Either you got purty lips, or look like a shady kinda of feller.
I have lived here since 2005 and have never had a problem, of course i am from Georgia which is an upgrade from the southern most yankee state in the union
Going to see a TJ for first Jeep
- Thread starter P4ddyC4ke
- Start date
Either you got purty lips, or look like a shady kinda of feller.
I have lived here since 2005 and have never had a problem, of course i am from Georgia which is an upgrade from the southern most yankee state in the union
OP
You've definitely got me questioning this whole thing and thinking I should skip looking at this one, and try and drive to Atlanta instead...
I definitely lack in knowing what to look for. If I was going to see a motorcycle, I'd be golden. A clean slate would be nice to gradually modify, instead of being forced.
For this Jeep, I wouldn't be off-roading much. It'd be more of a daily driver. On the "spend less if you pay more," I'm planning to sell my van after a purchase, to then pay down some debt. I'm trying to have a net gain after all said and done. I think my Van will sell for around $11k. It'd be nice to have a gain of $3k or so. This kind of has me thinking that's not possible...
OP
I'd be looking at that if I was in the market. Hmm only 30-40 min away. I'm already thinking of lies to tell the wife
Well... I messaged the guy about this Jeep near Atlanta. I'll see what he says...
$6500 wouldn’t be it for me unless the frame, body and interior were absolutely perfect. From someone that had to piece by piece replace a rough country lift on a tj as the parts clapped out, you don’t want that in your life. It looks clapped out just from the pictures, and that’s the pictures they want you to see.
I’m not trying to rain on your parade, but I’d rather see you enjoy a TJ instead of having to work on it relentlessly.
You've definitely got me questioning this whole thing and thinking I should skip looking at this one, and try and drive to Atlanta instead...
I definitely lack in knowing what to look for. If I was going to see a motorcycle, I'd be golden. A clean slate would be nice to gradually modify, instead of being forced.
For this Jeep, I wouldn't be off-roading much. It'd be more of a daily driver. On the "spend less if you pay more," I'm planning to sell my van after a purchase, to then pay down some debt. I'm trying to have a net gain after all said and done. I think my Van will sell for around $11k. It'd be nice to have a gain of $3k or so. This kind of has me thinking that's not possible...
From what you're describing of wanting more of a daily driver, you will be much happier with the trip to Alabama I'd think. I will agree with what others have said previously, it looks kid owned. How the hell did it need a new engine and transmission (makes me think abuse). Junk lift. Who knows what parts are shot from the 35's with the mileage, etc.
Find you something in stock/near stock form and go from there. Thank us later.
My perspective, I would go look at the local and drive it as much as needed to get an idea of how it behaves. I agree with all thats been said here. But since you are new to jeeps i think you should look and drive as many as you can so you'll know when you find a good one. There are good jeeps out there but, being that the good unmolested ones are hard to find and take some time and efforts to locate. It pays to get as educated about what a good one looks and drives like. Of course if you did find one that had some quality upgrades that was obviously taken care of would be a winner.
OP
I’ve pretty much decided to skip on seeing the one I originally posted. It’s 1.5 hours from me and I don’t feel like committing half a day to go see a trash Jeep. I can kick tires on some local ones to drive a few.
I’m expanding my search area a lot and am preparing for weekend trips to go look. Turns out, my wife has family in Atlanta, so if I can get that person to message me back, we may try to go see that one.
I am going to focus on more un-modded, rust free options while I try and learn the differences in crappy and good mod work. I’ve watched several videos that have gotten me pretty comfortable with the basics of the trouble spots to look at on the body, frame and suspension components.
Hopefully I luck out sooner than later.
I’ll post any newly found listings I’m seriously considering in this same thread for your feed back, so keep checking back in.
I’m expanding my search area a lot and am preparing for weekend trips to go look. Turns out, my wife has family in Atlanta, so if I can get that person to message me back, we may try to go see that one.
