Looking for some expertise

[TuggerTJ]

Hello all. New member here from West Palm Beach.

My neighbor is a big Jeep enthusiast and I’ve watched him rebuild CJs from my teenage years. I’ve decided a few months back that I would like to build my own TJ from a stock one, so I’ve been on the hunt since December.

I’m looking for more of an adventure vehicle for the weekends. Light off roading, going to the beach, loading my spear fishing gear in the etc. Never a daily driver, unless my Volkswagen dies.

That being said, most that I’ve been seeing are either too nice or not stock. I don’t trust anyone to do proper work. For example, I looked at a 97 wrangler yesterday with a 4 inch rough country lift on a 4 banger. Asked him if he regeared it and he had no idea what I meant. This is why I want stock or as close to it.

Across the street from my office is one of those but here pay here lots. They have a 2000 TJ with 197k miles. There’s a lot wrong cosmetically, but I pulled my own Carfax and the Jeep had 4 owners and it never left Arizona and Louisiana. Frame looks perfect. Engine looks great and sounds great. Everything else is nit picky.

I used to sell cars so I know how those lots work. They cater to people with less than desirable credit scores and can’t haggle. They wanted 7995 for the Jeep, so after hours I went and meticulously wrote out every single defect. The main one I could use to my advantage was the tires were absolutely unsafely bald.

Other things besides dings and dents was the bikini top was screwed on to the roll bar/window frame with drywall screws. Rear seat bracket is broken so the seat is just sliding around. Center console lock was cut out. There’s a bitch gouge in the drivers window which caused scrapes. Seats torn. Steering wheel was covered in electrical tape. You name it, it was wrong. Growing up around Jeeps, I know that didn’t matter. The frame was rust free. The 6 cyl engine wasn’t knocking. No leaks.

I offered 5k for the Jeep. They countered 6995 and I left. 3 days go by and they call with 5995. I was in the advantage because any normal car buyer looking at this Jeep would think it was a piece of trash.

I finally countered at 5500 and they accepted. My question is, is it really worth 5500 with all that cosmetic stuff to be fixed and 197k miles? I’ve been pricing dash units and center consoles. Not going to paint it. Want a 2.5 lift and some 33s. Nothing crazy.

Here is the link http://buyerszoneinc.com/2000-Jeep-...mBeach-FL/10681559/BuyHerePayHereDetails.aspx

If someone wouldn’t mind taking a look. I gave them 100 bucks to hold it over the weekend while I slept on it.

Thanks guys and gals. Ready to join the community. PS I’ve attached my neighbors 82 CJ7 for fun

 

[Rob5589]

That thing is janky. You have to be able to find something better. Bald tires, all kinds of jury rigged "repairs," bare floors, seat busted, and who knows what else.

 

[balfred]

Bent passenger fender, bent bumper too. That thing isn't worth a dollar a lb with that many miles and issues. If the previous owner was fine with all of those things wrong, imagine what the maintenance schedule looked like! The bald tires and mismatched rims/tires are evident of that.

Keep your eyes open in neighboring states too, sometimes a killer deal on the perfect jeep is a few hours outside your normal search areas

 

[Chris]

With that many miles in that kind of condition, it’s a real good indicator as to the lack of care from previous owners. Personally I would stay away from it. I’ll bet there’s rust lurking under it and all sorts of issues waiting to pop up.

I would advise planning to spend at least 10k for a TJ if you want one that is clean, unmolested, and not a project.

 

[Sahara01]

I’d recommend passing. You’ll be in it another $1000 for tires immediately. I think Chris is right with the $10k figure.

I’d be trying to talk your neighbor into selling his CJ if I were you!

 

[TuggerTJ]

I’d recommend passing. You’ll be in it another $1000 for tires immediately. I think Chris is right with the $10k figure.

I’d be trying to talk your neighbor into selling his CJ if I were you!

I’ve been asking him to buy that since I was 20. He’ll be buried in that thing.

 

[WWII Jeeper]

It's easy to get excited about a Jeep. I looked at the pics, and nothing but flags came up. One thing that may seem minor, but really sends the flag up for me..... is the way they dressed up the tires... Who, in their right mind would dress up crappy-assed tires and put the car on the lot....makes me wonder what else was "dressed" up in order to make a quick sale. The rest of the photos show enough, that prove the car lot is definitely one to stay away from (the jeep too)

I've learned that the people on this site are pretty passionate about jeeps, and know their stuff.

Please have patience, listen to what the others are saying, and save yourself a major headache and wallet ache. There is a really good one out there, and it may cost a little more. If you buy this one, what good is it going to be, if all your time and money are spent looking at in the garage/shop , and not having fun driving it ?

Ray

 

[TuggerTJ]

It's easy to get excited about a Jeep. I looked at the pics, and nothing but flags came up. One thing that may seem minor, but really sends the flag up for me..... is the way they dressed up the tires... Who, in their right mind would dress up crappy-assed tires and put the car on the lot....makes me wonder what else was "dressed" up in order to make a quick sale. The rest of the photos show enough, that prove the car lot is definitely one to stay away from (the jeep too)

I've learned that the people on this site are pretty passionate about jeeps, and know their stuff.

Please have patience, listen to what the others are saying, and save yourself a major headache and wallet ache. There is a really good one out there, and it may cost a little more. If you buy this one, what good is it going to be, if all your time and money are spent looking at in the garage/shop , and not having fun driving it ?

