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How Chrysler/Jeep Lost a Customer

spankrjs

Scrambler Junkie
Lifetime Member
SOA Member
City
Biloxi
State
MS

Interesting, but I don't think they reimbursed him:shrug:

I've been way too busy lately to keep up on the forum, so I just found and scanned this thread.

This caught my eye.


If you lump a Rubicon LJ, still one of the greatest stock offroad performance vehicles to ever roll out of any automaker's factory with all of the exact fun bits us type folks always beg for (lockers, low gearing, low crawl ratio, real tires, lift, etc) in with the rest of Chrysler's recent offering... just wow.

LJs are the next Scrambler. Limited production over very few years (less than Scramblers) and the Rubicons are going to be SOUGHT AFTER FOR DECADES as they're even rarer.

The idea of selling it over this just made me physically ill. Baby with the bathwater indeed.

Just try to take away my Rubicon LJ, same as my Postal, you'd better come EXCEEDINGLY well armed.

I had a Ford Explorer that makes this story look like a walk in the park on a golden brick path covered in roses as angels sing. THAT was a POS that you sell immediately (and I did, for the Rubicon LJ!!), this is freaking nothing. Sorry for being blunt, but this is the era of the lawyer, ALL automakers pull this crap now.

Yep, it has been a good vehicle, but it a SWB TJ. I think I found a way to get what I want, deposit paid, and I wont be getting it from Chrysler;)

I think you will like it BigWalton:thumbsup::cheers:
 
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spankrjs

Scrambler Junkie
Lifetime Member
SOA Member
City
Biloxi
State
MS
UPDATE

Well, another long road trip weekend. Traded in my TJ:shrug:

Well, my 05 TJ has been a good jeep. I bought it brand new in 2005, no real issues, except for the OPDA failing around 143,000 miles. After the way Chrysler Customer Care treated me, I knew I would not be buying a brand new Jeep again.

I wanted to get something new, just due to the miles my 05 Rubicon had. I was kind of bummed. I didn't want to buy a new JK, and there were really no other new cars I wanted to make payments on:shrug:

So, how about something like I already had, with a bunch less miles:thumbsup:

Saying goodbye to my 05 Rubicon. Even with +144k miles, it made the 7 hour trip to Jacksonville, FL, no issues. I was a little sad:(

IMAG1236_zps116a5a8f-1.jpg



And the "wheelbase challenged" regular TJ's replacement:

IMAG1238_zps36287ca2-1.jpg


IMAG1242_zps7c9c6a71-1.jpg


IMAG1243_zps7fd1b909-1.jpg


And a bunch more pictures here:

http://premierautosource.com/?page_id=5941

Basically, a one owner, only 20k mile, all stock, almost perfect shape 2005 LJ Rubicon!!

This one is has an automatic transmission, where as my regular length TJ was a 6 speed manual. The automatic is OK, will take some getting used to, definitely different.

This one drives just like new. It made the trip back from Jacksonville with no issues.

Besides some minor "look like cat scratches on the hood" (which don't really bother me too bad), and the typical MTR substandard ride quality, this thing is as close to a brand new TJ as I was going to find:D

Anyway, I am very happy with it, I think it will make a great TJ replacement

It will stay stock for a little while, but I foresee a lift, 4.88 gears, slightly larger tires, and a tummy tuck in its future.....

And, I will keep an eye on the OPDA;)
 
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jak inc

I H8 RUST!
Lifetime Member
City
Merton
State
WI
Nice find! You can't go wrong with a low mileage LJ Rubicon.:cheers:
 

MrBeep

CJ-8 Vendor Supporter
Member
SOA Member
CJ-8.com Vendor
City
Dillsboro
State
IN
WAAAHOOO!

Awesome RaymondD :bacon: :wave:
 

spankrjs

Scrambler Junkie
Lifetime Member
SOA Member
City
Biloxi
State
MS
Nice find! You can't go wrong with a low mileage LJ Rubicon.:cheers:

Awesome RaymondD :bacon: :wave:


Appreciate it:thumbsup:

The low miles is what sealed the deal for me:thumbsup: The color and automatic transmission were not my first choice, but I also know finding a low mile 05 TJ, let alone LJ Rubicon, one owner and "stock", is not the easiest thing to do;)

But, the color is growing on me, it is definitely "bright", really stands out when compared to the "stone white" TJ it replaced:)

The automatic transmission is OK, and it accelerates/shifts really well/smooth. The only thing I don't like about it: If you are driving "normal", it shifts into overdrive between 40-45mph. I would sometimes shift my 6 speed into OD at 45, so no big deal, it just doesn't give you a "sporty feel" at those speeds in OD. But, you can turn the OD off and this issue goes away. If you are accelerating it wont shift into OD at 45. I have a feeling it is programed this way for gas mileage. With stock tires and 4.10 gears it is fine, but I think that a tire swap up to a 265 or 285 will necessitate a gear swap to 4.88's:twocents: I can't remember the exact ratios, but the automatic has a much deeper OD compared to the 6 speed. With my 6 speed, 80mph equaled 3,000RPM. The automatic, 80mph equals 2,500RPM. I drove it back at 70mph, about 2,200 RPM, which is OK for stock tires 4.10 gears, but I feel it will want some more RPM with larger tires:twocents: It does drive over curbs really well/easily:rotfl:
 

spankrjs

Scrambler Junkie
Lifetime Member
SOA Member
City
Biloxi
State
MS
Very nice LJ. How did you find it?

