Thoughts on buying this Jeep?

[Nautilow]

Hello All!

(Starting a new topic because I think that my new info was lost in the bottom of the old one.)

I went to go look at this Jeep today:

https://offerup.com/item/detail/892597283/

Turns out it wasn't silver, as I thought, and is a periwinkle blue. As advised by the forum, I've taken photographs of the underside and ran a carfax on it. I hope I took pictures of the right things. Owner is asking $10.5k but I was thinking of offering $9k. There is rust on the bottom but it looks like it may just be surface-level rust. What is too much in a TJ? Any help will be greatly appreciated, as I told the owner I would get back to her tomorrow. Thank you in advance!!

 

[Nautilow]

 

[Grey_Machine7.3]

offer whatever you want and tell 'em to keep that air intake and put the OEM back on or no deal

Goodlookin though. pull the trigger if its what you want.

 

[Jamison C]

Maintenance records or not, that Jeep doesn’t appear to have been maintained underneath. The springs are rusted and you can see rust (though it doesn’t look severe), all over. Just doesn’t seem like it was taken care of.

That color is not an OEM either. It was painted at some point which begs the question why? And who painted it? I know it’s a Jeep, but do you want it peeking and flaking off a year from now?

I’m picky with my jeeps, so just my initial thoughts.

 

[taylormade73]

Either the Carfax is way off or she is. Aje says she's the second owner, but Carfax says there have been 11 owners.

Also, there is a lot of wet grime that has collected due to leaking, which says 2 things: 1. owner neglected maintenance and leaks for who knows how long, and 2. these leaks require repairs that are added cost to your purchase price.

Regarding rust, you will want to focus on frame at lower control arm areas and where the transfer case skid plate meets the frame. Take photos of those areas. Also stick your finger in every frame hole to check either for smoothness () or roughness () and flaking and chunks of metal (run!).

 

[Abrao865d]

I wouldn’t touch this TJ for that money. Looks very neglected. Just search everyday on Craigslist OfferUp Facebook etc, be the first to call on something clean and have cash ready to buy before someone else does. Be patient and you will find something you will be proud of and feel like you got away with one as you drive it home.

 

[Nautilow]

Thanks everybody!!