2004 Brute on Ebay

[red95jeep]

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/Jeep-Wrangler-BRUTE-2004-JEEP-WRANGLER-TJ-RUBICON-AEV-BRUTE-CONVERTION-_W0QQcmdZViewItemQQhashZitem256088eadaQQitemZ16053 3375706QQptZUSQ5fCarsQ5fTrucks

This Brute just sold for $26,000!!!:eek:

This was a Bursnsville Off Road build. It was a 2004 Rubicon with 16,000 miles on it. Whats the deal? These trucks are selling $30K-40K with higher mileage and with nonRubicon packages. Are the Brutes just not holding there value?

[theglide]

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/Jeep-Wrangler-BRUTE-2004-JEEP-WRANGLER-TJ-RUBICON-AEV-BRUTE-CONVERTION-_W0QQcmdZViewItemQQhashZitem256088eadaQQitemZ16053 3375706QQptZUSQ5fCarsQ5fTrucks

This Brute just sold for $26,000!!!:eek:

This was a Bursnsville Off Road build. It was a 2004 Rubicon with 16,000 miles on it. Whats the deal? These trucks are selling $30K-40K with higher mileage and with nonRubicon packages. Are the Brutes just not holding there value?

$30-40k for one WITHOUT a Hemi, I don't think so. The complete kit is $9k, a higher mileage, non-Rubicon donor vehicle can be had for under $11k and I believe you could get someone to build it for you for less than $10k, so if you can build your own for less than $30k, why would you spend upwards of $40k for someone else's. Now put a Hemi in it and that's a different story.

Not saying this wasn't a good deal for the buyer. It was. Just saying it wasn't that far out of line.

[red95jeep]

http://forum.aev-conversions.com/showthread.php?t=2437

Here is a 2004 with 76K with an almost identicale set up. It is selling for $40,000.

The hemi Brutes have been selling for the $50-60,000 range.

I would say that the previous owner is regretting the Ebay sale and on the other hand the new owner got an OUTSTANDING deal on a turn key Brute.

I have been looking in here in Georgia for a while now. The best I can find on a clean title Rubicon with 40-60K miles on it is about $15,000. Then the Brute kit delivered to the door is $9,500. Then the labor/paint another $10,000. Your looking at $34,000. Then lastly add all the goodies: bumper, winch, on board air, wheels/tires your in the $40,000 range.

I wish I was in on that Ebay deal.:( My best guess is that was a fluke.

[djb_rh]

I agree with red95jeep. I've watched this forum's classifieds closely for a couple years or more, and while we don't REALLY know what things *sell* for, it seems like even non-hemi Brutes are likely selling well for over $26,000 with that kind of mileage and build. Okay, maybe not a full $14,000, but into the $30's, anyway. They do usually have Highline kits, too, though. *shrug* I still say it's a pretty darned good deal, and we don't know that the seller didn't just buy it back with another eBay ID, either.

One thing I know, I don't like that BOR logo on the tailgate. AEV did such an awesome job with their graphics that I hate seeing anything added, honestly. Leave it with the AEV stuff and people confuse it for factory (regularly). Something like that added just screams custom. *shrug*


--Donnie

[theglide]

http://forum.aev-conversions.com/showthread.php?t=2437

Here is a 2004 with 76K with an almost identicale set up. It is selling for $40,000.

The hemi Brutes have been selling for the $50-60,000 range.

I would say that the previous owner is regretting the Ebay sale and on the other hand the new owner got an OUTSTANDING deal on a turn key Brute.

I have been looking in here in Georgia for a while now. The best I can find on a clean title Rubicon with 40-60K miles on it is about $15,000. Then the Brute kit delivered to the door is $9,500. Then the labor/paint another $10,000. Your looking at $34,000. Then lastly add all the goodies: bumper, winch, on board air, wheels/tires your in the $40,000 range.

