Need help buying 1st Jeep!

tjlboise said:
Don't forget to add an emoticon when you say stuff like that, or else everyone will blow a gasket, and start arguing about what makes a man a REAL man. Gotta be careful you know.

Wow talk about off topic. DUDE just drop it!


JackalopeATX said:
Hi all,

So I'm in the process of trying to find my first Jeep, and I'm anxious to pull the trigger but don't want to make a bad decision. Most of the Wranglers in my price range have high miles, but from what I've read it sounds like that's not an issue, especially with the 4.0L, providing he's kept up with the maintenance. I'm going to look at this one today but thought I would see what y'all thought based on the info I have already. Here goes:

2003 Wrangler Sport, 4.0L V6, Auto, Towing Pkg, Hard + Soft top, pretty much all the options you can get for a Sport, 119k miles, $9900. I tried to attach some pics but it wouldn't work. It looks pristine though.

I can probably haggle him down a few hundred. The only thing I'm worried about is the mileage. Is that really high? I know that's standard for a car that age, but wasn't sure if it's too much for the price. Thanks in advance for the help!

The ac fix should be easy and inexpensive, but you kinda gotta know what your doing or you'll end up paying more to fix what you messed up lol. Whether you have ac or top down is just preference. I like both, too bad I don't have ac tho haha. Btw don't be discouraged, most of us are always happy to help out :)
 

So far this Jeep looks like a real find, no errors and a lot of fun upcoming. Cool.

Robert
 
Hi all,

So I'm in the process of trying to find my first Jeep, and I'm anxious to pull the trigger but don't want to make a bad decision. Most of the Wranglers in my price range have high miles, but from what I've read it sounds like that's not an issue, especially with the 4.0L, providing he's kept up with the maintenance. I'm going to look at this one today but thought I would see what y'all thought based on the info I have already. Here goes:

2003 Wrangler Sport, 4.0L V6, Auto, Towing Pkg, Hard + Soft top, pretty much all the options you can get for a Sport, 119k miles, $9900. I tried to attach some pics but it wouldn't work. It looks pristine though.

I can probably haggle him down a few hundred. The only thing I'm worried about is the mileage. Is that really high? I know that's standard for a car that age, but wasn't sure if it's too much for the price. Thanks in advance for the help!

Just some input on the mileage concern for info sake--I get about 220,000k out of my 6s over the last 21 of 26 Jeeps I've had since 1967. In 1976 when AMC offered the CJ7 with the 258 6 I bought one. It was the best and still is, engine ever put in a Jeep. At the mileage you state for your rig, 119k should be no issue as long as it has been oiled and kept up.

Hope that is helpful. Let us know as we are all interested.

Robert
 
about the steering column and a gap. I believe that has a tilt steering column - do you know if the wheel was tilted down - that would easily explain it.

On my 2005 there is a rubber skirt that comes down off the dash that covers that hole in the steering column.

If you have problems posting pictures, just email the to webmaster @ this site and I'll post them for you.
 

First off thanks for all the replies guys, really helps to have some positive reinforcement when you're about to drop 10 grand. The guy won't let me take it to the Jeep specialist in town because he doesn't want to give me the car and can't ride with me because he's so "busy", so I guess I'm going to have to check it out myself on site. Any advice on the top 5 or so major things I should look for? Thanks a lot. Here are some pics...
 

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I'd be very careful of someone who doesn't want a mechanic to look at his car! But aside from that make sure you start it and let it run for a few minutes. Check the temp gauge and make sure it's right, then check under the hood and on the ground for any leaks that appear after it's warm. Check the oil for any contamination and if possible at least drive it down the road and engage the 4wheel drive just to be sure! But it looks good so good luck!
 
Yeah I know it sounds sketchy. He said I could bring a mechanic there but I don't know any that will do that. He's a lazy college student and just doesn't feel like dealing with all the normal things that go into selling a car I guess. It looks so clean and taken care of though so that's why I feel like the odds are in my favor. That's pretty niave though I'm aware. I'll check for leaks rust and all that good stuff and then take it to the jeep specialist to be sure afterwards. I've driven it once and it drove great. Is this stupid of me? Just seems like such a good deal but sometimes those are too good to be true...
 

It does sound a little sketchy. He wont let you do it even if you leave some kind of collateral? Im not totally sure, but I think there's laws about you being able to get it checked out by the place/person of YOUR choice. But I wouldn't worry too much, because if you do buy it, and something breaks fairly soon (depends on your state, for how long) then you also have the lemon laws on your side too. If it feels right, then I say do it.
 
JackalopeATX said:
First off thanks for all the replies guys, really helps to have some positive reinforcement when you're about to drop 10 grand. The guy won't let me take it to the Jeep specialist in town because he doesn't want to give me the car and can't ride with me because he's so "busy", so I guess I'm going to have to check it out myself on site. Any advice on the top 5 or so major things I should look for? Thanks a lot. Here are some pics...

Yah sounds sketchy, I'd pass it up and look for another jeep. There are plenty out there in your price range and 10 is pretty high. This happened to me before, the real reason he doesn't want you to take it to a mechanic is because he doesn't care if he sells it which means you won't be able to haggle very much. Or there is something wrong with it and did a temporary cover up and the mechanic would uncover it.
 

I did a carfax and it was declared a total loss vehicle in Jan of this year. Knew it. I walked of course, but what I'm confused on is on the carfax report it says that with all the information on the vehicle combined, it's worth only $170 less than retail value. How could a car that's been declared a total loss and had collision damage be worth only $170 less than retail?
 
You know I would pass on it because of mechanic issue, but I also worry when someones vehicle looks too clean. It makes me think they are trying to hide something and if you are in Austin TX, then I will right up the road from you in a couple of weeks. I live in Kempner and there are p[lenty of jeeps for sale that might be a little better for you than some like that. Just my 2 cents.
 
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Pass. My Jeep VEX was a total when I towed it away and got it if I would tow it. But a CJ7 and a TJ are two very different things.

Pass.

Robert
 

Ok now that weve gotten off the original question,Ask the owner to either get it fixed for you or ask for another 3-4 Hundred off.
 
elevatorman said:
Ok now that weve gotten off the original question,Ask the owner to either get it fixed for you or ask for another 3-4 Hundred off.

Did we? I thought he was asking if he should buy it, or not. I say not. If the owner is trying to hide some stuff, then there will most likely be even more going on than even what the carfax says. Plenty of fish in the sea. I waited for 11 years, two of them being hardcore searching, before I finally settled on my YJ. Its worth the wait.
 

Yup, Yupwait for that perfect one
 
Yeah, if carfax says theres some sort of loss, than I would pass. It's just not worth giving all your money away for an unknown. Let the lazy college kid keep the mess:) There are just too many still out there to risk loosing your investment!
 
I Totally agree with the information. I must have "brain F__ted" and hit something because I was reading something else prior to my post.
I looked for a good 2 years prior to purchasing my YJ and even then I bought one with a Salvaged title.
It was a theft recovery that the original owner bought back completely rebuilt with a full picture documentation and reciepts.
 
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