Hey all,
I'm considering buying a jeep to have as an extra vehicle and something fun that my wife and daughters could cruise around town and occasionally take to the mountains.
I know jeeps aren't known for reliability so I have some reservations. I'm handy but with 2 jobs and 2 kids I don't have time to piddle around with fixing a jeep constantly.
I like basic Jeeps. 2-4" of lift would be ideal.
I don't mind a brush guard and winch but don't want crazy mods and purple neons mounted to the frame.
1) I'm thinking about 2 options:
Option A: Spend less than $15k and find an older (maybe 1995-2005) 2 door wrangler with low miles and preferably 1 owner.
Option B: spend $25k-$35k and get a 4 door wrangler 2015ish with low miles and preferably 1 owner. 4 door would be much more convenient for the kids and surely more comfortable in the back seat.
2) I 100% believe that a jeep should be manual transmission. I'm sure my wife would appreciate an automatic. Are Jeep transmissions any good.
3) I've always heard the 4.0L inline 6 is a good engine. What are other good engines in Jeeps?
4) I'll never buy a car from the auto bail out era (2006-2009). i've heard too many stories of lemons in this timeframe. Any other models, engines, etc to avoid?
5) Aside from rust what should I watch out for? Signs of being submerged? etc?
Any other advice or smart-a** comments are welcomed.
I'm considering buying a jeep to have as an extra vehicle and something fun that my wife and daughters could cruise around town and occasionally take to the mountains.
I know jeeps aren't known for reliability so I have some reservations. I'm handy but with 2 jobs and 2 kids I don't have time to piddle around with fixing a jeep constantly.
I like basic Jeeps. 2-4" of lift would be ideal.
I don't mind a brush guard and winch but don't want crazy mods and purple neons mounted to the frame.
1) I'm thinking about 2 options:
Option A: Spend less than $15k and find an older (maybe 1995-2005) 2 door wrangler with low miles and preferably 1 owner.
Option B: spend $25k-$35k and get a 4 door wrangler 2015ish with low miles and preferably 1 owner. 4 door would be much more convenient for the kids and surely more comfortable in the back seat.
2) I 100% believe that a jeep should be manual transmission. I'm sure my wife would appreciate an automatic. Are Jeep transmissions any good.
3) I've always heard the 4.0L inline 6 is a good engine. What are other good engines in Jeeps?
4) I'll never buy a car from the auto bail out era (2006-2009). i've heard too many stories of lemons in this timeframe. Any other models, engines, etc to avoid?
5) Aside from rust what should I watch out for? Signs of being submerged? etc?
Any other advice or smart-a** comments are welcomed.
