2020 Custom Order JLUR Totaled - buying replacement online

[Yngwie]

Hi friendly JL'ers,

Our beloved 2020 custom-ordered Sarge Green JLUR was declared totaled yesterday due to an accident and my wife is thoroughly depressed. She's still not sure how it happened.

As you may be able to see in the pics below, the impact to the front bumper torqued the frame, which makes it all but unrepairable without likely issues down the line.

It was paid off and insured, but we just had a kid, are currently renting a car to drive to work, and no longer have free cash beyond the insurance, much less free time to deal with buying a vehicle.

We would like a JLUR as similar as possible to satisfy the wife, but that narrows down our options significantly: a Sarge Green JLUR with a premium soft top, black fenders, remote keyless, and automatic transmission... preferably with leather seats, cold weather group, and premium audio for the GPS (advanced safety group would also be a plus given the accident) with no aftermarket mods. We are trying to get as close as possible, as any differences will always remind us of our loss of my wife's dream Jeep.

Anything similar would need to be bought online and shipped.

I found a 2021 Sarge Green JLUR that is pretty close and fits our budget, but it is a State Title Brand Lemon. Apparently, that was due to a coolant leak. Also, odd that the dash is not red, but everything else looks Rubicon. The coolant leak was fixed, but must have been a repeated problem to get a lemon title. Could the coolant leak/lemon title turn out to be a big issue?

Any other tips for hunting online for and negotiating price for our beloved JLUR replacement?

If anything, thanks for taking the time to read this far,
Matt

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[GATORB8]

Can you wait for an order?

The red dash goes away with tan leather if that's an option on the Lemon. I'd be very hesitant to sign up for a vehicle someone already gave up on.

 

[Yngwie]

Can you wait for an order?

The red dash goes away with tan leather if that's an option on the Lemon. I'd be very hesitant to sign up for a vehicle someone already gave up on.

Thanks for the tip about the dash. That explains it.

We really aren't in a position to pay for a new JLUR, as that would be another $20k over the insurance. We would also need to spend a lot on a rental while waiting, especially due to the union strike.

Thanks again.

 

[Flip]

I suggest waiting, be patient, don't rush into a Jeep you and your wife aren't going to be happy with. Select a handful of websites and check them every day for your jeep. Maybe buy an inexpensive sedan until you find what you're looking for. It can take time to find a specific vehicle. Best of luck buddy.

Nice avatar btw. ?

 

[azjl#3]

what do they/insurance want for the "totaled" jeep if I can ask?

Man I am old, in my day it would need to be crushed in half to truly be totalled. Now, they are just to lazy to pay for the repair. Better for them to part it out.

 

[Heimkehr]

It's unfortunate to read that your JLU was totaled. Having gone through the experience a few years ago, I know how unpleasant the feeling can be.

We would like a JLUR as similar as possible to satisfy the wife, but that narrows down our options significantly: a Sarge Green JLUR with a premium soft top, black fenders, remote keyless, and automatic transmission... preferably with leather seats, cold weather group, and premium audio for the GPS (advanced safety group would also be a plus given the accident) with no aftermarket mods.

Taking the broad view here:
Since you essentially want a vehicle that is Luxury Lite, are there any other brands/models that you're willing to consider here, with more immediate availability than another Wrangler?

 

[Jeep Wick]

Hi friendly JL'ers,

Our beloved 2020 custom-ordered Sarge Green JLUR was declared totaled yesterday due to an accident and my wife is thoroughly depressed. She's still not sure how it happened.

As you may be able to see in the pics below, the impact to the front bumper torqued the frame, which makes it all but unrepairable without likely issues down the line.

It was paid off and insured, but we just had a kid, are currently renting a car to drive to work, and no longer have free cash beyond the insurance, much less free time to deal with buying a vehicle.

We would like a JLUR as similar as possible to satisfy the wife, but that narrows down our options significantly: a Sarge Green JLUR with a premium soft top, black fenders, remote keyless, and automatic transmission... preferably with leather seats, cold weather group, and premium audio for the GPS (advanced safety group would also be a plus given the accident) with no aftermarket mods. We are trying to get as close as possible, as any differences will always remind us of our loss of my wife's dream Jeep.

Anything similar would need to be bought online and shipped.

