The Jeep Wrangler is undoubtedly an American classic, but its desirability has changed a bit as it has become more of an everyday SUV than a weekend-warrior rock crawler. With that in mind, it’s not surprising to see more appreciation for the models that predate the metamorphosis into a family hauler as many of the current new models seem to be used for. The YJ and TJ generations have been steadily ticking up in value, and this clean 4-cylinder example will likely get its asking price without trying too hard. Find this 1998 Jeep Wrangler here on craigslist for $9,500.
Thanks to Barn Finds reader Rocco B. for the find. The Wrangler really has lost some of its appeal as a cheap-and-cheerful rock crawler. Like so many other rigs in the truck segment, nothing is simple anymore and prices are through the roof. If I were in the market for a Jeep that wasn’t going to transport kiddos or other passengers on a regular basis, I would pay cash for a TJ like this all day long over buying a new model for $50K and a ton of electronics I don’t really want or need. This truck is in spectacular condition with a minity cloth interior, a traditional manual transmission, and surprisingly nice paint for a rig with 110,000 miles.
The four-cylinder powerplant may not surprise and amaze in terms of power, but the seller is not wrong that the performance won’t feel markedly different from the six-cylinder model. After all, these Jeeps were not geared for acceleration; they were mountain goats, intended to get through the tough and thick stuff without much effort. This 1998 model would have had a 2.5L four-cylinder, good for a respectable 120 horsepower and 140 lb.-ft. of torque. With just a soft top and a 5-speed, you can move in and out of traffic just fine. The seller notes the Jeep has received routine maintenance.
The Jeep sports optional alloy wheels as opposed to the base steel wheels which makes a huge difference visually. It honestly looks like a much higher-spec truck just based on the wheels alone. The soft top is said to be recently replaced, the tires are new, and the seller describes the interior as “…recently restored,” which explains why it looks so nice. I don’t think you can lose money on clean TJ or YJ-series Jeeps at the moment, and as dealers continue to charge ridiculous mark-ups on new pickups and SUVs, now may be one of the smartest times in history to buy a clean and proven used vehicle.
I’m surprised that this one slipped past the tipster T.J.!
Any relation to CJ, FJ or YJ?
It’s a nice one,,until the 4 cylinder( screeching tires), that’s a bummer. With a/c? Good heavens, you know, I sell the 4 cylinder short, and in a mountain situation, many vehicles fall short, but it will do okay on a flat area, and gets okay mileage for a Jeep. Being 2/3rds of the 6 cylinder, it has all the reliability of the 6, I hope, one I looked at had 324K miles, 100K on a replacement motor, so folks do drive the heck out of them. Again, if you want a Jeep for highway use, keep looking, but for local, this works for me. Hardtop a must in my area, warmer climates not so much. Why it isn’t sold is a mystery. Heck, I’d take grannies cabin on a trade anyway,, :)
This is a nice little putter for parades and trips to your coffee shop. But as Howard stated, don’t go joining any big boy clubs and attempt a rocky incline, or you may find yourself on a Youtube video when you get released from the care center. We fell in love with a 2016 Rubicon (a real one, not a hood sticker) with the 3.6 litre and hard rock pkg. and purchased new. It’s never been off road with very low mileage. The value has dropped 10K on used ones in the past 3 years. Just gonna keep it in the garage and take a putt around town on weekends. It’s Saturday morning and I hear the coffee shop calling!
@Cooter, thats a beautiful Jeep you have. It looks like it should be a 2024, not a ’16. I’m drinking coffee right now, enjoy your drive!!!
This is one clean Jeep, and doesn’t look its age at all. It would be perfect for running local erands. Maybe not the highway. I’ve driver 4 cylinder 5 speed Jeeps from the vintage and before, and, at that time coming from driving a ’77 Delta 88 with a 260 V8, this Jeep would walk away from it at every stop light.
Recently restored interior. Is that a joke? Recently detailed maybe.
Includes a pair of kidney belts.
I have lots of experience with this model of jeep. Have the exact copy , a ‘99 with no AC and hunter green. Bought it in 2000 with 9,000 miles. Currently has 45,000 with the vast majority off road. It lives at my farm in a barn and have used it extensively in 4 wheel drive. Bought it as a farm utility vehicle , but also for the 5 speed. Wanted my kids and grandkids to be able to experience a 3 pedal car off road vehicle from a past century. It has paid off as a great , fun working tool. More importantly , not under 10 kids all starting driving about 12 years old have learn to drive a stick shift off road.
The ‘99 has preformed very well with very little maintenance. Located in Mississippi , no experience in rock climbing , mostly digging thru cotton rows and hauling lite trailers. One time, back brakes caught on fire and had to run it in a pond to put the fire out. Being such a lite vehicle , rarely does it dig down and become stuck in mud.
Does not look like the one featured here as it has had a hard farm live , but it has been used exactly as designed and preformed wonderfully.
Good for you, Steve3n. I taught 3 of my boys to drive my 2005 TJ/6spd off road as well, while my oldest son learned on our ‘64 GMC 305/4spd. Some of the best times of my life.
Hope the frames not rotting away
I am surprised , no rot whatsoever anywhere on the jeep. Can not say that about my ‘82 Chevy pickup. I restored my pickup, mostly repairing rust on the body.
$10k will buy one with the 4.0 6 cyl. There are so many TJ’s on the used market that looking around will probably even get yourself one in the desired color. Someone else mentioned rust … a Georgia Jeep should be a good candidate for no rust. I’ve seen that high mileage will drive the price down, as well as the 4cyl. models going for considerably less money.
What a beauty. I had a similar one-same year-also 4 cylinders and 5 speed. I never found it underpowered at all. Even on the highway it was surprisingly peppy.
Purchased new-it didn’t cost much more then a subcompact car. Today they are too expensive and laden with too many accessories I will probably never use.