When buying any used vehicle, you need to be careful what you are looking for. The same goes for a Jeep Wrangler. However, Jeep Wranglers are unique from other vehicles, and buying a used one can be different from previous vehicle purchases.
Make sure to pay attention to the landing gear, model, modifications, and any damage when buying a used Jeep Wrangler. Making sure these specific areas are on par will help make sure you’ve bought a Wrangler that will last.
Knowing what to pay special attention to when buying a used Jeep Wrangler will help you steer clear of less-than-ideal vehicles. While this is only helpful, it is even better to understand what to specifically check on the vehicle in view.
1. Landing gear problems
The landing gear is one of the most important things to check on any vehicle, but it is even more important on a Jeep Wrangler due to its frequent use as an off-road vehicle.
Because the Wrangler is frequently driven in extreme conditions, it is important to ensure that the previous owner did not damage the landing gear on any off-road adventure. The landing gear is a great indicator of the actual age of the car. When checking the landing gear, here are some things to look for.
Oxide
Rust is something you don’t want anywhere on your vehicle, especially the landing gear. If you find rust anywhere on the vehicle, it will eventually need to be replaced.
Those with experience in auto repair may not see this as a problem; however, for those with no experience working on automobiles, replacing rusted parts will be a costly task.
Jeep Wranglers are popular in areas that receive a lot of snow because they perform well in that weather. This can cause a more serious rust problem, as being covered in slush for several months each year can affect the metal. This is especially true in areas where road salts are used on winter roads.
Tired
Although the exhaust may not seem like a crucial part of the landing gear, it is. Check the exhaust system for rust, dents, or other apparent damage. If the exhaust pipe is no longer intact, do not jump on the vehicle.
Rather, talk to the seller and ask if they would be willing to lower the price, pay for repairs if they arise after the purchase, or replace the parts before the purchase. If you agree to one of these circumstances, then there is little need to worry about any damage to the exhaust.
2. New paint or parts
When looking over the vehicle, pay particular attention to any new paint or parts. These may be evidence of previous damage. New paint can even hide some damage or other problems. If you see areas in any part of the vehicle that has been painted or enhanced, proceed with caution before purchasing the Wrangler.
While new parts may seem like a good thing, it could mean the vehicle was broken or the part failed. Both situations could be indicators of other damages. If some parts already needed to be replaced, chances are others will need to be replaced soon as well. Use new parts as a reference to see how much life your vehicle has left.
The same goes for the new paint on the landing gear. New paint could indicate rust on the landing gear, so the seller covered it. While the new paint can make the undercarriage look much better, it could be hiding any number of rusted, dented, or damaged areas on the undercarriage. Paint will cover it, but it won’t fix those problems or you can visit carleg.com.
3. Intact Skid Plates
Skid plates are one of the clearest signs of a Jeep Wrangler’s age and how well it has been cared for. Skid plates are a cool feature installed on many off-road vehicles. They are intended to protect the undercarriage and guts of the car from any major damage caused by obstacles on the trails.
If the skid plates have holes in them, due to rust or trail damage, you may want to consider a different vehicle.
If you find slight scratches and dents on the skid plates, that’s normal. The skid plates are designed to take a few hits. They are a great indicator of how hard the Jeep has been driven and how long it has been used that way. If the skid plates have holes, rust, or trail damage, you may want to consider a different vehicle.
4. Any modification to the vehicle
Before buying any vehicle, but especially a Jeep Wrangler, ask the seller if they have made any modifications to the vehicle. Modifications are common among Jeep Wranglers as drivers work to make them perform better off-road.
After asking the seller about modifications, inspect the vehicle. If the seller withheld any information about the updates made to the vehicle, be careful when proceeding with the purchase process.
When modifications have been applied to a Jeep Wrangler, it is imperative to know what all of them are, even the really small ones. You need to know what the modifications are so that you can check if they are working properly. If the mods have problems, you may be paying more for mods that don’t even work well.
With modifications, you must consider the year of the car. Newer Jeep Wranglers should have little to no modifications, as they have been shown to cause problems with the vehicle’s operation at its entry level. If modifications have been made, check to see if any other part of the jeep has suffered due to them.
5. Compare Prices and Sellers:
Prices for new Jeep Wranglers range from $ 21,000 to $ 32,000. Compare sellers to get the best price: For example, a seller might offer $ 18,000; But if you take that information to another salesperson and ask him if he can outbid that offer, chances are he will. It doesn’t matter if it only drops $ 100, it’s money in your pockets that isn’t in theirs. Depending on its condition, prices for a used one can range from $ 13,000 for a 2003 Jeep Wrangler to $ 24,000 for 2008 one, as of December 2009.
6. Obvious damage
When you buy a used car you must calculate value of car, you will need to check for damage. Finding damage can help reduce the price or show you that it is not the vehicle you want to buy. The damage shows how old a car is and how well it has been treated. The answers to these areas for a damaged car are usually very old and not very good.
While Jeeps can be excellent vehicles in most situations, they have a reputation for having a variety of problems with just a few miles. Here are some things to keep in mind and ask the seller when looking for used Jeep Wranglers.
Conclusion:
When looking for Jeep Wranglers, it may be a good idea to scroll through the different Jeep series throughout the year. The ones you will want to consider are the YJ series and the JK series. Both are known not to have the best engines installed. You want to look for TJ and JL series Wranglers as they are built with more reliable engines.
