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.

[magnanimous_j]

In fairness to Jeep, I wouldn't buy a 15 year old anything for 10k. There is nothing to stop a vehicle that old from grenading the day after you buy it and 10k is a lot of money to eat. If it were me, I'd either spend more and get some peace of mind that it will probably last for a while, or go super cheap and just replace it when it goes.

[bearpaw]

I don't think the year is as important as the mileage. 

[JimmyHoffa]

Year is important due to finding parts.  They went through a few models that were only around a couple years that seem to require very specific parts.  I think 2002-2004 for example, whereas on some things like a chevy 350 you can get parts spanning almost 20 years for a configuration.

[jrebel]

A TJ with that mileage is low....especially if it is the manual transmission with inline 6. 

With that being said.....a jeep for a first car scares the living bagggeeeebers out of me.  I have seen jeeps (wrangler specific) in accidents and they are do not hold up well.  A first time driver should be in an automobile that has good crash ratings.....just my 2 cents.  I own a 2000 Jeep Wrangler with 130,000 miles and it starts and runs very well.  I would not and will not give it to my children for a daily commuter if they spend much time on highways.  In town or in the hills they work great. 

[huntnfmly]

H20 that's funny as hell 😂 I have daughters as well

[h20hunter]

Mine is turning 9 and I'm already dead set against a Jeep!

[tlbradford]

I agree with Mag_j.  When I had to replace my 99 Grand Cherokee, I scoured Craigslist and was needing another SUV.  I just missed on a couple of Grand Cherokee Overlands with 60,000 to 70,000 miles in perfect condition for under 10K.  I think they were 06 and 07.

[jackelope]

Until we know what model the kid wants, we have no way of knowing what the actual heck we're even talking about.

Early 90's inline 6 Jeeps had major giant PITA fuel system issues. Can't recall if it was a 4.0 or a 4.2? with these issues.

Wrangler/Cherokee/GRand Cherokee:
4.0L rear main seals leak. A lot.
4.0L exhaust manifolds crack. A lot.

93-04 Grand Cherokee differential bearings fail. A lot.
99-04 grand Cherokee with the dual zone climate control had heater box issues a lot. It causes no heat or no a/c or no air flow on one side or the other.
4.7 h.o.(engine code 1 I think on the VIN) cylinder heads crack. If I remember correctly it sets a #1 cylinder misfire.
99-04 grand Cherokee's warp front brake rotors like they're going out of style.

The 2007 and newer Wrangler had major, mostly unrepairable water leaks with the hard tops. The soft tops sealed better.

I left Jeep for the most part in the late 2000's so not too familiar on whatever issues the newer style Grand Cherokees have.

I'm sure I'm forgetting some stuff.

I'd look real hard for a 2001 Cherokee with as low a miles as possible. That could be a pretty good vehicle.

 

[tlbradford]

99-04 grand Cherokee with the dual zone climate control had heater box issues a lot. It causes no heat or no a/c or no air flow on one side or the other.
99-04 grand Cherokee's warp front brake rotors like they're going out of style.

I'd look real hard for a 2001 Cherokee with as low a miles as possible. That could be a pretty good vehicle.

The dual zone crap drove me crazy, but there are some work-arounds until the heater core finally fails.  The blower fan has a part that burns out and needs to get resoldered.  Easy fix.  The blower doors were too heavy and would not function.  You could cut them out and replace with a lighter one.  Huge pain in the butt, but cost $20 in materials rather than a $2,000 repair.  Those fixes lasted me 5 years until the heater core leaked when the vehicle was 16 years old and around 160,000 miles.  The warped rotor issue with the brakes was taken care of by warranty.  I didn't have problems after that, but would defer to Josh's knowledge.  I had started to have a variety of small issues on mine.  Power window motors, heated seats getting too hot, electrical problems.  I also was told the 4.7 is known for warped rings.

[Bofire]

Buy her a stock Toyota or Honda, there are lots of models, she will be glad when she is still driving and the jeeps are dead.
Carl

[Scvette]

A TJ with that mileage is low....especially if it is the manual transmission with inline 6. 

With that being said.....a jeep for a first car scares the living bagggeeeebers out of me.  I have seen jeeps (wrangler specific) in accidents and they are do not hold up well.  A first time driver should be in an automobile that has good crash ratings.....just my 2 cents.  I own a 2000 Jeep Wrangler with 130,000 miles and it starts and runs very well.  I would not and will not give it to my children for a daily commuter if they spend much time on highways.  In town or in the hills they work great.

Here's my daughters 04 TJ that a older guy in a 3/4t dodge pulled the wrong way on a one way,she was doing about 30-35,it held up well,other than being totaled.

[Scvette]

Another pic

[fishngamereaper]

Heck if your spending 10k Ill sell the wifes 04 Toyo 4Runner Limited. 

