We’re only days away from the Summer Solstice, meaning the days will soon get noticeably shorter. However, plenty of off-road adventures are still on offer, and there are few better ways to tackle them than from behind the wheel of this 1997 Jeep TJ Wrangler Sahara. It is an original and unrestored survivor that presents exceptionally well. It has no apparent needs, and the seller’s decision to list it with No Reserve may make it irresistible.
Jeep introduced its TJ Wrangler range in 1996 as a 1997 model, and the vehicle remained in production until 2006. Our feature vehicle rolled off the line in 1997, and the first owner chose Moss Green to cloak its panels. The overall presentation is impressive, with the Wrangler’s good looks emphasized by the immaculate Beige Bestop soft-top. These classics often look battered and bruised with age as Mother Nature throws everything at them as they venture into the wilderness. However, this Jeep hasn’t suffered that fate. The paint is consistent, and any imperfections in it or the panels are too minor to show in the supplied images. The seller doesn’t mention existing or previous rust problems, and the underside photos reveal nothing that might raise concerns. The trim and glass are in good order, and the original 15″ alloy wheels wear matching Cooper tires.
If this Jeep has a genuine highlight, the interior may hold that honor. The first thing that caught my eye was the carpet. A light shade like the Beige chosen by the first owner is prone to marks and stains, but this is spotless. The Sahara trim package brings Green cloth to match the exterior, and apart from a stain on the passenger seat, it is excellent. There is no appreciable wear or signs of abuse. I spotted a minor scratch on the passenger side of the dash, but the remaining plastic is exceptional. Occupants won’t lack safety and comfort features, with this Jeep featuring dual airbags, a sturdy padded roll bar, air conditioning, a tilt wheel, and an AM/FM radio/cassette player.
The Jeep’s drivetrain combination will allow it to be an accomplished performer in all circumstances. The engine bay houses the 4.0-liter six, which produces 181hp and 222 ft/lbs of torque. The ponies reach Terra Firma via a five-speed manual transmission and a dual-range transfer case. Power assistance for the steering and brakes makes light work of the driving experience. Torque peaks low in the engine’s rev range, allowing the Wrangler to effortlessly climb every mountain and ford every stream. However, pegging the needle at 70mph on the open road shouldn’t pose a challenge. The seller supplies no information on the Jeep’s mechanical health, but the visual indications are that it should be a turnkey proposition.
The seller listed this 1997 Jeep Wrangler Sahara here on eBay in White Marsh, Maryland. Maybe it is the vehicle’s overall condition, or it could be the No Reserve factor, but it has attracted thirty-six bids at the time of writing. The action has pushed the price to a relatively modest $6,250 with time remaining on the auction. It is guaranteed to find a new home in a few days, but are you tempted to make it yours?
Everytime I drive my Jeep, I’m reminded how much I like the vehicle. I should have bought one 30 years ago, however, the thought did cross my mind, but finding a clean one in the Badger is like, IDK, finding cheap groceries? They don’t exist. This is a sweetheart, and far more realistic in the pricing. I had a friend with a 2005, a 6 speed I didn’t care for, and was as refined over the YJ, as the YJ was over the CJ. While mine still embodies some of the original, the TJ had literally nothing in common with the CJ, and probably just as well. If interested, this one won’t last long, but fear not, they aren’t exactly rare. A quick FB search, 50 miles from home, revealed no less than 100 Wranglers easy, so choose wisely. You can’t go wrong here, and I all but guarantee, you’ll love it as much as I do,,,as long as it doesn’t break, that is. Still, I would repair what ever went wrong, as it’s the LAST vehicle I will ever buy.
This one made me take a long look. It’s too nice for my driveway as I’d hate to imagine what it would look like 3 years from now. Buy it. Then garage it. Keep it on pavement. Only on clear days.
The underside does look like they’ve coated over rust…it’s hard to say how bad it is under there.
One of my Jeep club members posted a video of a low mileage TJ that broke the frame on a mild drive. The vehicle had low mileage but somehow had a bad rust problem. I just took delivery of a 2001 TJ and didn’t realize till after how bad the frame rust was on these. At the moment, it looks clean and rust free but we will see.
…too bad the dealer is upcharging $500 for doc fees…..sounds like a way to pick your pockets clean….
Doc fees with a dealer are ONLY pure profit. They charge you for the title transfer, the plate transfer and all the other things that go along with it. And some dealers actually do it all electronically with the Secretary of State/DMV so they don’t even have to drop the paperwork off at the office and pick it up later. Plus, how much does the license plate cost to mail to you? Doc Fees are ALWAYS pure profit and, like you said, just a way to pick your pockets. But, at least in Michigan, they are non-negotiable. If the dealer charges on one, they have to charge on all. Who do you think lobbied for that requirement? That is NOT to say that you can’t negotiate down the price sometimes to compensate for the Doc Fees.
Oh, and I even got a salesman to admit this to me once.
My daily driver is a ’98-same model/color as this one, both tops. I have 323k miles on it, original engine and transmission/transfer case. Looking at this one, I see that the frame is pretty badly rusted, right before the rear control arm mounts, and right past the front control arm mounts. These frames rust from the inside-out due to a lack of a drain hole in those same locations. If you see rust bubbling on the outside of this frame, the inside is in bad condition. This frame needs to be swapped. Also, the fuel tank skid plate is pretty rusted. I promise the torque boxes (where the frame connects to the body under the driver’s/passenger’s doors) are also rusting and are probably going to be in need of rust repair. Also: shocks, suspension bushings, tie rod ends, steering damper most likely need to be replaced. Ball joints and u-joints will need to be inspected. Goodyear Wranglers are, in my experience, awful tires and wear horribly. Under hood lamp is inop. This is missing a few options-cruise control, and wiring for the hardtop are notably missing. Rear main seal, valve cover gasket, are most likely leaking (this engine compartment is way too clean-suspiciously clean). The red led on top of the center console stack-is that a 3rd party or dealer installed alarm system? Driver’s side seat foam needs to be replaced. HVAC fan control knob is not stock and is on upside down.
Jeeps rust. It’s a matter of how badly a Jeep has rusted in the frame that is the overriding concern. You really can’t tell for sure from pictures. You have to use the screw driver inspection method. As others said, the frame rusts from inside. This looks like a nice Jeep from the pictures. I have a 1993 Jeep and it is nowhere near as nice as this one. But the frame and tub rust on mine is not horrible. I’ve had mine for eight years now and it’s been reliable as anything else I’ve ever owned. That 4.0 straight six is a beast. 187,000 still running strong and doesn’t burn oil. Also, I know it’s warts and there are plenty of them. So I will stick with what I have. No question that Wranglers are a fun vehicle. I’m getting ready to remove my doors this weekend. White Marsh is an hour away from me. If I were to replace my YJ; I would be very interested in this.
That frame is f’d. Buy one from the West. Hard pass.
I remember when the 97 Wranglers were introduced. The base model, sporting a dour cylinder engine, was $14,500. If you wanted the six, it was closer to $19,000, and only seemed to be available as part of upgrade packages that included quite a few extras, so the price was usually a little over $20,000.
As the owner of a 91 Wrangler with the four cylinder, four speed combination, I really wanted the six, but couldn’t justify buying one. Look at Wrangler prices today, the ones that appeal to me are all in the $80,000 range,so there’s no way in hell I’ll ever again own one.