I wanna buy a Jeep Wrangler...

[Meat]

Im comtemplatin' on buyin a Wrangler. Whats the lowdown on these things, what should I be looking for, what model year did they change the dash and whats the story on reliablity ? Im looking to spend $5000 on one and I want the newer style dash that I think was introduced in '97, but everything I'v found with those two critera have very high milage. Can I trust a jeep with 120,000 plus miles ?? Whats the story with the two engine sizes ? is the 4 cyl a good motor or should I stay away from them ? This will be my primary vehicle. Any and all info would be appreciated.

 

-denny

[dajogejr]

Far as I'm concerned, Denny....the 4.0 straight 6 is a great little engine, especially in a small little Wrangler.

I had one in my 98 grand cherokee (obviously much heavier) and it always started, always ran....not 1 single issue, and....best part is, routine maintenance is a breeze. Spark plugs, wires, cap and rotor are all right within eye site, one of the easiest motors I've ever worked on period.

 

There are so many parts for the aftermarket for those...and so many out, I think you'll be fine...

[LiftdT4R]

Far as I'm concerned, Denny....the 4.0 straight 6 is a great little engine, especially in a small little Wrangler.

 

Ohh yeah, Jeep has made that engine for a long long time now, very rare to see problems on them. They arent so hot on gas, but it is an SUV not a prius. The Jeeps are a little tricky though, people really beat on some of them, and they don't show it so well, so make sure somebody didn't take the thing down the Rubicon trail and back on a stock setup.

 

The newer body style, 95 on, the TJ, has coil springs instead of leafs, so the ride is nicer, and the travel is actually longer. This is when they changed from the square lights back to the round ones.

 

If you can find one at a decent price, get the Rubicon, it's much nicer then the regular Wrangler, front and rear diff locks, and electronic sway bar discos. I don't know if you plan on offroading it or not, but tose are things you will be buying anyway if you do. Not much has really changed for the next generation, the JK, the Jeep got a little longer and wider, along with minor changes, so I'd save the loot and pick up the TJ.

 

That in mind, are you driving it every day? Or is it just going to be an offroader? My family has an old old Jeep CJ7, I drove it a while back, and it was a decent beater, it hasnt run in a while though. A ton of my buddies have Jeeps, some offroad them, some don't, if you are planning on offroading it, obviously it has the best aftermarket support out of any truck.

 

I probably wouldn't pick one up as a daily driver, I think there are nicer, more economical used cars out there. They are basically 2 solid axles, and a cab, the heat never seems to be hot enough, and the AC never seems to be cold enough. The ride is rough, and they arent the safest cars. They do make a nice summer whip, and nothing beats cruising around with no doors or top, but I don't think I'd make that tradeoff. I know a lot of people that do drive them daily though, so to each is own.