Buyin another used KJ

RQuarte · **Posted:** Tue Nov 06, 2007 5:49 pm

So my girl friend decided that she wants to get a KJ but with the money she has she is looking at getting one with a lot more miles then mine, somewhere up in the 80K-100K area. My 2004 only has 20K so im not used to the issues with the higher mileage on the KJ's so anyone want to fill me in on what goes wrong up around that mileage and other things to look for, I understand that these cars are good for a lot more then 100K but im just wondering. thanks.

Sport · **Posted:** Tue Nov 06, 2007 6:00 pm

Hey Long Island I grew up there, moved away a few years ago!

oh, get a wrangler or cherokee.

Jeepjeepster · **Posted:** Tue Nov 06, 2007 6:05 pm

I would suggest she look for lower mileage libertys. There are not alot of libertys in that range yet so its unknown how they do with that kind of mileage.

Pote · **Posted:** Tue Nov 06, 2007 6:32 pm

what's her budget??? that might be a better starting point. I'd be a bit weary getting an unknown KJ that already had 100K on it...I doubt a little ol lady has been driving it.

jelohead · **Posted:** Tue Nov 06, 2007 6:35 pm

mine has 70,000...had the usuall ball joint recall done, and, BOTH cylinder heads replaced under warranty....i was apparently losing compression in cylinders 5 and 6, one on each side....no other headaches yet!

FastTRX · **Posted:** Tue Nov 06, 2007 7:04 pm

I think I've read something about alot of guys going thru rocker arms I believe at around 100K. You can find older KJs (02's 03's) for around 8-9K or so now...you just have to look around and see which ones are the nicest.

TheJawsOfDeath · **Joined:** Sun Nov 05, 2006 3:56 am **Posts:** 305

Man, 20k miles on a 2004? Thats really low.

RQuarte · **Posted:** Tue Nov 06, 2007 9:44 pm

Thanks for the heads up guys, we'll look around.

TheJawsOfDeath wrote:

Man, 20k miles on a 2004? Thats really low.

I bought it last year with 11K the women lived in NYC who drove it every other day and never put it in 4 wheel drive.

Guest · **Posted:** Tue Nov 06, 2007 9:50 pm

Sport wrote:

oh, get a wrangler or cherokee.

Yeah. He specifically asked about a LIBERTY for a reason. Otherwise, he would've titled the thread "What kind of Jeep should my girlfriend buy?" What's the deal with all the non-KJ-loving KJers around here all of a sudden?

Obviously, you know about balljoints. It's like any other used car though...visually check all the fluids, and when in doubt, use the smell test. ask for service records, etc. If the owner can show you the service records, and it's been maintained regularly, I wouldn't bat an eye at buying a 150k mile KJ (as long as the price is right). Spend time underneath it. Check for a leaking front axle (because I guarantee it WILL be leaking at that milage, all D30s do it) and use that as a bargaining point. Make sure the trans pan isn't caked in greasy gunk, too.

listen for any funky noises coming from under the hood, make sure the financing is good, and if you're buying it from a lot sit and haggle with the salesmen for as long as you can. They all have a breaking point, just out-wait them. If they don't like the price ya throw at em, leave...they'll chase you. if they don't chase you, then you weren't gonna get the price you wanted anyway :lol:

tommudd · **Posted:** Tue Nov 06, 2007 10:36 pm

What Tbird said times two, just do normal checks of everything, brakes, suspension etc. KJs should and better go 150/200,000 cause my 04 has 91000 on it now and NOT ONE PROBLEM still all original except for lower ball joints and rear u-joints :wink:

So there are plenty around I know of one of my neighbors older lady its an 03 with 75000 and still looks brand new, so little old ladies do drive them and put some miles on them as well

JJsTJ · **Posted:** Tue Nov 06, 2007 10:55 pm

TheJawsOfDeath wrote:

Man, 20k miles on a 2004? Thats really low.

My 04 has about 15k on it. When I got it in March 06 it had 4600 miles on it. Of course it spent its first year as a raffle car traveling around Cali on a trailer.

