Was wandering if any of you guys can point me in the right direction on a jeep. My daughter is driving me dang crazy to buy her a jeep. The jeep would be a second vehicle that she and I would share...mostly her though. I kinda like the looks of the CJ 7's I believe made in the 80's but pretty much open. I think Wrangler is another jeep, etc. Looking to spend $5-7k, and I don't want to buy something that requires me working on it all the time. Not sure whether to go 4 or 6 cylinder. To make matters worse, she really wants big tires and lift (she's a little 18 yr old red-neck girl). What can you tell me if anything on what to buy. Thank you.

Get a 6cyl with Hard top. Look for a 97 - up wider and safer.

Agree with the above post but anything 87 and up is wide enough.

Don't get me wrong I love cj's but they will require maintenance as any 25 year old vehicle would.

I've got a '72 cj5 304 v8. Hit me with a pm if you're interested.

Thanks,
Butch

I've got a 1998 Wrangler 4 cyl automatic as my 2nd vehicle. I just wanted something I could hop in and go to my stand or drive it down the road here at the house, so I didn't really care about 4 vs 6 cylinder and I preferred an auto. What I found in my search is that jeep's overall hold their value well and with that means you get what you pay for. So my advice is pony up ahead of time and get the newest, cleanest one your budget allows...I wish I would have done that.

My FIL has a two owner 2001 soft top 4cyl 4wd, automatic, navy blue, very good cond, alum factory wheels, new Goodyear tires, stock--not lifted, 130k mi, $6700. Located near Oxford. Pm me if seriously interested.

Get the 6 cylinder 4.0L. Get the wrangler. If you don't want to spend your weekends working on it, don't even think about buying an 80's model anything! Don't go too big on the lift or tires, or you will need to re-gear. Check the tops for holes and leaks. Check for rust if it has been anywhere other than the south.

Check these cool rides, neither are worth what they are asking but, this is the type i would be looking for if I were you-
http://bham.craigslist.org/cto/4258385051.html
http://bham.craigslist.org/cto/4315072579.html

Source- I own a jeep and have worked on it plenty.

What about an 85 cj7?

That's a sharp old jeep

I'd look at a tj 99-06 they have a few more creature comforts.

Jeeps are loud, hot in the summer, cold and drafty in the winter,ride like a horse drawn carriage and will spin around on you in a second on a dirt road but I love mine.

Oh yea the tops are a pain in the anal canal to take up and down

Got a '73 in the garage with a 304. All torn apart and waitin on daddy. Might take me a decade but I'm gonna get it on the road, or off the road.

Agree, and get the manual transmission. But, you could get a nicer 4cyl for less money if you will drive it mostly in town. I hate them on the highway. If she is a young driver I would wait on the Jeep

You want to buy a model TJ 97-06.Ideally, You want it to have A d44 rearend, with a minimum of least 3.73 gears optimally 4.10. This gearing, with a 3-4" lift and 33" tires with a 5 speed(not automatic) is great for around here, gives you plenty of low end but still enough pickup at highway speeds. if you get an automatic get a 3 speed it is a solid tranny, not the one with the overdrive, For the engine 4.0 6cyl hands down, solid built inline six. Look hard at jeeps, some get beat pretty good, but some lil gold gems were bought for grocery getters, and are in great condition. Just a note of caution, wranglers are not the safest of vehicles, especially for younger drivers.

I have had 2 TJ's. I own a 1998 now. Get the 6 cylinder with air. That is the 2 most important things to look for if you plan on driving it a good bit. The first time you have to drive it in the summer with the top up in the rain, you will wish you had air if you don't have it. It is like driving a sauna if you cant roll down the windows. Other than that, great vehicles. I will probably always own one.

I've owned several Jeeps, first was a '73 with a strong 304 V-8, wonder I ain't dead. No way I'd put a kid of mine in a CJ with a V-8 ! Lota power for a short, light, tall vehicle.

Gotta wTch the cj's I've let my hand get in the tire on them before

The doors and roof say that are only for protection from the elements

Had mine for years 4 cyl 5 speed 97 model tj motor went out at 213000 miles but I built it back from top to bottom with the best rebuild kit available its been good to me but lifted and big tires can be a little dangerous at times but look around real good and I hope you luck as mines been tough as nails.