What Should I Expect?

[Bayviewrr]

So I am very new to this forum and a total newbie when it comes to Jeeps. I owned an old rusted out CJ back in the mid 90's but sold it to buy baby furniture when my son came along. I am finally at a stage in life where I can afford a second car with both time and money. I drive a full-size pickup and would really love a jeep to be able to run around on errands, meet customers and do some minor off road and beach driving for fishing. I am very hands on. I can build you a house from the ground up but really don't know a lot about cars, or especially jeeps. Never too told to learn.

I've spent the last few months learning a bunch from online from reading forums like this and watching a ton of YouTube videos. I've also been monitoring the Facebook Marketplace adds for Jeep TJs to get a feel for the prices.

I am putting my starting budget (yes, I realize that it can never end....JEEP=just empty every pocket) at about $10,000. I guess my question here is what should I expect to get for that kind of money. My goal is to get a decent jeep that is mechanically sound and is in cosmetically decent shape. One that I can do work on if I want to and make upgrades, but not one where I have to keep pouring money into it just to keep it going. Am I on target with that kind of budget?

Looking forward to hearing what others with a ton more experience that me have to say.

Thanks

 

[Westtown Willy]

I think you picked a good time to buy a TJ, prices are the lowest I've seen since I bought mine 10 years ago so there are good deals out there to be had. A big issue you'll face is of course is rust, so take a good long look at the frame inside & out FIRST. Once you find one with a good frame & body mounts, you can work with a wide array of mechanical issues that may need to be addressed depending on how well it was cared for, & most will have some issues at least keeping in mind the newest TJs are now 20 years old...

 

[macleanflood]

I'd fly out west or south and road trip something home. I see plenty of good ones for sale in Oregon and you're welcome to use my shop before heading home...bonus...do some wheeling along the way home.

-Mac

 

[Tronner]

My goal is to get a decent jeep that is mechanically sound and is in cosmetically decent shape

Be exceptionally picky if this is what you want. The youngest TJ is 20 years old and the oldest are 29. Find one that is entirely unmolested and you have a better starting point than one that is already touched.

 

[TheBoogieman]

I see plenty of good ones for sale in Oregon

In your travels hauling away trash in the mountains?
p.s. You do great work.

 

[TheBoogieman]

I've also been monitoring the Facebook Marketplace adds for Jeep TJs to get a feel for the prices.

Stay away from all Jeeps in your NJ state and nearby states. RUST issues.

I am putting my starting budget (yes, I realize that it can never end....JEEP=just empty every pocket) at about $10,000. I guess my question here is what should I expect to get for that kind of money. My goal is to get a decent jeep that is mechanically sound and is in cosmetically decent shape.

If I get bad news from my surgeon on August 12th, you could get this Jeep for $8,000 or less. (Not kidding). I bought it from the original Texas owner that took care of it like it was his only child (retired AF military stationed in Washington D.C). He kept all service records from day one. I bought it stock and did the mods myself. It's got 147,500 miles on it now. I don't have time to drive it anymore. Around 500-1000 miles a year for past few years. If my health takes a bad turn on the 12th, I'll be selling it for a quick sale to pay bills.

 

[tr21triton]

Stay away from all Jeeps in your NJ state and nearby states. RUST issues.


If I get bad news from my surgeon on August 12th, you could get this Jeep for $8,000 or less. (Not kidding). I bought it from the original Texas owner that took care of it like it was his only child (retired AF military stationed in Washington D.C). He kept all service records from day one. I bought it stock and did the mods myself. It's got 147,500 miles on it now. I don't have time to drive it anymore. Around 500-1000 miles a year for past few years. If my health takes a bad turn on the 12th, I'll be selling it for a quick sale to pay bills.
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Hopefully everything turns out good for you Boogie.

 

[tr21triton]

So I am very new to this forum and a total newbie when it comes to Jeeps. I owned an old rusted out CJ back in the mid 90's but sold it to buy baby furniture when my son came along. I am finally at a stage in life where I can afford a second car with both time and money. I drive a full-size pickup and would really love a jeep to be able to run around on errands, meet customers and do some minor off road and beach driving for fishing. I am very hands on. I can build you a house from the ground up but really don't know a lot about cars, or especially jeeps. Never too told to learn.

I've spent the last few months learning a bunch from online from reading forums like this and watching a ton of YouTube videos. I've also been monitoring the Facebook Marketplace adds for Jeep TJs to get a feel for the prices.

I am putting my starting budget (yes, I realize that it can never end....JEEP=just empty every pocket) at about $10,000. I guess my question here is what should I expect to get for that kind of money. My goal is to get a decent jeep that is mechanically sound and is in cosmetically decent shape. One that I can do work on if I want to and make upgrades, but not one where I have to keep pouring money into it just to keep it going. Am I on target with that kind of budget?

Looking forward to hearing what others with a ton more experience that me have to say.

Thanks

If I were you I'd wait to see if Boogieman sells his. He takes good care of his and getting a nice Rubicon for under 10k is a gift. Hopefully he doesn't have to sell it but I would wait and see for sure.

 

[Tom Andersen]

Stay away from all Jeeps in your NJ state and nearby states. RUST issues.


If I get bad news from my surgeon on August 12th, you could get this Jeep for $8,000 or less. (Not kidding). I bought it from the original Texas owner that took care of it like it was his only child (retired AF military stationed in Washington D.C). He kept all service records from day one. I bought it stock and did the mods myself. It's got 147,500 miles on it now. I don't have time to drive it anymore. Around 500-1000 miles a year for past few years. If my health takes a bad turn on the 12th, I'll be selling it for a quick sale to pay bills.
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I found mine in Texas as well. No rust, minor sun damage and overall minor neglect, no deal breaker though.

 

[Zorba]

Just Expect Extra Purchases...

Goddess Bless @TheBoogieman, both for making a possible generous offer, but mostly hoping he doesn't have to go through with it.

 

[Snukulu]

So I am very new to this forum and a total newbie when it comes to Jeeps. I owned an old rusted out CJ back in the mid 90's but sold it to buy baby furniture when my son came along. I am finally at a stage in life where I can afford a second car with both time and money. I drive a full-size pickup and would really love a jeep to be able to run around on errands, meet customers and do some minor off road and beach driving for fishing. I am very hands on. I can build you a house from the ground up but really don't know a lot about cars, or especially jeeps. Never too told to learn.

I've spent the last few months learning a bunch from online from reading forums like this and watching a ton of YouTube videos. I've also been monitoring the Facebook Marketplace adds for Jeep TJs to get a feel for the prices.

I am putting my starting budget (yes, I realize that it can never end....JEEP=just empty every pocket) at about $10,000. I guess my question here is what should I expect to get for that kind of money. My goal is to get a decent jeep that is mechanically sound and is in cosmetically decent shape. One that I can do work on if I want to and make upgrades, but not one where I have to keep pouring money into it just to keep it going. Am I on target with that kind of budget?

Looking forward to hearing what others with a ton more experience that me have to say.

Thanks

The Northeast is not a deal breaker. My '00 is from CT, I'm the second owner. Bought it with 112K and zero rust. But sending good thoughts your way, Boogieman.