Is 4500 or less reasonable for a wrangler?

Is it possible to buy a wrangler and have it be a decent condition for 4500? Not to worried which engine, although the 6 seems to go forever and gets about the same mileage. Would much prefer a stick. Actually, the wife would much prefer a stick. We would even be open to a cherokee, but that would have to be a stick. Maybe less than 125k miles?

Joey

http://lansing.craigslist.org/cto/1603169729.html

http://flint.craigslist.org/cto/1603201372.html

Around here (western Tn.) you CAN find a decent, rust-free Wrangler for $4500....private party. For that kind of money, here, you would get a high mileage (110K+), 4 cylinder....MAYBE a 6 cylinder, that has probably been off-road a few times. And it will have ONLY a canvas roof/doors.

DECENT 6 cylinders here, start around $8K....assuming you want a hardtop and hard doors. I've noticed that when you opt for an automatic Wrangler, it "seems" as tho they are the cleanest/best looking examples....probably never off road.

I've only ever ridden in Wranglers so I can't say pro or con about the 4 or 6...but EPA ratings for both are so close, it makes you wonder why JEEP bothers with a 4.....other than low(ish) entry price.

I was buying parts at the Jeep dealership one day when one parts guy said to the other "Why do these things hold their value so well? There's nothing to them!".

It's true. Jeep guys just snap them up. If you want a TJ vs. a YJ (and you do want a TJ), $4500 seems to be just about the bottom of the market. For that price, you will find a few 4 cylinders with 125k miles and maybe an occasional six. If you ever, EVER expect to drive on the highway, even for a single exit, get a six.

This, coming from a guy who bought a 4 cylinder TJ with 115k miles and a bad transfer case for $1800.

Hey Joel...

http://lansing.craigslist.org/cto/1606222039.html *

http://lansing.craigslist.org/cto/1605963556.html

http://lansing.craigslist.org/cto/1605642708.html

http://lansing.craigslist.org/ctd/1604991010.html

http://lansing.craigslist.org/cto/1604288818.html

http://lansing.craigslist.org/cto/1603940913.html

http://lansing.craigslist.org/cto/1600155748.html **

http://lansing.craigslist.org/cto/1594622094.html ***

http://lansing.craigslist.org/cto/1590283794.html ***

http://lansing.craigslist.org/cto/1589498860.html *

I bought this one for $3400, 4.0 with ~170k miles, manual, some rust.

I looked for about a month before I found one at that price, they were mostly auto or 4 cyl but there are some decent ones out there for under $4500.

Skip the 4 cylinder; its pointless. Less power for the same fuel economy and none of the torque.

Four Cylinder 5 speed is fine for off road or plowing ( I did both with mine). Never buy a 4 cylinder automatic.

You will quickly tire of the half doors and soft uppers.

My first Jeep was a 4 banger YJ. Loved it. Did lots of highway miles and only wished for the 6 once. That said, it's the first and last 4 banger I ever had (jeep that is). The 6 is just more better. But for that money, you'll have a tough time getting what you want. I'd go higher mileage, just check the thing out well. If you want, I'll have a look-see with you. I've owned almost 20 jeeps, ranging from a 1946 flat fender to a 2000 WJ. I was also a tech at a Jeep dealer for years.

They're out there - you may have to be patient though - I did see one on govt deals for around 3k and about fell over seeing a cash for clunkers TJ in the pick n pull - straight body, 5 spd and a touch of rust. Panel replacement is pretty easy - or just go over it with body armor for sills or rear fenders. for front fenders - replace with tubes. Most never leave the road though. Newer vehicles don't get much simpler that a wrangler.

Interesting that the hard core rock crawlers and desert racers tend to go auto trans.

I bought a 2001, 4cyl, 5 speed, with 65k miles through an inside deal for $750. It lived on the deck of a condo on the beach with the top down for about a year withouth moving.

It had a mystery drain and no top or doors. It was missing the doors and radio. Needed a top, seats, interior, seatbelts etc. I drove it for about a year with no real issues and sold it for $3500 because it needed tires and tags. At the time I had about $1500-$2000 in it.

With 33X10.5 the 4cyl had more than enough power for around town and had plenty of torque. On the highway it was a bit strained but I drove the hour and a half to Orlando several times and did 80mph without issue. In an area with more hills I would have had to shift down to fourth often.

It was a rat and my wife hated it but it was fun and I miss it on occasion. In the rain it was a total drift king and more than once I beat some ricers til about 50 mph when she started running out of steam.

Woody wrote: I was buying parts at the Jeep dealership one day when one parts guy said to the other "Why do these things hold their value so well? There's nothing to them!".

That, and:

• go out and buy a, lets say (20 year old) 1990 Wrangler in good condition,
• drive it to a Jeep dealership
• park it next to a new one
• compare

There is almost no difference! If the new ones are almost the same as the old ones, and old one in good condition will be worth a lot. Poor condition ones of course are easy to fix as noted above.

I see them all the time. 2500 however seems to be the bottom for a good runner.

I'm scared of the 4 cyl 5 speed with the peugot trans (ax-5 ?) This transmission will explode with gentle driving and lots of love. And who wants to drive a jeep gently? Other than that, the 4cyl will propel the jeep forward.

