New here and looking to buy my first Wrangler!

[mattc]

Hey guys, I’m new to the forums here but hopefully will be around more soon as I’m looking to buy my first TJ. I’ve had a 1996 Grand Cherokee for almost 5 years and I’m 21 and finally want to get my dream car, a TJ. I’ve been looking for close to a year, have went to check out a few but never really found one in my price range. I’m going to look at another one on Wednesday and I’m starting to get a little anxious. Are there any experts willing to take a look at the Craigslist ad and telling me what you think?

https://sfbay.craigslist.org/eby/cto/d/jeep-wrangler-tj/6728425970.html

 

[Jamison C]

I always check engine oil and coolant quality, but that’s for any vehicle I buy. Most people don’t think to freshen that up before they sell their vehicles. This can say a lot about how well the vehicle has been taken care of overall.

The only major thing that comes to my mind is what gear ratio the axles are set at since it’s sitting on 33s and has the auto tranny. If the gearing is set too high (numerically lower) the transmission will lug causing poor performance, loss of power, and potential transmission overheating. If this is the stock 3-speed tranny I believe you would want 4.10s in the axles (the experts will correct me if I’m wrong lol).

Looks well taken care of and new suspension parts are a plus (though that’s a lot of stuff to replace right before selling, hmmmm) but rust is always a huge factor. So even if he says it’s rust free look the frame over thoroughly to make sure that’s really the case.

Happy hunting and welcome to the forum! I’ve learned a lot from these guys

 

[ZEN357]

Good luck! Call on the experts here before pulling the trigger on one, you'll save yourself $$$ in the long run. Lots of smart and experienced Jeep owners here on the forum!!!

 

[TJ2]

I would start from "no modifications". Look for straight up OEM. Then look for underbelly rusts issues. Less fluid leak is okay, no leak is better. If I am satisfied with the above mentioned condition, mileage is irrelevant.

 

[lowranger]

Price seems to be pretty good. Be sure to look the frame over really good.... he said no rust on body, didn't say anything about the frame. The one frame picture I did see didn't look bad.
You would think he would wash the Jeep before he put it up for sale. Looks like he has been using it. Look it over really really good and see how he has taken care of it. Take a nice long ride in it. Would be nice if there was an area where you could wheel it a little.... in and out of 4 wheel drive.

 

[Tigerman]

I recently bought mine, and it took me almost three months to find a good deal. If this popped up on my alerts, I would not even look at it and here is why:
It is a heavily modified Jeep with stuff that you may or may not like for a high price, unless you absolutely love the mods! Mine is a 1998(California) all stock and I paid 5K for it. It also came with full doors and factory hard and soft tops. I know I got lucky with it, but this one is way out there. The full doors alone will cost you a grand, not even talking about the stuff that you may want to replace because it doesn't work for you. In addition, I would be weary of that millage. By the look of the Jeep it has been used and not very lightly and only 138K miles in 21 years? a bit fishy. Skip it and find a better one.

Cheers

 

[06TJ35's]

I always check engine oil and coolant quality, but that’s for any vehicle I buy. Most people don’t think to freshen that up before they sell their vehicles. This can say a lot about how well the vehicle has been taken care of overall.

The only major thing that comes to my mind is what gear ratio the axles are set at since it’s sitting on 33s and has the auto tranny. If the gearing is set too high (numerically lower) the transmission will lug causing poor performance, loss of power, and potential transmission overheating. If this is the stock 3-speed tranny I believe you would want 4.10s in the axles (the experts will correct me if I’m wrong lol).

Looks well taken care of and new suspension parts are a plus (though that’s a lot of stuff to replace right before selling, hmmmm) but rust is always a huge factor. So even if he says it’s rust free look the frame over thoroughly to make sure that’s really the case.

Happy hunting and welcome to the forum! I’ve learned a lot from these guys

You are right on this I was looking for cars for my Girlfriends little brother the first 4 cars I looked at barely had any oil, some no coolant to very little. Some people just do not take care of their cars or bother to put any when they sell. One guy had barley put 50k mile engine in his car checked the oil it was dry as a bone. I didn’t even bother to drive it. Definitely quick and easy things to check when your buying a car.

 

[bobthetj03]

If I were shopping for one today, I'd opt for something like this,

https://sfbay.craigslist.org/eby/cto/d/2000-jeep-wrangler-sahara-40/6713359330.html

or this,

https://sfbay.craigslist.org/eby/cto/d/2001-jeep-wrangler-tj/6727985946.html

Here's a clean one,

https://sfbay.craigslist.org/eby/cto/d/jeep-wrangler-1999/6708463766.html

Finally found an automatic. If you are looking for one already lifted with bigger tires. Personally, I'd find a stock one and get the mods you want.

https://sfbay.craigslist.org/eby/cto/d/2000-jeep-wrangler-40/6725301319.html

Price seems fair,

https://sfbay.craigslist.org/sby/cto/d/2000-jeep-wrangler/6711024576.html

 

[tomtaylz]

Whats your budget? I bought my TJ basically stock, automatic, full doors, hardtop, down in Bakersfield for just over 10k with less than 100k miles, no rust at all and a rear 44. They're out there.

