[DMC04]

Hi all! I'm looking into buying a used Jeep and would greatlyappreciate some feedback.

Here's my criteria:

- Price: $7500 max
- Usage: Daily driver for short commute, weekend toy for the family. < 10k
miles/year
- Off-road use will be very limited and light-duty
- Not looking to do any major mods. Wheels/tires, minor lift, at most.

From this, my thought was to look for a Wrangler as new as possible, with as few miles as possible. Seems like a late 90's to 00' or so model with 75k-100k is where I end up (reason I'm in the TJ forum).

That being said.... Is there any model year to steer toward/away from? Engine/trans to avoid? Things I should keep an eye out for when looking, etc...? I'm real familiar with the mechanics of cars/trucks, just not to the specific nuances of Jeeps. I'll browse the forum also, but figured a specific question will get me some better answers.

Any feedback would be much appreciated, thanks!

[Johnny5isAlive]

watch for rust (your in CT right?)

watch for 1997 model years. (first year of TJ production) if your looking for a TJ

check all suspension components

check all service dates, maintenance performed

DO a test drive!

has it been beaten/broken?**

**(its a jeep, it'll run )

more will chime in with good advice.


btw. Welcome!

[KKiowaTJ]

miles dont matter all that much, you dont wanna 200k jeep off the bat,but 150k isnt bad for an in-line 6.which brings that up,get a 6cyl,4 is a turd,only good in school zones and some trails,well all trails.in 99 the put a new and improved manifold,more hp,so look for a 99 or newer.dana 44 rear is another thing to look for.some dont like buying modded jeeps,because you dont know what condition the previous owner did,or how he ran it off-road,but if you can get one already done the way you want it,and it drives out good,go for it,not all people tear things up,and your money ahead.more will chime in on other things to look for,good luck and welcome to the forum

[PackMan]

At that price, you're probably going to get stuck with a 4 cyl. That's not all bad for short commutes and as a toy, but you'll still probably be kicking yourself for not getting the 6 cyl.

The Jeep 4.0 liter is among the most reliable - albeit stone-age - engines ever made, probably a notch behind the Ford 300cid straight 6.

A 1999 model of ANYTHING sells at a good price these days, simply because it's a millennium old in the eyes of sellers/buyers. It's purely psychological and quite silly, but I've seen this in both wholesale and retail in the last couple of years.

I would avoid the 1997, but I'm probably going to take the wrath of some people here who own one.

[KKiowaTJ]

i had a 97,didnt have too much trouble with it,but i wouldent settle for a 4cyl,but i guess everybody has to own one to understand they screwed up.i like my 99 for the fact that it has the newest parts,short of the re-designed exhaust manifold,but i like distridutor models,coils are junk,been around too many vehicles with them,cant just give them an old school tune-up like the older ones.but look in the for sale section here on the forum,good deals can be found there,and as a jeeper myself,i would never sell junk to a fellow jeeper,always tell them if there is a problem,or a possible flaw,but thats me,and most on here are honest.you will get alot off good advice if you do searces,and read alot of old posts

[DMC04]

Thanks all! This is exactly the stuff I'm looking for.

So 6 cyl and 98' and up preferred...

My only other thought on yr/model is the occasional older CJ you see for sale "built", with (for example) $15k invested, going for 1/2 that. Though heavily modded ones probably require a seasoned eye to make sure all is done right. I'm not looking for a weekend project, so probably a bad idea... Just a thought.

Keep the feedback coming, and thanks again!

[Rocky529]

Originally Posted by DMC04

Thanks all! This is exactly the stuff I'm looking for.

So 6 cyl and 98' and up preferred...

My only other thought on yr/model is the occasional older CJ you see for sale "built", with (for example) $15k invested, going for 1/2 that. Though heavily modded ones probably require a seasoned eye to make sure all is done right. I'm not looking for a weekend project, so probably a bad idea... Just a thought.

Keep the feedback coming, and thanks again!

There is nothing wrong with a 1997 either.

[drummerwookie]

Originally Posted by Rocky529

There is nothing wrong with a 1997 either.

yea, for the most part, not enough really changed from the YJ, to the TJ. they upgraded the suspenion in the TJ from leafs to coils, they put a different dash with dual airbags inside, and slightly changed the roll bar a very little bit, and of course, put round headlights on it..but for the most part, it was unchanged...so its not like it was the first year for anything that could leave you stranded anywhere if something happened

im honestly not sure about the transmission tho going from the YJ to TJ, by how much that changed if at any.

but yea, if i were you, id be looking for something like a 98-99 sport with the 4.0, and manual with around 130,000 miles...around here, they arent hard to find for 7000 or so