I have a 2000 I purchased about two years ago. Like you, I searched for a while and consumed a lot of gas and tire wear traveling to look at misrepresented specimens offered. Really hard to find one in the NE that hasn't been molested or neglected. This one was stored in the back of a Jeep dealership, inside, and owned and serviced by one of the Master Mechanics that worked there. He bought it new in 2000 and it has lived in the NE all its' life. Probably saw a lot of the outer beaches given how much sand I've found in the rails and behind the bumpers. One other owner who had it for about a year and put 7 miles on it.
Frame was and is near perfect, though I've done Fluid Film and POR15 as preventative given it's my daily driver. Not ready to make it a driveway queen. I bought it with 56k on the clock and just turned 80k. I can't imagine driving anything else in the warm weather.. I smile like a little kid every time I get in it. A little challenging in the NE winters but even with soft top only I am thoroughly happy driving it. Not a spot of rust (I replaced the passenger front fender when a small bubble appeared). Re-geared from 3.73's to 4.56's.. likely the best mod I have done. Right now, it needs nothing. Paint is on the low end of 'almost perfect', the engine bay could use a good detailing and I just started to hear a rattle at the tailgate that I need to trace down, but otherwise I get in, drive and smile. Toying with changing the bumpers, but then I think.. why? Stockers are period correct and work as needed.
Not trying to sound like a douche, but I can drive pretty much anything that tickles my fancy and I choose the TJ. My friends, wife and daughter bust my balls all the time. But Regret is a wicked bitch. I avoid her at all costs. So no plans to sell it any time soon.
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