Should I pull the trigger on this TJ?

[Claytone]

The jeep belongs to a young lady that works here, she just bought a 2021 wrangler 2dr. wants to sell her 2003. So this is a southern jeep that has pot seen any off roading except pulling into the yard to wash it. seeing as how this is GA and were about 20 miles from Alabama rust isn't as much a concern. She is a second owner, first was a girl who used it as a DD, no off-roading there either. She wont be back until mon, hopefully she wont sell it before then.

I’d be waiting with cash in hand Monday morning first thing.

 

[Hunter Rich]

Yes because Ducks are not sea birds! lol

Sea ducks make up 42 percent of all North American duck species. They include eiders (common, spectacled, Steller's and king), scoters (black, surf and white-winged), mergansers (common, hooded and red-breasted) and goldeneyes (common and Barrow's goldeneyes), along with buffleheads, long-tailed ducks and the flamboyant harlequin ducks.

Thank you Ducks Unlimited (of which I've been a member for over half my life.)

 

[TheBoogieman]

Sea ducks make up 42 percent of all North American duck species. They include eiders (common, spectacled, Steller's and king), scoters (black, surf and white-winged), mergansers (common, hooded and red-breasted) and goldeneyes (common and Barrow's goldeneyes), along with buffleheads, long-tailed ducks and the flamboyant harlequin ducks.

Thank you Ducks Unlimited (of which I've been a member for over half my life.)

Thank you for that info.

 

[TheBoogieman]

seeing as how this is GA and were about 20 miles from Alabama.

AndyG has cash and is already tracking her down to buy it first.

 

[fourpointzero]

I wouldn’t think twice about it. If the frame is intact, take it! That’ll be a fun get around Jeep. The top still comes off and he can still do many more miles if he maintains it well.

 

[CharlesHS]

The jeep belongs to a young lady that works here, she just bought a 2021 wrangler 2dr. wants to sell her 2003. So this is a southern jeep that has pot seen any off roading except pulling into the yard to wash it. seeing as how this is GA and were about 20 miles from Alabama rust isn't as much a concern. She is a second owner, first was a girl who used it as a DD, no off-roading there either. She wont be back until mon, hopefully she wont sell it before then.

With this additional information.... this appears to be a GREAT deal that should be jumped upon...
Just for peace of mind; I would still look the Jeep over before handing over the cash ....

 

[chuck47]

While $1500 is a GREAT price.... you wouldn't want to buy the Jeep and find out a few days later that you will need to add another $5-7000 to get it dependable.
As I said earlier.... "that is a steal"...., but WHY ?
Bring someone with you that knows Jeeps and do a thorough inspection of the vehicle...
I am always suspicious when something sounds too good to be true.... IT USUALLY IS !!!

Honestly even if it were beat to hell I would think it's a good deal. Guys sell rusted out TJs with no title for more than that up north.

 

[Rubicon88]

I'm not sure I'd get anything with nearly a quarter million miles on it as an "only vehicle" that will become the all "important vehicle" that will also be his "only means" for transportation...as in he'll need to "rely" on said car "solely"...for any and everything.

Just some thoughts and nobody loves Jeep more than I

 

[chuck47]

I'm not sure I'd get anything with nearly a quarter million miles on it as an "only vehicle" that will become the all "important vehicle" that will also be his "only means" for transportation...as in he'll need to "rely" on said car "solely"...for any and everything.

Just some thoughts and nobody loves Jeep more than I

Good point, I glossed over that on the first read. Definitely a good deal on a TJ but the 1500 bucks would be better spent on a honda or toyota if it's going to be his only car.

 

[Rubicon88]

Good point, I glossed over that on the first read. Definitely a good deal on a TJ but the 1500 bucks would be better spent on a honda or toyota if it's going to be his only car.

Yep...
Now that said...
good old Barack Husein Obama ruined the used car market with the dumbest idea ever...cash for clunkers.
I mean hell...everyone has a six figure salary govt job with 4 weeks vacation...and a security force...and no troubles paying 7k for their kids first car.