I wish I was in on that Ebay deal.:( My best guess is that was a fluke.
red95jeep,

If the previous owner is regretting his Ebay sell it's his own fault because there was a reserve on this vehicle and it was met. The seller got his reserve or better and the buyer got the vehicle.

How is this a fluke? It was auction to highest bidder on the internet. What would you have paid for it?

You said

... These trucks are selling $30K-40K with higher mileage and with nonRubicon packages. ...

and I gave you an example of how you could build a higher mileage non-Rubicon package for under $30k. Point is you'll never get all your money back out of a build. Yes, a Rubicon build Brute will cost you in the mid-30's but you can't sell it for that. You pointed me to a Rubicon built Brute listed for $40k. Well here's Hemi Brute with 40 inch tires, Dana 60 in rear, etc. built by a former AEV employee listed for $49k/OBO

link (http://forum.aev-conversions.com/showthread.php?t=1653)

I contend that this Hemi Brute is easily $20k more vehicle than the $40k one you linked and this Hemi-Brute doesn't seem to be selling. Maybe it sold recently, but from the post dates it went at least 11 months without selling.

Yeah we don't always know what these Brutes sell for, but in this Ebay case we do. Maybe people aren't getting their list price for them. Actually I'd say it's highly likely people aren't getting their list price for them.

Look I just had a AEV Highline kit and Tummy Tucker installed along with a bunch of other work. It's a 2005 Rubicon with ~44k miles. I've got a front bumper and winch to add to finish my build. When I'm done, do think someone would buy it from me for $24k (that's KBB private party plus what I will have just put into it in parts and labor)? No, I don't think so.

If they did, I'd probably take it. Be a fool not to. I'd turn right around and buy another stock Jeep (different color) and build it up a little different. My painter and mechanic would love it because they need money (just like everyone else) and enjoyed the last build.

Mike

[theglide]

One thing I know, I don't like that BOR logo on the tailgate. AEV did such an awesome job with their graphics that I hate seeing anything added, honestly. Leave it with the AEV stuff and people confuse it for factory (regularly). Something like that added just screams custom. *shrug*


--Donnie

I am with you on that one ... I had the Rubicon stickers put back on mine and Jeepers actually have mistaken it for stock. One guy was examining it in the grocery store parking lot, wondering what kind of lift I had on it. I told him I was running 33's on stock suspension. Pointed out the hood line and he said "oh I see now." That was priceless in my opinion. That BOR logo would be the first thing I would take off of that Brute.

Mike

[AEV Dave]

Thats very cheap...made me wonder if something was up...

A dealership doing service work could have made a mistake of course when entering in mileage, but it looks a little fishy when the dealership entered in the last odometer at 23,111 in 2006. I don't believe the service record mileage is available through places like carfax, just sales records, which is pretty limited on this truck...buyer beware?

1882

dh

[theglide]

Since Dave responded personally, I will amend my comments to include: IF this vehicle had been built by AEV and/or an employee of AEV (which it was NOT) then I would expect at least another $8-10k over what it sold on Ebay for would be a good (very good) price to buy it as a USED vehicle. As Dave points out not everything seems to add up with this particular vehicle and the price paid may well indeed be too HIGH.

Mike

[imajeepnut]

Could this be the Brute that was rolled and rebuilt? After the rebuild, it was offered up for sale. Maybe it was put back to stock form...no Hemi, frame painted black again. Same Brute or not?

[AEV Dave]

You're probably thinking of the screaming lizards Brute and no its not the same. This one started out lime green and was originally sold in MN.

dh

[imajeepnut]

You're right...I found that out today in conversation...I should have checked that before posting. Still...it looks like someone got a great deal.

[Ben Hedrick]

You're right...I found that out today in conversation...I should have checked that before posting. Still...it looks like someone got a great deal.

