For a while now, I’ve contended that trucks used for island living is a very real force within the collector vehicle marketplace. From buying them to keep at a beach home to discovering them with next to no mileage after years of seasonal use only, there are people who believe they need a 4×4 to keep near the shoreline for hauling jet skis, boats, or their wares home from the farmer’s market. This 1988 Jeep Wrangler Sahara did exactly that near Rehoboth Beach in Delaware, and today it has under 8,000 original miles. Find it here on eBay with an asking price of $29,000 and the option to submit a best offer.
Right off the bat, you see things that are just impossible to find on any generation YJ, let alone a first-year model like this. The two-tone color scheme of the Saharas is always this very earthy combination, and there’s virtually no color fade of any kind. Then, there’s the spare tire cover: I cannot remember the last time I saw one this nice outside of when these trucks were still new or running around with 24,000 miles on the clock. The seller notes it remains original down to its tires and that it has never been detailed. It’s incredible to see a Wrangler from this era still look this good with not even a paint correction performed.
The interior is just mind-blowing. Here I thought YJ interiors were just junk, when it turns out most every single one you see has been abused or otherwise trashed. Not here, as the Sahara-specific upholstery is in incredible condition and the same goes for the dash, steering wheel, door panels, and console plastics. It looks like a new truck inside, and the seller even opines that the seats look like new old stock replacements, an assertion I can’t disagree with. The Jeep is equipped with an automatic transmission and no air conditioning, along with a hard top and hard doors. Power options are limited to steering and brakes.
The venerable 4.2L inline-six has so much life left in it with time-warp mileage like this, and it’s well-documented as one of the hardest engines to kill. The seller claims the biggest issue is the presence of surface rust, particularly in areas closest to the water for when the jet skis were dropped off. The original owners purchased it as a “launch vehicle,” so it has seen some parts replaced over the years as a result, including the muffler and tailpipe, rear brakes, rear brake lines, rear parking brake lines, and some of the emissions tubes. The seller also notes the presence of a broken ignition collar from a previous break-in attempt while the Jeep was in storage. Otherwise, the only thing left to do is to go out and relive 1988 in your brand new Jeep Wrangler Sahara!
Okay, let’s get this foolishness over with. !st, and perhaps I’m being a bit vain, but it seems BF’s features Jeeps and squarebody GM’s (at unrealistic prices, I might add), to either make me feel good, or rub “it” in my face. Since this isn’t FB, the staff is cool, and I’m sure it’s the former.
My mom always told me, “Howard, you should be some consumer advocate, warning people of shady deals”,,I said, thanks, mom, but consumer advocates tend to go missing with cement overshoes. I feel pretty safe here telling folks what a ripoff this is. Such malarkey and their pictures kill it everytime. Oil coming out the PCV, underside deplorable, many parts replaced( including speedometer), 8,000 miles should be new looking. It just goes on and on, doesn’t it?
I think the YJ came out in ’87, and was a much improved vehicle over the CJ, even though, it was basically just a bit wider and a bit lower, to prevent rollover lawsuits, and then, in comical fashion, the 1st thing these yahoos do, is LIFT THE DANG THING,,,sorry, but it undoes the safety factor all over again, not to mention, yep, here it is, the famed “Jeep Death Wobble”, enhanced, in part, by lifting. Automatic is an unbelievable rarity, and wasn’t offered in a 4cyl. until ’95. I’m very happy with my bone stock YJ, horribly underpowered, but I’ve driven underpowered vehicles all my life, and my Jeep was the only one, out of dozens, that actually had less than 100K. Interiors are the easiest part to keep looking new, and this Jeep has a TON of miles. Remember, I paid ONE TENTH of what these folks are asking, and that in itself should be a crime.
Now, if I can just get off this dang soapbox without hurting myself,,, :)
At this price buy a new one for a couple thousand more and get it fixed for free for the next 4 years.
The underside tells the story of buying old stuff off of an island. I live on an island on the gulf coast and I refuse to buy old cars or bikes locally anymore. Like stuff from up north except instead of rusting at the wheel wells it does it simultaneously all over because the salt is in the air. Gold luck replacing any of the rusty bits under there. Every fastener will fight you tooth and nail. Keep a torch handy.
30k? damn, that’s rust, not gold all over the underbody. Some one needs to explain the difference to him.
Looks like it was stored outside at least and possibly caught in hurricane Sandy. $29k is ridiculous…
My son had a twin to this jeep , except 5 speed , was a good vehicle at the time , this one is a nice example of one but too pricey !
Sad that it got salt under it and rusted. This is such a dream Jeep. Perfect in every other way. I would still love to own it and replace the rusted parts. Buy 30K is a bit steep to me.
Certainly worth the money if it were mint. This one is bathed in rust.