The good old days of taking the 16 year old out on a Saturday or Sunday car shopping from some private sellers with their $500 bucks he or she saved and you'll help adding a few hundred to get them what they really like...or safe...or whatever...

Those days are long gone!!!

If you find one now...it's sheer luck. Sadly!!!!

 

[AndyG]

AndyG has cash and is already tracking her down to buy it first.

Hey I saw that, this thread already got started with one divorce, you guys are gonna rurn my life.

Several things come to mind-

First, buy the jeep and get that out of the way, make sure its dependable and he can get to work every day. He will also appreciate dropping the top, turning on the radio and riding around your beautiful state this summer, clearing his head, de stressing and resetting. It may become a good project also once he gets his wind and the garage time can be a real pleasure if he is so inclined.

Second, and I mean this, my heart goes out to them both, marriage is hard and divorce is probably harder.

Third, good on you for still being a dad even though older, kids need a little more time to get adjusted these days it seems, I did. My parents’ faith in me meant a lot when I was getting back on my feet 30 years ago.


Lastly, and It doesn’t matter what has happened- tell him tough times don’t last , tough people do. I would rather not see a divorce, but it happens every day and it is not the end of the road. I have met many people that come through it and know what they are looking for next time and end up really happy, really satisfied. Smooth seas never made a skillful sailor.

Check in on him, text him, have him over to dinner, do whatever you can to
see that he is ok and not letting any kind of depression or bad feelings get the best of him...he was looking for a girl when he found her and he will be fine.

Get him to be a member on here, we can walk him through any issue, plus give solid dating, marital and financial advice (ie, date a girl that if you marry you dont have to hide the jeep parts bill from, or better yet, helps you pay for them).

His best years are ahead of him, as fun as my teens and 20’s were, life really didn’t get rewarding for me until my late 30’s, and honestly it was 15 years after that til I started making really good money, and part of that starts with not spending it faster than you make it, as well as making more good decisions in general.

Didn’t intend to write a novel, occasionally a thread on here speaks to me at a heart level, like when I see a parents’ love and a decent person just asking us so they make a good decision to help their child. And I like that you are doing it in a way he still needs to help himself....that is critical to his long term success.

All the best,
AndyG
Wrangler TJ Forum Counselor at Large

 

[IPerkWVU]

Yep...
Now that said...
good old Barack Husein Obama ruined the used car market with the dumbest idea ever...cash for clunkers.
I mean hell...everyone has a six figure salary govt job with 4 weeks vacation...and a security force...and no troubles paying 7k for their kids first car.

The good old days of taking the 16 year old out on a Saturday or Sunday car shopping from some private sellers with their $500 bucks he or she saved and you'll help adding a few hundred to get them what they really like...or safe...or whatever...

Those days are long gone!!!

If you find one now...it's sheer luck. Sadly!!!!

I worked at a dealer those days, 53 prius out the door the first day. Before we sent them the scrap yard we pulled dukes of hazard type moves.

Think redlining a 1990 town car in reverse max speed... and crank the wheel, drop it in drive with the pedal to the floor!

 

[Rubicon88]

I worked at a dealer those days, 53 prius out the door the first day. Before we sent them the scrap yard we pulled dukes of hazard type moves.

Think redlining a 1990 town car in reverse max speed... and crank the wheel, drop it in drive with the pedal to the floor!

Yep...and all those good used engines....

G
O
N
E

To do what? Save the auto industry? LOL..
GM still can't get in the fucking black.

Dumbest


idea


ever!!!!

 

[chuck47]

Yep...
Now that said...
good old Barack Husein Obama ruined the used car market with the dumbest idea ever...cash for clunkers.
I mean hell...everyone has a six figure salary govt job with 4 weeks vacation...and a security force...and no troubles paying 7k for their kids first car.

