Hello Guys, Kind of new to this forum. But following since last 8 months. Need your valuable inputs and suggestions on my search. I'm looking for a Jeep Wrangler between $7K-8K budget. It's my dream to a drive Jeep Wrangler since last few years. It's gonna be a second vehicle for my family. Seems like Jeep Wrangler TJ(97-06) is best bet under my budget.
I live in Columbus, OH and will be using this as my everyday utility vehicle.
Within TJ, Which year Jeep Wrangler is best option ?
I'm considering hard top to keep me warm during winter days. Do i really need to stand on this?
Interested in 6 Cylinder one. Would it be good option to consider 4 Cylinder as well? Interested in off road trips as well. May be not very often.
Is there any mileage flag to think about engine and transmission rebuilt while searching?
Best buying option that you guys recommend? Dealer or Private party?
Which place is best to have an complete inspection if i find a good one from private party listings? Usually how much it costs?
Please mention any other points i need to check while looking TJ models?
Found below listings in Columbus CL, Please provide your inputs.
I travel every other month to Buffalo, NY as part of my job. I will be staying in Buffalo almost entire next week. Thought of searching there as well and found below two near my budget. Please provide your inputs.
1). When I bought mine I wanted 2000 or newer. Ive never owned a car with a distributor and dont have much interest in starting hence the 2000 year. They arent bad, but its 1 extra maintenance item every year or 2. A coil pack is only $100 and lasts over 100k. If you want a manual transmission the 05-06 is the best(others arent bad). All TJ's are very good.
2).the jeep heater is plenty warm with a soft top in the winter but opening the rear plastic window is a bear and makes the trunk useless. For that reason I'd try to have both tops in the end. You can pick up whatever top doesnt come on the TJ for fairly cheap on craigslist
3). the 4 banger is fine around town and off road but a dog on the highway. I test drove 1 and realized I didnt want it. the 6 cyl gets the same MPG but actually has some pep. Its also more durable.
4). I wanted to stay under 200k. Not because of mileage flags but if I put 20-30k on a year, I'll be at 300 very fast and thats kinda high. My TJ has 175k. I just replaced a lot of components on it... for all of $100. They are extremely easy and cheap to repair
5). go private party. the dealer wont offer you a real warranty(maybe 30 days) so youre paying a higher price for nothing. You still have lemon law with private parties. In MA thats pretty good. You can also talk to the actual owner and find out if he/she takes care of the jeep or not.
Because of where youre looking, be prepared to drive a lot. There are so many rusty jeeps that the owners might not even know are rusty. Dont buy those. I drove 1500mi total looking at jeeps before I found my 2000 and it was worth it.
the 3rd jeep you posted looks clean anthough it looks like the hood latches are missing(cheap). they could be tucked under the hood in the pic though
Last thing, Get A/C. Youll never need it normally but when its hot, humid and raining, youll be happy you have it. That or stuck in 4th of july traffic in 100* temps
Thanks for the info JkJeeper06. All notes are very helpful. I drove around 20 miles everyday and most of them are on interstate. I will reach out to 2004 Jeep sahara guy to make inspection arrangements in next week.
Would it be good choice to negotiate based on KBB price? How much would you pay on this 2004 one?
What is the best place to have an inspection? I heard about AAA workshop from few of my friends.
What are your inputs on 1997 one(2nd listing)? How much would you pay on this jeep?
Something is up with the 2004 if it needed "Brand new windshield, brand new fenders and brand new windshield frame." Also notice the oil leak on the concrete.
New paint on the '04. Missing hood catch....why???
I don't think I'd touch the '04. Looks like a major accident followed by a quick fix and spray. Everything looks a bit off.
Actually... closer look the wipers and windshield glass are missing too.
Not sure why anyone would post pictures before finishing the work.
And lots of brown rust behind the rear bumper. Don't be fooled by shinny paint. Look close for rust underneath. TJ frames are notorious for rusting out.
Need your inputs again. At last today i got a chance to inspect 2003 Jeep Wrangler Sport and 2004 Sahara.
2003 Jeep sport inspected by Firestore Auto care:
as per them Jeep is in good-very good condition. Frame is solid. few rust down the body(this is common in Buffalo,NY area as per other jeepers)
It has soft and hard tops ..Interior and seats looks in good condition.
Only front and back U-joints, front wheel right baring need a replacement down the lane. I have crosschecked on this. Service guy told like we don't need to replace right away and can wait for another 7-8K miles on it.
2004 Inspection has been done by a local mechanic and my friend who owns two jeeps. Since this guy don't have insurance and plate we don't have an option to get this jeep to near by auto care for the inspection.
Got VIN number and report looks good. No accidents reported. It has two owners.
As per mechanic and my friend this jeeps seems good. Frame and Body looks solid.
I was surprised by seeing this owner. He can do any type of mechanic related work in this garage. it was like 5 car garage. He has 3 jeeps in his garage. 2015 2 door JK, 2005 right handed TJ and one YJ. Sahara is the 4th one he worked on transmission and couple of fixes and now listed for sale. Listing price is @$7500. This jeep has been inspected around Feb 2016 and it passed. He showed those papers.
--This jeep had a transmission issues: so he replaced with AX 15 transmission.
