Potential TJ purchase and mileage concerns

[rdebor01]

So.. lengthy story here. Owned a 2001 Jeep Wrangler Sahara 5 speed for about 5 months until a deer decided to run across the highway and put it out of commission for me (no money for the repairs/insurance not the best). I’m a nurse and had to get a vehicle within a day to be able to commute to work and ended up with a car I hated, but was in my price range at the time. Long story short, this vehicle has been terrible and I’ve spent more money than I’ve ever wanted to on it. So I’m looking into purchasing a new TJ ASAP so I can stop making payments and not have to do more costly repairs to something I hate.
I’ve found a few that I like and I’m wondering what mileage I should feel comfortable buying. I know a lot of lower mileage are hard to come by and can run expensive. If it’s well taken care of, how long can a TJ run for? One I’m interested in has around 130k on it. I’d like to know your alls thoughts.
Thanks!

 

[theRealCrazy]

Can you just meet the seller at a mechanic you trust and get it thoroughly checked?
130K isn't much for the right conditions imo

 

[Chris]

These engines are bulletproof. What will go bad are sensors, seals (rear main seal), clutches, and transmissions. Generally automatic transmissions need to be replaced every 200k miles or so and clutches tend to last around 100k or sometimes more, depending on how you drive.

O2 sensors should all be replaced every 80k miles, spark plugs even sooner. The cooling system should be overhauled and replaced (new radiator, water pump, thermostat, etc.) every so often (I would say maybe 10-15 years or so, and there are other little things as well.

However, the engine itself is not what you need to worry about.

Look for the one with the lowest miles AND the most maintenance records. A seller who keeps maintenance records and takes good care of the vehicle (which you can tell just by looking at it) is someone who you want to buy from.

 

[Airjunky]

I just replaced an engine at 117k. Is a TJ really the most reliable vehicle?

 

[AndyG]

If cared for , probably pretty close.

 

[eastbloc]

I just replaced an engine at 117k. Is a TJ really the most reliable vehicle?

2006 6cyl here with 120000 miles on it, and it had a good amount of offload time.
My friends giggle when i share joy for my Jeep with them. But their giggles are only based on how much time i spend under it.
What they fail to realize is that i drive a 14 year old car compare to their newish toyotas. On top of that, the only reason why i spend so much time under it is because i am un-effing all the ef-ups of the previous idiot owner....Aaaaaaannndddd changing/adding things based on my own desire, which have nothing to do with its reliability.
To an extent, we are Jeeps worst nightmare.
Outside of our own screw ups, i think TJ's are decently reliable, especially for what this car is.

 

[chino1969]

So.. lengthy story here. Owned a 2001 Jeep Wrangler Sahara 5 speed for about 5 months until a deer decided to run across the highway and put it out of commission for me (no money for the repairs/insurance not the best). I’m a nurse and had to get a vehicle within a day to be able to commute to work and ended up with a car I hated, but was in my price range at the time. Long story short, this vehicle has been terrible and I’ve spent more money than I’ve ever wanted to on it. So I’m looking into purchasing a new TJ ASAP so I can stop making payments and not have to do more costly repairs to something I hate.
I’ve found a few that I like and I’m wondering what mileage I should feel comfortable buying. I know a lot of lower mileage are hard to come by and can run expensive. If it’s well taken care of, how long can a TJ run for? One I’m interested in has around 130k on it. I’d like to know your alls thoughts.
Thanks!

I bought a 2004 TJ with 130,000 miles on it. A CARFAX report revealed a regular maintenance schedule as well as part replacements. Both previous owners took care of it and there was minimal surface rust inside and outside the frame. I bought it from a private seller and was able to communicate with him over the course of several weeks, asking questions, etc.. If the vehicle has been properly maintained, the in-line 6 will last a very long time. Even now, after 135k, my engine does not burn any oil. A CARFAX report is IMO worth the money.

 

[JEEPCJTJ]

However, the engine itself is not what you need to worry about.

Look for the one with the lowest miles AND the most maintenance records. A seller who keeps maintenance records and takes good care of the vehicle (which you can tell just by looking at it) is someone who you want to buy from.

While that is a great answer, how is that last sentence not referring to rust? Are you feeling OK Chris?

 

[Baltimoreed]

Ripley had 6 previous owners [per the carfax] who racked up 140,000 miles but left her stock. It’s a little banged up with a few dings and one paint bubble but they took pretty good care of her. A 2 door Jeep is a niche vehicle kinda like a 2 seater convertible. They appeal to young adventurous folks and old men reliving their youth. As an old retired dude I’m hoping to get many years of ‘Jeep on’ from Ripley.

 

[tworley]

Any motor is going to be bulletproof if cared for properly.

OP--do your due diligence. Ask questions, review maintenance receipts if available, dont be afraid to get dirty when looking at it either. Crawl underneath, look around, pull dipsticks and check fluids.

 

[Chris]

While that is a great answer, how is that last sentence not referring to rust? Are you feeling OK Chris?

You're right! By this point in time I'm so used to having given the whole rust speech so many times, that I guess I just figured it's engrained into everyones heads by now.

But you're right, rust should take precedence over everything else.

 

[Don A.]

I wouldn't be concerned at all about 130k. Its really more about how well it was maintained over the years. If you can see records or can in some other way tell it was taken care of you should be good. Like @Chris said the 4.0 engine is bullet proof. I've personally owned two Cherokees with 4.0s in them. One was at around 270k when I sold it and the other was at about 320k. But even the four cylinder engines should be fine with that mileage as long as they were maintained.
That being said at around 100k there are probably a lot of things due to be done on the jeep as a whole but I wouldn't let that keep me from it. Just make sure the frame is solid.

 

[Goatman]

Agree about mileage. 150K isn't over the hill. Really for pretty much any vehicle made this century. All but the cheapest low end vehicles can do 200K IF again, IF they have been properly maintained. The TJ is mostly steel which means it is built stronger than many, and any vehicle that has a full frame is stronger than most.
The biggest killer of any Wrangler is RUST! And really anything can be fixed on a TJ relatively cheaply except rust.
So that would be my number 1,2 and 3 concern. And (here up north) any TJ that isn't rusted out has had to be fairly well maintained.
The next biggest challenge is how far from stock it is. Any Yahoo can buy a crap suspension, or even a good one and F up the vehicle in quick order.
If you find a rust free (or nearly) TJ that is still basically stock it probably has been well cared for. And if you know a decent mechanic that you can have look it over I would feel pretty safe buying it. If the seller takes issue with you getting to the mechanic then that is a red flag. Bare minimum bring a scanner an see what the computer says about the engine.
Good Luck. These have an almost cult like following so there are many good ones out there. Unlike a 15 year old Hyundai most people take pride in owning a TJ.

 

[Jason06]

For what it’s worth, My brother in law’s 2004 Rubicon has over 250k miles and runs really strong

 

[il buono]

130k isn't bad. Since it appears like you're in a rush to jump into another TJ, I would recommend getting a mechanic to do a pre-purchase inspection just to avoid any surprises you could overlook. The last thing you'd want is for the TJ to leave you stranded on the side of the road right after you bought it.