Im looking to become a fellow jeep owner soon! Tomorrow i am looking at a 1997 Sport with the 4.0 I6 and 5-speed manual. So far that is exactly what I am looking for. It has 93,000 miles with no major mods. He is asking $4500. It sounds like a good deal to me.
Can someone give me suggestions on what to look for? I've read that alot of people get concerned about the frame. Any other suggestions?
Thanks! Im really excited to get my hands on my first jeep!
-rpkittle
Sounds pretty good. Yep, check the frame over good. Drive it and made sure it drives straight. Check the floor for rust. How is the top? Hard top, soft top? Both? Full doors, half doors? If it checks out good.....BUY it. I paid 5K for my 97 sport auto, full doors, both tops, with 121K on it. And I thought that was good.
As far as I know, its just a soft top with half doors. The jeep is a dark green color with a tan top. The seller told me he owns two jeeps, and selling this one to help fund his new business. He told me it was owned by a park ranger for a little while. Thanks for the tips will.
Here is my list of things I plan to check out:
-Stance, level from side to side and a little higher in the rear
-history of accidents, will not buy if so
-Frame rust or twist? Im guessing the twist may been seen in the stance
-Drive straight
-Leaking fluids
-operation of 4x4 hi and lo
Are there any major red flags for this model year? I've read that front end damage is very harsh on the frame. Any suggestions?
I was able to get some pics. It looks really clean! Does any one see anything out of the ordinary? The seller seems to be very knowledgeable, and has owned jeeps his entire life.
Wow, I think i made a mistake. I go to put the title in my name, and find out the previous owner lied to me. Lie #1, the jeep does not have a clean title, it is salvage. Lie #2, he said he owned the jeep for 3-4 years, turns out to be 3 months and 300 miles. And then I find out about an exhaust leak, here is a picture to show why:
I kinda feel like my excitement of finally getting a good deal on a wrangler has blinded me from simple mistakes! I just feel so played. =(
sue him for selling you a lemon, i dont know if you can do that where you are but here in texas you can sue for selling a lemon. every one cover your eyes (you know where he lives) ill leave it at that.
Ohio lemon laws only apply to vehicles that have been in repair multiple times for the same issue under that manufacturers warranty. So that does not apply.
Has anyone seen anything like this? Its like somehow the front drive shaft has been moved about an inch closer to the exhaust, which eventually carved a hole right in the downpipe. Is this repairable?
I went poking around under the jeep and did not find any spot for a exhaust hanger that close to the engine? I actually only found two hangers that are loose and near the very end. I was able to notice that the exhaust was loosely fitted where I can turn it with my hands. This is how it looks now:
I'm going to look again for another hanger location that may have slipped my eyes. I don't really have to fix the exhaust leak until next summer, but maybe I can get the hanger setup until then.
I Found the culprit. The hanger from the CAT broke off as seen in the picture below. It also looks like the flange between the manifold and head pipe is a little loose. After I readjusted the head pipe, I tried t tightent the flange but it was way to rusty. Will need new bolts. The goods news is that after I test drove the car, the rattling and clanking noises went away. Looks like I'll be replacing this exhaust sooner than expected. I've priced out what I needed for around $150 and free shipping.
Well at least you know how to turn a wrench! Also I recommend getting a few cans of Spray on bed liner and hitting up those fender flares and bumpers. It would look like a new Jeep since it seems you have good paint to begin with. Here is a link to my favorite thread in this forum, read play and share! http://www.wranglerforum.com/f5/cheap-easy-fun-creative-mods-102868.html
Hah! Great thread! So I've spent the last few hours reading just that thread! I'm on page 22 for now =) I was thinking the exact same thing about the fenders. I also have another idea up my sleeves that I'll keep to myself until it's finished. Keep an eye out for it in a month or so on that thread!
Well, I know you must be pissed about the salvage title. I would be. But did you get it for $4500 or less. You are not going to find a 4.0 cheaper than that really. Get ready to have fun with it. Winter it is pretty good in the snow. And when summer comes back, you are going to love the top down.
You know, you are 100% correct. I was upset at first, but I quickly got over it. It's like as soon as I got my hands dirty to fix the problem earlier in the thread, I started to become attached. Then I find my self trying to find places to go drive. If I could rewind time, I would still buy it. Support from the forum has been great!
I'm thinking it has a salvage title because the airbags might of went off. I know minor font end collisions can do that, but also not cause any body damage to the vehicle. I do know that the current air bags are working.
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