This was one of those things that "just popped up", and I knew if I didn't act fast, it wouldn't be around for long. I found it on eBay, it was only listed for about 12 hours, had two "offers" on it already. I called the seller, talked to him for about an hour, then immediately sent a deposit:thumbsup: I found it right before the National ride, so I had to wait until I got back home to finalize the purchase. But, since I sent a large deposit, the seller did not mind holding it for two weeks:thumbsup:

Nice score!

Appreciate it, I think so, too:thumbsup::wave:
 

MrBeep

CJ-8 Vendor Supporter
Member
SOA Member
CJ-8.com Vendor
City
Dillsboro
State
IN
Is there a Gr8top in it's future? If so, Safari like Big W or half cab "Fake 8" like mine?:bacon:
 

Scramblur

Legacy Registered User
City
Canyon
State
Tx
If you really miss the 6 speed I could bring my 06 down and you could swap things around. I am not sure how long my left hip is going to let me drive a stick.:rolleyes:
 

LetchcoreCJ7

Legacy Registered User
City
Nashville
State
TN
I am curious did you see any difference in the ride or road tracking with the longer wheel base? I am looking to trade my TJ Rubi in the future for an LJ Rubi.
 

spankrjs

Scrambler Junkie
Lifetime Member
SOA Member
City
Biloxi
State
MS
If you really miss the 6 speed I could bring my 06 down and you could swap things around. I am not sure how long my left hip is going to let me drive a stick.:rolleyes:

I don't know, the more I drive it, the more I am getting used to/spoiled by the automatic:thumbsup:

Very nice!

Appreciate it Randy:thumbsup:

I am curious did you see any difference in the ride or road tracking with the longer wheel base? I am looking to trade my TJ Rubi in the future for an LJ Rubi.

Yes. I have only drove this one maybe 900 miles, but it does handle/ride different/better when compared to a stock TJ. At interstate speeds, switching lanes and other abrupt maneuvers, the whole rig seems more planted/stable. When hitting bumps, since there is more space between the front and rear end, a lot of times the front end is "settled back down" before the rear end hits the same bump, resulting in a smoother, less "choppy" ride.

All in all, the on road ride is much better then the stock length TJ, IMO:twocents:

But, to be fair, I am comparing a 20k mile LJ with a TJ that had 140k, both on stock springs/shocks. But, I still feel the LJ rides better on the road:thumbsup:
 

Jeep Addict

Scrambler Junkie
Lifetime Member
City
Baton Rouge
State
La
IMAG1238_zps36287ca2-1.jpg


That is a really good looking jeep. I see it also makes for a good prom picture too. :thumbsup:
 

tower210

Scrambler Junkie
Lifetime Member
City
Olathe
State
KS
She's got that,"we really taking a picture of the jeep aren't we" look. I've got a couple of those!
 

spankrjs

Scrambler Junkie
Lifetime Member
SOA Member
City
Biloxi
State
MS
Sold my LJ Rubicon yesterday :(

Washed it one last time Saturday, still looks new:

20200411_093711.jpg

I had it 7 years, sold it with 130,000 miles, so I put 110,000 miles on it. Besides the PCM kicking the bucket in 2015, no real problems out of it.

I sold it to my older sister, one of her sons turned 16 and wanted it. Sold it at a "loss", considering what rust free/original LJ Rubicons sell for. Anyway, nice present for a 16 year old!!!!!!!!!

Hurt to see it go:

20200414_183308.jpg

EDIT - still have the same girlfriend, she's a trooper LOL
 

designerRob

CJ-8 Member
Silver Member
City
Allen Park
State
MI
OUCH! I think you'll regret that, unless you just don't use it. Way too nice of a vehicle for a 16 year old. One of the best products with the Jeep name imo.
 

spankrjs

Scrambler Junkie
Lifetime Member
SOA Member
City
Biloxi
State
MS
OUCH! I think you'll regret that, unless you just don't use it. Way too nice of a vehicle for a 16 year old. One of the best products with the Jeep name imo.

It was a daily driver, about 300 miles a week, so it was definitely used/being used :thumbsup:

130,000 miles is not excessive, but it is a 15 year old vehicle. It hasn't really been giving me any issues, so I wanted to get "a head of the curve" while it was still in great shape. My nephew is pretty responsible, his older brother's first car was a TJ, parents are strict, it should be OK :fingerscrossed: I told them to take care of it, keep it stock, don't modify it, they should be able to easily sell it for more then what they paid in 2-3 years when he goes to college. Hell, I might buy it back :shrug:

I agree, probably the "best" Wrangler made :twocents: I thought about keeping it, storing it, but hated the thought of it just sitting somewhere not being used.

Plus, the sale put some cash back in my pocket after a big down payment I made the other day :thumbsup:
 
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