The link you posted doesn't look horrible, but starting stock does help out as there's a decent chance it doesn't drive as well as it could.

 

[Chris]

Also, above ANYTHING else, make sure there is little to no rust on the frame. If you see a frame / underside that is rusted out, don't pay a single dime for it (unless you want a big project).

 

[DHunt]

I just bought mine in June and learned a lot about the process. This is mostly stuff I should have done but didn't.
Run a Carfax. Sure, it's in California now, but for how long? If it's even been in a minor accident, that will at least give you a bargain chip.
Pull a build sheet. What does it have or have not. I didn't know I had a Dana 44 until this.
Zero rust. There's just no reason to compromise here. There are lots of Cal cars.
The thing I've learned from this forum is there are a lot of low quality and not completed mods you can do to Jeeps.
10k is the target unless you'll settle for salvage title or 4 cylinder. The best ones usually go to the first one to look at it.

 

[MutantNinjaTJ]

Being 21, you may not have the resources to modify one from ground up. That said, your description said a Currie lift, and those are not inexpensive, and are a quality product. The cost is the cost, it’s an expensive project to “build your own”. I paid 8K for my stock 05, and have another 2k in it and still haven’t gotten to tires, wheels, or the re-gearing yet. Did I mention it’s expensive!

 

[Alex01]

If I were shopping for one today, I'd opt for something like this,

https://sfbay.craigslist.org/eby/cto/d/2000-jeep-wrangler-sahara-40/6713359330.html

or this,

https://sfbay.craigslist.org/eby/cto/d/2001-jeep-wrangler-tj/6727985946.html

Here's a clean one,

https://sfbay.craigslist.org/eby/cto/d/jeep-wrangler-1999/6708463766.html

Finally found an automatic. If you are looking for one already lifted with bigger tires. Personally, I'd find a stock one and get the mods you want.

https://sfbay.craigslist.org/eby/cto/d/2000-jeep-wrangler-40/6725301319.html

Price seems fair,

https://sfbay.craigslist.org/sby/cto/d/2000-jeep-wrangler/6711024576.html

X2. I was doing craigslist research for my response and came across the same ones as @bobthetj03. I think the red one is worth looking at even though if it was me I would be swapping out the lift with the OME ultimate kit. Which then makes the green one for $7,600 look like a great deal because at least you can budget in some quality parts.

Don't forget to visit the Norcal section of the forum once you pick up your jeep.

 

[mattc]

X2. I was doing craigslist research for my response and came across the same ones as @bobthetj03. I think the red one is worth looking at even though if it was me I would be swapping out the lift with the OME ultimate kit. Which then makes the green one for $7,600 look like a great deal because at least you can budget in some quality parts.

Don't forget to visit the Norcal section of the forum once you pick up your jeep.

Unfortunately the red one is already sold, I’m waiting for a response on the black one for $7600.
The Jeep in the original post is now really sketching me out. He told me he needed it gone today and was dropping to $8,000 which is completely different than how he was talking a few days ago.
So for now, the search continues, but I really am dying to pick up my TJ.

 

[tomtaylz]

Unfortunately the red one is already sold, I’m waiting for a response on the black one for $7600.
The Jeep in the original post is now really sketching me out. He told me he needed it gone today and was dropping to $8,000 which is completely different than how he was talking a few days ago.
So for now, the search continues, but I really am dying to pick up my TJ.

If it's a weekend and you need a second set of eyes I can probably help look at a Jeep depending on the location, I'm far from an expert that some members of this forum are, but I've bought and modified two relatively clean Jeeps at this point so I do know what the suspension geometry / stock components should look like and how a Jeep should behave. Also when buying used I always asked for a pre-purchase inspection which I would pay for on Jeeps I was serious about. I felt this weeded out a lot of sketchy options, and it was helpful/reassuring having a report from a mechanic.

Which then makes the green one for $7,600 look like a great deal because at least you can budget in some quality parts.

That's black, I'm telling you you are color blind :risas3:

 

[lowranger]

Unfortunately the red one is already sold, I’m waiting for a response on the black one for $7600.
The Jeep in the original post is now really sketching me out. He told me he needed it gone today and was dropping to $8,000 which is completely different than how he was talking a few days ago.
So for now, the search continues, but I really am dying to pick up my TJ.

I know it is easier said then done and I know you really want to get your TJ.....but you can't be in a big hurry when you are trying to find the right TJ. It is out there.

 

[Alex01]

That's black, I'm telling you you are color blind :risas3:

I call it color ignorant. And once again.

This is ORANGE

This is a lighter shade of red

 

[mattc]

I know it is easier said then done and I know you really want to get your TJ.....but you can't be in a big hurry when you are trying to find the right TJ. It is out there.

Very wise words, I don’t want to waste my money and effort on something, I want something I can enjoy for years to come and make my own. Thanks for all the help everyone, this community already seems very, very helpful and welcoming.