I am going to focus on more un-modded, rust free options while I try and learn the differences in crappy and good mod work. I’ve watched several videos that have gotten me pretty comfortable with the basics of the trouble spots to look at on the body, frame and suspension components.
Hopefully I luck out sooner than later.
I’ll post any newly found listings I’m seriously considering in this same thread for your feed back, so keep checking back in.
OP
Ok folks… I got a response from the posting that was near Atlanta that was shared in this thread.
This is what he said…
Yes, I know nothing about the jeep except for that I purchased it from the original owner in Atlanta Georgia. It had been sitting a few years. I know it needs cosmetic work because that’s what I can visibly see. When the jeep got delivered to us I put a jump box on it and drove it 5 miles down the road and back and that’s it. I did notice than that it needed shock bushings in the front which are about three dollars a piece. I know that it needs a top and Tires as well. It has some sort of small lift to be able to clear the 33 inch tires
Here’s the link to the listing again…
https://www.facebook.com/marketplac...wse_serp:08f18858-e9f5-4d8e-86c0-3ca9e4325e13
This is what he said…
Yes, I know nothing about the jeep except for that I purchased it from the original owner in Atlanta Georgia. It had been sitting a few years. I know it needs cosmetic work because that’s what I can visibly see. When the jeep got delivered to us I put a jump box on it and drove it 5 miles down the road and back and that’s it. I did notice than that it needed shock bushings in the front which are about three dollars a piece. I know that it needs a top and Tires as well. It has some sort of small lift to be able to clear the 33 inch tires
Here’s the link to the listing again…
https://www.facebook.com/marketplac...wse_serp:08f18858-e9f5-4d8e-86c0-3ca9e4325e13
yea I think it would be a pass being as your 500 miles away. it stinks he wasn't the owner......just keep looking a good one will show up. maybe a week, maybe a month dont get in a hurry.
Without Alabama Chicken Haulers, us truckers would not have chicken lights on our trucks.
Cluck Cluck Chicken Truck!!
@P4ddyC4ke
Don't rush this decision/purchase!
You will regret it. Take your time and learn as much as you can. Read everything possible on this forum. There are also a lot of great youtube videos.
The worst thing you could do is start with a problem....it'll kill the whole experience of owning a TJ for ya.
Don't rush this decision/purchase!
You will regret it. Take your time and learn as much as you can. Read everything possible on this forum. There are also a lot of great youtube videos.
The worst thing you could do is start with a problem....it'll kill the whole experience of owning a TJ for ya.
body looks a little rough for $6500 which makes me think you’ll be spending money getting suspensions, maintenance work diales
Based on the few pictures form the listing this one looks very promising to me. Also negotiate about the top and bushings and what not if you can. The worst they can say is no
Edit: Looks like a slight body lift but that’s not a problem. Most people do those anyway and if it happens to be a cheaper one the better body lifts aren’t expensive really. The one picture of the frame looks solid.
There you go. Good decision. You'll be much happier.
@P4ddyC4ke
Just sent a link for a jeep you might want to check out. It's more than the other 2 that you have linked but it looks like a really good deal.
Just sent a link for a jeep you might want to check out. It's more than the other 2 that you have linked but it looks like a really good deal.
Maybe we all live in different worlds, but for $6500 here in Dallas, that jeep looks like a pretty good deal. I'm of the belief that ANY TJ you buy is going to require a decent investment, although if he's not going to be wheeling & rock climbing, the $10k estimates seem ridiculous (unless you're paying a shop to do the work...but then maybe a TJ isn't for you). I would fully expect to have to refresh the steering, trackbar, balljoints, but that's less than $1k.
A friend was in the market a few months back, we looked at every TJ under $7500 within a 90 minute drive, and every single one of them had badly rusted frames or were a no go for some strong reason. I have 2 TJ's now and used to have another, and I don't see anything in those few pics that would scare me from going to take a look. That said, the pair of TJ's I have are great, and iv'e got them for $4k & $5k, though I had to drive 2 hrs to see them....the $4k one everyone here told me had trouble written all over it, lol. I think in general there is a disconnect between many of us forum regulars who either have had their TJ since they bought it new, or who paid $17k for a nearly new one, or who have added every high end offload component and can't fathom a TJ that doesn't have all that. There is a middle ground where it's affordable & reliable w/o necessarily being "capable" which is relative to what YOU want to do with it anyway.