Ray

And that’s why I posted this here. I wanted unadulterated opinions. The tire dressing I understand because it’s like any dealer. Plus the fact they are dealing with mostly desperate uneducated consumers, they probably think it would work. This isn’t a desperate move for me, so I wanted opinions. I appreciate your insight and agree. This feedback is making me go in Monday and ask to bring it to my personal mechanic. If they decline, I’ll walk away. Do you think that’s a good idea?

 

[Chason]

And that’s why I posted this here. I wanted unadulterated opinions. The tire dressing I understand because it’s like any dealer. Plus the fact they are dealing with mostly desperate uneducated consumers, they probably think it would work. This isn’t a desperate move for me, so I wanted opinions. I appreciate your insight and agree. This feedback is making me go in Monday and ask to bring it to my personal mechanic. If they decline, I’ll walk away. Do you think that’s a good idea?

Have your mechanic look at it & make them put some better tires on it, those don't look like they could last going down a dirt road. I can't believe they left them on.

 

[WWII Jeeper]

And that’s why I posted this here. I wanted unadulterated opinions. The tire dressing I understand because it’s like any dealer. Plus the fact they are dealing with mostly desperate uneducated consumers, they probably think it would work. This isn’t a desperate move for me, so I wanted opinions. I appreciate your insight and agree. This feedback is making me go in Monday and ask to bring it to my personal mechanic. If they decline, I’ll walk away. Do you think that’s a good idea?

Having an honest shop check out a potential purchase is always a good idea. Since there are no pics of the motor, undercarriage, frame, wiring, it's hard for me to say what's a good idea other than walking. I'm not sure about Florida law, but in many states, just selling a vehicle with defective tires (and knowing they are) is a crime in itself.

If you have a car dealer that takes it to the desperate, uneducated people of the community, or anyone for that matter, then that's a dealer that should not be in business and should be reported to the Consumer Affairs Div of the County Prosecutor.

Damn, I'm way too polite......... What I want to say is...F those guys, they are trying to bend you over and do you dirty. Walk...before it hurts ...
Ray

 

[TuggerTJ]

Have your mechanic look at it & make them put some better tires on it, those don't look like they could last going down a dirt road. I can't believe they left them on.

They were already brought up. Dealer said he’d put new tires on, but I don’t trust them to put anything decent on, so I made them drop 1200 off the price for a 5 pack of bfgs.

I couldn’t believe it either, but I knew what I was looking at minus cosmetic. Rust free frame, leak free engine. Straight body.

I think I’ll let my mechanic look over it. I appreciate your knowledge and agree that if it’s not meant to be, I’ll find the right one for me. Not in any type of rush!

 

[TuggerTJ]

Having an honest shop check out a potential purchase is always a good idea. Since there are no pics of the motor, undercarriage, frame, wiring, it's hard for me to say what's a good idea other than walking. I'm not sure about Florida law, but in many states, just selling a vehicle with defective tires (and knowing they are) is a crime in itself.

If you have a car dealer that takes it to the desperate, uneducated people of the community, or anyone for that matter, then that's a dealer that should not be in business and should be reported to the Consumer Affairs Div of the County Prosecutor.

Damn, I'm way too polite......... What I want to say is...F those guys, they are trying to bend you over and do you dirty. Walk...before it hurts ...
Ray

It’s not that they are a bad business. I’ve researched them and they’ve been in business for 15 years. They’re just one of those “YOU HAVE A JOB, YOURE APPROVED” type dealers, so they’re used to people who are desperate for a vehicle and won’t take the time to research.

Me on the other hand, this is but a toy. I threw everything in the book at them and walked away. They called me back and now I’m making my demands.

I’m going to request on Monday that I take it to my mechanic. It’s 3 blocks away. If they don’t allow it, I walk away. If they do and it’s a polished turd, I walk away.

I just know how valuable a rust free frame and body is. My buddy has a 4.0 sitting in his garage god forbid the motor wasn’t to last. I’m concerned about everything else.

 

[Drizit]

Even though just about everything is a bolt on for a jeep it can still add up. FYI in Ontario with that sort of mileage and cosmetic issues, even with a solid frame and tub it's probably worth 3-4k tops.

But then again I'm seeing our prices skewed down due to all the rust buckets around.

—
There must have been a time
when we could have said no.

 

[WWII Jeeper]

It’s not that they are a bad business. I’ve researched them and they’ve been in business for 15 years. They’re just one of those “YOU HAVE A JOB, YOURE APPROVED” type dealers, so they’re used to people who are desperate for a vehicle and won’t take the time to research.

Me on the other hand, this is but a toy. I threw everything in the book at them and walked away. They called me back and now I’m making my demands.

I’m going to request on Monday that I take it to my mechanic. It’s 3 blocks away. If they don’t allow it, I walk away. If they do and it’s a polished turd, I walk away.

I just know how valuable a rust free frame and body is. My buddy has a 4.0 sitting in his garage god forbid the motor wasn’t to last. I’m concerned about everything else.

Yeah, I've got a thing about dishonest people, but it looks like you have done some good research, and have a good plan. Hope it works out for you and the jeep is solid.

Ray

 

[59 wagon man]

hello from Hollywood i would look around bought my 98 tj with 100,000 needed 2 tires 4.0 5 speed a/c avg condition paid $5800

 

[TuggerTJ]

Swung by to snap a few engine pics.

 

[TJ2]

Tugger, if you have time go to SC or NC, local craigslist is good source as well. We here in the forum will help you out with our constructive comments. I would say, a good TJ will cost you about $10k. If someone is giving you his TJ for about $5k, then make sure let's disect it thoroughly.