Cobalt-60 · **Posted:** Tue Nov 06, 2007 11:23 pm

JJsKJ wrote:

TheJawsOfDeath wrote:

Man, 20k miles on a 2004? Thats really low.

My 04 has about 15k on it. When I got it in March 06 it had 4600 miles on it. Of course it spent its first year as a raffle car traveling around Cali on a trailer.

darn, look at you all. I thought I was doing good with only 32K on my 04.

Of course, I live in Metro-Atlanta, where the AVERAGE daily commute is 50 miles. EACH WAY!!! :shock:

myjeepwalks · **Posted:** Tue Nov 06, 2007 11:27 pm

FastTRX wrote:

I think I've read something about alot of guys going thru rocker arms I believe at around 100K. You can find older KJs (02's 03's) for around 8-9K or so now...you just have to look around and see which ones are the nicest.

Dont jinx me. I got 97k on mine and no problems. :lol:

Rush345 · **Posted:** Wed Nov 07, 2007 12:24 am

When, I bought my '02 Sport last yearfrom a stealer ship. Needed new AC compressor and full service, new radiator,front rotors trued up warped, rear Diff shot needed rebuilt, and LBJ's twice. Now granted I got the stealership tp eat these expences after a long talk with the General Manager got $380.00 refunded. I did all this with in the first 2 weeks of ownership. IF I had done a check before the purchase I would have had a whole lot less greif, HIND SITE IS 20/20

FastTRX · **Posted:** Wed Nov 07, 2007 12:38 am

JJsKJ wrote:

TheJawsOfDeath wrote:

Man, 20k miles on a 2004? Thats really low.

My 04 has about 15k on it. When I got it in March 06 it had 4600 miles on it. Of course it spent its first year as a raffle car traveling around Cali on a trailer.

How is ol' Kujo doing? I bet alot of those miles logged were spent in Moab! Lucky....

JJsTJ · **Posted:** Wed Nov 07, 2007 8:48 am

FastTRX wrote:

JJsKJ wrote:

TheJawsOfDeath wrote:

Man, 20k miles on a 2004? Thats really low.

My 04 has about 15k on it. When I got it in March 06 it had 4600 miles on it. Of course it spent its first year as a raffle car traveling around Cali on a trailer.

How is ol' Kujo doing? I bet alot of those miles logged were spent in Moab! Lucky....

Well we bought it in March of 06 and drove it to Moab that April. A year later it made it's 2nd trip there. A lot of the miles are traveling to and from wheeling spots for sure. My wife DD's it (since it Is hers) and her round trip commute is about 15 miles, 14 of that to and from dropping off my 14 yr old at school. KuJo is good, knock on wood.

Back on topic: If you can find one in good condition that was driven on long commutes and appears to have been serviced regularly (w/ proof, probably easiest to find from a private party seller) I wouldn't worry too much about the high miles on the drivetrain. Just have it checked out by a good, trusted mechanic. Good luck!

jb4204562 · **Joined:** Tue Oct 23, 2007 10:14 pm **Posts:** 64

after about 180,000 miles my speedo and odo. stopped working....... and then my motor blew up............ but i'm getting her fixed... she is my favorite!

BeepBeepJeepJeep · **Posted:** Wed Nov 07, 2007 10:42 am

jb4204562 wrote:

after about 180,000 miles my speedo and odo. stopped working....... and then my motor blew up............ but i'm getting her fixed... she is my favorite!

What happened to your motor?

Sport · **Posted:** Wed Nov 07, 2007 12:15 pm

ThunderbirdJunkie wrote:

Sport wrote:

oh, get a wrangler or cherokee.

Yeah. He specifically asked about a LIBERTY for a reason. Otherwise, he would've titled the thread "What kind of Jeep should my girlfriend buy?" What's the deal with all the non-KJ-loving KJers around here all of a sudden?

Thanks I can read. Both hold their resale much better then KJ's do and the inline 6 is a great motor which is proven to last. If I wanted to buy a jeep with that kind of mileage that is where I would look.

elephantrider · **Posted:** Wed Nov 07, 2007 12:48 pm

ill sell you mine for 11k. its got 48k miles on it.

:twisted:

Buyin another used KJ

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