cheap jeep?
 

My wife has always like the idea of a Jeep Wrangler, and in fact she had a Toyota Tacoma TRD for the past 10 years so the whole off-road vehicle thing isn't foreign to her. We bought her a new Fiat 500 for commuting which is working out great.

I was driving by a local used car lot (there are a bunch of them near me) and saw a Jeep for $5K. I started thinking, "hmm…that could be a fun/cheap toy for her." But since things are rarely cheap in reality, I figured I'd ask here about potential big ticket issues. Not really worried about bad mileage or lack of power - I'm assuming that. Basically just want one that is safe to drive and won't surprise me with some $2K repair. Probably want auto trans.

Any preferred years or things to look out for?

check closely for "accident " damage.....

I had a Grand Cherokee V8 1996 for almost ten years. I loved it. Well, not the mileage of course. Horrendous.

You might let her drive a wrangler before you buy it. A 5k wrangler will be much, MUCH cruder than her Tacoma. Would be fun to cruise around in, but it's not for everyone.

I've had a number of Wranglers through the years. Fun vehicles as long as you understand what they were created for. With the back seat out it is usable for a weekend trip. The soft top will drive you crazy at highway speeds if you don't have the full steel door. However, they are quite robust and if it runs, it will probably keep on running without a lot of $$ and drama.

I personally don't care for the early 90's rectangular headlight Wranglers and for $5K it probably is one. They run just fine, just don't care for the looks.

They make a great tow vehicle for small trailers and boats as you can see everything behind you and the small turning radius makes it easy to back up with a trailer.

Parts are easy and fairly cheap. But try to find one that is stock. You never know how good a job someone may have done on that lift kit.

'87-'90 Wranglers had the 4.2l, as they age, lots of opportunities for vacuum leaks in the tangled web of lines. Leaf sprung.
'91-'95 YJ's have the fuel injected 4.0, still leaf sprung. AX15 manual. Roll cage was still the traditional angle down behind the main tube until '94 or '95 I think.
'97- '06 is the TJ, '97 was first year for the coil springs, kept the 4.0L straight six. Interior started getting less utilitarian and more 'cushy'. Exterior is back to the round headlights.

There are some 4cyl models out there but I have no experience with them.

Rust is a concern anywhere but SoCal. The straight 6's are pretty stout. Some people 'get it' and some don't. Ride can be harsh due to short wheel base, especially with the leaf sprung versions.

Security is non-existent with a soft top, leave nothing of value in it.

They are noisy, on highway, off highway, pretty much everywhere. You're driving a brick with a big flat grill and vertical windshield. Fuel economy will hover in the mid-teens.

Lots of fun, with limited practicality. I've had a few CJ's, a '91 Wrangler and after a number of years back into a '10 JKU and it feels like home.

Join the club and Just Empty Every Pocket, the slippery slope is steep. 0||||0

I have a 2012 Wrangler for a daily driver after years of wanting one. It may be my favorite vehicle I've ever owned. It goes through anything. The top comes off when it's sunny. The doors come off when it's warm. The air conditioning and heater can freeze ice cubes or scorch the Earth.

It's just an awesome vehicle, as long as you accept that it will never be a Lexus and it is not a smart place to leave valuables.

I had one. You basically freeze to death (open with a bikini top and half doors) when its cold out but most of the time she maybe sitting in traffic so that should be ok. Fun for sure, turning radius is like a toy car. I had an early 90s Wrangler with a 4 cylinder motor and it was a pretty good car, but had a bit of electrical issues. That was all my fault screwing around in a stream. Ok to run around town in but lack real power. It wasn't very good off road without mods. It "ain't no Land Cruiser for sure", but that not what you guys are looking for.

Cool, thanks for the input so far. I'm not worried about practicality. This is basically a short-term toy that hopefully ends up being reasonably cheap after it gets sold. Just for cruising around and maybe some light off-road. I'm trying to avoid slippery slopes (not that I'm good at that…)

So seems like checking for obvious frame/crash damage is the biggest issue. Not sure I want to go the used car dealer but there are plenty of them around. Some private party as well but most of them seem to be at private lots.

People get tired of those things all the time. They see it and want it because its looks cool, ones the novelty wears off, it goes for sale. I look at Craig's list instead of a small use car lot.

Parts are relatively cheap and the aftermarket is HUGE. I really liked my '91 with the 4.0. Lots of current Jeep enthusiasts wish they kept that motor or a variant of it instead of saddling the new JK's with the 3.8 V6.

I don't know. Most people I know who buy one always end up wanting one around or lamenting selling it. Certainly, their incredible resale value reflects their desirability.

May want to look over here:

Common Jeep Issues - Jeep Wrangler Forum

If memory serves me correct, the motor mounts break on some years of the Jeep inline sixes.

Factory Jeep alarm systems can be a pita also.

Jeep Wont Start / Security System Problem

Tons of late 80's through 90's on CL for $5K plus or minus. Almost all are manuals. The wife used to know how to drive a stick - maybe this is the time to relearn.

There seem to be a fair number of 4-bangers with 5-speeds. Seems like that might be cheap to run/fix.

You can install a lock box so she can leave smallish things in it.

They do roll over, that's not a Ralph Nader myth.

I still want mine back but this time will be the straight 6. I love the torque on that thing.

That's mine but I am power hungry so the straight 6 is a no brainer. its a much better motor, but for cruising around, the 4 bangers are just fine. do't be surprise if the milage is about the same on both.

Look for a six. The 4-banger will just make a lot of noise (and eventually smoke) and doesn't get much better mpg. It will be a dog on hills causing her to rev the snot out of it just to keep up with traffic. Sixes have around 190hp (depending on year/some more some less) and will always get around 18mpg no matter what.

Also check the fuel lines. Both of my Jeep GC"s have had fuel line leaks. Smell around the engine and gas tank for a strong gas smell.

'The idea of a Jeep' is the key. Yes, the idea is great, but the reality, well...

Skip the Wrangler. Crude, unstable, etc. Bypass 4X4s because in town, it's just extra weight and complexity you're hauling around.

Look at a Grand Cherokee or vintage XJ Cherokee. Same bulletproof straight 6 in both. Automatic transmissions can be a problem after 130K or so. Some Vintage XJs had 5-speeds, and that might be the sweet spot. Either that, or hold back money for a rebuilt automatic when the time comes.

You should seriously try one of the new 285 horsepower Pentastar Jeeps. They're downright fast, especially when the doors are off.

It's a bit hilarious though in wet/snowy weather in 2WD. Even the lightest feathering of the clutch causes it to spin like crazy.