Do jeeps last a long time?

Question

I'm thinking about getting an older jeep wrangler (because that's all I can afford). Do they just keep getting crappier and crappier with higher mileage, or do they stand the test of time?

Jeep owners let me know!

Answer 1

Forget the comments about the Toy cars..Check for yourself the cost of repairs and parts. Have two Cherokees with over 200000 miles..MUCH OVER. One is 1990 with original transmission..and now a 4.7 stroker on that transmission.
Parts are cheap, easy to work on, and agree that you need the 4 liter and not the manual transmission. Would change ALL the fluids on any used truck or car including the brake fluid, steering, differentials, transmission ect. This is not special to the jeep,but a good idea on something that you did not drive off the show room floor.
Those TOY guys keep promoting "Misinformation" about those NON AMERICAN TOYS,,,I may just have to wonder over there with parts prices..Oh, yes, friend of mine just had the automatic rebuild in Mazda SUV...$2200...Cherolet 700 R4 at 220000 miles.rebuilt...$1200....same shop. Toyota similar. Per Auto Zone, alternator 1990 jeep $69,,Same year Toy...$129...and it gets worse.

Answer 2

A jeep is more of a toy than a daily driver. The reason you see so many older ones is because people usually have them as second cars (toys) and they are constantly adding more parts and rebuilding them.
Do you know what Jeep stands for? Just Empty Every Pocket. Thats not because they are bad cars, really. That is because when you own one you are always wanting to add things too it. Jack it up, bigger wheels, winch, bumpers.
I love my 2005 Sahara. I bought it as a toy. Its not my daily driver. However, I paid about 21K for it, and just because I like adding things on it. Ive done about another 9 grand in aftermarket parts.
Personally, if you are looking for a daily driver jeep, I would stay away from the high mileage wranglers. Unless you have a lot of extra money for replacing parts and rebuilding.
One option you might look at is find an older CJ7 that has already been completely rebuilt.

Answer 3

I have a 88 jeep wrangler, its first 50,000 miles it was a rental vehicle in Hawaii, it survived.

It has the 4.2, the non fuel injected version of the 4.0. The bbd carbs are crap, try to get a 4.0 version or replace the carb with aftermarket.

The electrical system came from factory with motorcraft stickers all over it. Seems that ford discontinued that system in the ford rangers in mid eighties, jeep bought several hundred thousand of them and put in to the 87-90 jeep wranglers.

I rebuilt the engine around 120,000 miles, cost me $400 in parts, $100 in machine shop work. (prices was from 2000) that's for gaskets, pistons, rings, all bearings, timing chain, oil pump, water pump. For comparison when i had to replace a blown head gasket on a 1994 Honda accord with 150,000 miles it was $356 for the gaskets alone.

The engine in the older wranglers are easy to work on, easy to get to. Layout is simple. Everything is not crammed together like the small econo front wheel drive cars.

I love the jeep as a second vehicle, its not the greatest only vehicle due to its soft top, no locks on doors and Ive lifted it.

Answer 4

When it boils down to it - just about any car will last a long time if you don't beat the crud out of it with your driving style (off road or on) and take care of it (oil, filters, fluids, etc.).

As an owner of 2 Toyota's, 3 Jeeps, one Chevy and a Honda, I can honestly say that my jeeps haven't lasted as long - mainly because I have pushed them HARD with extensive modifications to the vehicle and rock crawling. I will say that they do surprisingly well under the extreme conditions that I put them under though and with the exception of one of them that rolled down the side of a mountain (after rolling over me), all of them are still running strong. Heck, I was even able to drive the one that rolled down the side of the mountain back up it and out (even though parts were falling off it the whole way home).

I believe there is an easy way to answer your own question - look around on the road. How many of what older vehicle do you see on a regular basis? Forget about what people say, the proof is what you see.

As for me? I will ALWAYS own a Jeep (I prefer '91 - '95 YJ's)

Answer 5

Jeeps will last many years if you get one with the 4.0L inline 6 engine. Don't get the 4 cylinder and don't buy a new one that has a V6. My 96 Jeep Grand Cherokee has 192,000 miles on it and my 88 Jeep Wrangler has 259,000 miles on it and other than belts, hoses, an alternator here and there, and normal tuneups, oil/filter changes they will last forever.

Answer 6

the higher the mileage the more tlc it will need. Regular oil changes and services....stuff like that. Jeeps have a pretty good engines...it seems to me that they often suffer more electrical problems than anything else....i would stay away from power locks and windows in the older models...

Answer 7

I have owned several jeeps and I can say from experience that they are good trucks.I have bought other brand vehicles but I keep going back to jeeps. You can't get anymore dependable transportation than a jeep.

Answer 8

Jeeps don't die they get stronger. I have a 98 Grand Cherokee and it runs like the day I bought it.
Also they have a true 4*4 suspension underneath them not like most 4*4 out there that just power all wheels.

Answer 9

My Jeep is wonderful! It's an '86 and never gives me any trouble. This is my second Jeep. I wouldnt want any other car. Dependable.

Answer 10

Jeep has a great reputation for building quality, long lasting products. That's part of the reason I bought one.

If you do the maintenance like you're supposed to, the Jeep may outlast *you*! : )