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Jeep Wrangler Question

Yahoo Message Number: 26505
Good morning Group,

I seem to be going through a 'mid life' crisis, AGAIN.
Always wanted a jeep but never had the opportunity. Wife not overly enthusiastic and doesn't drive stick shift. Common sense suggests purchasing new or high price used unit might not be prudent, but I would like to tow a 'fun' vehicle to some locations.
Now someone has parked a jeep with a 4 sale sign nearby. I'm tempted but know next to nothing about Jeeps mechanically. But if the price is right, maybe........
Here's what I know. 1995 One owner Wrangler Sport, 4 cylinder (2.5L) Automatic, 124K. 4X. A/C. Appears to be stock. Never towed. Body looks straight. Canvas roof and side panels look good. Doesn't look like it has been off roaded. CA registered but it may have been out of state part of it's life. OBO asking price in line with Kelly Blue.
Before I test drive, does anyone have any suggestions as to what to look for on this model year regarding potential problems at 124K miles?
This is not technically a CC issue but I hope the moderator will permit my request to be aired as there must be a lot coach owners towing Wranglers.

Thanks in advance. David

David and Karen (and a very spoiled tuxedo, aka Kat) 2006 Allure Siskiyou 31383
2002 Honda Odyssey TOAD

Re: Jeep Wrangler Question

Reply #1 –
Yahoo Message Number: 26506
Hello George, we have towed a 1994 Jeep Wrangler, 5sp manual, with fuel injected 6cyl 225hp for years 4 wheels down with no problems. Cooincindentially, it happens to be for sale currently with 26k miles and 2 sets of tires for 10k. The jeep is in NY currently but will be coming down to Florida in Dec. if not sold by then. The jeep has factory air, tow package, cd stereo with 4 speakers and has been maintained and is in good to excellent condition. Also has chrome alloys and oversize tires. It is gun metal gray with black top and grey interior. The jeep you are looking at will be underpowered with a 4cyl and it my opinion automatics in jeeps are not "fun". If you are interested let me know.

Les & Susan Knox

2002 Magna Coach 6050 CC 6051
2005 PT cruiser toad
FMCA 172062

--- F102508@... wrote:

Quote
Good morning Group,

I seem to be going through a 'mid life' crisis, > AGAIN.

Always wanted a jeep but never had the > opportunity. Wife not overly

enthusiastic and doesn't drive stick shift.
Common sense suggests purchasing > new or high price used unit might not be prudent, > but I would like to tow a

'fun' vehicle to some locations.

Now someone has parked a jeep with a 4 sale sign > nearby. I'm tempted

but know next to nothing about Jeeps mechanically.
 But if the price is
right, maybe........

Here's what I know. 1995 One owner Wrangler > Sport, 4 cylinder (2.5L)

Automatic, 124K. 4X. A/C. Appears to be stock.
Never towed. Body looks

straight. Canvas roof and side panels look good.
 Doesn't look like it has

been off roaded. CA registered but it may have > been out of state part of it's

life. OBO asking price in line with Kelly Blue.

Before I test drive, does anyone have any > suggestions as to what to look

for on this model year regarding potential problems > at 124K miles?

This is not technically a CC issue but I hope > the moderator will permit

my request to be aired as there must be a lot coach > owners towing Wranglers.

Thanks in advance. David

David and Karen (and a very spoiled tuxedo, aka > Kat)

2006 Allure Siskiyou 31383
2002 Honda Odyssey TOAD

Re: Jeep Wrangler Question

Reply #2 –
Yahoo Message Number: 26507
I used to tow a '92 4 cylinder with a stick and no A/C. I loved it and drove it around town and only got rid of it when I was thinning the herd in the driveway and got rid of 2 vehicles for a single Jeep GC. Take a spin with the A/C on - my guess is that between the 4 banger, the auto transmission and the A/C it has very little power to spare.