--This jeep has hard top.
--windshield frame is new. The old one is rusted badly. it was still at this garage. The pics in CL add were taken while he was working windshield stuff. He is not bothering about updating CL add with new pics. It has wipers, windshield glass and hood latches on it.
--When it comes to interior it was a bummer. Seats condition is just OK. Front and Rear seats needs additional covers on them.
--There is no flooring. It has just mats on the body. But body looks good with few rust spots.
--Dash board also just ok. It has few scratches and appearance is not really good.
I wouldnt buy the '03 for the sole reason of diamond plate. There are so many ways to install it wrong that I wouldnt want to risk it. Buffalo loves Magnesium Chloride(most corrosive road salt) so chances are it is harboring rust under those plates and itll only get worse.
I like the 04 much better. If he replaced the windshield frame I hope he made sure the top of the tub where the windshield frame sits was treated with a rust inhibitor. If so Id probably get the 04. You can get a full set of BedRug carpeting for under 400.
On the '03, wheel bearings and U-joints are very cheap parts but mechanics know that not many people are willing to do it themselves so the labor time gets inflated a lot. I've changed a wheel bearing in 25 minutes before yet my dad just got charged $800 to have 1 done($150 part). The ujoints take longer but are not hard at all if you have the tools.
The '04 is a much better deal. Just make sure new hood latches are put on before going on the highway. It will come undone otherwise. If he wont do that, put a ratchet strap across the hood to get it home and then do it at home
Thanks jkjeeper06 for your inputs. I ruled out 2003 one.
Had a call with Sahara guy again, He told he bought that Sahara in Jan 2016. But carfax not showing 3rd ownership. It's showing Jeep under 2nd ownership since 2007. Is this usual?
On 2004 Sahara, The guy already installed hood latches on it.
How much it will cost to replace dash board? The installed dash board looks kind of shaded with scratches.
In the pictures he doesnt have a license plate on it which makes me think it isnt registered. In order for it to show 3 owners he would have had to register it and get a new title. Carfax could easily lag behind a bit on information too. when you buy it, just make sure the title is in his name. Even if it is in someone else's name but signed, he cant legally sell it unless he is a dealer.
As far as replacing the dashboard, I have no idea of the cost. I guess it depends how much you want replaced? If its just the center panel or knee panel that could be easy but doing everything would get costly, not to mention it will take some time to find the parts.
If you google TJ dashboard removal you may get a better idea of what needs to be replaced
Listen for an exhaust leak from a cracked exhaust manifold on 97-99's, very common issue that was fixed on 2000. But 2000-01 did have some cracked cylinder heads.
Look at a few different ones, I personally don't like the updated seats in the 01-06's.
If you want a manual transmission avoid the 05-06's with the NSG370. It's problematic and very expensive to fix since it's a Mercedes-Benz trans. The NV3550 in the 00-04's is the best, but the AX-15 in 97-99 was good too and around longer as it was used in the YJ too.
Rust is really the biggest concern, find rust free first, then sort them out.
If you want a manual transmission avoid the 05-06's with the NSG370. It's problematic and very expensive to fix since it's a Mercedes-Benz trans. The NV3550 in the 00-04's is the best, but the AX-15 in 97-99 was good too and around longer as it was used in the YJ too.
Rust is really the biggest concern, find rust free first, then sort them out.
The NSG370 is better than the NV in the sense that New Venture gears is out of buisness so its hard to find parts for the 00-04 manual tranny but as long as you dont need a rebuild you're all set. Never had issues with my NSG or NV transmission though.The OP said the 04 has the AX-15 so that solves that issue.
Agree with the rust 100%. In buffalo, thats not possible though so look for minimal, easily fixed rust like fenders/grill/hood/bumpers. All of those can be unbolted and fixed or replaced
That Sahara has been for sale for a month now, there must be something wrong or it would have sold long ago for that price. Why does it have the AX-15 in an 04 jeep? They switched to the NV-3350 in 2000 I think. Is the engine from an older jeep also?
OP said he was having troubles with the NV3550. While it is stronger than the AX-15, it is more finicky and if it is short shifted you can wear out the syncros pretty quick and start grinding gears. Since NV gears is out of buisness its not easy or cheap to get parts and many people swap in the Ax-15 or this which is essentially a beefed up AX-15: Terminator™ - Rockland Standard Gear, Inc.
It is a common swap due to the cost to rebuild or purchase used AX-15's. the Nsg-370 is not a direct bolt up trans like the ax-15 is which is why most dont do it.
Doesnt sound like the engine is swapped.
OP, Id give it another inspection for rust and take it for another drive. Make sure it shifts well and then make an educated decision.
There will always be a better jeep out there and there will always be worse ones.
On the point of not being sold for a month, I wonder if the title is in his name. It would take a long time to con someone into taking the jeep if the title isnt in your name.
I'd run away from that '04, that's scary. It screams hiding a major accident. Carfax is way less than 100% accurate. Many major accidents don't get reported to them. The local Firestone guys are only going to look at it mechanically, not structurally. It doesn't look like it even has hood latches on the fender!
I'd also run a VIN thru AutoCheck and NMVTIS.
But keep looking! There are tons of TJ's out there, just need to wait for the right one.
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