Can you find a better one? Definitely. At that price point? Oh, probably, but how long to do you want to search for it? For 6500 I would absolutely go look at it. Jeep prices increase in the spring, remember that. I also recognize that I'm the counterpoint to the conventional wisdom found here. YMMV. Good luck with your search.
A friend was in the market a few months back, we looked at every TJ under $7500 within a 90 minute drive, and every single one of them had badly rusted frames or were a no go for some strong reason. I have 2 TJ's now and used to have another, and I don't see anything in those few pics that would scare me from going to take a look. That said, the pair of TJ's I have are great, and iv'e got them for $4k & $5k, though I had to drive 2 hrs to see them....the $4k one everyone here told me had trouble written all over it, lol. I think in general there is a disconnect between many of us forum regulars who either have had their TJ since they bought it new, or who paid $17k for a nearly new one, or who have added every high end offload component and can't fathom a TJ that doesn't have all that. There is a middle ground where it's affordable & reliable w/o necessarily being "capable" which is relative to what YOU want to do with it anyway.
Can you find a better one? Definitely. At that price point? Oh, probably, but how long to do you want to search for it? For 6500 I would absolutely go look at it. Jeep prices increase in the spring, remember that. I also recognize that I'm the counterpoint to the conventional wisdom found here. YMMV. Good luck with your search.
Words to the wise right up there. Don't be afraid to go a long distance or wait to get the right rig. It took me almost 2 years to find mine. I looked at maybe 6 or 7 and missed out on just as many because the good ones sell fast. I ended up driving from the west slope of Colorado, up and over the MTS to the front range. it took me 12 hours ,and close to 600 miles. But I was prepared to fly to the west coast if the right one became available. The big question you have to ask yourself is how much you're willing to spend to get it, and how much you're willing to put into it once you do get it. Take your time, and read up as much as you can about the TJ you would want. I was a lurker here for over a year and learned so much before I joined. Education is free, buying the wrong one is most definitely NOT. Good luck!!!
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OP
Found this one about 4 hours from me. He’s asking $10k but I think it could be had for $8500 maybe. Just received the under carriage pics. Without seeing it in person, my gut is saying too much rust, but I’d like to get y’all’s opinion. Looks like the recent 2” lift was a Rough Country.
EDIT: He says the Jeep started in TX with a family member. He had it in St. Louis for a couple years then back to TX. I asked him about the rust he said it may be from a few beach trips he took. He tried to wash it off every time, but.., This makes me think the insides of frame etc may be rusted. I noticed in his maintenance document, a quote to treat/fix the rust problems. <End
The listing details:
Owned since 2007. Has a recent 2" lift kit installed. Maintenance history provided. Needs stereo system repair - estimated $1000 job to repair/replace sound system - amplifier plus front speakers. Subwoofer and rear speaker still good.
Recent brake rotors and pads replaced.
AC System works well.
Cruise control.
Semi-tinted front windows.
Comes with roof rack and bike rack.
Adding maintenance info:
EDIT: He says the Jeep started in TX with a family member. He had it in St. Louis for a couple years then back to TX. I asked him about the rust he said it may be from a few beach trips he took. He tried to wash it off every time, but.., This makes me think the insides of frame etc may be rusted. I noticed in his maintenance document, a quote to treat/fix the rust problems. <End
The listing details:
Owned since 2007. Has a recent 2" lift kit installed. Maintenance history provided. Needs stereo system repair - estimated $1000 job to repair/replace sound system - amplifier plus front speakers. Subwoofer and rear speaker still good.
Recent brake rotors and pads replaced.
AC System works well.
Cruise control.
Semi-tinted front windows.
Comes with roof rack and bike rack.
Adding maintenance info:
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