Wrangler questions

brpn

New Member
Joined
Oct 24, 2006
Location
Western NC Blue Ridge Parkway
I am a newb here.. but been involved w/jeeps for long time.. my dad had old cherokee in the 70s that we drove the hell out of.. i have a 2004 jeep liberty "KJ" renegade.. I want to get a lift for it and other things but haven't gotten around to it.. i want something a little bit older.. so my wife and use that for her daily driver and some offroad.. hell our driveway is a trail :driver: we live in western nc near asheville so i have been looking for an older wrangler.. doesnt have to be lifted or anything (yet).. was thinking of a 1997 since was first year of TJ but an older YJ would also work.. i would rather get an automatic since the wife will be driving it more then me :bounce2: but anyways what should i look for in an older wrangler.. what to keep away from.. etc.. and if anyone knows someone who has one for sale.. let me know..
 
I have a 95 YJ and a 2000 TJ. The TJ is definitely the more comfortable ride. The 2000 TJ is absolutely the most reliable vehicle I have ever owned. Over 100,000 miles and never replaced anything other than regular maintenance stuff. If I were looking to buy one, I would get a 6 cylinder and a hard top. Soft tops are alot cheaper to buy than a hardtop.
 
brpn, Wranglers seem to be a dime a dozen around our area. It shouldn't be extremely hard to find one. Check the Iwanna's and Craigslist.com. Some good deals pop up every now and again. And if you want someone to wrench with or maybe go riding with sometime, hit me up. I'm just south of ya.
 
RenegadeStang said:
brpn, Wranglers seem to be a dime a dozen around our area. It shouldn't be extremely hard to find one. Check the Iwanna's and Craigslist.com. Some good deals pop up every now and again. And if you want someone to wrench with or maybe go riding with sometime, hit me up. I'm just south of ya.
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thanks for the information.. i heard that the 97 and up have better ride.. so thats what i was thinking of going for a 97.. i have been checking on iwanna and craigslist and online for a few weeks.. it just seems everytime i call about one that looks like a good deal... its gone :mad: but im still looking.. i want to find one under 6K.. either 4 or 6 cyclinder should be fine..

RenegadeStang.. yah man keep in touch.. i live in Yancey county but its not that far of a drive to asheville area.. i am looking for some trails in our area so if you know any let me know.. not anything extreme.. just something to get out on a sunday afternoon back in the woods and see the sites.. the KJ does fine but i need a lift to hit anything harder.. my bro has a 2000 wrangler w/lift and my buddy has a 2005 liberty with lift all he needs are bigger tires
 
There's acutally a place called Brown Mountain ORV near Morganton and Lenoir. I've yet to go there, but I've heard it's a pretty decent place. Stock vehicles (I've got a stock '98 XJ) are very capable there. Maybe we can hit it up some weekend.
 
Go ahead and get the 6. You won't be happy with the 4. I have had the 97 and it was nice, but I would go with a 98 or newer since they worked out a few kinks in the design after that first year.
 
Here is a great thread to give you direction on Wranglers
http://www.jeepsunlimited.com/forums/showthread.php?t=544513
Good luck and look under the carpets for rust.
 
thanks for the replies.. i am looking everyday.. online and in paper/iwanna everyweek.. i was thinking that too either 97 or 98.. if they fixed anything on the 98

i heard of brown mountain from some LOST members they say its not all that but who knows.. might have to take a trip up there one weekend..
 
VortecJeep said:
I have a 95 YJ and a 2000 TJ. The TJ is definitely the more comfortable ride. The 2000 TJ is absolutely the most reliable vehicle I have ever owned. Over 100,000 miles and never replaced anything other than regular maintenance stuff. If I were looking to buy one, I would get a 6 cylinder and a hard top. Soft tops are alot cheaper to buy than a hardtop.
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better get ready to replace the water pump before 125k:driver:
 
I posted this in chit-chat and havent gotten any replies so thought i'd add it to my original thread..

Well.. i think i found a 98 wrangler.. its in good condition.. i had my brother go test drive it since it was near Charlotte.. My bro talked to the guy and I think he will take around 6k for it.. right now I dont have 6k laying around.. how would i go about getting a car loan for a used vehicle person-to-person? any ideas? any recommendations? thanks in advance..
 
brpn said:
I posted this in chit-chat and havent gotten any replies so thought i'd add it to my original thread..
Well.. i think i found a 98 wrangler.. its in good condition.. i had my brother go test drive it since it was near Charlotte.. My bro talked to the guy and I think he will take around 6k for it.. right now I dont have 6k laying around.. how would i go about getting a car loan for a used vehicle person-to-person? any ideas? any recommendations? thanks in advance..
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This is a 2 part question.

