colorado. LOL yes, theres a wrangler passing by every 3 minutes...but thats the lamest counter-argument to give when the cars been sitting on the lot for 6 months. yeah buddy...HUDGE demand for this car.

oh well...the search continues.

thanks all for your help.