Should I buy this 97 TJ?

[bobbyo]

Thanks for your prompt reply Chris.

Having looked at the MOT history from 2007 before I went, I had expected it to look a lot worse than it did. Having said that, I’ve read a few stories on similar forums detailing decent cover ups.

See below MOT history of the vehicle, cause for concern?

https://www.check-mot.service.gov.uk/results?registration=R201jtw&checkRecalls=true

Wish the safety inspections here in the States were as comprehensive as those done by the MOT. Soooooo many s**tboxes driving around with no headlights windshields, bumpers, etc. you name it. In many cases a real threat to life and limb, both to the drivers themselves and everyone else on the road. And you know if they can't afford to fix the car, they probably aren't carrying any insurance either.

End of rant.

 

[TheBoogieman]

Wish the safety inspections here in the States were as comprehensive as those done by the MOT. Soooooo many s**tboxes driving around with no headlights windshields, bumpers, etc. you name it. In many cases a real threat to life and limb, both to the drivers themselves and everyone else on the road. And you know if they can't afford to fix the car, they probably aren't carrying any insurance either.

End of rant.

Move to Va and see if you feel the same way. I got a rejection sticker because they said my headlights weren't bright enough and I had a decal on my windshield. My car was rejected for a pinhole in the exhaust. They said it had to be replaced, not repaired. I found another inspection station.

 

[Apparition]

Wish the safety inspections here in the States were as comprehensive as those done by the MOT. Soooooo many s**tboxes driving around with no headlights windshields, bumpers, etc. you name it. In many cases a real threat to life and limb, both to the drivers themselves and everyone else on the road. And you know if they can't afford to fix the car, they probably aren't carrying any insurance either.

End of rant.

Fuck that

 

[cliffish]

Wish the safety inspections here in the States were as comprehensive as those done by the MOT. Soooooo many s**tboxes driving around with no headlights windshields, bumpers, etc. you name it. In many cases a real threat to life and limb, both to the drivers themselves and everyone else on the road. And you know if they can't afford to fix the car, they probably aren't carrying any insurance either.

End of rant.

NH is half way to passing a no inspection law and they do NOT require insurance. If they go the no inspection route I am registering all my vehicle up there. My son lives there and my wife is on the lease. We just bought a Infinity QX60 and reged it up there...no sales tax. The insurance on that and a town and country minivan was only $686/year for both with better coverage than I have here in NY. The QX60 would have been at least $1500 alone/year here.

 

[TheBoogieman]

NH is half way to passing a no inspection law and they do NOT require insurance. If they go the no inspection route I am registering all my vehicle up there. My son lives there and my wife is on the lease. We just bought a Infinity QX60 and reged it up there...no sales tax. The insurance on that and a town and country minivan was only $686/year for both with better coverage than I have here in NY. The QX60 would have been at least $1500 alone/year here.

I originally misread what you posted as "my wife is on lease". I was going to high five you until I saw that I missed the crucial word "the".

 

[tnjeepguy]

Looks like repainted maybe ? Hard to tell from few pics, if so run away. 4 cyn and not so sure about
switching between propane and gas ?? Worth checking before buy.

 

[Succentor]

4 cylinders more common than 6 here - something to do with fuel prices…

 

[Chris]

4 cylinders more common than 6 here - something to do with fuel prices…

The irony of it all of course is that the 4-cylinder arguably doesn't get much better MPG than the 6-cylinder.

 

[jonny jeep]

4 cylinders more common than 6 here - something to do with fuel prices…

Not from what I've seen. 2.5L seem pretty rare.

Even if you look at the howmanyleft website it's misleading. The descriptions given are down to whoever inputted the vehicle details when registered at DVLA. My 4.0L is registered as Jeep Wrangler 2.5 on the V5 but the engine is a 4.0L and shown as such.

Just had a look at TJs for sale on autotrader too. Out of around 20 UK wise, only one is a 2.5L.

 

[jeepguy03]

The irony of it all of course is that the 4-cylinder arguably doesn't get much better MPG than the 6-cylinder.

Yeah in the US the 2.5L was just marketed as the cheaper entry version of the TJ. I remember watching an old advertisement for a TJ SE 4 cylinder 5 speed back in the day and it was like $13k or something. The mpg isn't any better, and obviously it has much less power. It is livable, but only if you keep it stock. I would never put larger tires on a 4 cylinder Jeep just because it hurts the drivability so much. The 2.5L seemed more popular in the YJ at least in my area.

 

[TheBoogieman]

The 2.5L seemed more popular in the YJ at least in my area.

I remember those days. My first Jeep was a 95' YJ 2.5L with no AC or power steering. It was well worth the $1,800 I paid for it and was great in snow (no power to spin the tires). I "lived" with it for around 18 months before selling it for a 98' TJ 4.0L with AC.......... Luxury.

 

[tnjeepguy]

My first Jeep was a 95' YJ 2.5L with no AC or power steering

Everybody knows you have to run the 2.5 braless !!

 

[TheBoogieman]

Everybody knows you have to run the 2.5 braless !!

View attachment 611693

That tiny 2.5 is too small for that.

 

[KennethS]

It is livable, but only if you keep it stock.

And do all your driving on flat land.