1) Mechanically: Just go to bank explain what you are doing they will check loan value (and your credit) and proceed from there

2) I personally would never borrow money to buy any car. Much less a jeep you plan on playing with. I dont borrow money for any reason, its a spiritual/philosophy thing with me. BUT lets assume like 80% of the US you take out a loan. Now you have a nice Jeep payment. Next weekend you cruise down to Uwharrie and in a fit of stupidity you roll/blow-up/burn-up or otherwise ruin your rig. You will now have 12/24/36/48/60(shudder to think) payments left to pay on a rig that is useless. Oh and by the way, you need money to fix it. Seriosuly not being a dick. If you dont have or cant save 6k this is not a good purchase. Save up 6k and you will enjoy your rig and your wheeling trips much MUCH more.

There is something nice about knowing worse case scenario you leave here with nothing.:beer:
 
well.. first off.. its going to be my wifes vehicle.. she isnt going out on the trail.. 2nd off.. i dont know many people who have 6K laying around in the bank.. if they do they must not be on this forum lol.. from what ive seen with the money invested in lifts.. tires.. mods.. etc.. anyways my wife works for a bank.. there are people that have hundreds of thousands of dollars.. some millions in their bank accounts and investments.. but they STILL come in to get loans for cars.. house repairs.. new homes.. investment property..etc.. so thats not realistic.. so your point i understand but not for the average person.. i could see like you said.. if im getting it to lift it.. put 35"s on it and hit the trail.. but thats not the case.. if it was for me i'd get a manual and lift..etc.. but its for my wife.. let her drive it and then after its paid off.. lift time..etc.. :driver: i bought land a few years ago.. bout a house last year.. this was after paying off all my cc's and my other car.. everything was paid off and i had $$ in the bank.. but when you buy a house.. there are things to fix.. that $$ goes fast let me tell yah.. so getting a loan even personal loan.. would help me initially and then i can pay it off WAY faster then the loan allows.. but still enjoy having another jeep in the process and save for other toys.. if we all paid with cash.. there wouldnt be banks..etc..

btw didnt take your post as you being a dick or anything..
 
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If you have money in the bank, you shouldn't borrow money from the bank... profound. Why didn't I think of that.
 
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Insert brain here............

Lets use our brains here people.........
People who HAVE money do usually get loans for things, if they are doing things right, they are making about 5-6% on their money in money market accounts, etc, and their credit is usually good, so they get a car loan at lets say... 4%... Your making 2% on your money... You make money by taking out a loan instead of paying for things outright...... Thats why the land i am looking at buying i am trying to get a fixed 4% loan instead of paying cash for it, because that money is doing way too good making the 6.2% in my money market account............Lets look outside the box.........
 
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man.. i am so sorry that i had to ask a simple question and now i got someone preaching to me the benefits of this and that and bringing 'church' into the conversation..etc.. i mean unless you are rich, got rich parents or super lucky.. you have to borrow somewhere to start.. its not my rules but thats how it works in this crappy world.. so please dont 'preach' etc.. this is a 4x4 forum.. ok? c'mon..
EDIT: i had typed out a long msg.. but for what cause.. wouldnt change anyones opinion.. so i erased it.. i dont want to have some debate over credit or banks..etc.. so again sorry i even asked
 
Get a TJ, if you gotta get a loan, go for it.. Try to get it 3 years and be sure to keep full coverage on it and get the GAP insurance.. That why if you roll it your covered and you can go buy another one... Just enjoy it no matter what way you go about getting it... Life is too short to waste time wanting stuff... You could die next week, but alteast you enjoyed your new TJ this week instead of worrying about a car loan that obviously if your looking at you can afford to pay..
 
Go with the TJ but make sure you get one with the Dana44 rear end (instead of the D35 that some have). You will be better off in the long run, especially if you plan on 'wheeling it in the future.
 
x2 on that, but they are harder to find.. takes some crawling at the stealerships
 
Naw, just look for a TJ that came with the "big tire" package (the "huge" 30x9.5x15). The two individuals I bought mine from (a 99 and an 01) didn't know what rear end they had and had no idea it was an upgrade.
 
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