Advice on Jeep Buying

[stevenmcgurk222]

Hey friends, first post here.
I've owned 3 different Jeeps, but they were all newer and none of them were Wranglers. That being said, I have always admired the wranglers.
I would LOVE to buy one to use to drive 1 hour to the NJ shore and to drive on to the beach (maybe even 20 minutes to work 1x per week).

Im working on finding an affordable spare car. I have about 10K budget and have been looking at a ton of TJs. I can identify frame damage and smaller things, but my issue lies that I am far from a car mechanic. I have been bringing the cars to mechanics who do a pre-inspection for $50-$100, and the four I saw have had TONS of issues, mostly rear main seal leaks. Is finding a TJ under 10K that will not need thousands in repairs and maintenance a realistic goal? Or should I be saving at least another 5K / looking into a different, not nearly as exciting, 4x4? Ive done research, but this is to add to my data collection!

Thanks for your input and advice.

 

[2001slvrstntj]

10k should do it just need to be patient (tough I know) and wait for the right one, move fast and have cash if possible. Biggest issue is frame rust, I think the RMS (can be valve cover dripping from above) is a fairly common issue. Good luck in your hunt.

Also don't be afraid of a higher mileage clean jeep.

 

[stevenmcgurk222]

RMS (can be valve cover dripping from above) is a fairly common issue.

So is the valve cover dripping different (and not nearly as bad) as the rear main seal leaking? The one car definitely had a leak and I was quoted 3.5K to fix it

 

[AndyG]

#1 . Don't be afraid to travel to get a good one .

#2. A rear main seal leak is very common. We look down on people that don't have one that leaks. They are probably real low on oil.

3. 10 grand will get you in ..find one stock, low miles , one or 2 owners, from a private seller . Note the word stock. As in not messed up.

Lastly, welcome to the forum. You will find the best TJ knowledge anywhere right here....and some guy in a skirt.

 

[2001slvrstntj]

3.5k to fix the rear main seal...I have not done it but from what I think recall did not seem that bad, certainly not that many $. Was there more to be fixed too, that is a lot of dough.

 

[LBertsch]

I was just quoited $587.00 including tax for my 2002 tj RMS replacement today

 

[Ledfoot Lou]

$3500 for a rear main seal is a rip off. That’s a price that tells you the guy doesn’t want to work on it, or he thinks your a sucker. Either way, don’t go back there.

 

[FJQue]

Seems reasonable, $10k shout definitely do it..

 

[TJScott]

I spent 950 on, AC condensor, Rear Main Seal, Oil change & recharge the a/c. There is no way they can charge 3.5k unless their putting in a new engine. That’s insanity. I wouldn’t even hesitate to buy a Jeep with a rear main seal leak. It’s just not that expensive to fix. Well, it shouldn’t be.

 

[AndyG]

I spent 950 on, AC condensor, Rear Main Seal, Oil change & recharge the a/c. There is no way they can charge 3.5k unless their putting in a new engine. That’s insanity. I wouldn’t even hesitate to buy a Jeep with a rear main seal leak. It’s just not that expensive to fix. Well, it shouldn’t be.

Pretty much ,if you buy one , you buy one with a rear main seal leak.

 

[bromel]

They all leak from the RMS. And $3.5k is a complete ripoff. Your mechanic thinks he has to drop the transmission to replace the seal, when in fact it can be done by removing the oil pan on these 4.0s because it's a 2-piece seal. Hell, even if he did have to drop the transmission, that's still a horrendous rip-off.

 

[stevenmcgurk222]

They all leak from the RMS. And $3.5k is a complete ripoff. Your mechanic thinks he has to drop the transmission to replace the seal, when in fact it can be done by removing the oil pan on these 4.0s because it's a 2-piece seal. Hell, even if he did have to drop the transmission, that's still a horrendous rip-off

Thanks for the responses. Yes- I can't verify the quote 100%, as I went to get a used car inspection and this is what he told me it would generally cost because yes- he said he would have to drop the transmission and its labor intensive. However, I was not asking him to do the work and there were also some other repairs required, so maybe he was just exaggerating when he verbally told me the cost

 

[stevenmcgurk222]

Is there a certain year or ratio you would consider ? example, would spending 10K on a 2000 be whacked ? Or is it more so ignore the year, and look to frame issues and power train issues?

 

[Flivver250]

I just replaced my RMS. Took my time, fussed over it with OCD attention to cleanliness. Took me three hours start to finish, laying on my back. It is a simple job and not hard for a novice mechanic. Wrenching is part of the fun. You can come to Florida and find a rust free Jeep some dead blue hair had in good condition easily.

 

[FJQue]

Is there a certain year or ratio you would consider ? example, would spending 10K on a 2000 be whacked ? Or is it more so ignore the year, and look to frame issues and power train issues?

Jeeps are tough buys. It's really more in your education of the Jeep's past, a gut feeling & what I'm willing to spend. Probably mostly the last part. I just bought my 3rd TJ, I also once bought an 89 YJ in Yuma, AZ and drove it home. So 4 in total.
My 1st 2 TJ's were 2006s, bought 1 in 2006 with under 3k miles and the other in 2007 with under 10k miles. Both essentially new. I see people online asking close to the $16k I paid for both those Jeeps almost new but there's now have 100k+ miles, still want 12-15k! Unreal!
It's also weird because sometimes a cherry bone stock Jeep is desirable & sometimes a highly modified done right Jeep is desirable. I'd take the latter given equal years, mileage & maintenance records. Good chance some anal retentive guy like me bought it, refused to let anything be wrong with it & sunk thousands into needed maintenance and quality mods. Then he decided he wanted a boat or a Razor or the oldest kid was going to college, there's a score there.
If 10k is your budget, you're still all over the map. There are CJ's, YJ's & TJ's that are all sweet finds at that price point. Patience will win for you with this budget. You can find an under 100k stock gem that the doors have never been off or a highly modified mall crawler at 10k. You may have to travel.
I highly recommend traveling if need be. Get a million pics, talk to the owner on the phone, fun the CarFax, look at the quality parts bought and thus use they may or may not have seen. If I had to sell mine as it sits, I would part for about 8k. It's rust free and runs great but needs some stuff too. At 10k, patience can win you a really sweet Jeep.
Sorry so long, in essence, there's not a lot of rhyme or reason in Jeep prices. I will say that out of the first 3 I owned, I did not lose money when I sold, best of luck, shoot us you potentials!

 

[FJQue]

I know I misspelled some stuff, not correcting at this point in life, haha, post #100!

 

[TJ4Jim]

Thanks for the responses. Yes- I can't verify the quote 100%, as I went to get a used car inspection and this is what he told me it would generally cost because yes- he said he would have to drop the transmission and its labor intensive. However, I was not asking him to do the work and there were also some other repairs required, so maybe he was just exaggerating when he verbally told me the cost

If it is the 4.0 6 cylinder he does not know Jeeps as the trans does not have to be removed for the RMS, it is replaced thru the oil pan. If it's the 2.5 then never mind except it's still over the top for cost.