Woah now, if it wasn't for the mall crawlers where would we find our cherries wating to be jacked up? I always buy used 4x4 from the city they're usually prime condition compaired to us country boys toy's.
Mud
Quote for truth on that.. My LJ is exactly that, it has miles on it but was never beat on.. Funny though I had to go more out in the country to find Wranglers.
Your wife needs to read about wranglers a bit and then she can make a list of wants/needs. Then you can take your budget and see if they match up.
I had my list:
OBDII - need
4.0L - need
auto/manual - open
Axles - open - not a trail truck
Hardtop - need
Long wheel base - space and stability in snow - want
Budget firm
That list matched up to a TJ. Which is good cause I like how they look best. I looked a lot of them short and long wheel base. I found lots of SWB that were busted up for premium money around me, when I expanded my search say on cars.com to 50 miles I found two of the LWB one auto one manaul. Also found better quality of the SWB. I drove the manual LWB and we didn't get along, strange since I drive manaul so I opted for an auto. Which is the one I bought..
My mechanic gave me a tip which I thought was strange but after learning more it made sense.. Always check beyond the rust, leaks and accident damage, make sure the jeep you are looking at has the axles its supposed to have under it. Since swapping them out is so common.. Bonus if you get the upgrade, big red flag if you are looking at the downgrade!
I wish you guys luck..