I agree! I would have bought this, had I seen it... Dammit! :confused: :rolleyes:

[red95jeep]

Maybe the new owner will drop a line and tell us about thier purchase.:cool:

[imajeepnut]

or maybe he/she can't follow thru with the deal and.....well....I'm just thinkin'.......to myself ;)

[billiebob]

Back to that $26,000.00 Brute, definitely a nice price for the buyer but to compare it to the Flanagan Brute at $40,000.00 is just not accurate. Aside from the HighLine Kit on Flanagans ... They are ASKING $40,000.00 ... And it has not sold. It was posted for sale on Dec 10/10. The $26,000.00 price just took 10 days to sell. Sometimes a motivated Seller makes all the difference and I bet Flanagans eventually ends up with less than $36,000.00.

[theglide]

speaking of nicely priced Brutes, check this one out

http://forum.aev-conversions.com/showthread.php?p=17734#post17734

just under $30k ... looks to be a nice Brute at a nice price

[imajeepnut]

Very nice Red Brute indeed...I want an Auto. but boyhowdy that makes me think. Turnkey is so tempting... I always did like Dave's red Brute on 37's.

Would an auto swap be a pain or would it be simple enough?

[w00ht]

Very nice Red Brute indeed...I want an Auto. but boyhowdy that makes me think. Turnkey is so tempting... I always did like Dave's red Brute on 37's.

Would an auto swap be a pain or would it be simple enough?

I doubt it would be worth the cost unless you were swapping engines or something else major while you were at it. An E-Rod swap with an auto would go quite well in there I think.

[red95jeep]

Here is another link to a 1997 Brute on Ebay. $23,300.00

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=150556910555&viewitem=&sspagename=STRK%3AMEWAX%3AIT

This was a very nice Brute. It was not an AEV conversion but it looks like they did a nice job.

[imajeepnut]

You should have bought that one Bill!!! That's just up the road from you! Where are the autos???!!!

[theglide]

Here is another link to a 1997 Brute on Ebay. $23,300.00

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=150556910555&viewitem=&sspagename=STRK%3AMEWAX%3AIT

This was a very nice Brute. It was not an AEV conversion but it looks like they did a nice job.

do you mean "not a conversion done by AEV?" it doesn't have the AEV highline kit on the front but it sure appears that the bed and cab are AEV parts

in any case, I think that makes 3 non-Hemi Brutes (2 on Ebay and 1 on this forum) sold in less than 3 weeks, all for under $30k ... so I think this means the first one was not fluke, I just don't think you can get anywhere close to $40k for a used non-Hemi Brute in this economy, don't know that the top end price would be (maybe $32k?) and certainly a Brute actually built by AEV might fetch a premium, but if someone thinks they're going to get say $38k for one (non-Hemi) I think they're going to be waiting a long time for that special buyer

[Joe Roberts]

WOW< Someone got a heck of a deal

[red95jeep]

You should have bought that one Bill!!! That's just up the road from you! Where are the autos???!!!

I know right?!? That Brute is very nice. I just could not get past the 30/35 axles. Everything else was great. Still a great deal on Brute conversion!!:)

[Tom Williams]

in any case, I think that makes 3 non-Hemi Brutes (2 on Ebay and 1 on this forum) sold in less than 3 weeks, all for under $30k ... so I think this means the first one was not fluke, I just don't think you can get anywhere close to $40k for a used non-Hemi Brute in this economy, don't know that the top end price would be (maybe $32k?) and certainly a Brute actually built by AEV might fetch a premium, but if someone thinks they're going to get say $38k for one (non-Hemi) I think they're going to be waiting a long time for that special buyer

The Lund Cadillac Brute sold the day it was finished. And from what I have heard it was for full asking price.

[Jdemonto]

The Lund Cadillac Brute sold the day it was finished. And from what I have heard it was for full asking price.

For some reason no price was ever posted??? Interested in what it brought...

Jason

[theglide]

For some reason no price was ever posted??? Interested in what it brought...