The good old days of taking the 16 year old out on a Saturday or Sunday car shopping from some private sellers with their $500 bucks he or she saved and you'll help adding a few hundred to get them what they really like...or safe...or whatever...

Those days are long gone!!!

If you find one now...it's sheer luck. Sadly!!!!

The used car market is so bad for buyers, and has only gotten worse since then. I got my first car in 2013 for $1700 bucks, and was lucky enough to have my dad willing to front me the money for it. Just scrolling through the FB marketplace there are very few if any driveable cars under 2k. Hell, guys are selling trucks with no title for well over a grand. Covid-related shortages have pushed the market so far up. I've honestly been thinking about selling my DD because I can get like 6 grand over what I owe on it just selling it to carvana.

Makes me sad to think about how many precious TJs met an untimely demise with the crusher back then.

 

[Rubicon88]

The used car market is so bad for buyers, and has only gotten worse since then. I got my first car in 2013 for $1700 bucks, and was lucky enough to have my dad willing to front me the money for it. Just scrolling through the FB marketplace there are very few if any driveable cars under 2k. Hell, guys are selling trucks with no title for well over a grand. Covid-related shortages have pushed the market so far up. I've honestly been thinking about selling my DD because I can get like 6 grand over what I owe on it just selling it to carvana.

Makes me sad to think about how many precious TJs met an untimely demise with the crusher back then.

TJ's never did. I'm not saying 1 Lone ranger didn't get liquid glass poured into the crankcase and run until a seized state...

But just like now...
The least inventoried vehicle in the bone yard (Within reason...excluding exotics) is the Jeep...real Jeep's...
Willys, CJ, YJ, TJ, and so on.

Virtually all of them that made the bone yard were wrecked beyond recognition.

Why?
Someone knows someone who knows someone that wants that Jeep if it's ever being rid of. Regardless condition.

Back to your first point though...

Those days are done.

The 500 dollar car is gone. The 2500 dollar car..if for sale is junk.

The 5k car is marginal at best.

Now how in the hell are these kids supposed to get a start in life?

I know...go to school that will be free very soon...
But then if that degree becomes free....it won't mean shit because every young adult has one now. Worthless.
Oh yeah...and someone paid that bill for that "free college"...that now is as valuable as a high school diploma. When was the last time an employer asked to see a high school diploma?
Coming soon...employers who don't give a shit about your free college degree.

You write that down!!

 

[Fishtaco]

Thank you for that info.
View attachment 253762

But he needs to ask strangers about a 2003 southern TJ for $1500 lol

 

[Fishtaco]

Sea ducks make up 42 percent of all North American duck species. They include eiders (common, spectacled, Steller's and king), scoters (black, surf and white-winged), mergansers (common, hooded and red-breasted) and goldeneyes (common and Barrow's goldeneyes), along with buffleheads, long-tailed ducks and the flamboyant harlequin ducks.

Thank you Ducks Unlimited (of which I've been a member for over half my life.)

I cant stop laughing "Which Duck 4 banger Bridge of Death"

 

[BonesXX]

Good point, I glossed over that on the first read. Definitely a good deal on a TJ but the 1500 bucks would be better spent on a honda or toyota if it's going to be his only car.

Where the hell are you going to get a Toyota or Honda for 1500? The Jeep will be just as dependable and cheaper to repair

 

[Fishtaco]

Where the hell are you going to get a Toyota or Honda for 1500? The Jeep will be just as dependable and cheaper to repair

Maybe in your part of the world! TJ,s are mortgage divorce issues here in Australia along within your Harley parked in the lounge room

 

[J&M’s ICON]

oops... Forgot the most important part...
$1500.00

Ok, STOP!

Obviously you have good intentions and are trying to help your son out of financial hardship.

Buying him a Jeep at any price may not be a good thing regardless of price or condition.

What if he gets the bug, starts rebuilding, becomes part of this FORUM. I don’t care who you are, what you know, owning a Jeep cost $$$$!

Listening to all on here, is NO WAY to help anyone with money issues!
!