Buying sight unseen TJ

[grabeb]

I've owned my oldest daughters 01 sport for about 4yrs, I had a CJ years ago.

Looking at a 106k mile Saraha for our youngest. Looks perfect in and out in the few pics I have. It's about 2-1/2 hrs away. Before heading I'll ask for video of cold start and verify no rust,, etc. It's at a small dealership that seems to sell lots of jeeps.

Carfax, added to my garage, seems OK, not lots of posted service records though. My biggest concern so far is mileage, because it has only added about 3-4k in past few years, but I think it was towed behind motorhome. I'll verify what I can when I talk to dealership.

In any case, with these is it stupid to not drive down and look at? I figure with time off work, renting trailer, gas, etc I'll have about 1/10th of asking price invested. I could likely have shipped to me for $500.

My concerns would be burn oil, rust on tub and death wobble.

Also, I can't recall are used cars from Oklahoma used dealers sold as is?

Thing looks really really clean....

FWIW..... might buy myself a newer yukon sight unseen and it's a lot more than this.

 

[JKP]

No way I would buy it sight unseen and not test driving it.

Someone just did this and it had all sorts of issues.

Also, what year? Some yrs had issues with heads cracking. 05, 06 have PCM, OPDA issues.

Specifically check the frame rails for rust.

 

[grabeb]

No way I would buy it sight unseen and not test driving it.

Someone just did this and it had all sorts of issues.

Also, what year? Some yrs had issues with heads cracking. 05, 06 have PCM, OPDA issues.

Specifically check the frame rails for rust.

01 sport

 

[JKP]

The 01s can have the head crack issue. It cracks right under the oil cap and leaks coolant into the oil.

Remove the oil cap and look straight down for coolant in the oil. If you see "TUPY", the head has been replaced with the later improved one.

 

[KennethS]

106K is roughly 50K less than my daily driver, so the mileage for me is a non-issue. There are many other things I would us for a purchase consideration.

 

[grabeb]

106K is roughly 50K less than my daily driver, so the mileage for me is a non-issue. There are many other things I would us for a purchase consideration.

The mileage isn't the only, or even the main consideration. Paint looks great, interior looks great and the miles appear low. Seems to have the original hard top and soft top. Not totally moded out, so if all holds up, should make a great car for my daughter.

 

[lBasket]

106K is roughly 50K less than my daily driver, so the mileage for me is a non-issue. There are many other things I would us for a purchase consideration.

Some people have weird attitudes on mileage. I bought a car with 109k once and a lot of my coworkers asked me questions like "aren't you worried about driving a car with so many miles?"

 

[JKP]

If it was maintained, the mileage is nothing.

Currently at approx 300k on YJ and just over 280k on TJ. Both have original engines, transmissions, axles.

 

[KennethS]

Some people have weird attitudes on mileage. I bought a car with 109k once and a lot of my coworkers asked me questions like "aren't you worried about driving a car with so many miles?"

Yep. One of the wife’s cousins once said he was getting rid of a vehicle because it was approaching 60,000 miles and he was concerned about that “high mileage”. I mentioned my daily driver has 120K and his eyes just bugged out.

 

[TallGuy]

Sight unseen isn't all that terrible these days. Just know that you can't possibly look at everything before you buy a vehicle. So there will likely be issues coming up post purchase.

Some things I'd do. Ask for a video of different parts or do a video call and have them hover the phone in different areas of the engine bay. I'd specifically get videos of the engine while running to listen for any ticking/clanking/knocking. Also have them idle it for a while to check for stutter or issues with stalling. (Current issue I'm having that didn't show up on test drive)

If it has AC, you want to be sure the compressor is cycling and not ceased...also that the blower works on all settings. How does the AC condenser look?

Get pics of the oil cap, oil dipstick and trans dipstick to look at color. As well as a pic of inside the radiator with the cap off to look for rust deposits. How do the radiator fins look? How does the valve cover look?

Lots to check here. I'd definitely take the drive for a purchase like this. Just my opinion. Good luck!

 

[grabeb]

Thanks. I'll likely go once i talk to them and work a 'price'. I've driven several suburbans to 275k miles. My oldest daughters sport has 140k , my wife's 95 2 door yukon 235k. Mt 12 yukon almost 140k. I'm not worried about 100k miles, but yukon I'm looking at to replace mine will have under 50k so I can get a bit of warranty through additives.

All good suggestions to look at. Thanks!

 

[bucky]

Before the 80s any vehicle with 100K was dead and most likely rusted out. Modern vehicles burn better gas and use better oil so they last longer.
That being said a 2.5 hr drive is worth it to go check it out. I flew 800 miles to check out my 05 with 112K before I bought it. Very happy with it. What kind of reviews does the dealer have?

 

[grabeb]

They have 4.3 on Google. That's pretty good imo, but i don't put much faith in those. Most don't leave unless upset typically.

 

[TheBoogieman]

A 2.5 hour drive is nothing for peace of mind. I've seen Jeeps that looked perfect in pictures, drove 2 hours to see them, and didn't even get out of the car to look once I got within 30' of them. It used to drive my wife nuts. She would ask, "Aren't you even going to talk to them after driving so far?" I would tell her, "Why waste my time when I know I don't want it."

 

[TheBoogieman]

Looking at a 106k mile Saraha for our youngest. My biggest concern so far is mileage, because it has only added about 3-4k in past few years,

Most people drive them as a second vehicle and don't rack up a lot of yearly miles. I bought my current Jeep with 120,000 miles on it and drove 2 hours at 4am to get first shot at it. Good luck and keep us posted.

 

[MikekiM]

No way I would buy it blindly. Some dealerships are expert at making things "look great".

I'd rather have a higher mileage Jeep that has been cared for properly than a low miles specimen that has sat for years. Lack of use is arguably as bad as or worse than well used.

Make a fun road trip out of it. Teach your daughter about buying a Jeep. Let her tap every inch of the frame with a hammer..

 

[suicideking]

2.5 hours is not that far. I'd just be prepared to buy it that day if you like it, bring your daughter (or someone) to drive it home so you only have to make one trip. Or tow it home.

Regardless, if it's that close, I'd want to test drive it. Make sure the engine and trans are ok, no rust or other major issues.

As is - All used vehicles (and anything else used) are implied 'as is' unless you have a warranty or some sort of written/signed statement saying otherwise. If you pay for it, and the engine and trans explode as you're driving it away, there's absolutely no recourse. All inspection needs to be done before paying for it.

Never trust guys at a used car lot either. Your cold start video: He's going to start it and let it warm up for 5 - 10 minutes. Then make your video.

Low miles - Was this towed by a motor home? Uh huh, sure, why not...

 

[hear]

I might but from a dude sight unseen, but never from the sort of dealer that would have a TJ on their lot. . Or any used car place that didn't routinely sell Mercedes, Lexus, etc.

Make the drive. I've had people tell me there is NO rust and then as I'm walking up to it I can see the control arm nearly rusted off. Trust no one, assume the worst.

 

[SRCustom]

...with these is it stupid to not drive down and look at?

Let me put it this way... Used car dealers live for guys like you.

 

[Jzeus]

Don’t. I once drove 3 hours to look at a 03 Sahara. Looked fantastic on the website. Got there, there was mounds of red clay caked all up under it, dash was lit up like a Christmas tree. Drove like trash. They was wanting 6500, I passed. They even called me about an hour later saying they’d take 5k. Still passed.