Jason

yeah and they said they sold it to a customer who was taking delivery of another vehicle, think that means TWO vehicles to one customer, so what it would have sold for as a single vehicle to a single buyer may be anyone's guess

[thewas4x]

I never posted the price, because it never really got completed prior to sale. Even this evening I was determining how much of the extra work is "part of the original deal" and what is additional upgrades. It was sold when it was not quite completed. The gentleman knew what he wanted, and between how the Brute was built as it sat that moment, plus additional upgrades requested, it was a fair deal. His final price is his business.
All I can say is that it seems near impossible to build a Brute (unless you go with a fairly old TJ or high mileage one) under $35k as a basic conversion. Then add as you go for Highline, gears, lift/ suspension, bumpers, winch, wheels, tires, etc. That all refers to a current build with all new components, not implying that someone who built one five years ago and got some enjoyment out of it couldn't sell it for less.
It is just a parts intensive, labor intensive, paint intensive project. And it was a lot of fun.

Chris Wasnesky

Used Car Director
Lund Cadillac HUMMER Saab

[Jdemonto]

I never posted the price, because it never really got completed prior to sale. Even this evening I was determining how much of the extra work is "part of the original deal" and what is additional upgrades. It was sold when it was not quite completed. The gentleman knew what he wanted, and between how the Brute was built as it sat that moment, plus additional upgrades requested, it was a fair deal. His final price is his business.
All I can say is that it seems near impossible to build a Brute (unless you go with a fairly old TJ or high mileage one) under $35k as a basic conversion. Then add as you go for Highline, gears, lift/ suspension, bumpers, winch, wheels, tires, etc. That all refers to a current build with all new components, not implying that someone who built one five years ago and got some enjoyment out of it couldn't sell it for less.
It is just a parts intensive, labor intensive, paint intensive project. And it was a lot of fun.

Chris Wasnesky

Used Car Director
Lund Cadillac HUMMER Saab

I understand privacy of the sale etc. I think everyone is interested to know what the list price would have been as that Jeep sat before anyone wanted to buy it with additional features. Starting out with a newer Jeep at 17K+ would make it pricey. I think most Brutes are built using parts or like you said a older high mileage Jeep. As a business/dealer that could be a tough sell with your type of clients.

Jason

[theglide]

I never posted the price, because it never really got completed prior to sale. Even this evening I was determining how much of the extra work is "part of the original deal" and what is additional upgrades. It was sold when it was not quite completed. The gentleman knew what he wanted, and between how the Brute was built as it sat that moment, plus additional upgrades requested, it was a fair deal. His final price is his business.
All I can say is that it seems near impossible to build a Brute (unless you go with a fairly old TJ or high mileage one) under $35k as a basic conversion. Then add as you go for Highline, gears, lift/ suspension, bumpers, winch, wheels, tires, etc. That all refers to a current build with all new components, not implying that someone who built one five years ago and got some enjoyment out of it couldn't sell it for less.
It is just a parts intensive, labor intensive, paint intensive project. And it was a lot of fun.

Chris Wasnesky

Used Car Director
Lund Cadillac HUMMER Saab

Yeah, Chris way you described the deal on the other thread, I figured even you would have a hard time assigning a sell price, plus like you it's the buyer's business what he negotiated the price for.

You're correct that a late model TJ (especially if it's a Rubicon) donor build for a Brute is going run $35k or more. I think it's possible to have a mild build come under $30k (thinking early 2000's TJ Sport or X model as a donor, maybe just barely under $30k). Point I was trying to make earlier on this thread is that if you build one for yourself, use it for a while and then try to sell it as a private party you should NOT expect to get anywhere near what you put into it.

As a dealer building and selling Brutes "newly-finished", ya'll have some advantages that can fetch a premium over private parties selling used Brutes. You can offer a warranty, arrange on-the-spot financing, make custom modifications, etc. Even so I think it's gutsy move you're doing: build Brutes "to spec" without a customer in-hand a priori. But I guess "no guts, no glory." Did a heck of a job (from what I can tell from the photos) on your first Brute build. Can't wait to see the next one.

Mike

P.S. don't you need to change your signature to "Lund Cadillac JEEP Saab" ;)