Buy lower mileage or clean high mileage?

[Cowentz]

2002 X 4.0l manual with 175k.

 

[Farmergreg]

I found mine on craigslist in late February last year. Piddle pissed around for 3 weeks before I got the courage to go look because I was afraid of the 200K miles. And the price was too high. When I finally looked we met on a 50º day in March in a parking lot, I brought a creeper and another set of eyes and the two of us went over it with a fine tooth comb. Very pleased at the condition. My wife said I was nuts to buy with that many miles! But admitted it was in great shape. (my daily driver has 308K)
I couldn't see dropping $18-20K on a pristine jeep, $4-6K in mods, then heaven forbid I scratch it off road.

 

[cliffish]

For a PA jeep that frame looks nice...how did the inside of the frame look? For anyone looking to buy a TJ invest in a borescope for $22 bucks it is a cheap "tool" to have and has numerous uses when you just can't get an angle to look at something.

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B06WRNGYXY/?tag=wranglerorg-20

 

[Cowentz]

I will be buying the 2002 X this week. Overall very good condition. The frame is the best I have seen. Felt in every frame hole I could and has 0 signs of the frame rusting apart inside. Getting it for $7800 which I feel is a little expensive for the miles (178k) but has full doors, hard top, and new 33s, wheels, and lift. Also supposedly had front end rebuilt ( balljoints, tie rod ends ect). Does seem to wander a little while driving but I can look into that once I get it.

 

[Deltajoe]

I pick up my Rubicon for 19 grand I search for three years missed a few. Some body got there before Idid most of the time. My Rubicon has 19000 miles on it. I drove from Florida to all most Waco Texas to buy it and trailer it home They are out there you just got to be at the right place at the right time. But on the other hand I have a 95 yj with 193000 mile on it and I would drive it any where it is rock solid . So milage is not that bad of a deal if the jeep was some what taken care of. I put 100000 of them 193000 on it. Good luck with your search and be patient the right jeep will come. Just make sure you have your money right and be ready to pounce on it. Because if you don't some one in a blink of an eye will snatch it up. It has happen to me twice. And remember if it is a good deal don't try to get it for a steal, most sellers take that as a slap in the face. If they have a jeep in great shape they know it. And of course they want top dollar for it . If you were in their position you would be the same.There are a lot of jeeps out there but not too many pristine jeeps . So if the frame and body are in good shape and the motor runs good you would be better off buying a jeep like that. The rest can be fixed or rebuilt.

 

[Mrgreg66]

I looked at over 50 tjs before I found mine. Had to increase my budget a few grand to get what I wanted and had to drive 5 hours to see it, but worth the effort. Clean frame and engine, Dana 44 rear and mostly stock. The main reason I increased my budget is I wanted under 75k miles since it would be my DD for a few years.

 

[Nimbley]

Be patient and keep looking until you find what you like. I found an ‘03 with less than 25k on it for only $13,000. It doesn’t have a spot of rust anywhere on it but I’m in Arizona. It really comes down to what you like. When you find the right one you’ll know it. Mine now has just over 30,000 miles now and I haven’t regretted the purchase at all.

 

[AndyG]

The blue one looks nice, wandering may be toe , be sure the pitman arm is tight and has good track bar bushings, check the caster for 6 degrees.

 

[TJ2]

Everything that I learned and experienced fixing the first one to my likings made me totally confident what kind of rig I want for the next. So, it took me almost 2 years before I bought my 2nd TJ. Now I know what to look for and mileage is the last on the list but not a concern at all.