Keep in mind this probably has leaf springs and a rougher ride. The newer coil springs are nicer. Mine had 105K when I sold it to a friend who is still enjoying it. Be warned... the 4 cylinder has an annoying tendency towards belt squeal in damp weather.

Dave

'98 Allure #30187

Re: Jeep Wrangler Question

Reply #3 –
Yahoo Message Number: 26511
David

I tow a 2006 Wrangler Unlimited with 6Cyl 4.0L Automatic. With this 6cyl there is just barely enough power for city and hyway driving. So don't even consider the 4 cyl.
Something to conceder is the new 2007 Wrangeler's have an option for 4 doors. These new ones come with a v-6 with more house power. If you get a Jeep Wrangler. Enjoy.

Bo Lee
2000 Magna

2006 Jeep Wrangler.

F102508@... wrote:

Re: Jeep Wrangler Question

Reply #4 –
Yahoo Message Number: 26513
I have had two Jeeps. Bo is right the 4 Cyl. Is just not got it and is in some ways dangerous. The 6 cyl. Is much better, and I enjoyed Jeeps and off road a number of years. Then there was the Hummer H3. Some short on horsepower, but more room, more versatility, and can be towed. Off road it is not as nimble as the Jeep, but you can still get most places a Jeep can. On the hi-way the Hummer has the Jeep in comfort, handling, and interior charm. Still like Jeeps, but for now it is the Hummer H3.

Re: Jeep Wrangler Question

Reply #5 –
Yahoo Message Number: 26518
Hi Jeepsters,

Thanks for the information. Turns out the jeep I got interested in didn't get off first base.
We were mislead about the ownership. Apparently there were three and maybe four priors and it came to CA from a salt water area. As soon as I heard this I gave up on it.
Sounds like my best bet is to look for a six cylinder unit with stick shift and either do all the driving myself or send spouse on a refresher course for manual transmissions.
BTW I am on the West Coast so will be looking in that general area.

Thanks, David

David and Karen (and a very spoiled tuxedo, aka Kat) 2006 Allure Siskiyou 31383
2002 Honda Odyssey TOAD
 

Re: Jeep Wrangler Question

Reply #6 –
Yahoo Message Number: 26546
Whoa!! I totally dissagree with the comments about the 6cyl vs the 4 cyl.

I am the proud owner of three Wranglers. Two ('93 & '95) are 6 cyl and one is a '94 4 cyl. All of them are Automatics. I would gladly trade even both of my 6 cyl's for two comparable 4 cyl's. The 6 cyl engine is a tired 1984 design that has had band aids put on it for the past 22 years. It started out as an AMC 6 that was not available in the jeep but later got the Jeep application.
The 6 uses more fuel that a big block V-8 packaged in a 3,500+ pound tank of a car. On the two 6's I have the best we have ever gotten on mileage is 15.4 mpg (and that's all downhill at a crawl [;-).

The 4 is geared properly and performs well for normal driving. No, it will not win performance races. It will however pull its weight in both on and off road conditions.

I intend to get rid of the two 6's I have this spring (trading one for a new 4 cyl and selling the other) but I would not recommend a 6 for what you intend to do with it. I also WOULD recommend the automatic. It can be towed 4 wheels down by simply shifting the transfer case into neutral. My 4 cyl has 184K miles on it and the tranny still operates perfectly. My '93 has 217k miles and again the auto trans is fine. All have in excess of 50k miles by my 3 teenagers and if they can't ruin the trans it is a good box.

Last, look at Wranglers post 2000 model year. The suspension is totally changed and is much smoother riding than the predecessors.
The pre 2000 models (like all three of mine) will rattle your teeth and your brain.

Why don't you test drive a new 6cyl and a new 4 cyl. I think you will see the 4 is more than adequate and it weighs less and gets nearly 20 mpg when driven intelligently.

Oh, by the way $10k for a 94 IMHO is nearly immoral. The 94's are more like $5 on the high side.

Joey & Debi

'98 Intrigue 10540