I found a 2021 Sarge Green JLUR that is pretty close and fits our budget, but it is a State Title Brand Lemon. Apparently, that was due to a coolant leak. Also, odd that the dash is not red, but everything else looks Rubicon. The coolant leak was fixed, but must have been a repeated problem to get a lemon title. Could the coolant leak/lemon title turn out to be a big issue?

Any other tips for hunting online for and negotiating price for our beloved JLUR replacement?

If anything, thanks for taking the time to read this far,
Matt

You need to haggle with your insurance. My friend did this and got significantly more. I don't know what you paid in 2020 but the value was probably within $10k of that unless it was very high mileage. Don't sign anything until you negotiate a fair value for this one. Then shop around, I love Sarge also but I would be flexible on the color if you're on a budget.

 

[Yngwie]

I suggest waiting, be patient, don't rush into a Jeep you and your wife aren't going to be happy with. Select a handful of websites and check them every day for your jeep. Maybe buy an inexpensive sedan until you find what you're looking for. It can take time to find a specific vehicle. Best of luck buddy.

Thanks. I'm so swamped right now, even on top of the baby, and you gave me a good reality check about taking our time and possibly getting an inexpensive sedan.

Nice avatar btw. ?

Thanks again. Ex GF and ex 1973 CJ-5.

what do they/insurance want for the "totaled" jeep if I can ask?

Man I am old, in my day it would need to be crushed in half to truly be totalled. Now, they are just to lazy to pay for the repair. Better for them to part it out.

$45k, which I believe is fair when compared to what we paid for it.

The frame was twisted, so it would have to be replaced and there still would likely be alignment issues and lingering strange noises. The auto workers strike may have played a role in getting parts. We still are considering a second opinion.

It's unfortunate to read that your JLU was totaled. Having gone through the experience a few years ago, I know how unpleasant the feeling can be.

Taking the broad view here:
Since you essentially want a vehicle that is Luxury Lite, are there any other brands/models that you're willing to consider here, with more immediate availability than another Wrangler?

Thanks. Considering other options is a good point. A big challenge for me is deciding on a vehicle is a monumental effort that I don't have the capacity for right now, which is why I appreciate everyone's input. Not to mention I've consistently owned soft-top Wrangers for over 25 years, and the JLUR was my wife's dream car, which she was not ready to part with. It's important to keep my little BB happy! Look at the big smile the first day the JLUR was delivered and the first time we took it offroading:

 

[azjl#3]

That's just amazing, they want $45k for the totaled. Jeep? Not that they are paying you 45 for it?

 

[Yngwie]

You need to haggle with your insurance. My friend did this and got significantly more. I don't know what you paid in 2020 but the value was probably within $10k of that unless it was very high mileage. Don't sign anything until you negotiate a fair value for this one. Then shop around, I love Sarge also but I would be flexible on the color if you're on a budget.

Thanks for the tip. We already tried, as my wife loves to negotiate deals. I feel the price is perfectly fair after doing a bunch of research. The did offer within $10k of the original price.

 

[Yngwie]

That's just amazing, they want $45k for the totaled. Jeep? Not that they are paying you 45 for it?

We had full coverage. They are totaling the Jeep. Unless I am mistaken, they are giving us $45k, which they put in writing. Haven't gotten a check yet, as we were considering a 2nd opinion on the repairs.

 

[azjl#3]

That makes sense. Ask them what they would take to buy the totaled jeep, should be in low 20s.

 

[GATORB8]

Will they give you the service history of the Lemon?

 

[Jeep Wick]

We had full coverage. They are totaling the Jeep. Unless I am mistaken, they are giving us $45k, which they put in writing. Haven't gotten a check yet, as we were considering a 2nd opinion on the repairs.

There are a number of Rubicons on Carvana near you in the 40's. No green, but I do see leather.

 

[Yngwie]

That makes sense. Ask them what they would take to buy the totaled jeep, should be in low 20s.

Good question. My wife is dealing with them now. Do you repair Jeeps with salvage titles?

Will they give you the service history of the Lemon?

Not sure. We've got a possibly better prospect, but will ask if it falls through.

There are a number of Rubicons on Carvana near you in the 40's. No green, but I do see leather.

Good tip for a good resource to check. I checked Carvana and you are right, no green.

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