Buying a second hand TJ

[Peggsy]

Hi guys, I've decided its time to ditch the 40 series cruiser in favour of something newer and hopefully more comfortable. What I'm chasing is a bit of advice, have patience with me cause I'm totally new to Jeeps...

I'm looking to spend around 20 grand, and definitely want a hard top. I guess what I need to know is if its better to buy one already decked out with bars and lift and stuff, or whether to get a stock one and get the other work done myself. Also, is 20 a realistic price for a good second hand TJ, or do I need to look at spending a bit more?

Thanks in advance...

[Glenn]

It'll be a lot cheaper(although not as much fun) to buy a vehicle that already has a lot of the mods like lift and bull bar etc, those type things don't seem to add much to the price of second hand vehicles, to most of our discust when we try to sell lol. You'll find hard tops harder to find than softops(some have both tops) and probably slightly dearer so your less likely to find vehicles modded the way you want, also don't buy a soft top and think you'll put a hard top on later cause hard tops and doors are worth an arm and a leg. Wranglers are getting pretty cheap too these days so 20 000 grand should get you something pretty good.

[Dan96XJ]

Peggsy, check this out

http://www.ausjeepoffroad.com/forum/showthread.php?t=60072

as far as buying modded or not; agree with Glenn and definately cheaper buying one done, but if your a tinkerer and like doing this stuff yourself or to your personal taste, then buy a stocker and spend the big bucks modding.

[FredE]

Check out ebay there are a couple on there here's one to start

http://cgi.ebay.com.au/Jeep-Wrangler-Hardtop-AND-Softtop-HOT-HOT-HOT_W0QQitemZ4626711810QQcategoryZ102307QQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem

[Moses]

You could also look into this one in Melbourne

http://www.ausjeepoffroad.com/forum/showthread.php?t=59545

[Peggsy]

Thanks for the replies people. Looks like its time to place myself a wanted add.

One other quick question though, is it true that the TJ's have galvanised body panels?

[Ber]

Hi Peggsy

My son just bought a 5 year old TJ Sports, hardtop in excellent condition with ARB winch bar, 2 1/2 inch lift and tow bar - cost him $19000 and he paid extra and got 3 years warranty as well. They are out there but it took us a lot of research to find the right car at the right price and hours on the Internet. We live an hour north of you but he ended up buying it in Brisbane. We drive Suzi Sierra - absolutely top little car and cheap as chips to run but we love the Jeep and I often find an excuse to 'borrow' his Jeep. Makes a change from "Mum, can I borrow the car?" hahaha. Only beef I have about the TJ is the amount of fuel it uses.