Around here, the frames rot out near the rear wheel well, usually have to be patched to pass inspection. That's where I have seen many $500 wrangler runners. (won't pass inspection).

Junkyard upgrades are plentiful if you can weld.

I almost bought a new wrangler when they introduced the lifetime warranty and brought out their zero % finance, held off because I was worried about Chrysler going under.... Imagine that. The design is timeless however.

I did settle for a manual trans. cherokee, the heater is much more effective in these, cheaper too.

Thanks for the info guys. How about the odometer? When did it gain a hundred thousand mile position? I just found a good deal on a 1994, but Im not sure if I beleive the miles are 88, and not 188. My 1994 escort does not show hundreds, but my 1995 did. Anyone know?

Joey

My 97 showed hundreds. I'm not sure about earlier. I'm pretty sure my friends 89ish cherokee had 100s so the wranglers should to.

aircooled wrote:

Woody wrote: I was buying parts at the Jeep dealership one day when one parts guy said to the other "Why do these things hold their value so well? There's nothing to them!".

That, and: - go out and buy a, lets say (20 year old) 1990 Wrangler in good condition, - drive it to a Jeep dealership - park it next to a new one - compare There is almost no difference! If the new ones are almost the same as the old ones, and old one in good condition will be worth a lot. Poor condition ones of course are easy to fix as noted above.

This might come as a shock of humongous proportions to the GRM community, but I'm going to chime in here. In the general sense, no, the Wrangler hasn't evolved a whole lot, especially YJ to TJ. But some differences:

From YJ to TJ: TJ had stronger frame and body. TJ was coil sprung, YJ had leafs all around. Some YJ Sixers were 4.2Ls, the early ones, including the '90 example (my bro-in-law had a '90). The 4.2L is a good engine, nothing to really complain about, although the 4.0L that came in later YJs and all 6-cylinder TJs is better (an improved 4.2L really). Avoid the Peugeot BA-10 on those earlier YJs.

The JK changed quite a bit. The 4.0L I6 was replaced by the 3.8L V6. It was an emissions thing. The 4.0L has the torque down lower where you need it, it's a legend for it's reliability and durability. The V6 isn't really. Basically, the newer, smoother 3.8L V6 was a perfect fit for the huge majority that never leave the pavement, while I'd take the 4.0L I6 every time. The JK got wider, too. Power locks, power windows, power all kinds of stuff, stability control, traction control. Control, control, control. Everything is run through computers on the JK, and it's higher-tech approach has earned it more than a couple software-related recalls. The JK isn't really doing anything to convince me my "it's more reliable when you leave out the fancy electronic gizmos off of it" opinion. It's a personal thing, although I prefer my lower-tech TJ.

Thanks Matt, you chimed in for me. There are lots if differences between a 20 year old wrangler (YJ) and today's TJ. There's fuel injection as well. And the BA-10 is NOT the AX-5. The AX-5 is a fine trans for the 4 banger. The BA-10 is a split case and was only on a few of the late 80's, maybe 87 I think 88 as well? the TJ with a 4.0L is a real hard Jeep to beat, you get coil springs for waaay better articulation and softer ride and the 4.0L engine for long life and lots of torque.

EvanB wrote: I bought this one for $3400, 4.0 with ~170k miles, manual, some rust. I looked for about a month before I found one at that price, they were mostly auto or 4 cyl but there are some decent ones out there for under $4500.

And no entry for it in your Rides section? What are you waiting for!

In reply to GameboyRMH:

It's long gone. I sold it last spring to buy my SV650. I do miss it though

JeepinMatt wrote: From YJ to TJ: TJ had stronger frame and body.

To elaborate even more, The TJ's frame is boxed. Both the frame and body seem to be more resistant to rust.

I heard a little rumor that a certain Mr. and Mrs. the Pimp are rolling in a 1999 TJ Wrangler bought near budget, but it can't be true there are no picture on the internet.

A friend of mine recently bought an '87 yj with little over 100k on it for $4k. Came with brand new chrome wheels, 31x10.50s, chrome tube bumpers, and a rhino liner with very sparkly paint over it paint job. Looks sort of like a textured bass boat, but it works on a jeep.

Unfortunately, it also came with a half ass carb conversion, the trans crossmember welded to the frame, brakes that hardly work, and a whole bunch of quickly repaired rusty floor.

But it looks cool and drives like an old tractor with a tent on it, like a jeep should.

So I bought one... Just over budget at 4995 or whatever. Its very nice. newer tires, no softop :( but cd player, soundbar, manual trans, grill guard, allow wheels, one little spot of rust, and 85k miles. Sweet!

Heres the listing: http://flint.craigslist.org/ctd/1606878571.html http://images.craigslist.org/3n63m13l45O95Te5S1a2ia0b138cdcc491eaf.jpg http://images.craigslist.org/3nd3k13o85O65T25R0a2i81389123c5231402.jpg http://images.craigslist.org/3nc3p03lb5O35Tc5Paa2i7fd96fe508721972.jpg

Joey

Nice! I love those seats in it. If you are interested in a luggage rack for the back that goes over the spare I have one I took off mine.

Nice, the same friend I mentioned has a bikini top and tonneau (thing that goes over the rear seat area, don't know if I spelled it correctly) cover combo he's selling if you're interested in a easy soft top solution for the summer.