Hi All,
I have owned 2 Jeeps in the past; I had a '99 4.7 that I sold running great at 157k. I only ditched it because the rocker panels were starting to rust. I then bought a low mileage (20k) 2005 w/a Hemi. Loved it until I got a vehicle allowance for my new job and took advantage of it and got a new truck. Neither ever gave me any troubles beyond common replaceables...starter in 05, alternator in 99, replaced axles in the 99.
Well, times are tough. I need a cheap ($5k or less) winter vehicle big enough to haul dogs in and that will tow a horse in a pinch (ie, an emergency- not going to be used for towing regularly) and isn't an eyesore (work requirement). I was looking at older WJs in good shape, but I saw a VERY nice and apparently well-maintained (says he can prove regular maintenance every 3k mi) 2005 Hemi w/195,000 miles on it, mostly highway.
My long-winded question boils down to this: Is there anything in particular that I should worry about w/a Hemi of this age/mileage? Something disastrous with engine, transmission, 4x4 system, etc? Am I wiser to stick w/an older 4.7? Or even the inline 6?
Any help is much appreciated.
I have owned 2 Jeeps in the past; I had a '99 4.7 that I sold running great at 157k. I only ditched it because the rocker panels were starting to rust. I then bought a low mileage (20k) 2005 w/a Hemi. Loved it until I got a vehicle allowance for my new job and took advantage of it and got a new truck. Neither ever gave me any troubles beyond common replaceables...starter in 05, alternator in 99, replaced axles in the 99.
Well, times are tough. I need a cheap ($5k or less) winter vehicle big enough to haul dogs in and that will tow a horse in a pinch (ie, an emergency- not going to be used for towing regularly) and isn't an eyesore (work requirement). I was looking at older WJs in good shape, but I saw a VERY nice and apparently well-maintained (says he can prove regular maintenance every 3k mi) 2005 Hemi w/195,000 miles on it, mostly highway.
My long-winded question boils down to this: Is there anything in particular that I should worry about w/a Hemi of this age/mileage? Something disastrous with engine, transmission, 4x4 system, etc? Am I wiser to stick w/an older 4.7? Or even the inline 6?
Any help is much appreciated.