Daughter wants a jeep under $10k. Bad idea??

[cavemann]

My ex wants to buy my daughter a jeep and she has always wanted one.  I'm not too sure about what we would get for what she can spend..  $10k would be on the high end and does not buy much..  For those more mechanically inclined than me and know jeeps, what is your opinion??  15yr old jeeep with 135k+ miles seems like a bad idea??  Maybe it's not?

[magnanimous_j]

15yr old jeeep with 135k+ miles seems like a bad idea?? 

Yes. And it's twice as bad of an idea if it's anything but a wrangler.

[h20hunter]

Yes, and with respect, I'll tell you why. Also,  I have a daughter as well. Pretty girls in Jeeps draw the guys like a neon beer sign in the middle of a desert. Get her a nice drab volvo and refuse to allow her to date.

[boneaddict]

Lol!
My daughter got a Jeep Liberty.  She loves it.

[Fl0und3rz]

Yes, and with respect, I'll tell you why. Also,  I have a daughter as well. Pretty girls in Jeeps draw the guys like a neon beer sign in the middle of a desert. Get her a nice drab volvo and refuse to allow her to date.

Price seems on the high side for a Wrangler, unless there is a lot of custom work, which screams trail-abused.  I'd err on the side of stock, ensure the maintenance is up to date, and prepare to repair, as I don't get the notion that the powertrain is known for longevity.

[jackelope]

I don't think it's a bad idea at all.
I'd only buy a Wrangler or a Cherokee and only with a 4.0 inline 6 cyl. Don't buy a money pit Grand Cherokee and don't buy anything 4 cylinder.
Liberty was also a decent vehicle. Just don't buy a Grand Cherokee or a 4 cylinder Wrangler.
With that said, I drive a 2006 Grand Cherokee every day. It's just a v6 and it's got 165k miles on it. Bought it for my wife with 10k miles on it in 2007. It's been a great car. I've just seen the opposite side of that spectrum and wouldn't recommend rolling the dice. I think the 3.7 is a more reliable and more trouble free engine than the 4.7 v8 or the Hemi.

[JimmyHoffa]

Check the thing out and it might be about right.  Were there some modifications?  As for the mileage, Jeeps seem to wear piston and valve seals a little faster than other makes.  If you're in an emissions area, that could be a pain to address.  If it is a wrangler, there are three basic categories sport/sahara/rubicon.

[Alchase]

With my Jeeps, they all have had solid drive trains. I had one with a 2.5 the others were all 4.0 HOs.
It is everything else on it that will kill your pocket book, LOL

Rear mains seals, cooling systems, Vacuum system causing Oil blow-by issues. Wiper motor linkages, Plastic tops being sliced, etc...

[netcoyote]

Who's going to work on it? A $10k Jeep, 135k miles, 15 yo is gonna need some work, mostly sooner rather than later. Unless your daughter is mechanically inclined, I would say this is not a good idea.
BTW, I'm a Jeep owner...

[timberfaller]

First question, How much experience does she have behind the wheel??    4x4 and short wheel base rigs can be a little tricky!!

I have a 92 Wrangler,  great rig,  paid $6000 for it with 115,000 miles on it 8 years ago.   Best purchase of a gas rig I've ever made.

Next question is WHAT jeep rig is she looking for?   

There is a new demand for the Cherokee models around here at least(price going up on the old good ones).  And like all rigs they have certain "maintenance" issues.

4 cylinder engines get a little better mpg but the inline 6 has more power. 

135,000 on a 15 year old jeep will depend on WHO and HOW it was driven!   My jeep I found in Portland, second owner had it only a year, first owner never used the four wheel drive or off road!  Of course though I had been looking for almost 2 years! before I found it.

[Stein]

With my Jeeps, they all have had solid drive trains. I had one with a 2.5 the others were all 4.0 HOs.
It is everything else on it that will kill your pocket book, LOL

Rear mains seals, cooling systems, Vacuum system causing Oil blow-by issues. Wiper motor linkages, Plastic tops being sliced, etc...

My daughter just started looking.  Jeeps of all varieties are on the Dad Veto List for the above reason as well as the one mentioned by h2ohunter.

[Scvette]

My daughters on her 2nd jeep. Her 1st one was a lifted 04 wrangler that a guy pulled out onto a one way going the wrong way and totaled it,all she got was airbag rash on the side of her face. It was replaced with a 2014 a few days later.

[PlateauNDN]

Yes, and with respect, I'll tell you why. Also,  I have a daughter as well. Pretty girls in Jeeps draw the guys like a neon beer sign in the middle of a desert. Get her a nice drab volvo and refuse to allow her to date.

  my stepdaughter wanted a jeep and because of the above statement I declined and got her a truck. Which wasn't all that difference in comparison to the above statement.  

There's something about a pretty female driving a 4wd vehicle that's alluring, much like a fly to neon fly zapper, mesmerizing. 

[gaddy]

Yup! During summer time, girls in topless jeeps, doors off, wearing bikini tops and daisy dukes and a ball cap to control the hair--- Sorry to the father for the mental image.

[jackson7]

I own a 92 and  love it. Only thing I would add is be patient looking as they, like Toyotas hold their value well. For that kind of money you could get a much newer and better vehicle with a lot less miles.
Personally I will not buy anything w over 100,000 miles, unless owned by a friend with a discounted price.