28th Feb 2003, 08:14

The horror stories about ANY vehicle abound. Some of us get lemons - most of us get good Jeeps. I agree that usually dealers are the worst places to take your vehicle. If you are under warranty, you sort of have to, but "mom-and-pop" mechanics are still the best.

Have a 97 Wrangler SE (4 cycl, 5-speed, no AC) that has 102,000 miles on it. Things I've had to replace/fix:

One catalytic converter.

One set of tires (that's right, only one. Drove the originals off, need to replace the current, but they're still okay.)

Two sets of brakes.

One radiator that got a rock punched through it from a passing truck.

The usual mechanical wear and tear (plugs, oil filter, air filter etc)

All in all - still the best vehicle I have ever owned. Paint looks great. Little rust. Either all the paint came off of my mirrors or none of it did, because they look fine. I'm planning on buying another one when this one goes, but I want to get to at least 150,000 miles first.

21st Jun 2003, 12:02

I own a 97 TJ 2.5L. I am the third owner. At 69K miles, the Jeep is still running strong.

Since I've owned this TJ, I've replaced the catalytic converter, a set of tires, front brakes, and just recently, the steering pump. This is my daily driver, both on and off-road.

The upside is that a Jeep is a go-anywhere, do-anything vehicle. It can easily be modified to make it a one-of-a-kind vehicle. It performs well off-road, and once engaged in 4 low, can keep up with the big boys on the trail.

I highly recommend buying a Jeep wrangler. If you're looking for an all-season vehicle, this is the way to go. Also, you can proudly show the "Jeep wave"!!!

5th Aug 2003, 16:26

I just bought my first Jeep a week ago, a used 1997 Wrangler Sport. I've dreamed of owning one for 10 years. Mine came with 80,000 miles of road time. In a week, I've added 500 off road miles. Unfortunately, I encountered my first problem. I got caught in a rain storm with the top down. No big deal, it's a Jeep. I now have a ticking noise. It's the sound of a turn signal being out. I called the dealer, and he said it is probably a turn signal socket. I now get to attempt my first repairs.

I love owning a Jeep. I told my wife that if we win the lottery, I will not need to buy another vehicle. I own my dream vehicle.

28th Nov 2004, 08:05

11-28-04 I have a 97 jeep wrangler 2.5l 5spd manual transmission. I have been having some problems with it, when I got it I put a new engine in it. The former owner dented the oil pan and plugged the oil pickup screen and ruined the engine. I bought it for 750.00, I have also bought a new top, radio, distributor, cap, rotor, plugs, and wires. I drove it for about a week and the fuel gage started registering as empty, but I had a full tank. It did this on and off for about two weeks. The next thing that started happening is at about 50-60 mph, after It had warmed up it would loose power and die. My mechanic checked the codes and I replaced the cps sensor. I am still having this problem. I can drive it until it warms up and when it dies I pull off the road, disconnect the battery wait about 15 min. and I can drive it for about 2-5 more miles before it does this again. I have checked the timing chain, and its dead on. It also backfires, and starts dumping fuel when this happens. I believe it is a sensor, one that controls fuel and or ignition timing. I have just about replaced them all, right now my jeep is garaged. I can't wait to fix it, but I'm running out of funds. I have always wanted a jeep this one is beautiful and fun to drive, if I can keep it running long enough to get anywhere I can have some real fun in it.

11th Mar 2005, 06:34

Hello, I finally got my problem fixed. I am the fella with the 97' jeep wrangler I got for 750.00. I last added a comment on Nov. 28, 2004 @ 8:05. It was the fuel pump! I was looking for the fuel filter and I noticed there wasn't one, well I also tried to check the fuel pressure. But I found out you have to have a special adapter to do it, so I just pulled the tank. Which is where the fuel pump and filter is! The filter is on the bottom of the pump, held on by a clip and it was filthy and the fuel pump was totally gummed up. The pump was toast and wouldn't hold pressure, it has a little check valve in the bottom and if that doesn't work its just not going to hold pressure. After 4.00 for my filter "screen" 87.00 for my pump and about 1 and a half hours I was on the road and enjoying my jeep, I love it. Now if I can only pry it away from my girlfriend I might can drive it some more!

9th Feb 2006, 16:10

I used to deliver jeeps with a car carrier, They were the only vehicle you could unload off the top ramps with one set of skids. Almost straight up. Quite exciting. I need a tough vehicle to plow my drive with, so I'm gonna buy one.

To the guy with the fan motor noise: Often a comb, or pencil drops down the defroster vents, and rubs on the fan blades. I've seen it before many times. Disconnect the defroster hoses at the heater box, before you buy a new fan motor.

11th Nov 2006, 09:44

I bought a 97 Wrangler sport in 2005 with about 50,000 miles on it. Shortly after I bought it I had to replace the catalytic converter and an O2 sensor. I guess that was pretty common for the 97 wranglers.

I have read comments about the paint on the mirrors chipping. Mine also had that problem. I took off the mirrors sanded and primed where the paint chipped off and then repainted them. For about 5 bucks and maybe an hour of work, they look great and they haven't began to chip after over a year.

I couldn't ask for a better vehicle. For the age and wear that the vehicle has had, it runs great. I love Jeeps and I am sorry that so many have had problems with their 97 Wranglers.

4th Jan 2007, 08:10

I prefer the AMC designed Wranglers (1995 & earlier) to the Chrysler designs, but they are all decent vehicles.

The old AMC designed (YJ) Wranglers were some of the best 4x4's ever built. The YJ's possess the ruggedness of the CJ's with a wider track and a slightly more refined interior. But you can still modify them to your own specs.

Those who write reviews bashing the comfort & reliability of the Wrangler need to go out and buy themselves a Civic or Corolla. The Jeep Wrangler is a rugged little SUV and not a comfy little econobox.

The 4.0 liter in-line six is one of the finest engines ever produced. Good for 200-300k miles, and the AX-15 transmission is a Japanese built Aisin-Warner unit also used in some Toyota trucks.

People expect too much from their vehicles. The advertising agencies are partly to blame for that. Chrysler certainly has cheapened & watered down the Jeep brand as a whole. And when it comes to addressing owner's issues, does Chrysler even know what good customer service is?

My advice -Find yourself a good, well cared for Pre-Chrysler design Jeep & enjoy!

Happy Jeeping!!!