[papisjeep]

i would not put a inexperienced driver in a short wheelbase jeep, that being said ive seen lots of jeeps at 250k so they can last a while but a jeep is a jeep and that means get used to turning a wrench occasionally 

[Duckslayer89]

4Runner or Tacoma all the way

[cavemann]

Thanks everyone, I got plenty to chew on..  I didn't clarify, she wants a wrangler.  There is not any one particular in mind, that was just he price/millage that seemed most common.  I'm leaning heavily in the no department, but I'm every other weekend dad so don't hold the trump card.

For those talking about 4runners for sale, I'm all ears!!

[92xj]

Have her find a 96 Wrangler. If she can, buy it.
This task will help your lean towards the no.

[L8NITE]

Bad idea if you have to pay the insurance lol...before you buy a jeep check on your rates!!! Some ins companies will really gouge for young adults in 4x4's especially jeeps!!!

[Fl0und3rz]

For longevity/reliability a 4 runner would probably be a better bet, and might serve her better and longer with the cargo space, extra doors.

You'll pay a premium for that over a similar age/mileage Wrangler, I would guess (been some time since I looked at them).  And you would still want to have the major maintenance looked over and done, as with any used vehicle.

[Skyvalhunter]

Talk her out of it!! Not worth the price or future costs she would occur. Get her a Uber subscription

[jackelope]

Have her find a 96 Wrangler. If she can, buy it.
This task will help your lean towards the no.

Wow...

[pianoman9701]

6 or 7 years ago, I bought a 2001 GC Laredo for $7500. Within 2 years, I'd put an additional $9K into it, including a rebuilt engine. Steer her towards Toyota. Spend the extra money up front and save the maintenance costs after.

[LDennis24]

JEEP's suck... and the short wheelbase makes them dangerous on ice for young inexperienced drivers. Spin right around like a top.

[92xj]

Have her find a 96 Wrangler. If she can, buy it.
This task will help your lean towards the no.

Wow...

I can't figure out your wow?
Agreement? Sarcasm? Get what I was getting at?

[jackelope]

Have her find a 96 Wrangler. If she can, buy it.
This task will help your lean towards the no.

Wow...

I can't figure out your wow?
Agreement? Sarcasm? Get what I was getting at?

The challenge you set forth finding a 96 Wrangler.
(There's no such thing)

I'd definitely buy it if you can find one.

[92xj]

Have her find a 96 Wrangler. If she can, buy it.
This task will help your lean towards the no.

Wow...

I can't figure out your wow?
Agreement? Sarcasm? Get what I was getting at?

The challenge you set forth finding a 96 Wrangler.
(There's no such thing)

 
It's the perfect solution for him if he doesn't want to be the big bad mean dad by saying "no".

[jackelope]

Legit point.

[Calvin Rayborn]

A TJ with that mileage is low....especially if it is the manual transmission with inline 6. 

With that being said.....a jeep for a first car scares the living bagggeeeebers out of me.  I have seen jeeps (wrangler specific) in accidents and they are do not hold up well.  A first time driver should be in an automobile that has good crash ratings.....just my 2 cents.  I own a 2000 Jeep Wrangler with 130,000 miles and it starts and runs very well.  I would not and will not give it to my children for a daily commuter if they spend much time on highways.  In town or in the hills they work great.

Here's my daughters 04 TJ that a older guy in a 3/4t dodge pulled the wrong way on a one way,she was doing about 30-35,it held up well,other than being totaled.

 

[Calvin Rayborn]

I agree - Too much of an attention getter for a youngun.

[Turdle]

"Jeep"
Just
empty
every
pocket
With that out of the way, I have owned several. Still love em. Jeep cheroke 4.0 inline, select tract. Not really afraid og the grands either, long as its 4.0
 Lots of parts available..

[kball4]

In your price range you should be able to buy a nice TJ Wrangler.  4.0L with a manual trans if she can drive a manual.  I have a 91 YJ.  Just remember with Wranglers if they are stock it'll last forever as soon as you start putting mods on things break.

[biggfish]

With that kind of money you could just about buy a brand new Kia. All kinds of of insurance savings right there with a new driver, plus there good on mpg. I know a gas mileage is never even on the list of considerations when a kid decides what they want for a vehicle, but after she buys a couple tank fulls she'll appreciate it.

Sent from my LG-K425 using Tapatalk

[kball4]

Except nobody says hey you know whats fun riding in a 4runner or KIA.  What is fun is owning and driving a Jeep Wrangler.   I have had mine since I was 15 now 28.  Never had problems in ice or snow, never felt like it was gonna tip over, and I've taken that thing places almost no other street legal car could go.  Also if she is a terrible parker the short wheel base makes it easy to park and get in and out of tight spots.

[Calvin Rayborn]

Except nobody says hey you know whats fun riding in a 4runner or KIA.  What is fun is owning and driving a Jeep Wrangler.   I have had mine since I was 15 now 28.  Never had problems in ice or snow, never felt like it was gonna tip over, and I've taken that thing places almost no other street legal car could go.  Also if she is a terrible parker the short wheel base makes it easy to park and get in and out of tight spots.

  Good points although I don't know if I'd want my daughter having TOO much fun on the road at 16!